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10-04-2024, 10:55
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/04/breakast-at-ivy-house-at-last.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynUGXls00G1Yhggxe7OANcx2BHeLGT01BAslWUwbnb xuPn8VNLOuGF5V7-HmJZ_CZDk1d2jb_FhW5scxO7Fo0Bai7tEXRSUT_00G2WTdOd4q l15xqrIagHFMwe9W_yRmhNuEZsQ74DWzlJ38YXHzjYWQH-tYr0MMwa31mmtHXdwpt2aZiV-s3ku02u8/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Apr.%2024.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynUGXls00G1Yhggxe7OANcx2BHeLGT01BAslWUwbnb xuPn8VNLOuGF5V7-HmJZ_CZDk1d2jb_FhW5scxO7Fo0Bai7tEXRSUT_00G2WTdOd4q l15xqrIagHFMwe9W_yRmhNuEZsQ74DWzlJ38YXHzjYWQH-tYr0MMwa31mmtHXdwpt2aZiV-s3ku02u8/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Apr.%2024.jpg)
Here is another short post for your delectation and delight,and whilst it appears to be yet another article about a pub breakfast (spoileralert, it is), it was second time lucky on Sunday morning, as far as the Ivy House,at the far end of Tonbridge High Street was concerned. This was because, unlikethe scenario which unfolded back in March, the lad and I managed to secure atable in this historic old pub, where we enjoyed a first-class breakfast.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdhfvC9JiPuxlXG3r6AavxIGz7burDiHgAOoop9GBia CVaPeFs2LnnpEAM6SWSFH7z79I8Azw2ehMKn7yTb7Po-_pT-gSAsJmH4SzlAWi1w1WBnWXuqlgYMHmyn3UZd9QMNsHKAPRj3fH nBkBi1Pc4RT8YccjFP6cTRhRkK9eiHe44gP73R82IYeEbfg/w400-h219/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdhfvC9JiPuxlXG3r6AavxIGz7burDiHgAOoop9GBia CVaPeFs2LnnpEAM6SWSFH7z79I8Azw2ehMKn7yTb7Po-_pT-gSAsJmH4SzlAWi1w1WBnWXuqlgYMHmyn3UZd9QMNsHKAPRj3fH nBkBi1Pc4RT8YccjFP6cTRhRkK9eiHe44gP73R82IYeEbfg/s3995/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg)
I took the precaution of booking a table the night before,and I also booked it for the civilised time of 10 am. Unless I am goingsomewhere special, or planning on a hike, I really don't like being rushed on aSunday. You see, over the years I got fed up with getting up early in order to reach the village hall at Chiddingstone Causeway, before the influx of othercustomers and the ensuing long wait for a cooked breakfast – nice though it was.That involved ideally getting there for 8.30am or at the very latest 8.45am,which was far too early in my book.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVdNnAZ08k8oFhcIAiNc9py0saZt2A6dn1xVOJknne U-2TfM2_IUPHDQRxhVe1stN10oZ2BQntDxXhzwTKgJ4pGpEwarvn NHx14HFP0VKjRfpcw9BTRV093Nl_6kIptIJdeAamsr_Egh7trV 2TAok438kOOvDiK_JEqglQHDL0nFZO-7tTGE-N5YKXg/w400-h224/Ivy%20House%20Int%20.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVdNnAZ08k8oFhcIAiNc9py0saZt2A6dn1xVOJknne U-2TfM2_IUPHDQRxhVe1stN10oZ2BQntDxXhzwTKgJ4pGpEwarvn NHx14HFP0VKjRfpcw9BTRV093Nl_6kIptIJdeAamsr_Egh7trV 2TAok438kOOvDiK_JEqglQHDL0nFZO-7tTGE-N5YKXg/s3700/Ivy%20House%20Int%20.jpg)
