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07-05-2023, 22:27
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/05/how-do-you-like-your-eggs-in-morning.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGL381evJMr8QuAL2DKUNU54HIOxqVi378l6udgMC96 he2kfp_nd-FWS5r4w4EBQrm6hqgglCkVOWnpCLtR89i4QqxSnZyA3px-D2WdXScvPEKfKwbvkaRReOOwBBNXyLhW9aIxRlhL_O__vQofl1 y3-_M_wb0_v1F-U5GKjgtoyzdwIv30hpo6Z8/w400-h225/Chaser%20breakfast%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGL381evJMr8QuAL2DKUNU54HIOxqVi378l6udgMC96 he2kfp_nd-FWS5r4w4EBQrm6hqgglCkVOWnpCLtR89i4QqxSnZyA3px-D2WdXScvPEKfKwbvkaRReOOwBBNXyLhW9aIxRlhL_O__vQofl1 y3-_M_wb0_v1F-U5GKjgtoyzdwIv30hpo6Z8/s3949/Chaser%20breakfast%20sign.jpg)
My son Matthew and I haven't done much in the way of Sunday breakfasts,this year. A combination of circumstances, such as Matthew working at weekends,but also with the appearance on the scene of a new girlfriend, have conspiredagainst what had become something of a weekend ritual. In addition, Mrs PBT’shas been dishing up a cooked breakfast on Sunday mornings – not every week,mind you, but enough to disrupt, if that’s the right word, any plans we mighthave of driving off somewhere to feed our faces.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBDnfgrZ--L9V6tmF6Mm28cNV6q55BQ2zoDywhGNG_4h0DP9VGMpDXBGHiqu ixZodCx2Xyg76IfHGXGIKZZTFVoa0nI2_lQWKHGJpjTSu_Osn7 CfSqzJEvTvjrAOK4bU3dL3a35qpJkhv37-s9wBWsdBB_2wEgpaQGbnumRbe2B9ycqG9dHpRDZyz/w400-h300/Ohio%20breakfast.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBDnfgrZ--L9V6tmF6Mm28cNV6q55BQ2zoDywhGNG_4h0DP9VGMpDXBGHiqu ixZodCx2Xyg76IfHGXGIKZZTFVoa0nI2_lQWKHGJpjTSu_Osn7 CfSqzJEvTvjrAOK4bU3dL3a35qpJkhv37-s9wBWsdBB_2wEgpaQGbnumRbe2B9ycqG9dHpRDZyz/s4608/Ohio%20breakfast.JPG)
I might be wrong, but I get the impression breakfasting out ismore of an American tradition than a British one. Certainly, on my first visitto the US I breakfasted with my brother-in-law, on several occasions, and mysister joined us a couple of times as well. Whatever the origin of this custom it'sgood to drive off and grab something satisfying and filling, on a day whenthere’s no work to be done, and no need to hurry. Looking back, Matthew and I had, whenever possible, beengoing along to support the fortnightly breakfasts held at ChiddingstoneCauseway Village Hall, just a short hop from where I work. The idea behindthese breakfasts is to raise money for the maintenance and upkeep of the hall,and for the bargain price of £7 a head, one can obtain a tasty and substantialfull-English breakfast. The people who cook and serve these breakfasts are all volunteerswho live locally, but unfortunately these Sunday sessions have become so popular,that the kitchen sometimes becomes overwhelmed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFm1tn7NuYAI4ob6cU9jZwQfV-pf-k9ZIezzXy9gMB1MF5dcIWcccyDNlw4Gmu4ljPfVKXplVJ1IGor qYUhNyGR_DIhGHl7wku92fA96NwUycKVfwybbbjJNFV12qFiFh 0gowsCsHStp5l3iPlYFZ7gtyOCCdLWAedqYpq9yrFZgZ5FOODH B6W7lVF/w400-h219/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFm1tn7NuYAI4ob6cU9jZwQfV-pf-k9ZIezzXy9gMB1MF5dcIWcccyDNlw4Gmu4ljPfVKXplVJ1IGor qYUhNyGR_DIhGHl7wku92fA96NwUycKVfwybbbjJNFV12qFiFh 0gowsCsHStp5l3iPlYFZ7gtyOCCdLWAedqYpq9yrFZgZ5FOODH B6W7lVF/s3995/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg)
