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Dryathlon - almost completed

Just three nights to go and nearly £850 raised so far for Cancer Research. That's before the promised donations if I make it (I know who you are so get your credit cards ready!) which should take it over £1000. This is quite incredible so thank you to everyone who has made a donation already and, if you haven't, please think about this as it is for a really great cause. It is a horrible fact that virtually everyone knows someone who has been - or will be - affected by this most horrible of illnesses so, please, stump up now!

For my part, the last few days have been trickier than earlier ones simply because the project is nearing completion. The chicken stew a couple of nights ago would have been improved by a glass or two of Coudoulet de Beaucastel Blanc, for example, and tonight's pizza will be crying out for some Negroamaro or Barbera d'Asti (or Alba - I'm not fussy just now).

Friday is Chinese New Year and, by coincidence, I will be celebrating the end of my dry month with some friends, one of whom is also looking forward to Saturday, by enjoying a meal at Wok'n'Rock, a new restaurant in Lakenheath which has the good taste to buy its wines from BRW. So, given that I generally drink beer with oriental foods and, frankly, my life won't be improved by a bottle or two of Tsing Tsao, that just leaves two evenings before Saturday.

So, what about Saturday? I can almost taste the Boeuf Bourguignon already but the choice of wines is too great. Classically it should be Burgundy, of course, and I do have a couple of Pinots I would like to sample. However, a Southern Rhone red would work just as well - a mature Chateauneuf, for example (I have been contemplating Raymond Usseglio's 2004 since it was discussed at the Trinity tasting on 7th) - or, indeed, a good Piedmontese Nebbiolo. Too many choices. Perhaps I should start a sweepstake on which wine it will be - that should be good for a few more quid in the Dryathlon pot!

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