I persuaded Matthew to drive us that morning, primarilybecause we had some items of shopping, but also because I had a new pair ofboots that I wanted to break in – second spoiler alert, I still ended up with ablister on the base of my Achilles tendon. It was a blustery day, with named-stormKathleen affecting the bulk of Ireland as well as much of Wales and the westcoasts of both England and, Scotland, but it was also a day for blowing thecobwebs away. Upon arrival at the pub, and confirming our booking from theprevious day, we were shown to the small bar at the far left of the Ivy House (https://www.theivyhousetonbridge.com/), anarea which, years ago, constituted the Public Bar. I am going back severaldecades when I say that, but the pub has had quite a few different owners overthe years, with each spending considerable amounts of cash on both renovationsand improvements. The Ivy has also found itself trading as a gastro-pub, plus arestaurant with a small bar attached.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdPwxszcfLWCJpigGW7KY2TCjpZxzwWw0WUtCfDsYoJ wnzalIgJnnpxDLmeGKjp20JYaRthobFtxS_kkpTbSeNP4QQnpe DGFHX2UErGa1gOzyVk_3M5imKBVk1r4wvOrB3r7Hrp6LtWD6wO 7TxOROxYOd5cNKeZLSL_Eky-xVd1j19yo3sjRwshK8Az0/w400-h236/Ivy%20House%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdPwxszcfLWCJpigGW7KY2TCjpZxzwWw0WUtCfDsYoJ wnzalIgJnnpxDLmeGKjp20JYaRthobFtxS_kkpTbSeNP4QQnpe DGFHX2UErGa1gOzyVk_3M5imKBVk1r4wvOrB3r7Hrp6LtWD6wO 7TxOROxYOd5cNKeZLSL_Eky-xVd1j19yo3sjRwshK8Az0/s3564/Ivy%20House%20bar.jpg)
Happily, the most recent incarnation has seen the pub restoredto its rightful place as an historic and characterful High Street pub, but onewhich also happens to serve good food as well, which basically means the currentowners have got things right. Before describing the breakfast, which btw, wasexcellent, a word or two about the beer – this is a beer blog, after all. Themain stalwart on the bar was Harvey’s Sussex Best, a “must stock” beer for mostlocal pubs, and one which carries a long and unblemished record at the Ivy House.The other beer was Session Pale Ale from Cellar Head Brewing (https://cellarheadbrewing.com/).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWh4_xBrvIfmVCY9jUhIoaDg5TZcZYm_0lZOChPtUv ffIpg-Wbrke6t3JIELDtCGfjtdrGmiCdKeG_-scnhLcBMrw_YHxSI4OfJFCv0QURyqvk0VKArb9HyE8V47kgbuW kkGEOVlEvIYLMMnhOgvbLFt39L9ifwaq9eTyLObuL4ikDTy506 FEaaPZlw/w400-h300/Cellar%20Head.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWh4_xBrvIfmVCY9jUhIoaDg5TZcZYm_0lZOChPtUv ffIpg-Wbrke6t3JIELDtCGfjtdrGmiCdKeG_-scnhLcBMrw_YHxSI4OfJFCv0QURyqvk0VKArb9HyE8V47kgbuW kkGEOVlEvIYLMMnhOgvbLFt39L9ifwaq9eTyLObuL4ikDTy506 FEaaPZlw/s4020/Cellar%20Head.jpg)
The latter are a brewery whose beers I've never really takento, and it's something I can't quite put my finger on. They must be doingsomething right though, as their beers seem to crop up all over the place. CellarHead are based at Flimwell, which is well just over the border into Sussex, andhave been brewing a distinctive and wide range of beers since 2017. Look outfor their distinctive motif of a man with the sunglasses, bowler hat and thelong bushy beard, that resembles a hop cone.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RDhufVLgiPJe3QmA09Xm4VE220AEyq2vC8mhDgot3b 7pcIFwqlnACbzbtme-qwI7r1x6hpxDuDmOUvF094BGVmga-nlp1ydaUvEgPxw1m8I8UO4_SoU1C58pi7187FeFEMiZr3z4drO SZviuGZcFSEuf-eUh_4TWbjSonmtgJQAgEWnteRot7okZ-PU/w400-h224/Ivy%20House%20Int.%202.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RDhufVLgiPJe3QmA09Xm4VE220AEyq2vC8mhDgot3b 7pcIFwqlnACbzbtme-qwI7r1x6hpxDuDmOUvF094BGVmga-nlp1ydaUvEgPxw1m8I8UO4_SoU1C58pi7187FeFEMiZr3z4drO SZviuGZcFSEuf-eUh_4TWbjSonmtgJQAgEWnteRot7okZ-PU/s3585/Ivy%20House%20Int.%202.jpg)
