It seems that a good many of my reflections on this blog focus on gastronomy. It's not been a conscious decision on my part, but those who know me know that I love the art of cooking and the pleasures of a good meal. I've come to understand that much of the culture, the essence of a country is represented in its food and the dining experience. Here in West Sussex, it's been cold and raining for days, so naturally, the English thing to do is find a cozy pub with good, solid comfort food and real ales to warm the body and soul.
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| Sarah's 30th reunion at the Gribble Inn |
30 years ago, Sarah had her first ploughman's lunch at the Gribble Inn, a quintisential olde country pub - low ceilings, exposed beams, thatched roof - in Oving (pronounced "oo-ving"), just outside Chichester. Today, after a cold, wet stroll through Chichester, a tour of the 900 year old cathedral (yes, another one!) and a bit of clothes shopping for the girls, we had a late afternoon lunch at the Gribble Inn. Pork belly on mashed tatties with creamed cabbage, haddock and chips with mushy peas, bangers and mash, a pint of the local ale and what the girls claimed was the best hot chocolate they've had in Europe.
A very pleasant end to an otherwise miserable day. Pub life must surely be the reason why the English can keep calm and carry in such times.
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| Chichester Cathedral - the spire collapsed in 1861 |
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| Arundel Castle in the rain |
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