Birthday celebrations!

I had a bit of a lie-in this morning and eased myself into my birthday! By 9.45am we were all showered and dressed and I opened cards and presents from friends and family, so that was lovely.

We set off for Beaconsfield at 10am and picked the M1/M25/M40 route as it was slightly quicker according to Google maps. By 11.30am we were driving through the Buckinghamshire countryside and admiring the lovely town of Beaconsfield (pronounced Beckons-field).

We managed to park in the middle of the market town and spotted a pub called The Royal Saracens Head on the main road. All of us needed the loo after the hour and a half's journey so we decided to call in for a quick drink. It was virtually empty with just a couple of tables occupied, so it was great to sit and relax for a while, discuss Mike's upcoming birthday and use the facilities.

After we'd finished our drinks we had a walk up and down the high street and looked at the menus of several restaurants including The Giggling Squid which we had visited in Henley-on-Thames. Sophie and I didn't realise was a chain! There was also a Brasserie Blanc so you'd be spoiled for choice for eating!

However, we were going to England's oldest freehouse, The Royal Standard of England, about a ten minute drive away, deep in the Chilterns, in the tiny hamlet of Forty Green. You approach the pub via a narrow road and I had high expectations having seen it on a history programme over Christmas.

It was busier than I had imagined for a Wednesday lunchtime in January but there were plenty of tables available and we found one in a lovely cosy alcove.

The pub is a maze of tiny rooms, little nooks and crannies and uneven floors. There was a large log fire burning and the delicious smell of garlic and woodsmoke permeated the whole building. People were wandering around admiring the old beams, the tiny lead windows and the old pictures and tapestries hanging on the walls.

Sophie with her pint of Belhaven (we'd ordered halves!)

 

Keith ordered drinks at the bar and then we sat and perused the menu, choosing garlic bread and olives for Mike and Sophie to share as a starter, and onion soup and smoked mackerel for Keith and I.

My onion soup and sourdough bread.

My soup was delicious but very filling for a starter! It was topped with Emmental cheese and was thick and sweet with onions and beef stock. Keith said his mackerel was good as well and I'm glad there was quite a wait for the main course!

Keith, Sophie and I had ordered fish and chips while Mike opted for the pork belly. The fish came without any peas (charged extra, according to Sophie) so I was a bit disappointed with that, to be honest. Sophie said her meal was oily and of course it didn't come up to Keith's very high standards so we were all a bit sad that we didn't like the food as much as we'd anticipated. Mike wasn't happy with his, either, and pinched some of our chips as his pork belly came with red cabbage and bubble and squeak, neither of which he liked so a bit of a strange choice for him! He normally chooses a hearty beef pie!

The cod and chips - wish we'd had some peas!

Even though we'd had large meals, three of us decided to try the desserts so Sophie ordered apple crumble and custard, Mike chose chocolate fondant and I went for the chocolate mousse thinking it would be lovely and light... it was actually very dense like somebody had melted chocolate, then poured it into a ramekin and chilled it. It was lovely but not really a mousse!

We all agreed it was a lovely pub but on reflection, I'm not sure we would travel so far again when we have some lovely old pubs on our doorstep, including The Althorp Coaching Inn, which is equally lovely and quirky! The bill came to an astonishing £148 which I felt was over-priced, but I suppose the pub is in an affluent area and with the remarkable history of the place, they feel they can charge higher prices!

We drove home via the M40 as I felt it was the most direct route and after feeding Monty we went straight to see Mum and Dad who had put on a little spread for us with wine, bless them! We spent a very enjoyable couple of hours with them and I received some beautiful flowers and cards as well as an M&S voucher where I can go and have a good spend up!