Is it just me or are we being plagued by pidgeons? I even tried eating one the blighters last night in an attempt to do my bit to cull their kind. They’re everywhere (or at least evidence of their being everywhere!). I went for a run this morning and nearly came a cropper under their low flying exploits. Does anyone else fear that we are being taken over? I might be looking over my shoulder, but it’s not the credit crunch I’m losing sleep over, it’s the cooing grey army!

Back to the food variety though - it was really nice. And I was surprised. It was a set menu (at abode in Manchester), so I had no choice - I would never have actively chosen pidgeon, but I’m glad I did. Not that I’ll be trying it again too soon, or abode for that matter. Abode is a new hotel/restaurant on Piccadilly opposite the Malmaison. It’s a stange area full of new, modern, expensive buildings alongside the old, run-down, decrepid buildings - not for me.

And as for the pidgeons, I hope they go back to trafalgar square, where they belong.

We managed to ’surprise’ Simon Landi this afternoon with cake and cards to celebrate his 40-something birthday. Wisely Simon has decided to take a holiday this coming week and will be spending his actual birthday this Tuesday camping with his family.

We’re all now enjoying birthday cake (there was a choice of chocy or lemon drizzle). What a grand way to spend a Friday afternoon!

As an alumnus of Manchester University it’s heart warming to read that students’ fees are being spent on researching the secrets behind the perfect sandwich. This article from the M.E.N explains that professors at Manchester’s premier academic institution have discovered that the natural bubbles in white bread are crucial to the success of a sandwich.

Personally I’m fond of ham and cheese on a spongy roll but following this news I’ll be sure to never try making a butty with unleavened bread.

Those of you on a day-off today are really missing out. Mia has once again outdone herself and brought in a Swedish culinary treat for afternoon tea. We’re all currently gobbling down plum and pear cake with Ikea vanilla sauce - yum yum!