Things reached a stage where Matthew and I stopped going,even on those occasions where we were both free, and it’s all down to a largecrowd of diners who turn up, mob-handed, from one of the neighbouringvillages. I wouldn’t like to say whichone they are from, although the smart money is on Penshurst. The latter is muchlarger than the Causeway, and it’s only a five-minute drive away. Consequently,a large group of around a dozen people, turn up more or less at once. They arrive in a number of different cars, butonce at the hall begin rearranging the furniture, by putting two or threetables together, so they can all sit round and gossip – as only country folkcan do!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nu7D4cGiq4wJ7tZjt-rJQ9scHECxGMT95-4_lLwID9MEFL_FAAP-xrBXl3Z2YR4uxyBbePtGuA6GW8Id7uenEYHmWJLQ5_vmGqr5dq qASo6iSaqgpcKj5ZjQaRA4O5qKOlmbz12rXV5o3qqwuNyPPTBu 1X1EL5xif04zD6WkMDx7WyLU0Hxl-AUP/w400-h223/Chaser%20ext%20Apr.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nu7D4cGiq4wJ7tZjt-rJQ9scHECxGMT95-4_lLwID9MEFL_FAAP-xrBXl3Z2YR4uxyBbePtGuA6GW8Id7uenEYHmWJLQ5_vmGqr5dq qASo6iSaqgpcKj5ZjQaRA4O5qKOlmbz12rXV5o3qqwuNyPPTBu 1X1EL5xif04zD6WkMDx7WyLU0Hxl-AUP/s3751/Chaser%20ext%20Apr.jpg)
A you can imagine, this put quite a strain on the kitchen,which is staffed and run by a small team of volunteers, which includes theparents of one of my work colleagues. He has started getting to the hall, justafter the 8am opening time, but that’s a little early for Matthew and me, butleave it until much after 8.45 am you will find yourselves having to wait a longtime for your full-English to be served. I feel sorry for my colleagues’parents both of whom are in their early 70s for being put under pressure in thisway, but although I'm a fairly patient person, I really don't like having to waittoo long for food I've ordered to arrive on the table.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsVZLLo3BsNlDB2GPuxzlId4jIS289RG-HrdccSj_YuddNsToOUjxW8I1KpvMLoep0c80Xe8xWn7rL92z2n FlEk3OyK5zS4U1V-VsuWZpNDjUyEoiSPx-kUuXpc7k-oVdYQOEBxk9vO2-0E4toaKhwzvSOYRw5k2qm3xVzUB1YNXQ0xGNudQ80kI/w400-h225/Chaser%20+%20Church.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsVZLLo3BsNlDB2GPuxzlId4jIS289RG-HrdccSj_YuddNsToOUjxW8I1KpvMLoep0c80Xe8xWn7rL92z2n FlEk3OyK5zS4U1V-VsuWZpNDjUyEoiSPx-kUuXpc7k-oVdYQOEBxk9vO2-0E4toaKhwzvSOYRw5k2qm3xVzUB1YNXQ0xGNudQ80kI/s3231/Chaser%20+%20Church.jpg)
This has been another factor in why we've only breakfastedthere around three times this year. This is a shame, as it’s all in a goodcause, but it has sparked off the search for a new breakfast venue. In doingso, I wanted to find somewhere of a similar standard, where the breakfast consistedof quality local ingredients, rather than the greasy spoon, cut-priceestablishment where the thin and watery bacon, the sawdust-filled sausages andrubbery, fried eggs are sufficient to put you off a cooked breakfast for life.I’d endured far too many of these type of places over the years, which made meall the more determined to find somewhere decent, for a change.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraMHk_WjJOPxwsgaEC4LgJADxqNK9Mf06Pt1JfkLhph O-aznMuEb2Pn__TmxljXVNws3W2foMsu8D7aL0GqmFifLniTaHmk DadxZz-k5BYBXs1fKdIh6AFhj8AwjdQpPEoIfGgWPPe-n7l-f2s02j9gxVSpoElTYXMYZ61d2K91M2J9e9_26DdxUf/w400-h225/Chaser%20bar%20counter.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhraMHk_WjJOPxwsgaEC4LgJADxqNK9Mf06Pt1JfkLhph O-aznMuEb2Pn__TmxljXVNws3W2foMsu8D7aL0GqmFifLniTaHmk DadxZz-k5BYBXs1fKdIh6AFhj8AwjdQpPEoIfGgWPPe-n7l-f2s02j9gxVSpoElTYXMYZ61d2K91M2J9e9_26DdxUf/s4000/Chaser%20bar%20counter.jpg)
