A Local Pub ...

... finally! For local people like us!

One of the few gripes FauxSurreyHubby & I have about our much loved, blissful corner of Surrey is that we are rather short of 'fabulous pubs within walking distance'. Our recent trip to Cartmel highlighted this (which is not really fair as in Cartmel village there were not only 3 fabulous pubs within a 10 minute stroll we were almost on top of a Michelin starred restuarant, but still ...) and the other evening FSHubby & I decided to take a walk into our local village and go the the local chain pub & just have a meal out; never mind the quality, feel the walk to earn our tea!
25 minutes were spent walking & chit chatting & sticky-beaking into other peoples house as we went the long way 'round and we found ourselves at a prefectly decent chain pub. There was a roaring fire, nice fabric on the chairs & the wine & beer were decent enough. Taking the menus to our table however our spirits fell. All the food was what can only be described as "freezer to fryer" - burgers, chips, fishcakes etc.

 

FSHubby whipped out his iPhone and started searching for alternative venues, and a very surprisng result popped up. Not a 2 minute walk from the OK pub was apparently a local gem. BUT we had in fact been to this place about 18 months ago & were not best impressed. However all the reviews were within the past 8 months so we thought - why not? Let's take a chance.

And BOY were we rewarded! The Leg of Mutton & Cauliflower is indeed a true gem. It has recently been taken over & refurbished and it was gorgeous. Old fashioned where it needed to be, modernised & done up in other parts. The pub has now been properly divided into a saloon bar, bar & proper starched tablecloth restaurant. The staff were smiley, the ambience was warm and welcoming and the menu spectacular. We were in pub heaven.

We ate the following & it was perfect - the fondue especially was 10/10

 

OAK SMOKED SCOTTISH SALMON

WITH CHIVE AND POTATO ROSTI AND LEMON, CAPER DRESSING

SMOKED APPLE WOOD FONDUE (V)

SERVED WITH HERB CROUTONS

BRAISED PIGS CHEEKS

WITH CONFIT BACON, SAVOY CABBAGE, CELERIAC AND CHANTENAY CARROTS AND A RICH PORK JUS

WILD MUSHROOM AND SPINACH RAVIOLI (V) (N)

WITH WILTED RADICCHIO AND PINE NUT SALAD DRESSED WITH PESTO

Everyone go - keep this pub open & thriving - lord knows our village needs
it!
http://www.legashtead.co.uk/

Whether the weather ...

.. be cold?
Or whether the weather be hot?
We'll weather the weather, whatever the weather, we'll weather it, like it or not!

Ah childhood poems can often sum up brilliantly exactly what I am thinking.

Have just returned from a mini spa break for best friends' 'big 5-0' celebrations and encountered the classic 4 seasons in a day.

Arrived at Spa in grey-ish but fairly warm conditions. After a LOVELY swim & wonderful full on hydrotherapy session (think tropical rain showers + crystal saunas + ice rooms and bubbling jacuzzis) the sun was out. By the time the mud / slimming / seaweed wrap had sunk in & magically detoxed me (removing inches in the process too ... hahaha!) the rain had started again and by the time the re-toxing pre dinner fizz was chilled it was howling gales.

 

The weather seems to just be doing whatever it wants at the moment without a heed to the month or indeed the season. Today, 21st March it is supposed be officially spring - and whilst earlier in the week the weather did indeed have a little springlike quality to it, (the sun popped out for about 30 mins) the weather forecast (going FROM winter to spring mind) is not good.

And it is indeed causing me problems beyond wrapping up warm & leaving the heating at 25 degrees. The FauxSurreyStepTeens bought me trays of lovely vibrantly coloured plug plants for Mother's day; yet 12 days later they are still languising in the garage, still wrapped in their polystyrene boxes in a vain attempt to keep them warm, waiting for the weather to creep above freezing.



But if I was hoping to garden this coming weekend dream on - weather forecast is for minus 1 celcius and 90% chance of snow ...

The Dressing Gown of Dreams

(with thanks to Edward Monkton)

And the Dressing Gown of Dreams shall be worn at weekends when its full power is unleashed.  Its cuddly cotton pile will call to the KC who will willingly and happily cuddle up to its normally ignored wearer, put her head and paws on the wearers thigh and snuggle in tight. For the first time in SIX years ...

And the wearer shall not move a muscle and will shed small tears of complete joy as the KC gazes up at her with genuine love.