tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78872252709376397322024-03-13T23:40:17.588+00:00ExpattagirlChronicling my experience as an American expat in Surrey, England.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger21125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-47336536430232101642012-07-02T20:31:00.001+01:002012-07-02T20:31:37.763+01:00Pubs: The Red Lion (Lacock)<b>28 May 2012 - <span style="color: red;">The Red Lion</span>, Lacock, Wiltshire</b><br />
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Our visit to this pub was part of a Mad Max tour from Bath to Stonehenge, Avebury, Lacock, and Castle Combe. It's been a lifelong ambition of mine to see Stonehenge and so it was really great to be able to do so, even though the weather was pretty miserable! Avebury, a lesser known stone circle was also a really interesting site. The tour stopped in the picturesque village of Lacock for lunch and the Red Lion was one of the suggested pubs. We initially were going to try to go to The George Inn because it dates back to the 1300s (ridic!) but it was far too packed and we ended up at The Red Lion instead.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7487704824/" title="The Red Lion"><img alt="The Red Lion" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7129/7487704824_d670898475.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Lacock is unique because it is made to appear as though it is straight out of another time. You don't see utility wires or other modern innovations on the roadways because the village is often used for films and the film companies paid to have all the wiring put underground.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7487703112/" title="The Red Lion"><img alt="The Red Lion" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7125/7487703112_9a4db9cbdd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Anyhoo, the pub itself was quite busy and we were lucky to get a table when we did. It ended up getting packed shortly thereafter. To eat, I had the fried halloumi and chips. Halloumi is a type of mild cheese that doesn't really melt and is good when fried or sautéed. I'd never heard of it before moving here, but it's fairly common and can sometimes be found deep fried on menus as "vegetarian fish and chips." My vegetarian fish and chips were just ok. I would have to say that this meal might have marked the beginning of my disillusionment with British pub food. This was back in May. It is now July, and the disillusionment continues. It's just a lot of heavy, starchy blandness, and I'm just over it.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7487703770/" title="The Red Lion"><img alt="The Red Lion" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7487703770_81c9e3e8fe.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7487704376/" title="The Red Lion"><img alt="The Red Lion" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8028/7487704376_20ce7188b7.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I had a pint of the Swordfish. Took a while to get through, so not a fave.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-86084711198650253112012-06-08T21:43:00.000+01:002012-06-08T21:54:44.065+01:00Pubs: Nell of Old Drury<b>24 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Nell of Old Drury</span>, Covent Garden, London</b><br />
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I visited this pub on a Tuesday prior to an American expat burger dinner in London. I met up with a couple of expat friends right when the pub opened at 5:00pm.<br />
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The place was super cute. The ground floor was very tiny (more seating is available upstairs) but since we were the first people in the place when it opened for its evening hours, we got the choice velvet bench by the window.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188725556/" title="Nell of Old Drury"><img alt="Nell of Old Drury 2" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7241/7188725556_07cf477cd8.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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I had a pint of Wandle. One of my friends had a super expensive cider (almost £5 I think).<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188725306/" title="Nell of Old Drury"><img alt="Nell of Old Drury 3" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7076/7188725306_314cfdae02.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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We had a nice chat for about an hour. The girls I was with are a little bit louder than me and thus sound a little bit more typically American, especially in a small and empty place, so... I think we made an impression.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188725144/" title="Nell of Old Drury"><img alt="Nell of Old Drury 4" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5463/7188725144_525c2927eb.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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This pub is neat because it apparently has an underground tunnel connecting it to the theatre across the street. This tunnel was allegedly used by Charles II for secret rendezvous with mistress and pub namesake, actress Nell Gwynne. Shocking!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188724880/" title="Nell of Old Drury"><img alt="Nell of Old Drury 5" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7094/7188724880_a41736260d.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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I liked this pub. It was a bit pricey, but on par with other Covent Garden pubs. I think I'll be back sometime, maybe for a pre-theatre pint.<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-56878547584521319282012-06-07T11:56:00.001+01:002012-06-07T11:56:50.196+01:00Pubs: The Barley Mow<div>
<b>18 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Barley Mow</span>, Marylebone, London</b></div>
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<i>Damn, I'm behind on these! But have no fear, I have been faithfully visiting at least one new pub every week. I have some serious catch up blogging to do! </i><br />
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I stopped by The Barley Mow in Marylebone after my first visit to the US Embassy. The Embassy was an experience in itself, but a good one overall. Security was, understandably, a little intense. But once I got past security, the Embassy staff was super nice and helpful. <br />
