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The Peacock at Rowsley

Every year a group of us go out to celebrate our bonus from work. As a group of friends we have known each other for a good few years and it's always a nice occasion when we get together. This year as our outing coincided with the start of my long leave and birthday, we decided to go upmarket and celebrate in style, so on Saturday evening we went to The Peacock at Rowsley, Derbyshire. Champagne prinks at Dawn and Steve's whilst waiting for the taxi, followed by a beautiful drive through the Peak District past Chatsworth House, to the restaurant.


The evening started with Pink Champagne and finished with single malt Whisky or Grappa (depending on your preference), the food and wine in between were excellent, everyone enjoyed their meal.  A lovely evening, with a good group of friends. Only a moderate thick head in the morning, quicky resolved through a nice cooked breakfast by our own resident chef Steven 'Kerridge' Newbolt - he did us proud.

Don't miss out!

I've been through a period of ebay frenzy as I tidied out the garage. It's amazing what people will buy, but what a pain it is loading pictures and writing descriptions, for what basically is a pile of old tat.. Much to my daughters dismay, I decided I'd had enough ebaying and started a good old 'yard sale'. With my best Del boy market trader wheeling and dealing hat on, I achieved some moderate success. I sold Alison's bike (I'm waiting to see how long it takes her to notice its gone) for a few quid, and we had some interest in the other items. I'm thinking of a Buy One Get One Free offer this week to keep drawing the crowds in! The auctions on ebay continue, so if your life isn't complete without a wire veg rack in grey, take a look at my ebay page. With one bid at 99p you don't want to miss out, get bidding.

I've booked myself on a brewing course at the Tideswell School of Food, for the end of May, where Steve and Bob will be joining me to learn all about nano brewing. Also Paul the Baker, (that's Paul White, not Paul Hollywood, just in case you were wondering) will be coming to our house to teach me some bread making skills. Although I do a good basic loaf (I know that for definite because both my daughters say its nice) I've asked Paul if he can teach me how to make crusty French, wholemeal and sour dough bread. Hopefully that will happen in May as well, so May is shaping up as a busy month.

I'm off for a run, followed by sorting out the veg patch. Bob is coming down tomorrow with his chain saw so we can take the pine tree down in the garden - proper man stuff, Alison wants nothing to do with it, and says if she gets a phone call from A&E we're on our own! Watch this space!