This is where the Chaser Inn (https://www.thechaser.co.uk/)at Shipbourne, appeared on thescene. Shipbourne is an attractive and well-spaced-out village to the north of Tonbridge, situatedat the base of the Greensand Ridge. I knew the pub used to do breakfast on aSunday morning, and a few years ago, before the advent of the pandemic, and Matthewand I had even tried to get ourselves a breakfast there. We arrived a bit latethat particular day, and whilst I wasn't expecting to be able to park at thepub itself, I thought there would be spaces on the large green opposite. Unfortunately,there was no such luck, as Shipbourne Common is a very popular spot for dogwalkers and people setting off on rambles or longer hikes, so it wasdefinitely a case of no room at the inn.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1sgQRUaHq-rZmLg2TjYKs48x8cEQWjjvf6p9pqN2gvTzuSHo5inMzTWJpZVl xwDbzAFj-6jz5c4FM2JhPPRe3p-jX8mJpR6pTrg4yEGLGodjQ-geoc5PDOm2mlKa6FL_jPGWnLY-6eZ-CSVDMDVxB5ar0uc3GS91d6zeikDDNdmiWw34PyVLJVdD/w400-h225/Chaser%20books.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl1sgQRUaHq-rZmLg2TjYKs48x8cEQWjjvf6p9pqN2gvTzuSHo5inMzTWJpZVl xwDbzAFj-6jz5c4FM2JhPPRe3p-jX8mJpR6pTrg4yEGLGodjQ-geoc5PDOm2mlKa6FL_jPGWnLY-6eZ-CSVDMDVxB5ar0uc3GS91d6zeikDDNdmiWw34PyVLJVdD/s3949/Chaser%20books.jpg)
Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I was again looking atsomewhere where we could get a decent breakfast. I wasn't sure if the Chaser wasstill offering this on a Sunday morning, but a quick check on the pub websiteconfirmed that they were. Furthermore, rather than the 8:00 am start operated bythe Causeway Village Hall; the Chaser opened for breakfast at the slightly morecivilised time of 9:00 am. So, on a rather dull and slightly overcast Sunday, Idrove Matthew and I over to Shipbourne. Sure enough, there was no space in the pub car park, butfortunately this time around there was plenty of room on the green. We parked thecar and walked across to the pub, and upon entering, were greeted by member ofstaff. I inquired about breakfast and was asked whether we had booked. I said noand was told that it was necessary. Looking around I noticed plenty of emptytables, in fact when we arrived, only one of them was occupied.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv44iFCn_hyG3OtgMJi3JKjhcMJaEsCrUBIF9x-kIInaQGUlEqlEPBdEpgdsSOCVTwBkbhaw-x8mhfUKgNydUM2VVxUPZSD7-OwQqObybkFHTVggpvGeAyEst3mINdMHnskC6HfPf3_uCyXxeYl x4QxH8_fahO1CCqkiMJyBlbhb28aIFywqbbTXv/w400-h225/Chaser%20breakfast.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMv44iFCn_hyG3OtgMJi3JKjhcMJaEsCrUBIF9x-kIInaQGUlEqlEPBdEpgdsSOCVTwBkbhaw-x8mhfUKgNydUM2VVxUPZSD7-OwQqObybkFHTVggpvGeAyEst3mINdMHnskC6HfPf3_uCyXxeYl x4QxH8_fahO1CCqkiMJyBlbhb28aIFywqbbTXv/s4000/Chaser%20breakfast.jpg)
