The Mousetrap Inn, Bourton on the Water

When your friend opens up a pub, you desperately want it to be good. You hope that you'll love it, love it enough to want to go there regularly, and hope that it's a hit with other people too. You're pretty sure that it'll be great - it is your friend after all - but there's that worry that it might not be how you expected, dreading the thought of having to lie.

Thankfully, on this occasion, no lies needed.

My friend is Frank, the GM of The Mousetrap Inn in Bourton on the Water, and although he doesn't own the pub, he's been a key part of its opening (or rather re-opening) and development from the ropey old pub that it was before. You'll recognise him as the tall one with tattoos, probably dressed head to toe in black. If he's not behind the bar, you're guaranteed to find him in London or Cheltenham scouting out the best burgers and fried chicken around, with beers and strong cocktails a dead cert too. Chat to him about any of these things and you'll get along just fine.

It's not just Frank with his fingers on the food and drink pulse though, The Mousetrap is driven by the guys behind Coffeesmith in Witney and The Rookery in Farringdon. Instant cool points. This place certainly stands out in comparison to Bourton's other sugar-coated touristy offerings.

The interiors have the perfect balance of stone walls and Farrow & Ball, with trendy tiled flooring thrown in the mix too. Slump into a comfy sofa by the fire and flick through one of the cookbooks that are dotted around, or pull up a stool at the bar and pick your pint; North Cotswold CAMRA recently named The Mousetrap as 'Pub of the Season' thanks to their excellent draught beers. Though you might also become seduced by the selection of spirits, twinkling underneath the fairy lights, settling in with a decent G&T.

Food is why we're here though, and it's reassuring to see that on a Saturday night, mid-Feb, it is fully booked. Groups, couples, dogs, both local and visiting. The menu manages to fit in all of those familiar faces - sausage and mash, steaks, burgers and fish and chips - whilst also charming us with a number of fancier sounding 'gastropub' dishes. Sorry, I hate that word too. But pan fried chicken, wild mushroom and fresh truffle risotto, perhaps? Or pork tenderloin with fondant potato and caramelised apples? Oh, and Saturday sees an extra page of specials if it wasn't already hard enough to decide!

Having spent the last couple of hours, really quite hungry, in a not-so-nice pub watching the rugby, we hastily ordered some fried foods. It'll always be whitebait whenever they're on a menu, £6.50 for a handful or two, served with a kick ass homemade tartare sauce. A little heavy on the batter perhaps - I love seeing flashes of their silvery skin - though a good'un nonetheless.

Also £6.50 is the Salt & Pepper Squid, something that's a classic at our fave, The Tavern Cheltenham. Whilst this one doesn't come with a scattering of chilli and spring onion, and its batter more breadcrumbed than tempura-esque, it's just the ticket with a squeeze of lemon and some decent mayo to dip in.

The Chap and I both go off the specials for mains, though I've now got FOMO for not having tried their Rump Steak Cheeseburger (£14.50), and I do wonder just how awesome the 'Awesome Chilli Con Carne' (£14.50) was… Still, I was more than happy with my choice; sea trout with beetroot concasse, new potatoes and pickled beetroot salad (£18.50). A more health conscious option - less carbs and a bigger boost of veg - with the oily flesh and crackling skin of the trout tying everything together. Both delicate and delicious.

Gressingham duck breast with chorizo potatoes and seasonal vegetables (£21.90 - the most expensive on the menu) was a richer affair; sliced pink and proud, with the fat rendered and crisp. The sauce too - thick and glossy, meaty and smoky - golden from the chorizo hues. Kudos to The Mousetrap for not going down the more obvious duck with some sort of fruit route, and proof that the addition of chorizo can never be a bad thing.

The dessert menu isn't quite as exciting as the rest, with three chocolate variations taking up most of the room. Warm fudge cake, a trio of mousses and a brownie with ice cream. All hitting that sweet spot, I'm sure, but chocolate desserts aren't really my thing. Instead we did sharesies on the tart lemon and raspberry posset (£7) - which, with a biscuit base, definitely felt more like a cheesecake - and the sticky toffee pudding (£6.50) - the winner. A light and fluffy steamed sponge saturated in a syrupy sauce, striking that balance of being indulgent without risk of heart attack.