Mrs PBT's is a fan of the Ivy House, and the night before,asked if we we’d booked a table in the covered outdoor
section, at the farright at the building, or in the pub itself. I told her that we wanted to sit inside andenjoy the ambiance of this historic old inn. “Won't it be rather cramped, inthe pub?” was her response, to which I replied that we would cross that bridgewhen we came to it. As things turned out, it wasn’t crowded at all inside thepub, although it was difficult to see what was going on in the outside area.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9R7pqfMfZ7IDZr2HarNJqMMONkTXwSWV63CTJNrkC2 EGWd4M6nYcBc7AdK6W4eHLIgDMUCiOOsp5CDJ90c6-S8vgeGrCx4PaEIdUt1kAGOeVMVHpHfZqUAZWk43U95AsXL9sHN GCF9-HQ0SWqWm-8LnXnay5ohabhX34OxKAuIie76iE0mlKWk80Ge4/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Breakfast.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9R7pqfMfZ7IDZr2HarNJqMMONkTXwSWV63CTJNrkC2 EGWd4M6nYcBc7AdK6W4eHLIgDMUCiOOsp5CDJ90c6-S8vgeGrCx4PaEIdUt1kAGOeVMVHpHfZqUAZWk43U95AsXL9sHN GCF9-HQ0SWqWm-8LnXnay5ohabhX34OxKAuIie76iE0mlKWk80Ge4/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Breakfast.jpg)
On the table behind us,was Eileen’s boss from the scaffolding company she does work for, together with his partner. They were sitting there, sitting with another couplewaiting, like us, for the waitress to come and take their order. I think bothChris and I were equally surprised to see each other but after exchanging a fewpleasantries, we sat down and got on with our conversation whilst those at theneighbouring table did the same.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRZt36b3cJ5O4hIYs6En2RFcpSeZDMGzEJNRdccOLDc 7tHoWuJPL6iRkBHxiijd_9NfBf39cFjtcIJfGKh2-SQqvcgEb7LDeA5IhMemZ1Vm1qNBv8HMwPSNZ7lCySQ_JCMF1yD e8C9AI5uZdGvKOJw67vm7Cm-HeKx4a639QeGTDdZhyLZZ_cSaie2SQ/w400-h300/20190906_152909.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRZt36b3cJ5O4hIYs6En2RFcpSeZDMGzEJNRdccOLDc 7tHoWuJPL6iRkBHxiijd_9NfBf39cFjtcIJfGKh2-SQqvcgEb7LDeA5IhMemZ1Vm1qNBv8HMwPSNZ7lCySQ_JCMF1yD e8C9AI5uZdGvKOJw67vm7Cm-HeKx4a639QeGTDdZhyLZZ_cSaie2SQ/s4128/20190906_152909.jpg)
Shortly afterwards a waitress came over andtook our order, starting with a pot of tea each. Having looked at the Ivy Housemenu beforehand, I was really looking forward to breakfast there, as I knew itwould be top notch. Mrs PBT's is a great believer in the saying that you getwhat you pay for, and this was certainly true at the Ivy, because when our foodarrived the quality was without doubt, first class. The dry-cure bacon had aflavour that was out of this world, and the sausages, from local butchers, Haywards,weren't far behind. My scrambled egg, served on sourdough toast, was light andfluffy, and the Parmentier potatoes were also good, although like Matthew, Iwould have preferred some hash-browns instead.