The Feast of Saint Valentine

A celebration of love and affection. : St Valentine , or Valentinus, was martyred on February 14th in the 3rd century A.D. As well as watching over the lives of lovers he keeps an eye on beekeeping and epilepsy, as well as the plague, fainting and travelling. What a busy saint.

It is possible that the medieval English poet Geoffrey Chaucer may have invented Valentines Day through his work "Parliament of Foules" (1375 ). He links a tradition of courtly love with the celebration of St Valentines Feast Day. The poem refers to February 14th as the day birds (and humans) come together to find a mate.

So that's why we celebrate today, and the retailers make a fortune through selling cards, chocs and expensive roses.

Ian is making me a special dinner and it would be a shame not to celebrate with a bottle of champagne. Cheers everyone .