Service was attentive and speedy; we managed to squeeze in our three courses in just over an hour. Not that we were in a rush though, we had a room upstairs. Yep, as the name suggests, The Mousetrap Inn has 10 bedrooms for overnight stays. They haven't been revamped like the rest of the pub yet, but they're set to do it soon. I don't doubt that they'll be exactly the 'Cotswold Cool' that Bourton craves. And a Coffeesmith coffee alongside your avocado on toast for breakfast the next morning? A far cry from the only-option-greasy-fry-ups that you'd usually get (though a Full English is also available). 

Frank's an excellent host and we had such a great time at The Mousetrap. It's one of those places that, if you're a local, you could easily make it your second home, or if you're visiting you'll be glad you came across it. It's not super fancy - it's not trying to be - nor is it trying to pile in the hordes of tourists; it's just an honest pub and I'll happily recommend it. 

Chow Down with The Booze Hound

I haven't really done any fantastic foodie finds in the past few weeks, mainly thanks to the fact that it felt like it should have been the end of the month ages ago, but when a friend came down to stay at the weekend, and with payday in sight, it was my obligation to show her the delights of Cheltenham and where I like to go to eat and drink.

After a hearty breakfast of scrambled eggs on toasted spelt bread, courtesy of Bath's Bertinet Bakery found in Waitrose, our first port of call was a trip up Bath Road to pick up some fish for dinner. Thinking of dinner as soon as we've finished breakfast, a typical occurrence in our home; we've always got our minds on our next meal. Anyway, it's probably been months since I first spotted a gorgeous teal painted shop front halfway down Bath Road, and when the sign went up saying 'Fishmongers', I couldn't contain my excitement. Sure, supermarkets now sell a variety of fish, and there is the Padstow Fish man at the market on certain days of the week - who I always manage to miss, or get there too late - but not a proper shop, an independent one, with regular staff who you can trust to help and advise you on how to make the most out of the produce you buy. Samphire opened last Thursday, and unlike a traditional fishmongers, it has a Japanese feel to it; with sashimi grade fish fillets and homemade sushi ready to take away. There was an good selection, from the usuals like cod and mackerel, to eels, razor clams and even a couple of elegant looking lobsters, subtly moving their legs through the ice - blink and you'll miss it. We chose some sprightly sea bream, which was kindly filleted for us whilst we carried on window shopping. With it's industrial lighting, tables and chairs to sit at whilst you wait, and bunches of flowers dotted about, this is definitely a contemporary fishmongers, and one to visit regularly. (P.S. I know the picture's mackrel, not the sea bream I bought..)

Next on the agenda was a trip to Tivoli Wines for a little gin tasting; no weekend would be complete without gin now, would it? Warner Edwards, a newbie in the British spirit scene, was being promoted in the shop, by none other than Tom Warner himself - half of the distillery team. We learnt about the start up of the business, and how the pair (Sion Edwards is the other half) converted an old barn at Tom's family farm in Northamptonshire, where they installed a big copper pot still, called Curiosity, who helps them make their Harrington Dry Gin. Neutral grain spirit is blended with 11 botanicals, including juniper, cardamom, corriander, nutmeg, elderflower - pretty unusual - and a secret ingredient, which no amount of bribing will make him divulge. This is then mixed with natural spring water, found just 300 metres from the distillery door. Overall, its quite a spicy, peppery gin, which still retains it's smoothness, and distinguishes it from others that are currently on the market.

With such enthusiasm about their technique and hand crafted product - even the bottles are labeled, sealed, and tied with copper wiring by hand - you can tell that this is something they've really invested into; a true labour of love.  (They also make an Elderflower Infused Gin.. Yum!)