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3W9NOwUSGMCT_J9f6AwLDETjX12kvU7HpPzZFzlrl Gm2BXNBqIMOEHEi9_s3orKTDYf8OzM2_-p6oaObEpdb2nuolFayte2UAI4rNrJm5yi26Gt6YGQjMPeRaIQB hbO2CdyYM2lcuFk2rhiXOYh5tmPSuxJGaLVErlXK3uBa6LvGgt s54MzvXV7e7o/w400-h225/E.%20Grinstead%20High%20Street.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3W9NOwUSGMCT_J9f6AwLDETjX12kvU7HpPzZFzlrl Gm2BXNBqIMOEHEi9_s3orKTDYf8OzM2_-p6oaObEpdb2nuolFayte2UAI4rNrJm5yi26Gt6YGQjMPeRaIQB hbO2CdyYM2lcuFk2rhiXOYh5tmPSuxJGaLVErlXK3uBa6LvGgt s54MzvXV7e7o/s3891/E.%20Grinstead%20High%20Street.jpg)
That Ivy House breakfast was just right to set up bothMatthew and I, for the rest of the day. After saying goodbye to Chris and hispartner, we popped round the corner into the main part of the bar and paid thebill. Afterwards we had a bit of shopping to do which mainly involved Matthew’sshop Robert Dyas. I needed some picture hooks, plus some stout garden twine, whilstMatthew had to pick up some shelving, identified as surplus by the storemanager at Tonbridge, but eagerly snapped up by the East Grinstead branch ofDyas, where Matthew works.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix2elvMEny4pNKFB7HmjjCIpu6GBL_mlhOOAGTGIhuH MHHjuy0ILloOlbb2D479GQJI74Ahws96pUtZvKkzoK-dUIKzxaxIN3xzVPg7kRe8lhN4kB_5aptPZmAXveDUggIkx7tc5 ixB0Tw6NgcFgf7YQ9gMmAa8KfoL8sNC3H6IBFgXd4zqPrejbUO 30/w400-h223/New%20Boots.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix2elvMEny4pNKFB7HmjjCIpu6GBL_mlhOOAGTGIhuH MHHjuy0ILloOlbb2D479GQJI74Ahws96pUtZvKkzoK-dUIKzxaxIN3xzVPg7kRe8lhN4kB_5aptPZmAXveDUggIkx7tc5 ixB0Tw6NgcFgf7YQ9gMmAa8KfoL8sNC3H6IBFgXd4zqPrejbUO 30/s3779/New%20Boots.jpg)
So that was Sunday morning done with, and I spent a ratherlazy afternoon, catching up on the blog, whilst managing to avoid doing anygardening. I has another reason for wanting to take things easy, as the newpair of boots I bought, three weeks previously from George at Asda. I wanted tostart breaking them in, so I wore them to breakfast that morning. They were alittle tight around the heel and alarms bells should have rang, but Ipersisted, nevertheless. So, as mentioned earlier, I ended up with a blister inthe area between the top of my heel, and the base of my Achilles tendon.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbTdFODYdVmiDyksIiq025B8-l8HoVNMor8SGziFZo5n2eWRFjdYWZ7V4vxFVV3zrkGgTgHphzA w3Ho6DYrXGY7G2MaRscLMcYW20I7GDrLc5j4o_dJk1j0h3Wcjs fvfdvvE9995A5VMYGHI-V6B58NhuM8GhK-rAlA8I21Hf88_00ZdIKcT2DcYVrE/w400-h300/Cologne%20Hbf.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbTdFODYdVmiDyksIiq025B8-l8HoVNMor8SGziFZo5n2eWRFjdYWZ7V4vxFVV3zrkGgTgHphzA w3Ho6DYrXGY7G2MaRscLMcYW20I7GDrLc5j4o_dJk1j0h3Wcjs fvfdvvE9995A5VMYGHI-V6B58NhuM8GhK-rAlA8I21Hf88_00ZdIKcT2DcYVrE/s4128/Cologne%20Hbf.jpg)
That wasn’t the first time I’ve made such an error, as severalyears ago, on a visit to Cologne for a trade show, where I was representing thecompany on our sales stand, walking across the Rhine river, from our hotel tothe exhibition centre on the first morning of the exhibition, was sufficient to crucify my heel. Despite this setback,I will break in these boots, and I'm sure that with a bit of dedication, theywill become comfortable and will end up fitting like a well-worn glove.
