Berkhamsted Canal Walk

Chilly, but a lovely bright sunny day for our canal towpath walk from The Old Mill at Berkhamsted, 

where we had fish'n'chips and a glass of NZ savvie to The Three Horseshoes at Winkwell for a coffee before walking back.

Reflection in pub mirror

To get across the canal to the pub you cross a single track swing bridge, guarded by this sign

The Grand Union Canal was full, with excess water gushing over locks and overflowing through outlets to the River Bulbourne.

Pizza at Home

Pizza with Majestic 'Definition' Stellenbosch Chenin Blanc 2018.

Pizza was probably the best I have made, a result of using '00' flour giving an authentically crisp rim.

The 2018 Definition has the code A1169 on the back label which is the identifier for De Morgenzon Winery. 

De Morgenzon are one of South Africa's top Chenin producers and at time of writing Majestic have their 2015 Chenin under De Morgenzon's label at £26. Chenin is a winemaker's grape in that it can be made in any style. This is a powerfully restrained wine with very well integrated oak giving an underlying backbone. It needs time in the glass to allow one to fully appreciate it's magnificence and depth of flavour. Dry, but not acidic, voluptuous but not blowsy. An incredible Chenin for the price.

GOM King William IV

Derek was supposed to be hosting, but he was in Australia so Andy stepped in and chose the convenient King William IV.

L>R Andy, Mike, John, Rick, Peter N

L>R Gerry M, Colin, Mark, Peter C, Peter M, Gerry W, Fred

Mike was unanimously awarded the GOM badge after he told  a hilarious tale of sexing geese.

I had 'Beef and Black Sheep Pale Ale Pie, tender beef in a rich ale, mushroom sauce and beef dripping pastry'. Very similar to the steak and red wine pie I had last month at The Chequers, but with more meat and £2 cheaper. Accompanied with Campo Vieja Tempranillo Rioja.

Thanks to Gerry M for the group photo.

Early Daffs

Earlier by 10 days than last year, the early clump of daffodils flowered today.

Last year I noted they had been constantly felled by frost in preceding weeks, but not this year. Maybe the warmer weather this year encouraged even earlier flowering, but other clumps in the front haven't shown and daffodils in the back garden are not even close to flowering.

Criccieth

To Criccieth from 25-28 January to see Daniel and Krisie and The Starlight Players' latest pantomime, Knight Fever. 

Dan played the villain, The Black Knight.

Criccieth Memorial Hall

We stayed in the new flat above Cadwaladers, which has wonderful views from the living room.

The wonderful Gwin Llin wine shop at Pwllheli was unfortunately closed but we had a burger at Harveys New York Bar and Grill next to it

Sunset over Criccieth Castle from outside Dylans restaurant

Portmadog harbour

This fearless robin hopped on the wall we were leaning on admiring the view of Borth y Gest bay on a walk with Dan.

There was snow on the hills between Portmadog and Bala and on the road and land on the high pass between Bala and Tanat Valley

Thanks to Dan May for the photo's of Robin and Memorial Hall 

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Nakatomi Plaza

Advert for this sweatshirt from here seen on a webpage seen today

GOM at Chequers

Ten GOM at Chequers, Redbourn, on the first Monday of the New Year, organised by John Allen.

L>R Gerry, Peter, Rick, Fred, John, Ron, Martin, Derek, Mike, Peter

Fred won Grump of Month

Good steak and red wine pie in pastry and drinkable Rioja, and good company.

John Allen