The young lady showed us to a table in the dining areas, atthe right-hand side of the bar, an area decked out with various bookcases, togive it that antique, “lived-in” look. I ordered a pot of tea between the twoof us, and a few minutes later a member of staff came over and took our order. Iwent for a full-on English breakfast, although I passed on the baked beans.For some strange reason haricot beans no longer agree with me so despite enjoyingbeans on toast when I was younger, I give them a wide berth these days. Matthewalso went for the full English, but with hash browns as an extra.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nf2-iVvppDTNm3Ewywb9tR3hDHM8DKd56d-IuPzlKc4slyh_KbAzGAf_bjxUXxBQK6n0QbOOLUkgj6_-L-jIuTWc0lksjI7eFdl1INMs-sMnXq-ohryAKCD0kJ79ZAZzjAvNO6ws6r79CAs64BwsLvhypERuF8rjh 8cCMeAGhlIhszbXB4DYAyJn/w400-h225/IMG_20230423_103031.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1nf2-iVvppDTNm3Ewywb9tR3hDHM8DKd56d-IuPzlKc4slyh_KbAzGAf_bjxUXxBQK6n0QbOOLUkgj6_-L-jIuTWc0lksjI7eFdl1INMs-sMnXq-ohryAKCD0kJ79ZAZzjAvNO6ws6r79CAs64BwsLvhypERuF8rjh 8cCMeAGhlIhszbXB4DYAyJn/s4000/IMG_20230423_103031.jpg)
It didn't take too long for our breakfasts to arrive, sothis was a totally different experience to the Causeway Hall. The two poachedeggs I'd ordered with my bacon, sausage, tomato, and black pudding were cookedjust right, and were served on top of two slices of thick, nicely done toast. Thefood was very good, and it was obvious from the taste of the bacon and the sausagethat they were quality items. Locally sourced too, according to the menu. It reallydoes make all the difference paying that little bit extra, backing up what MrsPBT's is always saying, about you get what you pay for.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi-8iQwBqO1S3E3QAG3wvMxn8gln1dq99oscA91olXkI4WQKBe__D 4PuGlTWLCJ5lGM9tTzvvTUIH5u8iW2GZcAeBkdKJykeS4riDut MLlV01l5inWumlRCXCS02UjMBnkKd24TLweT6KSZYVsMjmR8Vi flzy4OiPD2coAi7AxXF0OTT4YvrF-GKu/w400-h225/Chaser%20Int.%201.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUi-8iQwBqO1S3E3QAG3wvMxn8gln1dq99oscA91olXkI4WQKBe__D 4PuGlTWLCJ5lGM9tTzvvTUIH5u8iW2GZcAeBkdKJykeS4riDut MLlV01l5inWumlRCXCS02UjMBnkKd24TLweT6KSZYVsMjmR8Vi flzy4OiPD2coAi7AxXF0OTT4YvrF-GKu/s3743/Chaser%20Int.%201.jpg)
The price of this excellent breakfast was £10.95, with the potof tea costing £3.95 between the two of us, but it was a large pot, which containedmore than enough for several cups each. Not long after we arrived, two othergroups turned up, still not enough to crowd the place out, but sufficient toallow for a nice and relaxed atmosphere. I think we shall be going back again,the next time the pair of us have a free Sunday. Like I said earlier, I've hadenough of budget priced transport café, greasy-spoon places where price comesbefore quality.It's worth recording that the Chaser is owned by the samesmall pub-group (Whiting & Hammond), who own the Little Brown Jug in ChiddingstoneCauseway, and like the village hall, just a few minutes’ walk away, they too offerbreakfast on a Sunday morning. The lad and I have eaten there before, prior to thepandemic, so we might give place another try, especially if we arrive in thevillage and find that the hall car-park is full to overflowing. Having to wait ages,for my breakfast to arrive, is not the best way to start my day, and whilst I'dlike to see the village hall succeed, I’m not sure what they can do about theinflux of diners from the next village.