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynUGXls00G1Yhggxe7OANcx2BHeLGT01BAslWUwbnb xuPn8VNLOuGF5V7-HmJZ_CZDk1d2jb_FhW5scxO7Fo0Bai7tEXRSUT_00G2WTdOd4q l15xqrIagHFMwe9W_yRmhNuEZsQ74DWzlJ38YXHzjYWQH-tYr0MMwa31mmtHXdwpt2aZiV-s3ku02u8/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Apr.%2024.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVynUGXls00G1Yhggxe7OANcx2BHeLGT01BAslWUwbnb xuPn8VNLOuGF5V7-HmJZ_CZDk1d2jb_FhW5scxO7Fo0Bai7tEXRSUT_00G2WTdOd4q l15xqrIagHFMwe9W_yRmhNuEZsQ74DWzlJ38YXHzjYWQH-tYr0MMwa31mmtHXdwpt2aZiV-s3ku02u8/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Apr.%2024.jpg)
Here is another short post for your delectation and delight,and whilst it appears to be yet another article about a pub breakfast (spoileralert, it is), it was second time lucky on Sunday morning, as far as the Ivy House,at the far end of Tonbridge High Street was concerned. This was because, unlikethe scenario which unfolded back in March, the lad and I managed to secure atable in this historic old pub, where we enjoyed a first-class breakfast.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdhfvC9JiPuxlXG3r6AavxIGz7burDiHgAOoop9GBia CVaPeFs2LnnpEAM6SWSFH7z79I8Azw2ehMKn7yTb7Po-_pT-gSAsJmH4SzlAWi1w1WBnWXuqlgYMHmyn3UZd9QMNsHKAPRj3fH nBkBi1Pc4RT8YccjFP6cTRhRkK9eiHe44gP73R82IYeEbfg/w400-h219/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVdhfvC9JiPuxlXG3r6AavxIGz7burDiHgAOoop9GBia CVaPeFs2LnnpEAM6SWSFH7z79I8Azw2ehMKn7yTb7Po-_pT-gSAsJmH4SzlAWi1w1WBnWXuqlgYMHmyn3UZd9QMNsHKAPRj3fH nBkBi1Pc4RT8YccjFP6cTRhRkK9eiHe44gP73R82IYeEbfg/s3995/Chidd%20Causeway%20Hall%20front.jpg)
I took the precaution of booking a table the night before,and I also booked it for the civilised time of 10 am. Unless I am goingsomewhere special, or planning on a hike, I really don't like being rushed on aSunday. You see, over the years I got fed up with getting up early in order to reach the village hall at Chiddingstone Causeway, before the influx of othercustomers and the ensuing long wait for a cooked breakfast – nice though it was.That involved ideally getting there for 8.30am or at the very latest 8.45am,which was far too early in my book.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVdNnAZ08k8oFhcIAiNc9py0saZt2A6dn1xVOJknne U-2TfM2_IUPHDQRxhVe1stN10oZ2BQntDxXhzwTKgJ4pGpEwarvn NHx14HFP0VKjRfpcw9BTRV093Nl_6kIptIJdeAamsr_Egh7trV 2TAok438kOOvDiK_JEqglQHDL0nFZO-7tTGE-N5YKXg/w400-h224/Ivy%20House%20Int%20.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhhVdNnAZ08k8oFhcIAiNc9py0saZt2A6dn1xVOJknne U-2TfM2_IUPHDQRxhVe1stN10oZ2BQntDxXhzwTKgJ4pGpEwarvn NHx14HFP0VKjRfpcw9BTRV093Nl_6kIptIJdeAamsr_Egh7trV 2TAok438kOOvDiK_JEqglQHDL0nFZO-7tTGE-N5YKXg/s3700/Ivy%20House%20Int%20.jpg)