A few samples down, and with it being well past midday, it felt acceptable to go for an afternoon cocktail. The Daffodil in the Suffolks is possibly the go to place for a beautifully made drink in a stunning setting. If you don't know about it, the building dates back to the 1920's, being Cheltenham's first purpose built cinema. As times changed and competition grew, it sadly closed in early 60's, and became a number of different things - such as a bingo hall, an antique centre - up until 1989 when it was left abandoned. It was bought in 1996 by a local restaurateur who saw it's potential, and after an extensive renovation, where many of it's original fittings and features were restored, it re-opened as a dramatic dining room two years later. It's Art Deco design makes it one of Cheltenham's iconic landmarks.

We sat in one of the booths in the circle bar; a mezzanine overlooking the busy restaurant and open kitchen below, there was even some live jazz to add to the theatre of the whole shebang. As expected, the chap ordered the strongest thing possible, a Martini, pure alcohol weakened only by the oils from the orange peel. My friend also chose from the Martini page, a Charlie Chaplin, sloe gin, apricot brandy and fresh lime. It's sweet/sour combination makes it slip down so easily, and I could happily drink these all day despite the fact they're pretty much just booze; so maybe that's where the name come from, it silently intoxicates.. I went for the Soyer au Champagne, literally translated to 'silk with champagne'; Remy Martin VSOP, Grand Marnier, Maraschino Liqueur, homemade vanilla ice cream and champagne. A grown-up, upper-class version of a coke float if you like - delicious.

Nearing 3 o'clock, we'd completely skipped lunch, and, not wanting to spoil our lovely fish dinner, we only fancied some nibbles. So, off to our favourite haunt, John Gordons, for wine and charcuterie - a winning combination. (Though if my other half had his way, whisky would be involved; they have an incredible selection.) We went for a bottle of New Zealand Pinot Noir, a popular choice amongst the regular winos, and at £22.50, it's definitely not your average plonk. With dark fruit flavours and spicy notes, this medium bodied wine would be a good one for those who don't like it too heavy. There were four different meats on our charcuterie plate - prosciutto, chorizo, salami, and some sort of german styled one - and it came with a healthy supply of bread, sundried tomatoes and pickles. Perfect for soaking up all the wine.

Needless to say, the rest of the day progressed as it had started; more wine, prosecco, and some food in between. A bit of a spruce up and we hit the town with only one place in mind, The Tavern. I don't know why, but we always end up here when we've had a skinful, when we probably should have stopped two drinks ago. I think its the atmosphere that draws us in, along with the top notch alcohol selection (and food if you're hungry). I can get very funny about eating/drinking in places which are super quiet, or have an odd arrangement of customers, but whether you come here day or night, The Tavern is always booming. Anyway, on top form, we arrived drunk, but it really doesn't matter here; the staff are friendly and chatty, the people eating are too content to notice anything that's happening around them, and there's a DJ playing beats to the crowd of people hustled at the bar. To be honest, I can't really remember what happened from here, other than my cocktail was in a vintage-y glass.. We'll leave it there.

A late start and decent hangovers lingering over our heads, the only sure fire remedy would be a Sunday roast, and thankfully we had a table reserved for lunch at The Ragged Cot, Minchinhampton. Nestled high on the Cotswolds, we've tried to come here for food on a Sunday before, and, with the car park jam-packed, we knew we'd leave with empty tummies. But from a sneaky look at what was going out of the kitchen, and being awed by the taxidermy on the walls, we knew we'd have to return.

Three roasts - one chicken, one gammon, one lamb - with perfectly puffed up yorkies, crispy seasoned spuds, herbed mixed veg (nicely al dente), a boat of rich meaty gravy, and a 'hair of the dog' shandy, then we were sorted. Probably not the best roast I've ever had - you can't beat your parent's ones can you - but it was bloody good.

Gin & Jelly Night

I've been to a fair few tastings in the past year - be it wines, gins, vodkas, etc - and have learnt that I much prefer premium spirits and the more unique distilled goods over the mass produced (alcohol snob, I know), and whilst my conscience feels a lot better for it, and my hangovers less severe, it is not so great for the bank account.