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/05/how-do-you-like-your-eggs-in-morning.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGL381evJMr8QuAL2DKUNU54HIOxqVi378l6udgMC96 he2kfp_nd-FWS5r4w4EBQrm6hqgglCkVOWnpCLtR89i4QqxSnZyA3px-D2WdXScvPEKfKwbvkaRReOOwBBNXyLhW9aIxRlhL_O__vQofl1 y3-_M_wb0_v1F-U5GKjgtoyzdwIv30hpo6Z8/w400-h225/Chaser%20breakfast%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRGL381evJMr8QuAL2DKUNU54HIOxqVi378l6udgMC96 he2kfp_nd-FWS5r4w4EBQrm6hqgglCkVOWnpCLtR89i4QqxSnZyA3px-D2WdXScvPEKfKwbvkaRReOOwBBNXyLhW9aIxRlhL_O__vQofl1 y3-_M_wb0_v1F-U5GKjgtoyzdwIv30hpo6Z8/s3949/Chaser%20breakfast%20sign.jpg)
My son Matthew and I haven't done much in the way of Sunday breakfasts,this year. A combination of circumstances, such as Matthew working at weekends,but also with the appearance on the scene of a new girlfriend, have conspiredagainst what had become something of a weekend ritual. In addition, Mrs PBT’shas been dishing up a cooked breakfast on Sunday mornings – not every week,mind you, but enough to disrupt, if that’s the right word, any plans we mighthave of driving off somewhere to feed our faces.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBDnfgrZ--L9V6tmF6Mm28cNV6q55BQ2zoDywhGNG_4h0DP9VGMpDXBGHiqu ixZodCx2Xyg76IfHGXGIKZZTFVoa0nI2_lQWKHGJpjTSu_Osn7 CfSqzJEvTvjrAOK4bU3dL3a35qpJkhv37-s9wBWsdBB_2wEgpaQGbnumRbe2B9ycqG9dHpRDZyz/w400-h300/Ohio%20breakfast.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBDnfgrZ--L9V6tmF6Mm28cNV6q55BQ2zoDywhGNG_4h0DP9VGMpDXBGHiqu ixZodCx2Xyg76IfHGXGIKZZTFVoa0nI2_lQWKHGJpjTSu_Osn7 CfSqzJEvTvjrAOK4bU3dL3a35qpJkhv37-s9wBWsdBB_2wEgpaQGbnumRbe2B9ycqG9dHpRDZyz/s4608/Ohio%20breakfast.JPG)
I might be wrong, but I get the impression breakfasting out ismore of an American tradition than a British one. Certainly, on my first visitto the US I breakfasted with my brother-in-law, on several occasions, and mysister joined us a couple of times as well. Whatever the origin of this custom it'sgood to drive off and grab something satisfying and filling, on a day whenthere’s no work to be done, and no need to hurry. Looking back, Matthew and I had, whenever possible, beengoing along to support the fortnightly breakfasts held at ChiddingstoneCauseway Village Hall, just a short hop from where I work. The idea behindthese breakfasts is to raise money for the maintenance and upkeep of the hall,and for the bargain price of £7 a head, one can obtain a tasty and substantialfull-English breakfast. The people who cook and serve these breakfasts are all volunteerswho live locally, but unfortunately these Sunday sessions have become so popular,that the kitchen sometimes becomes overwhelmed.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFm1tn7NuYAI4ob6cU9jZwQfV-pf-k9ZIezzXy9gMB1MF5dcIWcccyDNlw4Gmu4ljPfVKXplVJ1IGor qYUhNyGR_DIhGHl7wku92fA96NwUycKVfwybbbjJNFV12qFiFh 0gowsCsHStp5l3iPlYFZ7gtyOCCdLWAedqYpq9yrFZgZ5FOODH B6W7lVF/w400-h219/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFm1tn7NuYAI4ob6cU9jZwQfV-pf-k9ZIezzXy9gMB1MF5dcIWcccyDNlw4Gmu4ljPfVKXplVJ1IGor qYUhNyGR_DIhGHl7wku92fA96NwUycKVfwybbbjJNFV12qFiFh 0gowsCsHStp5l3iPlYFZ7gtyOCCdLWAedqYpq9yrFZgZ5FOODH B6W7lVF/s3995/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg)