I persuaded Matthew to drive us that morning, primarilybecause we had some items of shopping, but also because I had a new pair ofboots that I wanted to break in – second spoiler alert, I still ended up with ablister on the base of my Achilles tendon. It was a blustery day, with named-stormKathleen affecting the bulk of Ireland as well as much of Wales and the westcoasts of both England and, Scotland, but it was also a day for blowing thecobwebs away. Upon arrival at the pub, and confirming our booking from theprevious day, we were shown to the small bar at the far left of the Ivy House (https://www.theivyhousetonbridge.com/), anarea which, years ago, constituted the Public Bar. I am going back severaldecades when I say that, but the pub has had quite a few different owners overthe years, with each spending considerable amounts of cash on both renovationsand improvements. The Ivy has also found itself trading as a gastro-pub, plus arestaurant with a small bar attached.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdPwxszcfLWCJpigGW7KY2TCjpZxzwWw0WUtCfDsYoJ wnzalIgJnnpxDLmeGKjp20JYaRthobFtxS_kkpTbSeNP4QQnpe DGFHX2UErGa1gOzyVk_3M5imKBVk1r4wvOrB3r7Hrp6LtWD6wO 7TxOROxYOd5cNKeZLSL_Eky-xVd1j19yo3sjRwshK8Az0/w400-h236/Ivy%20House%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdPwxszcfLWCJpigGW7KY2TCjpZxzwWw0WUtCfDsYoJ wnzalIgJnnpxDLmeGKjp20JYaRthobFtxS_kkpTbSeNP4QQnpe DGFHX2UErGa1gOzyVk_3M5imKBVk1r4wvOrB3r7Hrp6LtWD6wO 7TxOROxYOd5cNKeZLSL_Eky-xVd1j19yo3sjRwshK8Az0/s3564/Ivy%20House%20bar.jpg)
Happily, the most recent incarnation has seen the pub restoredto its rightful place as an historic and characterful High Street pub, but onewhich also happens to serve good food as well, which basically means the currentowners have got things right. Before describing the breakfast, which btw, wasexcellent, a word or two about the beer – this is a beer blog, after all. Themain stalwart on the bar was Harvey’s Sussex Best, a “must stock” beer for mostlocal pubs, and one which carries a long and unblemished record at the Ivy House.The other beer was Session Pale Ale from Cellar Head Brewing (https://cellarheadbrewing.com/).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWh4_xBrvIfmVCY9jUhIoaDg5TZcZYm_0lZOChPtUv ffIpg-Wbrke6t3JIELDtCGfjtdrGmiCdKeG_-scnhLcBMrw_YHxSI4OfJFCv0QURyqvk0VKArb9HyE8V47kgbuW kkGEOVlEvIYLMMnhOgvbLFt39L9ifwaq9eTyLObuL4ikDTy506 FEaaPZlw/w400-h300/Cellar%20Head.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmWh4_xBrvIfmVCY9jUhIoaDg5TZcZYm_0lZOChPtUv ffIpg-Wbrke6t3JIELDtCGfjtdrGmiCdKeG_-scnhLcBMrw_YHxSI4OfJFCv0QURyqvk0VKArb9HyE8V47kgbuW kkGEOVlEvIYLMMnhOgvbLFt39L9ifwaq9eTyLObuL4ikDTy506 FEaaPZlw/s4020/Cellar%20Head.jpg)
The latter are a brewery whose beers I've never really takento, and it's something I can't quite put my finger on. They must be doingsomething right though, as their beers seem to crop up all over the place. CellarHead are based at Flimwell, which is well just over the border into Sussex, andhave been brewing a distinctive and wide range of beers since 2017. Look outfor their distinctive motif of a man with the sunglasses, bowler hat and thelong bushy beard, that resembles a hop cone.https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RDhufVLgiPJe3QmA09Xm4VE220AEyq2vC8mhDgot3b 7pcIFwqlnACbzbtme-qwI7r1x6hpxDuDmOUvF094BGVmga-nlp1ydaUvEgPxw1m8I8UO4_SoU1C58pi7187FeFEMiZr3z4drO SZviuGZcFSEuf-eUh_4TWbjSonmtgJQAgEWnteRot7okZ-PU/w400-h224/Ivy%20House%20Int.%202.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RDhufVLgiPJe3QmA09Xm4VE220AEyq2vC8mhDgot3b 7pcIFwqlnACbzbtme-qwI7r1x6hpxDuDmOUvF094BGVmga-nlp1ydaUvEgPxw1m8I8UO4_SoU1C58pi7187FeFEMiZr3z4drO SZviuGZcFSEuf-eUh_4TWbjSonmtgJQAgEWnteRot7okZ-PU/s3585/Ivy%20House%20Int.%202.jpg)
