Actually, I’d begun changing before he was born as about this time last year, with a focus and determination never before experienced by yours truly, I looked for and found a new more secure job. I took up this position about a couple of weeks after jnr was born.

But how has jnr changed my life? In the usual ways for a start after all I am writing this post at 6 in the morning on a Saturday and count myself lucky that I had nearly 5 hours sleep last night. Yesterday I was thinking it remarkable that I, a self confessed telly addict, am happy that with the advent of jnr my viewing habits have changed so that I’ll now watch in a week about as much as I sometimes did in a day. That’s definately a change for the better although it means that I no longer know anything about the lives of the desperate celebrities and wannabies occupying airtime singing, dancing and otherwise surviving their way through the schedules. No real loss I think.

I have, however, felt the loss of my old frankenstein pc, which sadly whirred slowly into life for the last time during the great clear out that preceded jnr’s arrival. The loss has been mitigated mostly by my iPhone which is also responsible for my conversion to Apple offerings as the sheer convenience of the OS on their products more than makes up for the nauseating fanboy hagiography that accompanied Steve Jobs passing. The iPhone is also a great hit with the lad as he’s taken to it like a cat to catnip. So much so that he doesn’t understand why he can’t get a tv to change content simply by swiping the screen. His favourite things on the iPhone are the Muppet Show clip featuring Animal and those weird pink cow-like things singing the Manamana song, a delightful little app called Peek-a-boo and the classical Spanish guitar track by John Williams called Asturias. This last favourite of his makes me feel particularly proud and I hope he inherits my love of all things Spanish but not my complete inability to play a guitar after over 20 years of owning one.

This week marks the first time in over a year that jnr’s mom and I have managed to go for a meal together, alone, at a restaurant thanks to ‘Granma Mary’ jnr’s new childminder. Although we talked of nothing else other than the baby as we anxiously and somewhat guiltily munched our way through a couple of delicious ‘Romano’ pizzas.

The main thing I’ve realised about being a dad is probably cliche but that’s because it can never be learned only experienced, that the hardships and sacrifices I necessarily made for my child is no less than was made for me by my own father when I was born. Indeed things were probably harder for him. It’s, therefore, particularly gratifying to be told by several relatives at a family gathering earlier this week that jnr, who we’ve nicknamed Bubu, looks like his grandfather.

Perhaps I’m beginning to understand the poet’s observation that the Child is Father to the Man.

Roasted Asparagus, originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

The farmer from Evesham, who grew and sold me the asparagus, suggested a cooking method. Boil them for 12 minutes and then serve simply with butter. I consulted the Internet and decided to roast my bunch instead. Olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped garlic cooked in the oven at 200 degrees Centigrade for about 12 minutes. Delicious even if I say so myself.

Asparagus, originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

Drove to Evesham yesterday. Saw a farm shop just outside the town. A sign said locally farmed asparagus was being sold inside. I bought a bunch. It’s the season for asparagus. The Vale of Evesham grows the best.

A field in Oxfordshire, originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

I pass a particular field everyday on my journey into work. Most of the time I don’t notice it. This past week, in the glorious weather we’re having, I couldn’t help but notice it. I had to stop and take it in. On the way back from work I noticed that what seemed like half the fields in Oxfordshire and Warwickshire are radiant in this way. Marvellous

Charlestown Harbour, Cornwall, originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

We went to St. Austell in Cornwall back in September and visited the Eden Project (as you do) and when the weather permitted to some of the villages in the surrounding area. By far the most picturesque of these is Charlestown which has been used as a setting in a number of Films.

Another village we went to was Mevagissey where I had probably the best tasting pot of mussels ever anywhere (and I’ve had some good mussels in Belgium where they know a thing or two about them). I want to imagine that they were caught locally that morning but wouldn’t be surprised if they’d been imported from somewhere else.

Despite the occasional downpour during September I can easily recommend Cornwall to anyone planning a late season break but would urge them to take waterproofs and a sat-nav.

Squash from Kings Heath Farmers Market, originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

Went to the Farmers Market in Kings Heath, Birmingham. There were only a dozen or so stalls, set out in a sort of circle just outside All Saints Church, but some fine produce nevertheless. We got some Jasmine Flower Tea and this squash. Haven’t decided how to cook it yet; choice between roasting it and making a warming autumnal risotto. Yum either way

Moseley on Farmers Market Day., originally uploaded by bongo vongo.

