A Good Friday mooch...

Thursday was a quiet day, pretty much the same as normal. When we picked Mike up from work he was in a bad mood as he'd been told he would be based at Abington Park from next week, something he wasn't really happy about. I think he likes working in a different place every day and has got used to the people he's working with.

There was an air of jollity this evening as we were all off tomorrow as it's Good Friday. I, however, am working Saturday and Monday but at least I still have two days off!

The Easter Bank Holiday weekend has been forecast to be a scorcher and we awoke to blue skies and sunshine on Friday. The plan was to go out for a mooch, just off the A14 near Thrapston. First of all, though, we had to go to the Co-op in Broughton as we had an eBay item to send out and various other parcels and cards. The shop was packed as usual, with people stocking up on salads and barbecue foods.

As soon as we were done we sped off to the A14 and decided to call at The Vane Arms in Sudborough. We have been visiting this pub for years and it used to be the place to go for real ales. It's now run by a family who used to have our local, The Royal Oak, and the woman behind the bar recognised us straight away.

After a chat we went to sit in the garden as it was so gorgeous. The sun was lovely and warm and it was sheer bliss sitting on the small patio with a cold lager and chatting.

From the Vane Arms we took a long and single lane road to Slipton but the pub, The Samuel Pepys, was closed. This was a huge shame as it was a very popular pub with a large conservatory serving good food. We pushed on to Twywell and The Old Friar which was packed with people sitting in the garden and enjoying the sunshine.

We just about bagged the last space in the car park and went into the bar where the bar staff seemed a bit clueless. There were no tables free outside so we sat on a low sofa opposite the bar and discussed going to Berlin in September! It was lovely seeing so many people getting out and supporting our pubs because I think they're in dire straits at the moment. I was shocked that such a popular inn such as the Samuel Pepys was closed as I always thought it was very popular. However, I don't think that the price of the drinks helps - each round we had of two pints and two halves came to almost £12.

From Twywell we drove the short distance to The Snooty Fox at Lowick, which was another favourite of ours in the past. Again, people were sitting in the small garden in front of the pub and enjoying the weather. We went to the bar (the pub was empty) and asked if we could order some food. The barman glanced at the clock, grunted that it was almost 2pm and said he would see. Not really the reaction we had hoped for as we only wanted a couple of bowls of chips!

He came back and said we were OK to order food and seemed pleased we only wanted a simple lunch! We said we'd be in the garden and found a table overlooking the small play area. However, our table and bench seats were dirty and had splodges of bird poo on them...with all the forecasts of hot and sunny weather this weekend, you would think someone would have gone out and made sure they were clean!

Our chips arrived, served by a very surly young girl who looked like she was about to be given a death sentence! The food was good and hot and after they'd eaten Sophie and Mike decided to have a go on the swings, much to the amusement of the other customers sitting in the garden!

Before heading home we called in for a drink at The Wheatsheaf at Titchmarsh, which used to be part of the same chain as our local, The White Horse. However, we have learnt that it has been taken over by the manager and has cut all ties with The Proper Pub Co.

The pub was quiet but after a good chat with the woman behind the bar, we sat out in the delightful garden and soaked up the sunshine. We recognised lots of touches from our local, especially in the garden and the witty sayings on signs throughout the pub. It was like being back at home!

Our last pub of today was indeed our own local, The White Horse, and we sat in their lovely garden with several other drinkers. We have learned that the lease is up for sale and that the villagers are trying to take it over so it can continue being a pub. It will be a huge shame if it does close down.

Back home, it was time to relax and Mike went off to see some friends and stay the night. Keith, Sophie and I had fish and chips for dinner (not from the fish shop, though). It is Good Friday, after all!