With this in mind, we decided to hold our own G&T tasting, a DIY Ginstock if you will (which you may have caught in London this summer on World Gin Day). We asked each of our guests to bring a gin of their choice, ideally something a little unusual, so we could learn about them, sample, compare and then score. Alongside this we'd be tasting the controversial Aldi Oliver Cromwell London Dry Gin, priced at an almost penny-saving £9.65, winning a silver medal at the International Spirits Challenge, beating the likes of two of the biggies, Bombay Sapphire and Hendrick's.

As we haven't staged 'an event' like this before, we were out to impress, so after much thought into alliteration and all things British, we made it a 'Gin and Jelly Night'; a boozy kids party, full of wobbly treats - gin based of course - and bunting, plenty of bunting.

We welcomed guests with Red Snapper shots, aka Bloody Mary's with gin, not vodka, made with lots of Tabasco to give it that fiery kick you get from a regular shot, and garnished with a teeny celery stick. Then after a few of those, we moved onto an 'English Garden' cocktail - gin, pressed apple juice and elderflower cordial - made into a punch concoction with the addition of vermouth, lemon juice, tonic, oh, and more gin. We served these in an assortment of jam jars tied up with string, and a stripey straw.

Now, on with the tastings. Firstly, tonics. We scoured the supermarkets in the past week trying to find various brands, and we found Schweppes, the pub favourite, Fevertree, the new classic, a supermarket own, of which we chose Waitrose, Fentiman's, and the local 6 o'clock tonic, made in Thornbury. Lack of glasses meant that we couldn't sample them all at once, but we were able to compare two at a time throughout. I took charge at this point, and let everyone else taste the tonics blind; after scoring, they had to guess which brand they were. Most were able to spot the obvious Fentiman's with it's lemongrass and herbal flavourings, alongside Fevertree's aromatic citrus version, which was a favourite amongst many. Schweppes was the least interesting, with pretty much no flavour at all, and everyone found the 6 o'clock too dry and overly fizzy. The surprise winner was the Essential Waitrose Indian Tonic Water; great value at 50p a bottle, and an all round clean tasting, refreshing mixer.

Being floral fiends, we also had a battle of the elderflower tonics; Fevertree and the brand new Bottlegreen one. With a much stronger taste, the locally produced Bottlegreen was the favourite of the two, and we all agreed that it would easily spruce up a cheap spirit.

At this point I cracked out the first of the jellies; Autumn plum jelly sweets taken from the latest Waitrose Kitchen magazine. High on sugar we hit the hard stuff, starting with our own purchase, Boodles Gin, winner of Ginstock 2013. "Famous for having one of the more understated juniper flavours among the top gins distilled in Britian", it unusually contains no citrus, but includes rosemary and sage instead. Alone, it was strong but smoother and sweeter than most, then with a splash of tonic, the herbiness made itself apparent.

Next we had the famous Williams Chase Elegant Crisp Gin, "a single estate apple spirit re-distilled in small batches in their own Copper Gin Still." Being made from apples, and including Bramley's and both orange and lemon in the botanicals, this is a bold, sharp tasting gin, which might be best used in cocktails over a traditional G&T. Nevertheless, it was a crowdpleaser and scored highly. 

Luckily for us, we had a couple of drink connoisseurs round, and were treated to a sneak preview of the new Cheltenham Gin, Brennen & Brown. Made using a complex vacuum distillation method, the gin is classed as having a 'hint of ginger' and notes of orange and lemon. As much as we wanted it to be great, unfortunately it was a bit of a disappointment for everyone. No one managed to get any ginger whatsoever, making it a really non-descript gin.

Following that, we had the mighty Plymouth Gin. We had visited the distillery last month, where we took the tour, and sipped some mean Aviations in the bar, so from experience and reputation, we knew this would be a firm favourite. With an interesting history dating back to 1793, Plymouth is a blend of 7 botanicals giving a fresh juniper taste, and an aromatic corriander aroma. Another high scorer, this a versatile gin which would work just as well in cocktails as it would simply with tonic.

By now we were feeling the effects of a fair few drinks, so it was time to bring out the show-stopper jellies; I needed to make sure everyone remembered them, didn't I? A White Lady jelly - gin, lemon juice and Cointreau - made pink with the aid of food colouring, and put into hollowed out strawberries and lemon peels. Clearly clinging onto the summer with British strawb's and pink lemonade jelly wedges, both of which went down a treat. 