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Anyhoo, The Barley Mow was on my way back to the tube, so I ducked in for an afternoon brew.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188535008/" title="The Barley Mow"><img alt="The Barley Mow" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8151/7188535008_32dcd8c20d.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I took it easy, it being about 3:00pm and all, and had a half pint of the John Smith's Extra Cold.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188535152/" title="The Barley Mow"><img alt="The Barley Mow" height="500" src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8143/7188535152_e029acf2b5.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I'm always interested to see who is at a pub in the middle of the afternoon on a weekday. Usual there's a regular or two and maybe one or two randoms like me. That day I got a couple of stares from the regular in residence, but it didn't rise to the level of staring that annoys me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188534416/" title="The Barley Mow"><img alt="The Barley Mow" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5159/7188534416_546e23b602.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Apparently The Barley Mow was shot at during a terrorist attack against a neighboring hotel in 1976. Scary stuff!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188534766/" title="The Barley Mow"><img alt="The Barley Mow" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7103/7188534766_b360f6f657.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Although I had a nice time at the pub, and enjoyed my half pint, The Barley Mow didn't really stand out to me, and I probably won't be back. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7188534580/" title="The Barley Mow"><img alt="The Barley Mow" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5192/7188534580_e9441d9bfb.jpg" width="375" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-49002250176862325312012-05-12T16:25:00.000+01:002012-05-12T16:25:52.560+01:00Pubs: Lamb & Flag<b>12 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Lamb & Flag</span>, Westminster, London</b><br />
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I met an American expat friend at the Lamb & Flag in Westminster for a pre-dinner pint. As per usual, pre-dinner drinks take place right around the same time as the post-work pub rush, so the pub was full to the brim and spilling out into the street. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377752/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356653020 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356653020" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5454/6951377752_28ae0f556a.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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This pub is allegedly the oldest pub in Covent Garden. Like most old pubs it has a dark and convoluted wood beam interior that can get almost oppressive when packed with people. I procured a pint of Peroni and we headed upstairs in hopes of finding a table.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377824/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356654618 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356654618" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5457/6951377824_a6352daba5.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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The Peroni was pretty good. What was not good was the lady at the next table who stared at me and my friend the whole freaking time we were there. Okay lady, we're in the middle of London, is it really that unusual to hear two Americans talking to each other? I suppressed my usual, don't-stare-at-me scowl, since I was with company. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377478/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356653673 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356653673" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6951377478_12056861ae.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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I probably won't go back to this pub. It didn't really stand out enough to me to warrant a repeat visit. Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-17479034266076750412012-05-11T00:24:00.002+01:002012-05-11T00:31:26.135+01:00Pubs: King Henry VIII<b>7 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">King Henry VIII</span>, Hever, Kent</b><br />
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We visited this pub in Kent after spending a Saturday afternoon at Hever Castle, Anne Boleyn's childhood home. This was my first actual castle experience since being here, now that I think about it. And it was a good one. Hever Castle is a good starter castle, if you will. It's not too big, but still there's a lot to see, it has beautiful gardens, it's associated with a historical figure I actually know. Definitely a good day trip.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377680/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356651370 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356651370" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7229/6951377680_8a6e87e424.jpg" width="376" /></a>
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The pub was fairly busy at about 6:00 on a Saturday evening, so there weren't too many free tables. My husband wanted to sit in the quieter back room area, and so we put our stuff down there before heading to the bar. This resulted in us being chased down by a staff member telling us that the table is reserved (there wasn't a sign out). And that's fine, no problem. But then, as we gathered our things, the staff member continued to make several loud and overly effusive statements of explanation and apology which really just made the whole situation about 5 times more awkward than it needed to be. It's like okay, no biggie, I'll just find another table. No need to make a scene. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097446421/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356651905 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356651905" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7202/7097446421_d0778a1a6e.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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After we re-seated ourselves, I procured a pint of the Master Brew. I can't really recall what I thought of it, but I think it was a little bitter for me... maybe. It's been awhile, but I don't recall liking it in particular. We had some bar snacks and a pate and cheese board, I think. All I know is I was starving so any food would have tasted divine to me at that point.