Things reached a stage where Matthew and I stopped going,even on those occasions where we were both free, and it’s all down to a largecrowd of diners who turn up, mob-handed, from one of the neighbouringvillages. I wouldn’t like to say whichone they are from, although the smart money is on Penshurst. The latter is muchlarger than the Causeway, and it’s only a five-minute drive away. Consequently,a large group of around a dozen people, turn up more or less at once. They arrive in a number of different cars, butonce at the hall begin rearranging the furniture, by putting two or threetables together, so they can all sit round and gossip – as only country folkcan do!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nu7D4cGiq4wJ7tZjt-rJQ9scHECxGMT95-4_lLwID9MEFL_FAAP-xrBXl3Z2YR4uxyBbePtGuA6GW8Id7uenEYHmWJLQ5_vmGqr5dq qASo6iSaqgpcKj5ZjQaRA4O5qKOlmbz12rXV5o3qqwuNyPPTBu 1X1EL5xif04zD6WkMDx7WyLU0Hxl-AUP/w400-h223/Chaser%20ext%20Apr.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0nu7D4cGiq4wJ7tZjt-rJQ9scHECxGMT95-4_lLwID9MEFL_FAAP-xrBXl3Z2YR4uxyBbePtGuA6GW8Id7uenEYHmWJLQ5_vmGqr5dq qASo6iSaqgpcKj5ZjQaRA4O5qKOlmbz12rXV5o3qqwuNyPPTBu 1X1EL5xif04zD6WkMDx7WyLU0Hxl-AUP/s3751/Chaser%20ext%20Apr.jpg)
A you can imagine, this put quite a strain on the kitchen,which is staffed and run by a small team of volunteers, which includes theparents of one of my work colleagues. He has started getting to the hall, justafter the 8am opening time, but that’s a little early for Matthew and me, butleave it until much after 8.45 am you will find yourselves having to wait a longtime for your full-English to be served. I feel sorry for my colleagues’parents both of whom are in their early 70s for being put under pressure in thisway, but although I'm a fairly patient person, I really don't like having to waittoo long for food I've ordered to arrive on the table.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsVZLLo3BsNlDB2GPuxzlId4jIS289RG-HrdccSj_YuddNsToOUjxW8I1KpvMLoep0c80Xe8xWn7rL92z2n FlEk3OyK5zS4U1V-VsuWZpNDjUyEoiSPx-kUuXpc7k-oVdYQOEBxk9vO2-0E4toaKhwzvSOYRw5k2qm3xVzUB1YNXQ0xGNudQ80kI/w400-h225/Chaser%20+%20Church.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmCsVZLLo3BsNlDB2GPuxzlId4jIS289RG-HrdccSj_YuddNsToOUjxW8I1KpvMLoep0c80Xe8xWn7rL92z2n FlEk3OyK5zS4U1V-VsuWZpNDjUyEoiSPx-kUuXpc7k-oVdYQOEBxk9vO2-0E4toaKhwzvSOYRw5k2qm3xVzUB1YNXQ0xGNudQ80kI/s3231/Chaser%20+%20Church.jpg)
This has been another factor in why we've only breakfastedthere around three times this year. This is a shame, as it’s all in a goodcause, but it has sparked off the search for a new breakfast venue. In doingso, I wanted to find somewhere of a similar standard, where the breakfast consistedof quality local ingredients, rather than the greasy spoon, cut-priceestablishment where the thin and watery bacon, the sawdust-filled sausages andrubbery, fried eggs are sufficient to put you off a cooked breakfast for life.I’d endured far too many of these type of places over the years, which made meall the more determined to find somewhere decent, for a change.
