Had a great chat yesterday with Jill Burdett, Homes Editor of the Manchester Evening News. There are few people in the city who know the local property scene as well as she does - she’s something of a legend! I must admit to having got up at the crack of dawn to clean the apartment for her visit - and then hoped I looked relaxed and as if it was always this tidy when she arrived! Jill wrote a really upbeat piece; a double-page spread as well as the cover of the Homes section.

Burgundy: lush, green, undulating landscape, cattle and vineyards, canals and chateaux. Saturday morning at Beaune market was mellow; meandering among the stalls, poking through the flea market, a bit of street theatre, catching up over coffee under the plane trees. Exhale...

Well...what a wonderful day that was. And how lucky am I to have such generous and hospitable friends who can cook so beautifully! Thanks, guys!