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377526/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356652435 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356652435" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7221/6951377526_999d981953.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I liked the pub overall. It had great ambience, with tons of candles everywhere and even a dog or two (always a plus). Doubt I'll be back over this way anytime soon, but I'd recommend the pub to anyone visiting Hever Castle.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097445921/" title="flare-iphoto-export-356650995 by Platinummy, on Flickr"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356650995" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5116/7097445921_f46016c65b.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-17451612929582438122012-05-08T11:57:00.000+01:002012-05-08T11:57:02.298+01:00Pubs: Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese<b>3 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese</span>, Temple, London</b><br />
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The last pub on our Hidden Pubs of Old London Town walk was Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese pub. This pub was also hidden back behind some buildings and accessed through an alleyway. It was a very cool and very old pub with lots of levels and dark tucked away rooms. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377418/" title="Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356649328" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5156/6951377418_5f42d7f512.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Allegedly Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, and Mark Twain drank here. I had a Samuel Smith Pure Brewed Lager.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377144/" title="Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356649525" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7073/6951377144_0d73cec8ff.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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I really liked the vibe of this pub and would go back to explore more of the hidden dungeon-y rooms and find out more about its history. <br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-2379781472470307262012-05-08T11:32:00.003+01:002012-05-08T11:49:27.537+01:00Pubs: Old Bank of England<b>3 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Old Bank of England</span>, Temple, London</b><br />
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The next stop on our Hidden Pubs of Old London Town walk was The Old Bank of England pub. We entered through a random door in a back alley. I'm hoping there's another entrance, because otherwise I may never find this place again! The pub is, unsurprisingly, an Old Bank of England building that was turned into a pub. A gorgeous pub. I mean, c'mon:<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6953972314/" title="Old Bank of England"><img alt="photo-5" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7231/6953972314_373b7a22cd.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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I was really blown away. It was just lovely. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7100041473/" title="Old Bank of England"><img alt="photo-4" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7137/7100041473_da1e44733a.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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Unfortunately, we could only stay for 20 minutes since we were on the tour. I had just enough time to enjoy a half pint of Discovery and a chat with a fellow Meetuper. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097446127/" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" title="Old Bank of England"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356648282" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5231/7097446127_462629e008.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="500" /></a><br />
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I'll definitely be back if I can find it!Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-4782048307843817512012-05-08T11:21:00.001+01:002012-05-08T11:21:42.695+01:00Pubs: The Devereux<b>3 April 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Devereux</span>, Temple, London</b><br />
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I'm getting pretty behind on these! The next three pubs were part of a London Tours guided walk, The Hidden Pubs of Old London Town, that I did with an American Expat Meetup group. The walk unfortunately coincided with the first very rainy day of Spring, but no matter. We still had a good time! <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377012/" title="The Devereux"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356647475" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7061/6951377012_2bcc2083f8.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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The first pub we visited was The Devereux, which was tucked back behind some law buildings. I had a half pint of Young's because we were only there for about 20 minutes. The pub wasn't too busy and could handle the influx of about 25 people. It didn't really stand out to me in any way though, and I probably won't be back.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097446067/" title="The Devereux"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356647881" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7257/7097446067_de325e35d4.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-85707770368598128712012-04-21T21:57:00.000+01:002012-05-12T16:19:35.910+01:00Pubs: The Assembly Rooms<b>30 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Assembly Rooms</span>, Epsom, Surrey</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951377348/" title="The Assembly Rooms"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356646891" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5346/6951377348_28676ba002.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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The husband and I visited The Assembly Rooms in Epsom on a Friday night. We rented a car for the weekend and headed up to Epsom for something we can't get in our town: sushi! The sushi restaurant wasn't open for dinner yet by the time we arrived, so we took a walk around the center of town and ended up at The Assembly Rooms. This is another JD Wetherspoon pub and its building allegedly dates back to the late 17th century. I ordered a pint of the Daleside Monkey Wrench.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097445781/" title="The Assembly Rooms"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356646663" height="375" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5275/7097445781_1ed83d3107.jpg" width="500" /></a>
