No, not that stretch of cold water between Sweden and the various half-starved states on the Eastern side but a splendid restaurant just by Southwark Tube on Blackfriars Road. An extremely comprehensive vodka bar, excellent and well-cooked food, nicely presented in modest portions without it being a rip-off, and jazz on a Sunday evening. What more could anyone want ?
Long time no see – almost not since it was 2d to get in through the turnstiles. Bluebells, mostly, but rhododendrons too, and azaleas.
Then along the river path to Richmond – at least a dozen herons on the bank or dozing in trees.
A reminiscent stop opposite old Isleworth and “The London Apprentice”, scene of many a lunchtime pint back in the late 60s early 70s.
The tide was in at Richmond, so we had to paddle a bit- just where I used to ride my bike through the water when I was a kid.
To mourn the demise of the Agar Arms at Warthill – not as a pub, it’s still there and open, but as one of the best steak houses in the area – and it was for nearly 30 years to my personal knowledge. However, a recent cycle ride out through the early Spring countryside to this delightfully situated hostelry by the village duck-pond revealed a menu consisting only of standard pub food – not a steak in sight. The food was adequate – microwaved and hot and good size portions – but the old days are gone. The Fox at nearby STockton-on-the-Forest may be a more acceptable food alternative.
By folding bike to Helmsley. Few spring flowers yet apart from snowdrops and crocuses, one patch of celandine, and few lambs too, though lots of fat ewes. Catkins, but not yet the light green sheen on the trees which is the true colour of early Spring. Sun, and a light breeze from the SW, so mainly behind me. A fine descent, new to me, from Yearsley to Ampleforth, with some fine views. The White Swan at Ampleforth proved a gem – well-kept Black Sheep bitter and the best toasted sandwich I’ve ever had. Brie and bacon both excellent, delicious coleslaw, a very mixed and interesting mixed salad, and crisps. 9 out of 10. It would have been 10/10 if the crisps had been Seabrooks instead of Walkers. Must get back there to see if their meals are as good as their snacks.
Past the stream bridge of family fame and on to Helmsley for the bus home. Several crossings of the former railway which ran from the ECML to Pickering and on to Scarborough. Some fine station houses remain, and a signalbox at Coxwold.
Considering that the last place visited by this log was Paris, Doncaster is up against strong competition – and comes nowhere. The Frenchgate centre in the evening is like visiting a world where all human life has evaporated – and it hasn’t gone to the pubs. White Swan closed, Great Northern closed, The Plough a little gem with some nice Vermuyden ale. The Leopard somewhat deserted though beer acceptable, the Corner Pin had an eccentric clientele and, considering it had got the Doncaster CAMRA award for a town pub recently, didn’t seem to have kept the beer in top form.
Streets of Doncaster deserted – all rather sinister.
The Shoulder of Mutton at Kirby Hill does a nice pint, has two coal fires, and a good menu. Situated on the edge of a small escarpment looking North over the Holme Valley, the village of Ravensworth, and towards Teesdale. We were staying in Kirby Hill, a small village, hamlet really, round a green off the through road. Snow made it all idyllic, once we managed to get to and from Richmond to get food supplies (thanks Stephen and Colin – saved our Christmas potatoes). Delightful walks across snow-covered fields to Ravensworth (thanks for the tea and whiskey, Dorothy and William) where there is a ruined castle in the middle of a marsh. Going back up there was a lane too snowy for road traffic. It would have been the most wonderful toboggan run. After a couple of days of slight melting during the day and freezing at night it was more like a bobsled run – lethal, probably. Walks too along the edge of the moor, where the army, which usually uses it as a firing range, was having a Christmas truce. Altogether an excellent week in a flat converted out of the Old Grammar School (1640 something to 1957).
And we got there by train and 2 buses. Only downside to this was the cancellation of bus services on Xmas eve due to snow (see note above ref getting to and from Richmond) and Richmond Council’s refusal to provide any shelter for bus passengers in the square where all the buses start from.
Under new management and trying hard. Interesting selection of guest beers, mini beer and cider festival, nicely spruced up rear yard. Worth a visit.
It seemed we could have a comfortable, hotel style room with two single beds, triple glazing and air conditioning, but with no ensuite and a little way out of the city centre (Stockholm), or ensuite facilities, and extremely central location, and no ventilation except an open window onto a 05:00 to 01:00 bus route, an 04:00 bin collection, and beer deliveries to the two cafes opposite between 6 and 8 am. (Copenhagen). But the Copenhagen one did have a very nice little cafe on the ground floor where you could get an excellent German weissbier so it wasn’t all bad. As an aside, you might think the Carlsberg in Copenhagen would be superior to anywhere else but actually it’s just as dreadful as in the rest of the world.
The Portland Street Pedallers don’t get as far out of town as they used to. Crayke or bust had become Huby or bust and is now The Jacobean or bust. Three of us made it by bike, through quite cool showers, and two came by car. But I’m still not keen on the Jacobean. Not much choice of beer and wht there was not particularly well kept. The ride back to The Dormouse benefited from some pleasant late evening sun and at least the pub had a variety of drinkable beer. Real ale in a pub pastiche.
We were intrigued by the leaflet offering “Voilet Garden Services” on the back of a pub menu, complete with picture of small purple flower, and were tempted by the offer of “Chicken and Leak Pie”. We thought the latter would go nicely with the “Plumb scone” which appeared on an earlier bill for afternoon tea.