Was passing through Moseley this morning when we noticed the Farmers Market in full swing. The weather was good for a change and there were plenty of people about. The area by the bus stop, opposite the Barclays bank had all the food stalls and the Alcester Road side, opposite HSBC had the arts and crafts stalls. We bought some organic apples grown in … Argentina … hmm!

But in one of those curious coincidences it appears that today is also the 150 year anniversary of the birth of J.M. Barrie — the creater of Peter Pan. I wonder if the two men ever met? Tagore was a famous traveller and meeter (sic) of people so it’s not beyond the realms of imagination, particularly two such vivid ones.

“The most useless are those who never change through the years.” –J.M. Barrie

“Not hammer strokes, but dance of the water, sings the pebbles into perfection.” –Rabindranath Tagore

By EG Focus (via Flickr)

Actually there was a rumble but mostly in my belly when I went to the first of these restaurants, Bank.   From the moment we walked into the modern, elegant and spacious surroundings the service was impeccable.  The staff were attentive, friendly and most importantly relaxed.  We got there a bit early and sat in the bar area for a while and weren’t rushed to our table at the time it had been booked for, although it should be added that it was early and the place wasn’t too crowded.

I had a starter of mussels and although it was described as a small portion I got a fair few which was a good thing as they were delicious.  I honestly haven’t tasted mussels that good since having some on a trip to Brussels many years ago.  Other’s at the table had Thai Fish Cakes and the Chili Squid and these were equally impressive.  For the main I went for the catch of the day – which was a Lemon Sole, cooked with capers and butter.  Absolute genius food!  Others in the Party had Malayan Chicken – delicious!, Confit of Duck – delicious! and the Fish and Chips – delicious!.  The food was presented beautifully.  I finished off the meal with a selection of excellent cheeses.

By ell brown (via Flickr)

A couple of weeks after that thoroughly delicious trip to Bank I was lucky enough to be treated to a meal at Edmunds by Mrs Bongo Vongo.  It’s a much smaller place and in keeping with it’s description of itself as a place for fine dining the setting is more formal than Bank with full silver service.  The tables glisten with cutlery of many descriptions accompanied by a host of sparkling glasses.  The plates, tables and artwork on the walls are coordinated in colour and pattern and all very tastefully put together.  All this ever so slightfully intimidating taste is mitigated by friendly front of house staff who, as in any place with genuine class, put you at ease with their polite and attentive service.

It was one of those really cold days earlier this month and I saw and went for a warming Risotto of wild mushrooms with truffle oil & parmesan starter.  Before that got to us though there was served some complimentary freshly made light crispy cheesy twists with guacamole  — yum!  My risotto didn’t waste any time getting to me and it was just right, al dente and delicious.  After this there was another surprise complimentary morsel, a small pumkin soup with crunchy toasted sunflower seeds.  For my main I had Halibut with mussels, winter vegetables & a tarragon shallot butter. All perfectly cooked but the  tarrogon shallot butter was the genious touch.  The missus had the Buttered puff pastry,with breast of cornfed chicken, confit of chicken leg, braised celery & chicken jus which in keeping with the culinary trend of the moment featured chicken cooked in three ways.  As at Bank, I finished things off with Chef’s selection of English cheeses with wafer biscuits and a fine selection it was too.

It was a good fight — a thrilla near the villa (yeah I know it’s nowhere near the Villa ground but hey) — and I think we’re really lucky in Brum to have a number of great places to eat all around Brindleyplace.  In the final count though, owing to a combination of thrilling food and excellent service, in a closely fought culinary contest I have to give the decision to Bank.

The Frankfurt Christmas Market enlivens the heart of Birmingham yet again this year and whoever it was who first thought of inviting these guys over should be very pleased with themselves. For yet again it’s a hit with brummies, West Midlanders and possibly other Midlanders everywhere (I was in deepest Hagley last night and even the locals there were raving about it).

This year it’s bigger than ever stretching from Centenary Square through Victoria Square and down New St almost as far as Stephenson St. The city fathers have dusted off last year’s attractive Christmas lights and adorned the lamposts and spaces in between them to form a dazzling canopy of electric blue. A perfect accompaniment to the kitschy colours of the German Market.

A few days ago, while enjoying a wander through the Market one of the people I was with wondered why we don’t have evening markets during other times of the year. I know we have farmers markets there quite regularly but these don’t extend to the evenings. I think a French Spring Market or a Spanish Summer Market would be a further great addition to the Brum calendar.