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As soon as I walked up to the bar and discreetly took the above picture with my phone, this old guy at the bar kept staring at me for the full amount of time it took for my husband and I to order, get served, and pay. Which leads me to:<br />
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I find that some people here in England have a serious staring problem. Are they not taught as children that it's rude to stare? I don't get it. I'm not a big, loud, draws-a-lot-of-attention-to-myself stereotypical American either, not that that would justify it. Does my snapping a quick pic with my phone really justify that level of staring/rudeness? I usually respond to the stares by screwing my face into a scowl and muttering "can I <i>help</i> you?" under my breath. My husband says that my reaction is snobby, but I don't care. I don't like being stared at. /tangent </div>
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Anyhoo, the Monkey Wrench was enjoyable and the pub was spacious with lots of light. I don't know if I'll be back anytime soon, but maybe the next time I'm in Epsom I'll stop by.</div>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-45606621382437947952012-04-21T18:23:00.000+01:002012-04-21T22:05:32.127+01:00Pubs: The Spotted Dog<b>28 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Spotted Dog</span>, Dorking, Surrey</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7097445677/" title="The Spotted Dog"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356646114" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5350/7097445677_03153b69e7.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I visited The Spotted Dog in Dorking on a Wednesday afternoon for lunch with an American expat friend. This was my first trip into Dorking and I found the town to be very quaint and charming. We sat out on the back patio to enjoy the unseasonably warm weather (70 F!). I had a bacon, brie, and cranberry baguette and a pint of Kronenbourg 1664. Both were delightful. The pub was moderately busy at lunchtime, and, as per usual, when we started up our conversation in our American accents we got a few curious looks from the locals, but nothing too bad.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6951376746/" title="The Spotted Dog"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-356645256" height="500" src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5076/6951376746_2238617584.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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The pub has tables out in a beer garden area that seems lovely. I'll definitely be back when the warm weather returns!<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-72096270488767666942012-04-05T12:48:00.000+01:002012-04-17T23:29:00.187+01:00Pubs: The Cask & Glass<b>22 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Cask & Glass</span>, Victoria, London</b><br />
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On our way to dinner with an expat group in London, we stopped by The Cask & Glass in Victoria. We found it following my sophisticated pub-locating technique of searching "pub" on my phone when we've arrived somewhere. No matter where you are, there's one nearby. <br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6901478270/" title="Cask & Glass"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-355267416" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7036/6901478270_a2d42c0e6f.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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The building was undergoing some type of construction, so there was scaffolding up around the front of the building and I couldn't really get a good look at it. The inside of the place was tiiiiiny. It could maybe seat 10 people? We joined the throng standing outside. I had an Early Bird, the fella had a Spitfire. The Early Bird was a little hoppy for me, so it took me a while to finish.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6901478516/" title="Cask & Glass"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-355264116" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7233/6901478516_6eaffcc5ee.jpg" width="500" /></a>
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6901479000/" title="Cask & Glass"><img alt="Untitled" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/6901479000_4aa4635d79.jpg" width="375" /></a>
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Ladies, if you're looking to meet a British businessman, this is the place for you. I think there were 2 other women in the entire place. Banger-fest!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7047575507/" title="Cask & Glass"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-355267029" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7121/7047575507_bd0b07da9e.jpg" width="500" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-76260038496687428962012-03-30T22:10:00.000+01:002012-04-03T11:00:46.373+01:00Pubs: The Plough<b>14 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Plough</span>, Redhill, Surrey</b><br />
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After my afternoon at The Jolly Brickmakers I went to The Plough in Redhill for a pub quiz night. Two pubs in one day... don't judge me!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7025050233/" title="1"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354664093" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7082/7025050233_e6562d8b0f.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I was concerned that British pub quiz would be totally over my head, and I wasn't entirely wrong. I didn't know any of the sports stuff or British movie/TV references and my geography was pretty rusty. My big contribution was solving the anagram and identifying some of the celebrities. But it was a good time overall. The pub was cute and quaint and the crowd was very enthusiastic.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7025050543/" title="2"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354664513" height="375" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7110/7025050543_0663c88626.jpg" width="500" /></a><br />
