The last week has been something of a fresh start for me A couple of weeks ago I managed to ruin my netbook, hence the recent lack of any AlanWalsh posts, but managed to have a full factory reset yesterday having lost nothing of any importance. I also made the trip to Meadowhall last week to exchange my iPhone for one that actually works. I should explain. Having been one of the first of my group of friends to get one back in April I thought that the reception was poor due to the 3g and was willing to accept the stick in exchange for having the carrot that is probably the best piece of technology that I have ever owned, even with the limited coverage! As time went on and more of my friends got the iPhone I realised that I was not getting reception when others were. It was becoming apparent that I had managed to take delivery of the only iPhoney on the market and, to the consternation of  anyone who tries to call me regularly (otherwise known as my Mum), was unable to make/receive calls of longer than a couple of minutes without reception disappearing. Anyway, full marks to Apple because they changed the phone with no complications. In truth the most painful part of the whole experience was fighting my way through the hordes of teenagers (most of them pushing prams) to get to the Apple shop in Meadowhall.

I have less technological reasons for recent happiness as well. All of my Christmas presents (nearly all beer) were well received. My Mum and her two sisters were given a selection of Timmermans Fruit Beers - Peach, Raspberry and Cherry – which were tasted and swapped on Boxing Day. Peach was the only one to get unanimous approval with the Cherry flavour being the most ‘acquired’ taste with only my Auntie (a self-confessed Cherry Bakewell nut) being a fan. My two uncles received bottles paired with cheeses from the Piazza Cheese and Ham Shop in Leeds Corn Exchange. Even my Fosters drinking Dad was happy with his bottles of Stout, preferring, to my surprise, the stronger flavour of the Sam Smith’s Imperial Stout. I may have shot myself in the foot though as requests to bring more bottles next time I visit were ringing in my ears well North of Nottingham after an hour on the road. The small New Years Eve party we had at our house went well with a hearty Shin Beef Stew, a delicious hand made Lemon Meringue Pie  (courtesy of my housemate’s girlfriend Charly) and of course a good selection of Real Ales sourced from the thinning shelves of Beer Ritz.

So how exactly is this looking forward to the last year of the decade you may ask… Well for a start I had a great time with family and friends that I do not see often enough, so I’m going to be making more ‘missionary’ visits in order to spread the good news of real ales to the people that mean the most to me. Also I intend to be working hard to find recipes that lend themselves particularly well to the  Real Ale Reviews ethos. My starter of Beer Potted Cheese was delicious on New Years Eve and was found in a book dedicated to Victorian stillroom techniques, I will be scouring such books for further gems so you don’t have to!!!! (The potted cheese recipe will be added in a few days.)

On other fronts aim to run a marathon in less than four hours and a half marathon in 1 hour 31 minutes, neither targets are easy for me as a stocky chap but I hope will be achievable with hard work (I already have 14 miles on the 2010 clock).

Sure it’s good to look back, although perhaps not totally healthy if the method is a week’s worth of e4 Best of the noughties shows. We shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that the most productive reason to look back is to find the best way forward. For example my first (nearly full) year with Real Ale Reviews has widened my knowledge and experience of beer as well as bringing me into contact with some cracking people that I would have otherwise never have met. Will be sat at home reminiscing about this? No, I’ll be sat wondering where we’re going next. I for one fully intend to grab the last year of the noughties firmly by the bollocks and see where the ride goes. I hope you’re with me.