When the English weather gets it right, there's nowhere in the world I want to be except here in my home county. And when a pub provides a lovely garden in which to eat on a warm sunny day, my cup really does overflow.

I was lunching with the very talented children's book illustrator and artist Sue Mynall, from Abingdon, whose whimsical work is getting noticed in a big way. Sue wanted to show me a book she illustrated: A Crazy Day at the Zoo, which has just been published by Running Hare Press. Unfortunately, the publication date was just too late for Sue to have copies available when the public visited her home during Artweeks, so she is relying on Internet sales via the company's website to be found at: www.runningharepress.co.uk Sue named The Flowing Well, Sunningwell, as one of her favourite pubs, so, naturally, we met there. This is the pub which was taken over last year by a family who were determined to work together as a team to turn it round and put it on the map.

As I called shortly after it had re-opened last year when they were just settling in, The Flowing Well seemed an ideal place to revisit. I wanted to see if all that enthusiasm the family displayed then was still spurring them on to succeed. What's more, the sun was shining so brightly we were able to enjoy sitting out in the garden which is both colourful and well stocked - quite a contrast to last year, when they admitted it needed cheering up. It sets off this imposing pub beautifully.

A garden menu operates, which features dishes people can enjoy eating outside, though obviously those lunching al fresco can make their choice from the main menu if they wish.

The only noticeable changes since my last visit are the two soft leather settees near the entrance. Everything else looked as I remember it. The minimalist look, broken only by a few vases of flowers and set off by a well-cared for wooden floor remains the same.

The warm welcome has not faded either. In fact, the welcome is impressive and so is the easy manner in which those eating out in the garden are treated. There was no problem about running up a tab and the service was efficient.

I ordered a half of Gem, a bitter brewed by Bath Ales, a brewery I'm not familiar with. Gosh it's a great beer with a rich hoppy aroma and a long deep bitter-sweet finish that makes it eminently quaffable.

Sue ordered a wild mushroom pasta (£9.50) and was most impressed by both its appearance and taste. She remarked that the pasta was cooked to perfection and the generous rich mix of mushrooms in a creamy sauce was scrumptious. I chose the Caesar salad (£5.75), which proved the perfect choice for such a warm day, particularly as it was prepared the classic way and garnished with anchovies. Other dishes listed on the garden menu included sausages and mash served with onion gravy (£6.50), calves liver and bacon with creamed potatoes and onion gravy (£6.95), veal stew in a creamy wholegrain mustard sauce mash (£7.95), warm chicken salad served with black pudding, Chorizo sausage and mixed leaf salad (£6.75) and poached salmon Caesar salad with fingers of fresh salmon fillet at £6.50. There are four different filled jacket potatoes served with salad garnish priced from £6.25 and four fillings for baguettes or ciabatta bread at £5.50. We finished our meal with a foaming cappuccino for Sue (£2) and a double espresso for me, also £2.

It was tempting to linger in that lovely pub garden sipping coffee and discussing art as Sue proved to be an entertaining companion, but we both had important afternoon appointments. Wheelchair access and a toilet for disabled people are available here and dogs are welcome in the garden.