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I had a London Pride. Not bad.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7025049841/" title="3"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354663800" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7256/7025049841_b8ec346ed9.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-72347132146505557062012-03-29T21:20:00.000+01:002012-03-29T21:20:57.607+01:00Accents and BritspeakPeople back home keep asking me if I've developed an English accent yet. I laugh and say no, of course not. And of course I haven't, but I recently met an American who has been in the UK for several years who has definitely developed a mild British accent. It's interesting that some people are just more susceptible to picking up accents. I don't believe I'm one of those people, but maybe I'll find out that I am in a few years.<br />
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I do find myself using more British terminology on a day-to-day basis. And it's not really a function of trying to blend in, but rather an effort to have people understand me more easily and to draw less attention to myself. For example, today I was planning to drop off a note at a neighbor's house (the neighbor signed for a package of ours). I wrote it out once in American English, and then rewrote it in British English. This involved replacing "neighbor" with "neighbour," "package" with "parcel," "call me at" with "ring me on," and "pick up" with "collect." Four substitutions in a three sentence note! I'm sure I would have been fine with the American version, but I figured it was less conspicuous to just try and write it in Britspeak.<br />
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My husband is from a commonwealth country, and so it's also interesting to hear him dropping his American English and reverting back to Britspeak. It's happening pretty fast! By the time I'm next in the US (several months away), maybe I'll be amusing/annoying my friends and family with my talk of "loos," "flats," "hiring cars," etc.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-51564608535830656952012-03-28T22:26:00.001+01:002012-03-28T22:34:08.012+01:00Pubs: The Jolly Brickmakers<b>14 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Jolly Brickmakers</span>, Redhill, Surrey</b><br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6878865342/" title="1"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354657237" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6878865342_c8a121ef2c.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I stopped at The Jolly Brickmakers to meet up with an acquaintance for an afternoon pint. I arrived quite early, and so I was flying solo for about half an hour. The afternoon crowd was definitely all regulars who knew each other, and as such, I got a few curious, but not unfriendly, glances. I think I had a half pint of a guest ale. But I don't remember which one, and I felt too conspicuous to take a picture of the label like I usually do. Here it is in the glass:</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6878864760/" title="2"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354655932" height="500" src="http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6095/6878864760_64705ec1f3.jpg" width="375" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">My guest arrived and we had a nice chat. Not a bad afternoon at the pub.<br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-91267371997642657582012-03-24T22:15:00.000+00:002012-03-24T22:15:45.471+00:00Pubs: The Camden Head<b>6 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Camden Head</span>, Islington, London</b><br />
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I visited the Camden Head in London on a Tuesday evening. I intended to visit The York, but due to my ill-timed train trip into London, I found The York to be completely packed by the time I arrived around 5:00pm. There was nary an empty table or bar stool in the joint, so I did a quick 180 and scampered back out onto the cobblestones. I figured if I continued to walk down the alley in the same direction I was bound to run into another pub. You know, since they are <i>everywhere</i>. <br />
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<div>Down the alley I went. It was a charming alley that had a pretty neat Diagon Alley-esque quality. </div><div><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6865963834/" title="1"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354234763" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7183/6865963834_361017b291.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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</div><div>I soon ran into The Camden Head. It wasn't nearly as crowded as The York, but it was still pretty busy. It took a hot minute to get served at the bar, even though there were only a couple of people in front of me. I looked around for a food menu or menu board and didn't spot one, so no food for me. I ended up ordering an Old Speckled Hen. </div><div><br />
</div><div>The only seats available downstairs were at the bar, and I actually had a bit of writing to do, so I went upstairs to find a table. Upstairs it was pretty much me and my beer, and a couple who were having a heated discussion at a low volume in the opposite corner.<br />
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</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6865963016/" title="2"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354236688" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7069/6865963016_51899cca36.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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I nursed the hell out of that beer. It took me forever to make progress on it, I don't know why. In the meantime, the couple in the corner made up, and then proceeded to silently hug for a good 5 minutes. It was bizarre. I'm pretty sure they would have been making out if I hadn't been there. Sorry y'all.<br />
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</div><div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/7012077673/" title="3"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354236860" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7052/7012077673_4bf552d99d.jpg" width="375" /></a><br />
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My husband eventually met up with me and helped me finish my beer. Then we headed off into the lamplight.<br />
