We had a very lazy start to the day, and I cooked scrambled eggs on toast for breakfast. Keith had Googled some pubs in an area just over the border in Oxfordshire for us to try, and we were hoping for lovely places and good beer!
We set off and we were actually later than yesterday! The traffic was heavy on the A43, and it was great to turn off onto the much quieter B4525 and head towards Banbury. We didn't think a lot of Banbury, but were soon through and heading towards our first pub in the tiny village of Sibford Gower, The Wykham Arms.
The car park was full (always a good sign) so we had to park a little way away. The house opposite was gorgeous - all thatched roofs and mullion windows, and it had a blue plaque on the wall, so someone famous had lived there called Frank Lascelles (I'd never heard of him).
The pub was very friendly and pleasantly busy, and we sat at the bar with our drinks. Keith had a pint of Tribute and said it was very good. After yesterday's indulgences, Sophie stayed away from alcohol! There were lots of families eating and enjoying Sunday lunch, and the atmosphere was lovely. It's a shame it's so far from home!
As we walked back to the car, I noticed a signpost for Hook Norton, and Google maps told us it was six minutes away, too close to resist! Hook Norton is famous for its brewery and I've enjoyed their Twelve Days before, especially in the winter.
There were three pubs listed in the village but we chose The Sun Inn and we were glad we did as it was lovely.
There was a choice of four ales - Keith opted for Haymaker, while I had half a pint of Old Hooky. Sophie stuck to ginger beer! We sat at high stools and shared two bags of crisps while chatting about the journey and where we'd go next. There was another pub on the outskirts of Hook Norton called The Gate Hangs High and we thought we'd give that a try before moving onto the village of Bloxham.
The Gates Hangs High stands on its own on a crossroads not far from the village. We walked in to find mostly locals enjoying a Sunday drink, and the atmosphere was very convivial once again. Sophie and I stuck to soft drinks while Keith had a pint of Hooky Gold. This was perhaps our least favourite pub as the inside was a bit bland and characterless, but the landlord was very friendly and obliged Sophie with a slice of lime for her drink.
Our last pub of the mooch was The Red Lion in the large village of Bloxham. Here, we couldn't order at the bar, and there were lots of signs everywhere about covid, something we hadn't seen much of in the other pubs. The pub was very pleasant, though, with muted colours and wood panelling, but it didn't feel that friendly. By now we were all a bit peckish but the menu only had main meals so we decided to have one drink and head home.
Keith sat in the back while Sophie guided me back through Banbury, and onto the A43. There was a McDonalds on the outskirts of Towcester, so we decided to call in there, use their facilities, and share some chicken tenders and French fries. The place was heaving with people and we sat in the car munching our (very) late lunch before going home.
Sophie elected to cook this evening - the Hairy Bikers' beef in gravy. Keith disappeared upstairs for a nap while Sophie pan-fried the beef steaks and onions, and prepared the vegetables. I sat at the island reading the Sunday papers and it was extremely relaxing!
Keith appeared about half an hour before we were due to eat and sat with me. It had been a lovely day and it was great to get out of Northamptonshire for a little while!
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