Mrs PBT's is a fan of the Ivy House, and the night before,asked if we we’d booked a table in the covered outdoor
section, at the farright at the building, or in the pub itself. I told her that we wanted to sit inside andenjoy the ambiance of this historic old inn. “Won't it be rather cramped, inthe pub?” was her response, to which I replied that we would cross that bridgewhen we came to it. As things turned out, it wasn’t crowded at all inside thepub, although it was difficult to see what was going on in the outside area.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9R7pqfMfZ7IDZr2HarNJqMMONkTXwSWV63CTJNrkC2 EGWd4M6nYcBc7AdK6W4eHLIgDMUCiOOsp5CDJ90c6-S8vgeGrCx4PaEIdUt1kAGOeVMVHpHfZqUAZWk43U95AsXL9sHN GCF9-HQ0SWqWm-8LnXnay5ohabhX34OxKAuIie76iE0mlKWk80Ge4/w400-h225/Ivy%20House%20Breakfast.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9R7pqfMfZ7IDZr2HarNJqMMONkTXwSWV63CTJNrkC2 EGWd4M6nYcBc7AdK6W4eHLIgDMUCiOOsp5CDJ90c6-S8vgeGrCx4PaEIdUt1kAGOeVMVHpHfZqUAZWk43U95AsXL9sHN GCF9-HQ0SWqWm-8LnXnay5ohabhX34OxKAuIie76iE0mlKWk80Ge4/s4000/Ivy%20House%20Breakfast.jpg)
On the table behind us,was Eileen’s boss from the scaffolding company she does work for, together with his partner. They were sitting there, sitting with another couplewaiting, like us, for the waitress to come and take their order. I think bothChris and I were equally surprised to see each other but after exchanging a fewpleasantries, we sat down and got on with our conversation whilst those at theneighbouring table did the same.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRZt36b3cJ5O4hIYs6En2RFcpSeZDMGzEJNRdccOLDc 7tHoWuJPL6iRkBHxiijd_9NfBf39cFjtcIJfGKh2-SQqvcgEb7LDeA5IhMemZ1Vm1qNBv8HMwPSNZ7lCySQ_JCMF1yD e8C9AI5uZdGvKOJw67vm7Cm-HeKx4a639QeGTDdZhyLZZ_cSaie2SQ/w400-h300/20190906_152909.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRZt36b3cJ5O4hIYs6En2RFcpSeZDMGzEJNRdccOLDc 7tHoWuJPL6iRkBHxiijd_9NfBf39cFjtcIJfGKh2-SQqvcgEb7LDeA5IhMemZ1Vm1qNBv8HMwPSNZ7lCySQ_JCMF1yD e8C9AI5uZdGvKOJw67vm7Cm-HeKx4a639QeGTDdZhyLZZ_cSaie2SQ/s4128/20190906_152909.jpg)
Shortly afterwards a waitress came over andtook our order, starting with a pot of tea each. Having looked at the Ivy Housemenu beforehand, I was really looking forward to breakfast there, as I knew itwould be top notch. Mrs PBT's is a great believer in the saying that you getwhat you pay for, and this was certainly true at the Ivy, because when our foodarrived the quality was without doubt, first class. The dry-cure bacon had aflavour that was out of this world, and the sausages, from local butchers, Haywards,weren't far behind. My scrambled egg, served on sourdough toast, was light andfluffy, and the Parmentier potatoes were also good, although like Matthew, Iwould have preferred some hash-browns instead.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3W9NOwUSGMCT_J9f6AwLDETjX12kvU7HpPzZFzlrl Gm2BXNBqIMOEHEi9_s3orKTDYf8OzM2_-p6oaObEpdb2nuolFayte2UAI4rNrJm5yi26Gt6YGQjMPeRaIQB hbO2CdyYM2lcuFk2rhiXOYh5tmPSuxJGaLVErlXK3uBa6LvGgt s54MzvXV7e7o/w400-h225/E.%20Grinstead%20High%20Street.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCb3W9NOwUSGMCT_J9f6AwLDETjX12kvU7HpPzZFzlrl Gm2BXNBqIMOEHEi9_s3orKTDYf8OzM2_-p6oaObEpdb2nuolFayte2UAI4rNrJm5yi26Gt6YGQjMPeRaIQB hbO2CdyYM2lcuFk2rhiXOYh5tmPSuxJGaLVErlXK3uBa6LvGgt s54MzvXV7e7o/s3891/E.%20Grinstead%20High%20Street.jpg)
