I was just looking out the window admiring the first signs of spring - sunlight glinting off the dustbins, a robin pecking away at a half-eaten kebab, and the names of two young lovers newly carved into one of the wooden benches. That explains what all the noise was outside after our Valentine's Day do, anyway.
Ferado Terrace
We're definitely going to use the garden more this year, now that the drains have been fixed. I quite like the idea of getting one of these Ferado Terrace outdoor units in for outdoor functions. It's been developed in partnership with Calor, the gas people, and meets the draft guidelines for the smoking ban since it's not an enclosed space. Each one can seat around 12 people or shelter up to 20 standing. I'll use it for the darts club dinners - we can get them out of the saloon bar, which will be a relief to everyone else, but they'll all be in one place so we can keep an eye on them.
Calor: 0800 216 659, www.lpg-catering.co.uk/ferado/index1.htm
Aviko Steam and Fresh Wedges
That funny bloke from the health food shop was in again, tutting over our menu and ordering light ale just so Brenda had to reach down to get it off the bottom shelf. Next time he's giving me a hard time about saturated fats, I'll show him these Steam and Fresh Wedges in Skin from Aviko. I've just put them on the kids' menu. A healthy alternative to chips and deep-fried potatoes, crispy on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside - a bit like Brenda.
Aviko: www.aviko.com/uk/outofhome
Brakes washroom range
The cleaner didn't turn up again today, which means I had to break out the rubber gloves and clear up after last night's quiz crowd. I've got a few questions to ask them now, I can tell you. Thankfully, Brakes has launched a new range of products, including concentrated air freshener and odour neutraliser, coreless toilet roll, and drain dosing concentrate, which digests grease and fats in an environmentally friendly manner. That's all I need to know; you can have too much detail.
Brakes: 0845 606 9090, www.brake.co.uk
BullOx
I'm not sure how I feel about people shouting "BullOx" across the bar, but I'll have to get used to it, I suppose. The Jerky Group is charging into biltong territory with its new brand. Apparently it has an authentic South African heritage, is naturally air-dried and contains less than six per cent fat. Which is more than most of my customers can say.
The Jerky Group: 07850 930940
John Artis double-walled glassware
I do like these Duos, designed by Italian glass manufacturer Luigi Bormioli. They keep drinks hot or cold for longer. It's all down to trapped air, apparently. Like so many things. The range features an espresso mug, latte mug, cappuccino/tea cup and two different sizes of drinks tumbler.
John Artis: www.johnartis.co.uk.
Abbey Well Fruits
Remember when water came from a tap? And juice was something you had with vodka? It's all changed, as the Abbey Well Fruits range shows. The drinks are sweetened with sucralose, which tastes like sugar but without the calories. The range is available in four great flavours - peach and strawberry in sparkling, and citrus and peach & apricot in still. Every drop of Abbey Well is filtered through 315 million-year-old white sandstone, for at least 3,000 years. So why does it have a use-by date?
Abbey Well: www.abbey-well.co.uk
Veetee Foodservice giveaway
One New Year ought really to be enough for anybody, but any excuse for a party. Thai New Year is from April 13 to 15, and to celebrate the occasion Veetee Foodservice is giving away an electric rice cooker and 20kg bag of Veetee Thai fragrant rice to the first three readers to respond to this offer. Email your name, address, email and job title to veetee@thehubonline.co.uk, with 'The Publican Veetee rice cooker offer' in the message line.
Veetee Foodservice: 0800 032 1673, www.veeteefoodservices.com