Peter H

Normally I wouldn't hesitate, but in this case there's less than a 50:50 possibility I'll be anywhere near Whitstable on the day. I can always cancel, but although this is usually fine (and the call is much preferred to a no-show), I've occasionally got the impression that I'm regarded as a time waster

I might be in the area next Wednesday and I'm thinking about having lunch there. Does it get very busy at lunchtime - do I need to book?

I've been in the area a few times and have occasionally stayed in Lezignan-Corbieres. I've temporarily forgotten the name of the hotel, but it was fairly basic with a very traditional, rustic restaurant - open fires, grilled meat etc. It's a small town, but central for wine regions to the north, south and west. If you want to stay somewhere bigger, then Narbonne is nice. Another time I stayed on the coast in Bouzigues, at La Cote Bleue. A wonderful location, but that was a working visit so I can't remember much about the hotel. Good for visiting the coast. Places to go? I agree with John that it's a great place for just wandering around but I'd head for Sete, Minerve, the valleys heading west from Perpignan up towards Limoux (Cathar castles and fantastic scenery), Carcassonne (touristy), Toulouse (if not too far). It's one of my favourite wine regions, but I don't know of any wine routes. However, there is a big co-op in Limoux (Sieur d'Arques) that is well worth a visit, as well as Mont Tauch in Fitou. Try individual properties in Minervois like Chateau Maris.

I'm with you on this - I reckoned that the Bourgeat pans were cheap enough (at well under £20 each for 22/23cm diameter from Pages) to be 'disposable'. As it is, the pair I've had for at least 4 years show little signs of wear (though I'm not a big frier!) I've seen the All-Clad pans in Divertimenti and lusted after them, but they are sooo expensive

For Turkish grills, try Mangal Ocakbasi on Arcola Street (just off the Dalston end of Stoke Newington High Street). It's well known (try googling the name) and justifiably so. I've always had great cooking there - but it does get busy!

I love how food and eating is an integral part of the Patrick O'Brian books, but one of my childhood recollections might be recognised by fans of British comics - Desperate Dan and Cow Pie! That's a pie with a cow in it - with horns poking out through the pastry lid!

I can't find the exact size of Ch Grillet, but I think that Romanée-Conti may be smaller at 1.8 hectares - don't know if that's the smallest though!

Given that the series has effectively been given the rights to choose the menu for the Queen's birthday party, I would guess that the BBC, rather than Optomen, had the clout to swing that and so I'm supposing that they commissioned the series. Equally, I am sure that they had editorial control, but how far into the script that went, I don't know. Incidentally, looking at the Optomen website makes me realise how big a project this was - 40 half hour programmes! Programmes are both commissioned by broadcasters and pitched by the 'indies' (possibly just at the 'idea' stage) - didn't Pat Llewellyn (of Optomen, incidentally) come up with Naked Chef, Two Fat Ladies, French Leave and others? What I meant originally was that the BBC these days is both a broadcaster and content producer, but that people haven't got used to differentiating between the two.

Well, technically, the BBC were simply the broadcasters of the programme. The series was made by an independent production company.

Looks like the Jardin du Palais-Royal - so is it Le Grand Véfour?

I can understand why Jenny Bond might have to wear the same outfit in each episode in a given week, but have the judges worn the same clothes on each Friday showdown, or is it my imagination?

I don't think that AWT has had a star but Blackiston has one at Morston Hall

Looks like a Canon PowerShot A510 Beautiful photography!