Drumroll.....Ed Nemmers, from Illinois, USA was the lucky, lucky chap who won the Great British Giveaway. Ed had earlier proclaimed to rather like Jamie Oliver, as you can see from his comment. I hope he will enjoy the book, along with other goodies.

Talking to the winner earlier sparked a memory from this spring; a long weekend in Hay-on-Wye which included lots of walking. My travelling companions and I came across a field of horses, one of whom gave us the most intelligent and curiously longest of stares, that we christened him Mr. Ed, naturally.

We had been so lucky with the weather, early spring in Britain is generally on the wet side. We had some fantastic evenings with boules on the lawn, wine on ice, in the warm glow of the setting sun.

I love it when a memory is evoked like that, thanks Ed!