HOPE

 So my 'Hope' book will be published a year from now. I have still to get the actual contract but I got an email last night with the offer made official. I have been told who the publisher hopes will design the cover and it is someone whose work I have admired - I have a couple of her covers on my bookshelf. If I am being a bit mysterious and withholding details that is only because I still have to get the contract. Will post more once this has happened. But I was so super excited last night when the email came through that I could not sleep... literally... I am like a half shut knife today (which is something people say, but putting in down in writing I realise I am not altogether sure what that means, except I could sleep right now just by putting my head down!).

FAVOURITE SANDWICH

I've never really had a favourite sandwich before but I do now! Was in Amsterdam for a long weekend and had lunch in a small cafe. The place didn't look anything special and there were only three tables at the back of the shop... I think they did the bulk of their business with a carry-out clientele. Footsore and more than a little peckish I had my heart set on sitting down with a cup of tea and a piece of dutch apple cake. But first a sandwich. (And in the end it was so wonderful that I could not even be disappointed when it was announced that the shop had sold its last piece of apple cake.)

Have recreated the sandwich now I am home and it's easy enough to put together and the special rating it rearned in Amsterdam remains. And so I am here declaring that I now have a favourite sandwich. And here is what it is:

Nice bread (cos nice bread only adds to the sandwich)... you can toast it a little before putting things together. It had been crisped in Amsterdam but I had it uncrisped at home. Then a wee bit of rocket to form a bed for the rest. Then slices of brie (don't be mean with the brie) and some walnut halves to cover the brie. And then a generouse dribble of honey over the walnuts and brie. Then a slice of bread to form the lid. That's it! So simple, but so bloody tasty. Try it. xxx