Venturing into the more unusual, we tried Zuidam 5 Year Old Single Barrel Genever. "Distilled from malted barley, rye and corn, then infused with botanicals such as juniper, liquorice root and aniseed, the genever is then aged in a whisky barrel." The smell and taste of whisky was so strong that no one was able to tell that it was in fact a gin based spirit, and with a rich caramel colour, it would be easy to mistake it for one of those Scottish barreled drinks. It had an oaky vanilla-y finish, which was great for the whisky lovers, but scored very low for the haters (like me!), though a bit of ice did help it go down.

Greenall's London Dry was next, a gin you'd probably be able to find in most supermarkets, and actually produced in the same distillery as the Boodles we had bought. Weirdly they don't give any information about botanicals or product history on the bottle, other than the fact it was established in 1761. Clearly it must be a closely guarded secret, but nothing out of the ordinary stood out, so I'm guessing its a blend of the usual juniper/citrus suspects. As it's branding suggests, its a good everyday gin.

Last jelly of the night was an elderflower, lemon and gin combo, topped with blueberries and served in vintage crystal sherry glasses, which I forgot to photograph - I'll blame the booze - and rounded off with a taste of the Aldi Oliver Cromwell, that was used in all the jellies and cocktails served that evening. The verdict? An incredibly cheap gin which doesn't taste cheap in the slightest. Sure, it hasn't got any unique selling point - it does look very much like a Gordon's rip off - but as a clean, well rounded drink, it is one which most of us would be happy to keep by for when we get home after one of those hard days at work.  

All in all, a bloomin' good night was had. We learnt that everyone had different favourite gins but were able to appreciate the range of botanicals and qualities of each - apart from the whisky one.. That really did divide the room. Bottlegreen has come up trumps with it's new Elderflower Tonic; I'm intrigued to taste it's other new addition - pink pomegranate - so very girly. And probably is the best tonic around at the moment is Fevertree, but at a third of the price, the Essential Waitrose one seems like a no brainer for your G&T.

SO much gin, and not a single tear was shed, so maybe it's not Mother's ruin after all..

Chase me to Hotel du Vin

It was months ago that I spotted an advertisement for a Chase Distillery dinner at Hotel du Vin Cheltenham, though at £65 per person it seemed a litle steep. Nevertheless, bills and mortgage aside, the fact that Chase is responsible for making some of my favourite drinks meant that I had to go. After much anticipation, a few Thursday's ago, just before the last Bank Holiday of the year, it finally took place.

It was such a beautiful evening, and as we arrived we were informed that we would be dining al fresco in the hotel's 'secret garden'. Crisp white clothed tables were laid out in a semi circle with the pop-up style bar, lined up with Chase spirits, taking centre stage. There weren't many attendees, probably around 15, and with a 'Chasing Elder-bubble' cocktail in hand, we chatted whilst being served canapés and having photos taken by the Gloucestershire Echo.

Chasing Elder-Bubble: Muddled cucumber, William Chase Gin, lemon juice, elderflower syrup, topped with Prosecco. 

When seated, we were introduced to James Chase, son of William, the founder of the distillery, and the hotel's bar manager Ben, who was giving us various master-classes throughout the evening. We heard about how it all began, from farming to Tyrrell's crisps to making vodka, and how important it is to them to be producing hand-crafted spirits in the UK. This led nicely to our first course with cocktail pairing; smoked duck breast, black mission figs wrapped in prosciutto and a leafy salad, alongside 'Honey I Smoked the Kids'.

Honey I Smoked the Kids: Chase Smoked Vodka, fresh honey, créme de figue, vanilla syrup, pineapple juice topped with ginger ale.

The smoky salty food matched wonderfully with the refreshingly sweet drink; with so many flavour crossovers, it was clearly well thought out. Moving on, we heard more about the Herefordshire based Distillery, the processes that occur from field to bottle, and how they create their typically British single-estate spirits and liqueurs. Main course was an oven roast pave of stone bass, sat on a bed of herby risotto and a beurre blanc sauce, with 'The Passion of Lady Marmaduke'.

