Chill

With a pedestrian commute and no pressing reason to use the car, I've relished the current spell of ice and a snow - a proper winter at last.

Late afternoon, for me, is the best part of these jewel-bright days.

Colour drains away, the western sky fades from blue to ochre - and the walkers in the park transform to figures in a Breughel picture.

Happy day

Mr Gnome was possibly the smallest of the many guests who gathered in Leamington Spa to celebrate with Ben and Richard (top) their recent lifetime commitment and civil partnership.

Ben and Richard, kind and generous to a fault, benignly overlooked Mr Gnome's flouting of their gentle encouragement that all guests should fall in with the day's 'black and white' theme.

This minute faux pas was overshadowed by the style and panache with which the human guests of all ages proved the power and impact of a 'restricted palette'.

No surprise then that the day also provided a checkerboard of contrasting moods and emotions as we were invited to join Ben and Richard in looking back at the journey that has brought them thus far.

Our hosts were at pains to acknowledge with grace and humour, the many roles that family and friends had played in their story.

And, with modest sincerity, they left us in no doubt of the centrality of their 'faith journeys' to their decision to make this public commitment.

Here's the text of the address given during the service.

Mr Gnome had a ball and has decided that 'by sporran' is to be his new transport of choice.

Awning gap?

Would-be restaurant reviewer Mr Gnome commented enthusiastically last year on Leamington Spa's tip-top La Coppola eatery.

As well as commending its value-for-money menu and cheerful service, Mr G noted that La Coppola's unusual frontage made a charming and colourful addition to the town-centre streetscape.

Fast-forward to now and the distressing news that owners Charlotte and Parham Ahmadi are obliged to remove the awnings, shutters and window boxes that lend their premises its zestful individuality.

It seems that Warwick District Council's building inspector Keith Turner feels that the ground-floor awning has 'unbalanced the architectural harmony' of the terrace.

And according to the report in the Leamington Spa Courier, he also opines that 'the upstairs awnings "completely alter" the appearance of the building and their bright colour is "out of place and unduly conspicuous".'

Oh please, sighs Mr Gnome.

La Coppola is conspicuous? How dreadful.

It's colourful? Quelle horreur.

It has unbalanced the street's architectural harmony?

Of course it has, opines Mr G. In the way that a ray of sunshine unbalances a blah day.

Mr G urges Mr Turner to relax, pour himself a crisp glass of Frascati and allow a hint of whatever is the Italian equivalent of bonhomie to steal into his soul.

It's not too late to change your mind, Mr T.

Resist blandness, proclaims Mr Gnome.

From the park side

Hurrah for our Victorian forebears for dedicating themselves bountifully to the beautification of our municipal open spaces.

And hurrah for the preservationists of Leamington Spa for salvaging the exquisite bird house in the town's Jephson Gardens.

Ten years ago, the aviary was a derelict, dilapidated disaster.

Now it's a cheerful cafe, its froth of wrought-iron latticework painstakingly restored - an airy delight, possibly all the better for the absence of avian inhabitants.

Prime number

Along with the ruby-slippered Dorothy, Mr Gnome has learned to look for the good things waiting to be discovered 'right here in my own back yard'.

Eleven, in Leamington Spa's Regent Place, is small, unpretentious and of tip-top quality - aspects that Mr Gnome is always eager to celebrate. And the food and ambience are so French that Mr G now refers to this splendid bistro as Onze.

The evening had an element of serendipitous discovery. Booking at the very last minute, we discovered that the special feature of every Tuesday evening at Eleven is the £13.50 menu terroir. (By the way, terroir means 'of the earth'.)

The other special feature of the terroir menu, is that it offers le choix de Hobson - one dish per course - no other choices!

We began with a pork and duck rillette - that's a kind of coarse pate, served with a salad and some dinky slices of toasted bread. Jolly good portions as well. Scrumptious.

Next was rump steak (top-quality) accompanied by hearty, golden, perfectly cooked potato chips.

Finally a blackcurrant mousse, served in generously proportioned tumblers. Wow!

Glance back to the price per person. Yes, £13.50.

Excellent, friendly service from our French host.

Mr Gnome will return.

All the info you need at www.elevenrestaurant.co.uk

Short films

The small, independent local cinema: sadly a thing of the past in most places. But alive and kicking in lucky Leamington Spa.

The cinephiles of this leafy midlands town can choose between a town-centre multiplex for mainstream offerings and the Royal Cinema, pictured here, which specializes in the 'art house' end of the market.

No prizes for guessing that Mr Gnome is a regular visitor to the Royal: low, low prices, non-noisy confectionery and a comfy auditorium - and a five-minute walk from home. Hurrah!

And although he has nothing against the DVD format, he feels that there's no excitment to match that of viewing a tip-top film on the big screen.

By the way, ever eager to promote small-but-splendid technological development, Mr G draws readers' attention to the stylish Brompton folding bicycle in the background above.

Back to the cinema: any must-see recommendations for the months ahead?

Don't judge a book...

This unpretentious building (OK, it's a pre-fab) is home to tip-top café/restuarant Alfonso's Place.

Tucked away behind the railway station, Alfonso's is one of those eateries about which people say: 'I didn't think places like this existed any more.'

Friendly service, fresh ingredients, home-made puddings (yes, all are home-made, including the ice cream, I think) and plenty of choice. Low, low prices.

The HB and Mr G enthuse about the breakfasts (fab) and the Sunday lunches (terrific).

Product placement

Mr Gnome isn't at all sniffy about 'brand name' coffee shops. He likes them.

Here he is planning a jaunt in Leamington Spa's Caffe Nero.

Or Caffe Nerd, to some.

Friendly staff, good coffee, pleasant ambience, newspapers, open all hours.

What's not to like?