Happy returns

There are good things happening all around if you care to look. In the last week two of our favourite pubs have re-emerged from periods of closure. Firstly, one of the best - the Hunworth Bell - opens its doors again this evening and this time in the safe hands of the team from the Duck at Stanhoe. A wonderful location and with a tradition of good food and drink serving a local community, the preview last night confirmed that all the stuff I remember from its previous life is still there, but with some good adjustments and the promise of some great food to come.

I understand that this is not meant be Duck 2, but building on its former reputation and learning from the Duck, offering a menu based around locally sourced ingredients with classic English dishes reflecting seasonality. If the preview night is anything to go by - the place humming with locals pleased to see their pub back as well as those who've followed the team in their progress round North Norfolk – it feels just right.

Secondly, and just a bit closer to home, I learnt last night from Claire and Nigel – the owners of The Control Tower, the wonderful and highly individual vegetarian B&B at the former North Creake RAF Airfield, that another one-off, The Three Horseshoes at Warham has just re-opened. Just serving drinks and barbecued food for the first couple of weeks, it should be back fully towards the end of the month. Always one of the truly individual pubs left in Norfolk, this really sounds like great news.

Which just leaves the Lord Nelson in Burnham Thorpe........