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</div><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6865964274/" title="4"><img alt="flare-iphoto-export-354237782" height="500" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7057/6865964274_8cbf57c567.jpg" width="375" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-36423340803626917542012-03-05T12:05:00.000+00:002012-03-05T12:05:19.873+00:00Making Friends, UK StyleAhh friends. I miss having friends. Things have been fairly slow in the friend-making department. I moved here from the US not knowing anyone but my husband and my dogs... and my social circle still pretty much consists of my husband and my dogs. I've been here less than two months though, so I know that I'm still very new, and I can't expect to just instantly have a group of girlfriends. But, not gonna lie, it would be nice. I do miss having friends you can call up at the last minute to join you for a margarita or glass of wine and/or other silly stuff like at-home manicures and reality TV.<br />
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In the past few years in the US, we moved around a lot. I think I've become fairly adept at meeting people and making new friends. I know that it takes time. Making friends is a lot like dating. You don't want to come on too strong, or be too pushy and freak the other person out. But you still have to show interest and put forth effort.<br />
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As an adult, it can be hard to meet people who are open to new friendships. The easiest avenues for friend-making, school and work, aren't happening here either. My formal school days are long over, and I'm not working here yet (a subject for a future post). But I'm doing what I can. I'm joining Meetup groups, taking an adult education class, and volunteering. Meetup.com has been very good to me in the past. I've met some really wonderful people through that site, and hopefully that will hold true here as well. I've joined some American expat Meetup groups in London, and I've started a couple of local Meetups, so we'll see what happens with that. <br />
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Hanging out with Americans has been nice, but I don't want to only have American friends here. That would kind of defeat the purpose of moving to another country. Plus, there aren't very many Americans here in my small town, and I really would love to have some local friends. So I'm trying to factor British reservedness into my friend-making approach. Don't want to freak them out with my eagerness and my super friendly Texan-ness. That's kind of a joke, because back home I'm considered pretty quiet and reserved. I usually have to consciously make myself more open and assertive when I'm meeting new people. Hopefully I'll figure out how to strike the right balance here.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-14425506556890567202012-03-04T23:20:00.003+00:002012-03-04T23:23:13.436+00:00Pubs: The Good Yarn<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>1 March 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Good Yarn</span>, Uxbridge, Middlesex</b><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6950459405/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="IMG_0549" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7066/6950459405_d6a926e14e_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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My husband had a business meeting up in Uxbridge, so I took a late morning train up to meet him. I'd never been to that area, so I had a wander up Uxbridge's High Street and stopped at The Good Yarn for a late lunch. The place was completely packed when I arrived. I attribute this to the "Thursday Curry Club" and the fact that it was St. David's Day, which meant there were some specials. The crowd was quite mixed, ranging from kids in their late teens or early twenties, to some very old folks. I found the only empty table and claimed it with my jacket before going up to the bar to order my food (no table service at most pubs). I'm ashamed to say that this was the first time I have ordered my own food or drinks at a pub since arriving in the UK. On my other pub trips, I've been with my husband, so I'm the table claimer, while he's the orderer/payer. The informal system of waiting at the bar is interesting. It's kind of just an honor system for whoever is supposed to be served next. I must say, even in this packed pub, it worked pretty well. I ordered a sweet potato, spinach, and chickpea curry and a Tuborg. Not too shabby for £5.59. It was all quite good actually. I was amused by the mango chutney that came in its own pre-packaged little tub.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6804348578/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="IMG_0547" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7180/6804348578_dc6afbaf2c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6804348440/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="IMG_0546" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7043/6804348440_eb6befeeb8_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This pub is another J D Wetherspoon pub (like <a href="http://expattagirl.blogspot.com/2012/02/pubs-thus-far.html#thesun">The Sun</a> in Redhill), and so it has the same crazy drinks menu I described in my Sun review. I took some pics this time, though. :)<br />
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<a good="" href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6950459955/" the="" yarn"=""><img alt="ba6e806a658a11e1b9f1123138140926_7" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7051/6950459955_a80048820b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6950459875/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="d6311b50658a11e1a87612313804ec91_7" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7197/6950459875_08a87df30b_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6804349244/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="efe84ee2658a11e19e4a12313813ffc0_7" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7037/6804349244_a727b42eca_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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Eventually my husband joined me and partook of some naan and poppadoms. By the time our leisurely lunch came to an end, the pub had emptied out considerably. I don't know if we'll be back, but I had a nice time.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6950459249/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="IMG_0548" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6950459249_f6a3bf0423_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6804349152/" title="The Good Yarn"><img alt="IMG_0550" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7070/6804349152_4dd9cae8a9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-23375318508705537232012-02-27T12:45:00.001+00:002012-03-04T23:16:40.062+00:00Pubs, thus far.<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal;"><b></b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #351c75;"><b><b>In addition to logging my pub visits on the Pub Tracker page </b></b><b><b>(my mission is a new pub each week for as long as I can manage)</b></b><b><b>, I decided to also do individual posts for each pub trip. Since I'm all caught up now, I'm bunching the first 7 together in this post.</b></b></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><br />
