Not far from the bland concrete of Harlowe, on the road to the considerably cuter village of Little Bumblebee (or something like that) lies the inn by the name of the Black Swan. I went there for lunch. The car park is big and there are tables outside with a kids' play area but I didn't linger as the weather was not warm. Inside, though, all was snug and comfortable. It looks pretty old but I wouldn't like to say quite how many summers it has seen and it is all white walls and black timbers.

There are three sections - a pub section and a pub/restaurant section and another part that is all restaurant. There is an extensive menu with a good mix of dishes including, I noticed happily, several pies. I went for a chicken and ham one and imagine my delight when it arrived (quite speedily too) and it had a bottom! It was not one of those excuses for a pie which are often foistered on us these days - a tablespoon or two of glop in a little pot with a scrape of puff-pastry on top. No! This was a proper home-made pie, with a top, sides and a real robust bottom. And it was quiet delicious. The first proper pie I have had for a long time. The wine list was quite good too. The place also has a fine air of informality and eccentricity. For example the guy behind the bar seemed to be wearing his pyjama bottoms instead of trousers - or maybe they were just an 'out there' style of trouser - but either way I can't recommend the place enough. Harry