It’s been a long time since we’ve been to The Malt Shovel in Horsham. We had plenty of reason to patronise this venue in the past due to the landlords generous sponsorship of our team. Unfortunately Steve passed away recently (incidentally so did our hockey team) and work committments have kept me away. However, last sunday (15th July 2007) a visit from an old team mate prompted a return. When we got there there was a 2 piece band playing laid back jazz and the effects of the smoking ban were evident. I wasn’t immediately sure what was different but I’m pretty sure it was a lack of cigarette smoke, a very welcome lack of cigarette smoke. I’m not a zealot, but after 2 years without a cigarette I have to say that I prefer my life to be that way; smoke free.

I've eaten here twice. The first time my Ugandan friend brought me because we wanted East African food and she recommended this place. The parking is lousy, but that's not the restaurant's fault - the little side street of Hackney look like a cruising spot for twocers, and I was nervous about leaving my nice little car there.

Anyway, once in the restaurant, the owners were nice to us, and soon brought us Tusker beers, which made me forget about my car. My friend had lots of meaty things and I had tilapia fish. We had little samosa starters, and we ordered the African beans in rich tomato sauce as well. The portions were generous. It wasn't long before I couldn't move, and was forced to drink another beer. Overall very enjoyable, and afterwards my car was just where I'd left it.

The Cottage of Content near Hereford has as they say; ticked all the boxes. My wife and I and another couple have just spent the weekend visiting this little gem hidden off the beaten track near the entrance to the Wye Valley.

It's what a good destination pub should be about. The setting is Idyllic with no frills. The pub has stayed true to it's origins and simply delivers first class food in a relaxing and easy going atmosphere. Food is not cheap and this is relected in the quality of the produce used.

Having had a disastrous meal at the Ash Cottage restaurant the previous, and our first night during a week long stay in Grasmere, it was with a certain amount of trepidation that we entered the Wild Daffodil.

On a lovely sunny evening we were happy to wait the 45 minutes for our table in a busy, (always a good sign), little restaurant. Boy was it worth the wait. The restaurant is a family run affair and dad is head chef, mum and son are the hosts and young daughter is the table clearing technician. The food is made and served with a passion and all cooked to perfection. On our visit I had the prawn cocktail to start whilst my partner tried the black pudding with wild mushrooms served with a delicious suace. My prawn cocktail was delicious and served in a colourful display that matched the scenery of our surroundings whilst my partner's starter was so tasty that I managed to talk her into parting with half of one of her two black puddings, a task in itself as it was in her mouth at the time.

The Hand and Sceptre has been trading now on the old site of the Harvester, for some time now, I believe before it was a Harvester it was actually a public house called the Hand and Sceptre. It has certainly been refurbished to a high standard, and is no smoking throughout, with quite a bistro/brasserie feel about it. It certainly concentrates more on food than the bar element, although they serve an excellent range of beers and have a very good wine list to boot. The ales include an Italian beer on tap called Birra Moretti, which I had thought was only available in bottle and is quite superb. Add to that Timothy Taylors on handpull and we're onto a winner on the drinks front.