The Passion of Lady Marmaduke: Chase Marmalade Vodka, fresh orange juice, homemade orange marmalade, passion fruit syrup, lime juice and a white peach and passion fruit foam.

The making of this cocktail was quite tricky - a good ten minutes of shaking in order to transform an egg white and added extras, into a voluminous foam - so it seemed a bit of an odd choice considering it needed to be made for a large group of people. When they appeared at our tables, they didn't look as slick as the one that was demonstrated to us, instead, frothy white mountains piled high above the rims of each martini glass - however, comedy white tashes were enjoyed by all. This one, whilst rich in fruit flavours, was again pretty sweet, but an interesting contrast to the delicate fish/risotto combo, which unfortunately may have been sat out a little long, as the beurre blanc had a slight skin on top. That aside, it was still a pleasant dish.

The pre-dessert drink was the one which I was most looking forward to; 'Earl of Rhubarb' with a pear and lemon 'Naughty Jelly'.

Earl of Rhubarb: Chase Rhubarb Vodka, Earl Grey syrup, elderflower liqueur, fresh lemon juice and elderflower syrup.

Being a massive lover of the rhubarb vodka (I have been known to have a cheeky tipple over ice after a long day), with Earl Grey being my tea of choice, and elderflower being a Summer favourite, I knew it was going to be good, and being served in a cute little jam jar made it even better. I've got a high tolerence when it comes to sour things, so if I was being picky, I'd have preferred it to have a bit more lemon juice, but the addition of sharp edible apple blossom made up for it. The jelly was nice, but felt more like an accompinament to the lovely cocktail.

As darkness fell, and tables were lit only by candles in chic lanterns, our final course was served. 'It's not Terry's, it's William's' paired with Crepes Suzette generously sozzled in orange and cognac sauce.

It's not Terry's, it's Wlliam's: Chase Seville Orange Gin, Grand Marnier, double cream and Mozart Gold.

Reading the ingredients of this cocktail, and even watching it being made, with plenty of cream and chocolate liqueur, I expected it to be quite sickly. However, as I sipped it - from a cup and saucer no less - I was surprised to find that it was probably the strongest tasting drink of the night, packing a bitter orange gin punch. That, with the gorgeously marmalade-y crepes, was a match made in heaven.

After a very boozy dinner, we did what anyone else would do - drink more. Hours later, we meandered home with extra knowledge in our minds and goodie bags in hand. Next stop, Chase cocktails at home courtesy of the lovingly packaged miniatures we were given, and inspirational cocktail ideas.

A Tale of Two Teas

I've said it before and I'll say it again. I am a cake snob. Perhaps its my love of baking, or my obsession with unusual flavours, or the fact I've been spoilt by visiting some really very nice places; but I turn my nose up at bad bakes, especially the pre-packed things you might find on the shelves of your local supermarket. Take a hike Mr Kipling, I only want the good stuff!

Unfortunately my snobbery doesn't end there.. I'm not a fan of cupcakes. As popular as they may be, I just don't understand the hype. An oversized plain sponge piled high with sickly sweet buttercream, which is a) hard to get your chops around - do you eat some icing first, or peel back the paper case and attempt to get a bit of both - and b) you get bored half way through, because they're always so bloomin' massive. They lure you in with their beautiful decoration, then leave you high and dry with disappointment. Typical false promise cakes.

Ok, I admit, I am guilty of making them on the odd occasion, but by mixing zests or jams into the cake mixture, and switching to a more grown-up cream cheese frosting, its kind of acceptable in my eyes.

Sod the OTT American treats, in true British fashion, I like nothing more than a cup of tea and a slice of cake. So, it was a good week when I had two afternoon tea's planned within four days of one another. Call me what you like, I know I'm greedy.