That Ivy House breakfast was just right to set up bothMatthew and I, for the rest of the day. After saying goodbye to Chris and hispartner, we popped round the corner into the main part of the bar and paid thebill. Afterwards we had a bit of shopping to do which mainly involved Matthew’sshop Robert Dyas. I needed some picture hooks, plus some stout garden twine, whilstMatthew had to pick up some shelving, identified as surplus by the storemanager at Tonbridge, but eagerly snapped up by the East Grinstead branch ofDyas, where Matthew works.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix2elvMEny4pNKFB7HmjjCIpu6GBL_mlhOOAGTGIhuH MHHjuy0ILloOlbb2D479GQJI74Ahws96pUtZvKkzoK-dUIKzxaxIN3xzVPg7kRe8lhN4kB_5aptPZmAXveDUggIkx7tc5 ixB0Tw6NgcFgf7YQ9gMmAa8KfoL8sNC3H6IBFgXd4zqPrejbUO 30/w400-h223/New%20Boots.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgix2elvMEny4pNKFB7HmjjCIpu6GBL_mlhOOAGTGIhuH MHHjuy0ILloOlbb2D479GQJI74Ahws96pUtZvKkzoK-dUIKzxaxIN3xzVPg7kRe8lhN4kB_5aptPZmAXveDUggIkx7tc5 ixB0Tw6NgcFgf7YQ9gMmAa8KfoL8sNC3H6IBFgXd4zqPrejbUO 30/s3779/New%20Boots.jpg)
So that was Sunday morning done with, and I spent a ratherlazy afternoon, catching up on the blog, whilst managing to avoid doing anygardening. I has another reason for wanting to take things easy, as the newpair of boots I bought, three weeks previously from George at Asda. I wanted tostart breaking them in, so I wore them to breakfast that morning. They were alittle tight around the heel and alarms bells should have rang, but Ipersisted, nevertheless. So, as mentioned earlier, I ended up with a blister inthe area between the top of my heel, and the base of my Achilles tendon.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbTdFODYdVmiDyksIiq025B8-l8HoVNMor8SGziFZo5n2eWRFjdYWZ7V4vxFVV3zrkGgTgHphzA w3Ho6DYrXGY7G2MaRscLMcYW20I7GDrLc5j4o_dJk1j0h3Wcjs fvfdvvE9995A5VMYGHI-V6B58NhuM8GhK-rAlA8I21Hf88_00ZdIKcT2DcYVrE/w400-h300/Cologne%20Hbf.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmbbTdFODYdVmiDyksIiq025B8-l8HoVNMor8SGziFZo5n2eWRFjdYWZ7V4vxFVV3zrkGgTgHphzA w3Ho6DYrXGY7G2MaRscLMcYW20I7GDrLc5j4o_dJk1j0h3Wcjs fvfdvvE9995A5VMYGHI-V6B58NhuM8GhK-rAlA8I21Hf88_00ZdIKcT2DcYVrE/s4128/Cologne%20Hbf.jpg)
That wasn’t the first time I’ve made such an error, as severalyears ago, on a visit to Cologne for a trade show, where I was representing thecompany on our sales stand, walking across the Rhine river, from our hotel tothe exhibition centre on the first morning of the exhibition, was sufficient to crucify my heel. Despite this setback,I will break in these boots, and I'm sure that with a bit of dedication, theywill become comfortable and will end up fitting like a well-worn glove.
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