As soon as we can all arrange a day off together myself and the gang - all nine of us - are to hire a boat on the Thames and set off for a picnic on some remote bank. Hopefully next week, before the glorious weather we are currently enjoying ends in the inevitable thunder storm. I am going to take this salad along as my contribution to the picnic; it's a Thai Inspired Melon Salad taken from some Sunday newspaper or other. I thought it sounded interesting -

Thai Inspired Melon Salad

• 2 garlic cloves mashed with olive oil
• 1 tbsp liquid honey
• 2 tbsp Thai Fish Sauce
• Juice of two limes and the grated zest
• 1-2 red chillies
• 1 Gala/Ogen melon, peeled and chopped into 1 inch cubes
• 2oz/50g unsalted roasted peanuts
• Garnish - plenty of chopped coriander and a little mint

No instructions were given - I guess you just mix the main ingredients together and top with the peanuts and garnish. As for a wine suggestion to accompany; assuming you cannot readily get hold of any Thai wine, I would go for iced water.... or a Singha beer.

While I sort out the best images and recover from the sunburn (bloody 'ell people it was HOT!) I thought a quick shot of the UK bloggers annual picnic at the Royal Regatta was in order. Here you can see Johanna (Passionate Cook) doing what all the best food-bloggers do - getting down and close with the camera. Behind Johanna is Jeanne (Cooksister). To her right is her friend from South Africa, Cecil. The other chap is Jeanne's husband, Nick.

But you are interested in the food! Well there is crudites, breads, dips, savoury muffins and tarts, lemon chicken, and so much more.... and that's before the bakewell tarts, fruit buns and other desserts made an appearance!

THe 10 top restaurants with a riverside location. As this covers the South East of England the Thames features heavily.. exclusively actually.

1. The Gun 27 Coldharbour, London E14 "combine pub informality and simple comfort with what is surely one of the most elegant gastropub menues of the year." [website]
2. Canyon, The Towpath, Riverside, Richmond "The weekend brunch dishes and the cheap set lunch are both excellent" [details]
3. Deep, The Boulevard, Imperial Wharf, London SW6 "Before dinner, enjoy a cocktail on the large riverside deck of the adjoining bar" [details]
4. The Grand Union Public House, 45 Woodfield Road, W9 "its increasing popularity with hip thirthysomethings" [details]
5. Hampton's, Hampton Court Road, Hampton Court, Surrey "benefits from the presence of the executive chef Russell Pollard, who hails from Marco Pierre White's stable" [details]
6. The Leatherne Bottel, Goring on Thames, Berkshire "The delightful location on a wooded bank of the Thames is reason enough to visit, but Julie Storey's cooking is the real lure" [website]
7. Le Pont de la Tour, Butlers Wharf, SE1 "This suave riverside restaurant is the Soth Bank's best bet for impressing important clients or wooing the love of your life" [website]
8. Royal China Westferry Circus, 20 Westferry Circus, London E14 "One of the best dim sum selections in London and a lovely riverside terrace" [details]
9. The Riverside Brasserie, Monkey Island, Bray, Bershire "The whole experience is made more delightful by the lovely views of the Thames outside" [details]
10. The Waterside Inn, Ferry Road, Bray, Berkshire "This sumptuously furnished yet homely riverside restaurant offers one of the most cosseting dining experinece you could hop to find." [website]