After a mad, crazy, busy week at work when food has been quick and easy – stir fries, pasta and home made burgers; I have had a lovely weekend.

Ade’s old friend drove up from London for the weekend. Had a table booked at our marvellous local café bar (Dazal, Newland Avenue, Hull – wonderful food, friendly owners that make every diner feel special and like a mate and usually someone that you know hanging out there) for 7.30pm. Tim still hadn’t arrived by 7pm and I was ready to start gnawing the kitchen table. I decided to walk down to ensure that they didn’t give our table away (in reality to make a start on s drink and any titbits that may come my way). By the time Ade and Tim rolled up I had already polished off an Elderflower Collins (gin, elderflower liqueur, lemon juice, soda water and utterly delicious since you ask). Backs were slapped, news exchanged, wine and beers were consumed and by the time the food arrived I hardly noticed what I was eating (root veg, cranberry and goats cheese bake, which I guess was probably ambrosial). Oh well, lets have a glass of prosecco to celebrate. At about 11 o’clock we all tottered back down the street to sit in the garden, warm and happy, more wine all round.

Woke on Saturday morning feeling OK but absolutely starving. Back to Dazal for loads of coffee, a feta salad and a mountain of warm pitta bread before driving to Dalby Forest for the main event – Paul Weller. Amazing. I have seen Mr Weller many times before, but last might he played his heart out in a field with a back ground of black trunked ancient forest and fog. Thousands of middle aged people, soaked through and muddy, singing “Eton Rifles” in a field in North Yorkshire. That’s Entertainment!

The three of us rose late and trundled off to local gastro heaven, The Boars Nest. Pate with chutney and living salad, salmon and samphire pie topped with crushed Jersey Royals and bitter chocolate mousse cake with sour cream topped off my weekend of no cooking. Now sitting in the garden with a glass of wine, enjoying the last of the sun and the Sunday papers (RIP Jacko).

Hope your weekend was as good for the soul.