Went to visit an old friend from college days (nearly 40 yrs since we first met), who lives about 30 miles away.  It's great to be within easy travelling distance after all this time and we've picked our friendship back up as if there had been no gap in between.  She's now a farmer's wife - her father was a farmer and I spent many happy times on her parent's farm when we were at college in Birmingham.  I wanted to take lots of photos to show you but the camera wouldn't play so you'll have to make do with these from last year's Three Counties Show (this year's starts on June 18th).

The halogen cooker has arrived and I've tried it out by cooking a duck.  It was quite successful but a bit awkward to get the duck in and out of the bowl.  Cooked potatoes well without any added fat but didn't have room round the duck for the rest of the veg.  It was certainly quicker and it's sort of self-cleaning.  I'll need to experiment to see if I can get things a bit easier to manage - on the worksurface it seemed too high to lift out of so might try the table.  M won't eat duck so she had fish pie!

  Next week H has an important birthday and I'm committed to finishing some tax returns, but I'll try and keep up with everyone.  Hoping to get to the Flea Fair tomorrow too.