</b></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b>25 Feb 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Slug and Lettuce</span>, County Hall, London</b></b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6788672736/" title="Slug & Lettuce"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7068/6788672736_eb52c50c2c_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6934786359/" title="Slug & Lettuce - Strongbow"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7048/6934786359_9342d6a97f_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6934785627/" title="Slug & Lettuce"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6934785627_6a85a9e7e3_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
I went to The Slug and Lettuce as part of an American expat Meetup on a Saturday afternoon. I accidentally ordered a cider instead of a beer (::blushes:: Lame, I know, but I'm still learning!). The Strongbow was great though, and I preferred it to the ciders I used to have in the not so distant past, such as Ace and Woodchuck, when I had not yet developed the palate for beer. The Slug and Lettuce was definitely the most modern styled pub I've been to thus far. I guess it's more of a bar than a pub? The Meetup group had a private sunken section with comfy leather couches and stools, which were great for conversation. Overall, I thought it was very nice. I didn't try the food, but maybe next time.<br />
<a name="thesun"></a> <br />
<b>18 Feb 2012 -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> The Sun,</span> Redhill, Surrey</b></div></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6934786635/" title="The Sun"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7182/6934786635_ece550739d_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6788672924/" title="The Carlsberg"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7207/6788672924_e488ca3ac1_m.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">I hit up The Sun on a Saturday afternoon with my husband. This pub is huge and located in the center of Redhill. The crowd was fairly mixed, but consisted mostly of men who were watching sports on the big screen (soccer maybe? I don't even know). There were quite a few little kids running around too. After perusing the menu, however, I realized that The Sun is the kind of place college kids would go to get wasted. The menu had all sorts of shenanigans like Jager bombs, flights of 5 shots for £5, and cocktail pitchers for £10 (add 2 extra shots of vodka for £2!). Truthfully, that just made me miss my girlfriends back home. I know they would love to join me for </span>a pitcher and a trip down memory lane. But, since I was on a lunch date with the husband and not a girls' night out, I played it safe and had a Carlsberg. To eat, we split a gourmet burger which came with onion rings and chips (fries). My husband ordered chicken strips as a starter. You kinda can't go wrong with chicken strips, but they made me miss Arby's sauce! HP sauce is a poor substitute!</div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b><br />
</b></b></div><div style="font-weight: normal;"><b><b>6 Feb 2012 -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> The Red Lion,</span> Redhill, Surrey</b></b></div></div></div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We visited The Red Lion on a cold Monday night. The pub was mostly empty, unsurprisingly. There were just a couple handful of people scattered about, some at the bar, and some sitting alone at tables. I had a Sharp's Doom Bar and the gammon steak with pineapple, my husband had the Kent sausages and some beer I don't remember. I was definitely out-ordered in the food department. The gammon steak was not good, but the sausages were. The Doom Bar was really good though and I definitely liked the atmosphere of the pub in general. It was a nice size, but dark and cozy at the same time. There was a dog in residence too, which earns this place a few bonus points in my book. </div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>4 Feb 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The White Lion</span>, Redhill, Surrey</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6934785121/" title="The White Lion"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7049/6934785121_b686cbd9e8_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6788671654/" title="The White Lion"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7058/6788671654_a054e6a7cb_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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This pub is a very small, old one at the top of a hill in Redhill. The restaurant part of this pub serves Thai food, which is quite different from your usual pub fare. In the tiny front bar area a group of men were watching soccer (that's right, I said it, <i>soccer</i>). We went around to the back to enjoy our beers on the leather couches by a tiny little furnace. I want to say my beer was called Fire Starter or something, but I don't know that for a fact (<i>edit: I think it was Inferno</i>). It was a guest beer. To eat, we had dumplings and chicken satay, both of which were good. But the best part of the night was walking home in the freshly fallen snow. Overall, I liked the atmosphere, and I'll surely be back.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>29 Jan 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Jolly Farmers Deli Pub & Restaurant</span>, Reigate, Surrey</b></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">I don't know if this should really count as a pub trip, because I didn't have beer. We were looking for a place to have lunch around Reigate and I found Jolly Farmers online. It was a cold afternoon, and I had a mulled wine instead of a beer, but no regrets, because it was perfect. My husband and I ordered the blue cheese creme brûlée with toast and pears as an appetizer, and it was truly delicious. As a main, I had the Chris Major's burger which was also really very good. My husband had some sort of roast which was just okay. The pub/restaurant was pretty well packed on a late Sunday afternoon and service was slow, but the quality of the food made up for it.