Firstly, and luckily for me, a friend had decided to celebrate her birthday in style this year, and had arranged for a group of us to go to Sketch in London for High Tea. Now, as much as I'd love to go and ponce around in The Ritz or The Savoy sampling their afternoon delights, this place was much more up my street. It has all the grandiose that you might associate with 'upper class dining', but none of the pretentiousness; from the chirpy doorman in his top and tails, to the striking bald lady who showed us through the late-night-fun-house styled building, and to Barney, our inexplicably charming waiter for the day.

We were seated in 'The Gallery', quite fitting for us art-minded ladies, in which the entire space, conceived by Turner Prize winning artist Martin Creed, had been transformed from a dining room into an installation. Blurring the boundaries between art and functionality, Creed's Work No.1347 sees 96 different types of marble, zigzagging their way across the floor, whilst Work No.1343 is a feature in which every single piece of cutlery, glass, table and chair used is different. Sketch seamlessly presents itself as a hub for art, food and design. Just perfect.

So, when in Rome, and all that jazz, I decided to push the boat out and opted for the Queen's Afternoon Tea, which kicked off with a Dubonnet & Gin; apparently a favourite tipple of Her Royal Majesty's. Then out came pots of tea, of which I chose rose bud, and numerous cake stands, plates and bowls filled with treats, I'm surprised the table wasn't heaving underneath all that weight.

Starting from the bottom with all the savories, we had a mozzarella and pesto croque monsieur, that was gorgeously wrapped up in paper with a ribbon bow; a cucumber and ricotta sandwich, topped with asparagus; mini smoked salmon and cream cheese triangles, adorned with salmon eggs and dill, on bread which resembled a Jacob's Cracker; and a classic egg mayonnaise, crowned with a quails egg and caviar. Then we dabbled in some of the bubblegum flavoured marshmallows that were littered across the table, before going in on the scones. Still warm, we had a choice of jams, and even the clotted cream was delicately presented with blueberries and edible flowers.

Chit chats and toilet breaks (you MUST marvel at the loo's.. think Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy) and we were ready to hit the hard stuff. A deconstructed strawberry cheesecake in a glass, so light and airy; a coffee eclair, which packed a punch despite being the size of my little finger; the Sketch opera, thin layers of sponge, ganache and what seemed to be caramel, so irresistibly shiny; an almond and berry tart, graced with crystallized redcurrants, a lovely balance between sharp and sweet; a mousse-like meringue cake, flavoured with Pinot Grigiot and possibly passion fruit - there were far too many things to remember; two bitesize raspberry meringues, sandwiched together with a tangy raspberry jam; and lastly, my favourite, a pistachio macaroon, which housed a boozy cherry of sorts.

It was EPIC, and for £40 without service charge, I thought it was actually quite good value. They also do gluten free and vegan options for those with dietary requirements, so no one has to miss out.

After this, I knew that my other planned tea would never be able to compete, but with the addition of a spa treatment, it made for an equally special day out. As a belated birthday present for my mum, I had booked an 'Afternoon Delight' package for the two of us at Montpellier Chapter in Cheltenham. For £35 each, a steal if you ask me, we were greeted with a pot of herbal tea, and invited to make use of the steam room and relaxation room - generously stocked with current magazines, water, dried fruit and nuts, and samples of the skincare they use. A good 45 minutes later, we each went off for our treatments; you can choose from any of their 30 minute options, my mum went for a rejuvenating facial, whilst I, after much deliberation, chose a bespoke back massage. As it turns out, I've got a few knots around my shoulders, and despite the girl being quite young and petite, she sure did a sterling job, even in just half an hour. Oh, and my mum's facial was so good that she almost fell asleep, and has been raving about how her skin has felt ever since.

Following that, we went into the bar/conservatory area for our afternoon tea, which, quite controversially, we had with coffee because we needed a pick me up after all that pampering. Delicate finger sandwiches, all crustless and uniform; cucumber, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and ham and wholegrain mustard. A modest sultana scone, which we dolloped an almost obscene amount of clotted cream and strawberry jam on - I still can never decide which order they should be applied. Then a selection of classic's; an eclair, a miniature tea loaf, an individual victoria sponge, and a fruit tart filled with the richest vanilla custard.

As Goldilocks might say, it was just right.