Preheat oven to 180°C (160°C fan-forced). Grease an 8cm deep, 13cm x 23cm (1.7-litre capacity) terrine dish or loaf pan. Line loaf pan with 14 slices bacon allowing slices to over hang around the sides

Chop remaining bacon coarsely. Place bacon in bowl with remaining ingredients. Season very well with salt and pepper; mix well to combine. Press mince mixture into terrine, packing down mixture as much as you can. Cover with overhanging bacon. Cover top with baking paper and foil

Place terrine in a large roast roasting pan. Pour enough boiling water into roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of terrine. Cook for 1 hour 30 minutes. Transfer terrine out of roasting pan. Cool completely. Weigh top of terrine with food cans. Refrigerate overnight

To make pickled cherries, stir sugar, rosemary, bay leaves, vinegar and the water in a small saucepan over medium heat until sugar dissolves. Add cherries; bring to a simmer. Remove from heat. Cool 30 minutes. Chill until required

Turn terrine out onto serving dish; top with extra thyme. Slice and serve with pickled cherries