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This is where the Chaser Inn (https://www.thechaser.co.uk/)at Shipbourne, appeared on thescene. Shipbourne is an attractive and well-spaced-out village to the north of Tonbridge, situatedat the base of the Greensand Ridge. I knew the pub used to do breakfast on aSunday morning, and a few years ago, before the advent of the pandemic, and Matthewand I had even tried to get ourselves a breakfast there. We arrived a bit latethat particular day, and whilst I wasn't expecting to be able to park at thepub itself, I thought there would be spaces on the large green opposite. Unfortunately,there was no such luck, as Shipbourne Common is a very popular spot for dogwalkers and people setting off on rambles or longer hikes, so it wasdefinitely a case of no room at the inn.
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Fast forward to a few weeks ago, and I was again looking atsomewhere where we could get a decent breakfast. I wasn't sure if the Chaser wasstill offering this on a Sunday morning, but a quick check on the pub websiteconfirmed that they were. Furthermore, rather than the 8:00 am start operated bythe Causeway Village Hall; the Chaser opened for breakfast at the slightly morecivilised time of 9:00 am. So, on a rather dull and slightly overcast Sunday, Idrove Matthew and I over to Shipbourne. Sure enough, there was no space in the pub car park, butfortunately this time around there was plenty of room on the green. We parked thecar and walked across to the pub, and upon entering, were greeted by member ofstaff. I inquired about breakfast and was asked whether we had booked. I said noand was told that it was necessary. Looking around I noticed plenty of emptytables, in fact when we arrived, only one of them was occupied.
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The young lady showed us to a table in the dining areas, atthe right-hand side of the bar, an area decked out with various bookcases, togive it that antique, “lived-in” look. I ordered a pot of tea between the twoof us, and a few minutes later a member of staff came over and took our order. Iwent for a full-on English breakfast, although I passed on the baked beans.For some strange reason haricot beans no longer agree with me so despite enjoyingbeans on toast when I was younger, I give them a wide berth these days. Matthewalso went for the full English, but with hash browns as an extra.
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It didn't take too long for our breakfasts to arrive, sothis was a totally different experience to the Causeway Hall. The two poachedeggs I'd ordered with my bacon, sausage, tomato, and black pudding were cookedjust right, and were served on top of two slices of thick, nicely done toast. Thefood was very good, and it was obvious from the taste of the bacon and the sausagethat they were quality items. Locally sourced too, according to the menu. It reallydoes make all the difference paying that little bit extra, backing up what MrsPBT's is always saying, about you get what you pay for.
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The price of this excellent breakfast was £10.95, with the potof tea costing £3.95 between the two of us, but it was a large pot, which containedmore than enough for several cups each. Not long after we arrived, two othergroups turned up, still not enough to crowd the place out, but sufficient toallow for a nice and relaxed atmosphere. I think we shall be going back again,the next time the pair of us have a free Sunday. Like I said earlier, I've hadenough of budget priced transport café, greasy-spoon places where price comesbefore quality.It's worth recording that the Chaser is owned by the samesmall pub-group (Whiting & Hammond), who own the Little Brown Jug in ChiddingstoneCauseway, and like the village hall, just a few minutes’ walk away, they too offerbreakfast on a Sunday morning. The lad and I have eaten there before, prior to thepandemic, so we might give place another try, especially if we arrive in thevillage and find that the hall car-park is full to overflowing. Having to wait ages,for my breakfast to arrive, is not the best way to start my day, and whilst I'dlike to see the village hall succeed, I’m not sure what they can do about theinflux of diners from the next village.
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