Gordon Fong: Food, drink, restaurants, reviews and life in general. #southbourne #bournemouth

Whisky night at the Larder House

The Larder House has had many theme nights before but they have generally been midweek meaning I didn't get a chance to go but this one was on a Friday so I took the opportunity to try it out. Whisky expert Colin Dunn would be speaking there and I knew the food would be good.

It was a tight squeeze as we all huddled in the front of the restaurant, with all the tables pushed aside, waiting for things to start at 8pm. There was a bagpiper standing by the door but he must have already played by the time we got there as he didn't make another appearance that evening.

The 5:2 weight loss thing

The 5:2 thing.

I think it is better to not call it a diet or a fasting programme. That makes it all too easy to be dismissed by those that haven't done it or have failed on previous diet plans., whilst fasting equates to starving oneself.

All I can say is that it just works. I'm not saying it is easy as it is changing the habits of a lifetime, but it is a different approach and once you get your head around it and feel the benefits then that mental connection means it is easier to maintain. For me anyway.

It's not for everyone though, this is purely my own view and experience.

Congratulations to Jason and Clarabella Wong

We haven't been to a wedding for ages. Most of our friends are married now, and a few even divorced.

So, it was nice to have been invited to Jason's wedding who I know from being a student at my karate club for a short while, so even touched by being invited.

So, congratulations to Jason and his wife Clarabella, and welcome back to the UK!

Aviator Hotel

Just had an enjoyable stay at the Aviator Hotel in Farnborough. I think it is the best hotel room we have been in so far. (The Dome House in the Lake District doesn't count as that was a B&B)

We did have a missing dinner reservation on Saturday but that was the only glitch as they squeezed us in straight away and nothing else was an issue.

Having joined up communications really does lift the service element. How else did they know to have candles lit and the lights on in the room ready for us as we opened the door. I doubt they would leave candles burning away all day long in the hope of catching us at the right time. How else did they know to do our room whilst we were at breakfast so when we returned it had all been done?

They do have online specials and I probably waited two years to get the right deal at the right time, but worth waiting for. We booked one of the Aviator Studios facing the airport but got upgraded to a Sky Suite, although they didn't say but I compare the facilities listed on their website. It might have been the fact that they had a big party on the Saturday night in their Sky-Lounge and moved us further across.

A drinks cabinet with my name on it

Usually I am not a one for gifts and presents. A childhood thing, don't ask, so birthdays and Christmas are just an annoyance - bah humbug and all that.

I probably spend time over recent years on keeping family, staff and clients happy that it was a really welcome surprise that I was given a gift that brought a big smile to my face as you can see in the photograph.