Great tips before you go - with CMO!

 A few tips from my trip.

www.trustedhousesitters.com
A great site that connects people who want to housesit with people needing house sitters.  We left the house, dog and cat with a lovely couple of girls we found on the site - and it didn't cost us a penny.  Did I trust them? Yes I did, we met one of them before we went away and my gut feeling was she was absolutely genuine - and she/they were. People housesit for all sorts of reasons and if you're going away and want someone to look after animals and keep the house occupied it's a perfect solution.  It cost me just under £10 for a months subscription, but if you go away a lot you can sign up for a year.

www.parkatmyhouse.com
Another great find - we wanted to park in London for the week because we could not take bikes up on the train as we were leaving too early (you can't arrive in London before 10am with a bike on SW Trains). So on this site I could search for people who had a spare garage/drive space where we could park the car - it cost about £10 a day.  You can find places all over London and can rent them by the day/week/month - a super service.

Septime restaurant
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g187147-d2185868-r129539114-Septime-Paris_Ile_de_France.html. This is the place we ate my birthday dinner - for all you foodies out there - just make sure you book it next time you are in Paris.  You can only book dinner over the phone and up to no more than either 3 or 4 weeks in advance - sorry can't remember which.  But if your French is not up to Scratch I'm sure CP could help out.

Stuck for a day out ? JVP recommends a Micro Brewery

I visited a micro-brewery in Wimbledon/Wandsworth at the weekend which was very good, By the Horns - http://www.bythehorns.co.uk/

Beers inc. Diamond Geezer, Stiff Upper Lip, Lambeth Walk and Bobby on the Wheat.
I can't actually vouch for any as I don't do beer, however, my partner rather liked the porter!

Great Electrician from CEL

Based in SW London - retired and friendly
Brian: 07977 754827 you can mention my name Christine Long - Delamere Road.

Bryant Brushes - The Best Painter & Decorator in West London from Paulo

A very good friend of mine (Anthony Bryant) and has recently set up his own painting & decorating business. I can honestly say that Anthony is one of the most caring and honest people that I know who prides himself in the quality of his work and with over 15 years experience you can't go wrong. So if you need or know anyone who needs a professional to paint and decorate their home with a big smile on their face and a good old-fashioned English sense of humour then Anthony is your man.

Check out his website: http://www.bryant-brushes.co.uk/

or call him on 0787 2494270

The food just keeps coming... CJO recommends

Place to eat in Richmond Tel: 020 8940 9060
Al Boccon di'vino in Richmond (Opposite Pizza Express near the sushi place).

Tony and I went a few weeks ago and were lucky to get a table - the only one not reserved by the door - it was packed! Suggest you make sure you book as this was only a Tuesday night...

Best way to describe it is like you are eating in an Italians front room. No menu, you eat what they give you. The only choice is if you want red or white wine and a couple of choices of each but then its a typical Italian meal at an Italian pace. Be prepared to be there the whole evening and just eat what they put in front of you, when they put it in front of you. Starters and antipasta are served as you arrive but then they bring out the pasta and meat courses to everyone in the restaurant at the same time. They accommodated me not eating fish quite well but on the whole you just eat and eat. Four or five courses, all kept coming, if there is any left he walks round with the pan saying anyone want extra and hands it out.

Loved it, set price £40 a head. Real experience. Think its rated highly on Trip Advisor Richmond too!

Caroline

Looking for a decorator - just mention Caroline's name

Looking for a decorator?

Then I can recommend a friend of mine for painting and decorating -
Liam Corrigan 07830156249.

Currently painting our place - doing a great job. Works on a day rate, completely trustworthy.

Mention my name when you call him.

He's not Hounding you...

Hi All,

Apologies for the shameless self-promotion (and if I've badgered you already) but I've just launched the website for my little dog coat business, Hounds Of Hampton.

If you could spare a few minutes to take a look at the website at some point, Hounds Of Hampton and spread the word if you know of anyone with a small cold dog!

If you could also spare some time to "Like" the Hounds Of Hampton Facebook page, that would be great too! Facebook Page

Thanks for your support in my new venture!

James (and Rusty) xx

Cooking with Jamie (Paddick)

CHICKEN BREAST STRIPS AND PANCETTA WITH ASPARAGUS
Serves 2
Preparation: 10 mins – Cooking: 15 mins

INGREDIENTS
• 2 chicken breasts, boned and skinned
• 10 asparagus spears, washed and trimmed
• 15ml (1 tbsp) olive oil
• 70g (2½ oz) pancetta, cubed or sliced
• salt and black pepper
1. Place each breast between two sheets of clear film and flatten to a thickness of 5mm/¼ inch with a rolling pin. Cut into 2.5cm/1 inch strips diagonally. Season.
2. Boil the asparagus in salted water until just tender. Drain and set aside.
3. Put the pancetta in a large frying pan with the oil. Stir over a low heat until crispy.
4. Remove the pancetta from the pan, increase the heat and fry the chicken in the pancetta fat until lightly coloured.
5. Lower the heat. Add the asparagus to the pan, and stir thoroughly to make sure everything is coated in the oil. Carry on cooking until the chicken is done.
6. Serve immediately and sprinkle the pancetta on top.
SERVING SUGGESTION
• Steamed new potatoes make a good starchy side dish.