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>27 Jan 2012 - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">The Sausage Tree</span>, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">We went to this pub with a friend of my husband's and some friends of his friend. I had the Welsh Rarebit sausage plate, a Hoegaarden Rose, and later on, a good ol' American Blue Moon. The Hoegaarden Rose, a raspberry brew, was good and not too sweet. I'm not really a fruity beer gal, but I enjoyed it. And you can't go wrong with a Blue Moon. The Welsh Rarebit sausage was delightful, and I definitely out-ordered my husband who had the Pheasant and Whisky sausage. A few people at our table got the Black Rock Grill plates, which looked pretty lame. What am I paying you for if I have to cook my own food? The place was packed full of fancy people on a Friday night. I felt underdressed in my black skinny jeans, long sleeved tee, and scarf. But, all in all, an enjoyable evening.</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b><br />
</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><b>19 Jan 2012 -<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"> The Plumbers Arms,</span> Victoria, London</b></div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/platinummy/6788672172/" title="The Plumbers Arms"><img alt="" height="240" src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7190/6788672172_53a9c7dfc9_m.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
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</div></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">When I went to this pub, I'd been in the UK for just under a week. I went up to London with my husband for the day. I wandered Kensington Gardens and Hyde Park while he went to his business meeting, and then we met up for an early fish and chips dinner at The Plumbers Arms before catching the train back down to Surrey. The pub wasn't very busy (late afternoon before the work crowd hit) and the loudest group in the pub was some men whose sole topic of conversation was pubs and the travesty of corporate-owned pubs. The fish and chips were okay (are fish and chips ever better than okay?). Sadly, I don't even remember what kind of beer I had. Whatever it was, it was a little hoppy for me. One down side to this pub was that the ~bathroom scents~ made their way out of the bathroom and into the main pub area. Maybe that's to be expected at a place with Plumber in the name? Not the best.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-6256156451215249392012-02-23T21:57:00.000+00:002012-02-23T21:57:33.878+00:00Introducing the Pub Tracker pageIt is true that there are pubs around every corner here in England. A couple of weeks ago, I decided that I should try to go to a different pub every week and keep notes on my progress. I have created a blog page devoted to this project, which you can find <a href="http://expattagirl.blogspot.com/p/pub-tracker.html">HERE</a>. <div><br />
</div><div>Cheers!</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-70847603323833738322012-02-10T17:02:00.000+00:002012-02-10T17:02:03.699+00:00Expattadogs - Working with a pet shipperI mentioned in my first post that we have two dogs that have accompanied us from Texas to the UK. Out of everything involved in our move, getting the dogs into the UK was definitely one of my greatest sources of stress and concern. The UK is rabies-free and very serious about staying that way. Therefore, they have strict rules regarding the importing of pets (<a href="http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-pets/pets/travel/pets/">Defra pet travel scheme</a>). The rules have been changed and have become slightly less strict as of Jan. 2012, but there is still a lot involved in the process.<br />
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Initially, we debated whether or not to use a pet shipper. Our relocation package didn't cover pet shipping costs, so we would be paying out of pocket. After researching the process and googling as much as I could about it, I decided we should work with a pro, just to be on the safe side. We knew it wouldn't be cheap, but we decided it was worth it for the peace of mind. I looked at a lot of IPATA member pet shippers online and tried to get in touch with several of the Texas-based pet shippers. I was surprised how many didn't ever even respond to my initial e-mails/calls. One local shipper started working with us, and then, much to my dismay, disappeared off the face of the planet. At that point, I considered going with one of the big name companies, but their cost estimate was through the roof ($5,000! - for service, transportation, and cargo fees only). I kept searching for other options.<br />
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I luckily ended up finding Puppy Travel through my internet searches. This pet shipper is based in Utah and has a nice website and responded promptly to my e-mails. After communicating with Barbara via e-mail and talking with her on the phone, I felt confident that we had found the right shipper. We worked with her throughout the whole process and the dogs made it to the UK without a hitch. I won't say it was stress-free or that I didn't shed a couple of tears along the way, but I know that it would have been a thousand times worse if we hadn't used a shipper.<br />
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In future posts, I hope to detail exactly what was involved in the process of getting our dogs from the US to the UK. But for now, I just want to say that working with a pet shipper who was trustworthy, professional, and charged a reasonable fee, definitely eased some of my stress and was worth every penny.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7887225270937639732.post-37914466126686401472012-01-20T21:51:00.000+00:002012-01-20T22:05:48.591+00:00Texas girl in the UKI'm one week into the expat life and still getting situated. It's very nice for us all (husband, two dogs, and myself) to be under the same roof again after a few months apart. When I actually stop and think about how we're living in England now, it gets a little surreal and disorienting, but for the most part right now I'm focusing on the mundane day-to-day things you have to do when you've moved to a new place. I do think this was a good move for us. More details to come...Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0