Christmas drinks - grand prix style

Let me tell you about how Christmas Day went here. First of all, there was nothing under the tree for me (drat that mouse). Oh, but SHE got several presents, some of which she decided to wear at once. So, she was flabbing around the house in new pants and a fur wrap. Then she padded to the kitchen to open a bottle of fizz.

Watch and learn, Marlster, she said. I used to work in a champagne bar way back in the 80s. I'm an expert. Of course, this is cava, not champagne, but mixed with orange juice we will never know the difference...

And she started swaggering around with a tea towel, showing me the right angle and how to twist the bottle. Nothing happened. Dampened the tea towel under the tap and tried again. Nothing happened. Under the sink, rubber gloves on and tried again. Nothing happened.

She rummaged in the kitchen drawer. She started to chisel around the cork with a butter knife. Nothing happened. Rummage in the other kitchen drawer. Out with a wrench. On with a coat. Outside the back door she started to wrench the cork out. The cork broke. Into the kitchen, out with a corkscrew. Eventually the cork came out, and so did the cava in a gush.

She really is a dozy mare.