Wylde about....Empty Nests.

My wife and I will be empty nesters soon.

Within about six weeks, in fact.

This is both good and bad.

Good because it means that at least part of the job as a parent - to make oneself vaguely redundant (at least practically, if not emotionally or financially) - is done. Box ticked.

And bad because, well, you know - we actually really like them and expect to miss them hugely. Box of tissues.

Of course, the truth is that we're already getting lots of empty nest practice. While they're out and about having spectacular summer holidays, we're working, home alone and eating à deux.

And there's the challenge. 

Cooking for two - as opposed to four - will clearly take some practice.

Because we keep cooking for four. We just keep defaulting to it, like we're on autopilot. 

Maybe you've experienced the same? I expect we'll sort it over time but it's a very real thing right now.

Salvation, fortunately, is at hand. 

Josh and I recently went to visit Giles and Kate on their beautiful farm in Kent. We talked duck, goose and - most excitingly perhaps - chicken.

Half chickens, in fact.

Long story short, this lovely, caring couple - do watch this super short film about them - are making their absolutely beautiful, big chickens available as halves.

With these succulent half chickens weighing in at over a kilo each, they're just perfect for two.

They taste off-the-charts good, trust me. Slowly, lovingly and expertly raised, they don't take long to cook and they're incredibly good value at just £15 each.

I've ordered ours.

We're going to eat it as we plan our first term time holiday for 20 years.

I could get used to this.

Nick