To mis-quote the song, we stop at the best places, as you will find out if you read on. (I know the rhyme is lost but hotels don’t fit the rhyme, OK?).

https://genius.com/Irving-berlin-a-couple-of-swells-lyrics

I’m informed that Twixnyday doesn’t go far enough so it’s now Twixb’day, which sounds to me like a collaboration between Mars confectioners and Armitage Shanks. Also, I didn’t mean to sound doom-laden about it being my last party. I just need a few years to get over it, a bit like the pains of giving birth. If, on the other hand, anyone fancies throwing me a surprise party, go ahead, any occasion!

To continue where I left off, the day after The Party we had lunch for the still-standing family members at Harry’s Bar in Victoria. A relaxing place to eat, possibly too much as the service is not particularly brisk. Just right for Sunday, unless you have a train to catch. We had a very artistic waiter when it came to taking a group snap.

We then took a few days to rest before venturing out again. For a change we went to the local cinema to see ‘Maria’, about Maria Callas’s last days, starring an impressive Angelina Jolie. Well worth seeing if you’re wondering what to do with yourself one day (assuming it’s still being shown or streamed). John decided to treat me to a meal but in Wells there’s not as much choice as in London. Well, if Wetherspoons is good enough for Prince William… I’ve not been in one for maybe 20 years, since George had monthly dance lessons in Newton Abbot and we spent an hour or so downing coffees and pastries. It was an eye-opener, I don’t think I’d had a meal in one before. The food was fine, incredibly good value, but behind me was a couple having a expletive-laden row that sounded as though it could erupt into violence any minute. I think Tracy had been unfaithful. Thankfully a chap came along and started chatting to them: I’m assuming he wasn’t the lover. We left before anything else exciting happened.

Two nights later we had a dining experience of a different kind, at Mark Hix Kitchen down in Charmouth. A total of eight people plus Mark and the sommelier Phoebe. I forget how many different wines but it was fascinating to see a professional chef whip up the different course to go with each. He had prepared all the ingredients beforehand so it all went very smoothly and quickly. This was the main, venison liver. He tries to use very local ingredients, foraging a great deal for herbs. There’s no menu as it depends what he can source that day. One of the dishes was pollock tongues; he said he has to buy the whole fish as asking the fisherman to prepare them gets him odd looks!

We often mark Burns Night (January 25th) with friends but decided to have a year off, going to one of our favourite restaurants, Goodfellows, for a meal with no haggis. It’s known for its fish cooking, but for some reason we both had meat. Maybe subconsciously we were after haggis? We did have some a few days later, with whisky of course. (Personally, I think the only way to eat haggis is to drown it in whisky). Adie was lucky enough to get a leftover bone.

As a hint of what might be to come in the months ahead, on the last day of January I made an Aviation cocktail. Take Crème de Violette, cherry brandy (it should have been maraschino liqueur but I discovered we don’t have any), gin and lemon juice. Not sure, says JD.

The lemon juice rather overwhelmed the violet flavour so the next day we tried a Stratosphere, Crème de Violette topped up with champagne. We both felt that violet is not one of our favourite flavours. Anyone out there who liked Swizzels Parma Violet sweets, let me know, there’s a bottle of Crème de Violette you can have to try.

Which of these count towards my 2025 goals? Going to concerts and eating out is not that new so I think the party and the Mark Hix event. So far, one a fortnight. Good start.