Wine Club 1 February

So that’s January done and dusted. Phew! I don’t know about you, but the wretched water wagon — to which I clung by my fingernails as always – is but a grim memory and I’m raring to go.jonath

Happily, my abstinence proved to Mrs Ray that I’m not a complete dipso; my liver had a rest and, thanks to my patent diet of homemade lentil soup followed by Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate (other fine chocolate is available), I’ve lost 12lb since New Year’s Eve.

Don’t laugh, it works. The soup is a doddle to make and gives me lunch for the week. Simply soften some chopped onion and celery in a whisper of olive oil; chuck in diced carrots, a bag of red split lentils, a tin of tomatoes, curry powder, paprika, Worcester sauce, a bay leaf and salt and pepper — then top up with boiling water and simmer for 90 minutes.