Pigeon, mmmmm Pigeon

First an aside: I've been told to drink more. Now anyone reading posts about me cooking with wine will find that a little surprising, but what I've been told to drink more of is water. So from now on you can call me 'camel girl'. Oh, and if you see me, please remind me to drink more.

Yesterday was a lovely day for a foodie, made even better because there were two of us out and about enjoying an accidentally fruitful shopping trip and a glorious autumn day. I bought Hwsgo a lovely bottle of wine (De Bortoli Yarra Valley reserve Chardonnary 2003?) to celebrate something a while ago; unfortunately it appears to have been one of the last bottles stocked by Oddbins, but fortunately after a little Internet searching we found a place near Eastbourne with some in stock. So off we drove to Hailsham Cellars, and a lovely journey it was, taking in some game shopping, a pub lunch, two cycle rides, a car museum, miniature train ride and a very serious game of crazy golf. And when we got to Hailsham Cellars, Hwsgo not only found exactly what he wanted, but he also made a new friend - the wonderfully friendly shop-owner - and found lots of lovely grape juice to drool over too. Heartily recommended, and a lovely place to sit and watch Hwsgo happily explore.

And the game shopping. We were having a moochy, lets-see-what-comes-up-and-do-what-we-feel-like day. And amongst other things, what came up was a sign for "Over ready game". So we followed the signs over a couple of country miles (like normal miles, but longer) and found South Brockwell Farm Shop. In Simon terms, it was like Christmas coming early: lots of the things that I haven't been able to find, even in the great game butchers near home. So we bought two fat pigeons, two - erm small birds that I'll have to ask Hwsgo about - and a nice plump piece of rabbit. And today we had the Roast Pigeon with Braised Lettuce, Peas and Bacon (page 155), with the pigeon that it was intended for (instead of the partridge that I used on the 9th January). Hwsgo cooked it whilst I was in the gym. The veg were as yummy as I remembered, and the pigeon was wonderfully richly liver textured and tasting. I think we may be going back there again soon too (probably on the way to the wine shop).