Sir John Barleycorn Revisited

“As the wind howled and the rain lashed at our window panes”, it seemed appropriate this morning for me to recover the pictures from

Later we drove through just such a gale to meet Helen and Rob for lunch at the Sir John Barleycorn pub at Cadnam.

All the following photographs are by Jackie.

We were greeted with a tree blown across the road nearby.

Arriving just before midday opening time,

my Assistant Photographer was taken with the owls topping the entrance porch thatches. This will surprise no-one familiar with our garden.

She also produced some inside images, including the stack of highchairs, one of which may sometime prove useful to Ellie.

I chose the Railway-on-the-bone lamb curry with pilau rice; Jackie, a burger, chips, and salad; Helen, fish chips, and mushy peas; and Rob, skate wing, chips and salad. We all enjoyed our fusion choices, except that Rob, for whom this was the first such fish dish, wouldn’t choose it again. My brother in law and I both drank London Pride bitter, while the driving ladies both chose soft drinks.

An enjoyable, animated, conversation took place throughout.

This evening we all dined on Jackie’s wholesome chicken and vegetable stewp with fresh crusty bread, of which, on account of my lunch, I enjoyed a very small portion with a glass Patrick Chodot cru du Beaujolais Fleurie 2021. The Culinary Queen drank Hoegaarden.

65 comments

  1. The weather was horrible today wasn’t it.
    I’ve never been in the John Barleycorn. My Dad used to sometimes play the organ in there many moons ago.

  2. Wonderful photos by Jackie. It’s good the fallen tree didn’t do any damage.

    I went back and re-read your fairytale post again, but I decided not to leave a second here from the future comment. 🙂

  3. Great pictures by Jackie. That fallen tree was impressive. So glad a car wasn’t going by when it fell!

    That owl was quite a work of art – as was the roof. Do they always put chicken wire over thatched roofs? I don’t remember that from your other photos of them.

    Your meals (both of them) sound wonderful. Applause to Rob for his (incredibly!) adventuresome choice.

    1. Thanks very much, Jodie. The chicken wire is usual – to stop the birds from taking thatch for nesting, although, as you can see, owls are not deterred.

  4. Terrible weather! BUT, a beautiful day captured in lovely photos! The sun was shining INDOORS via family, friends, warmth, love, good food, and laughter! ! 🙂
    You know Jackie’s Owl photos are my fave photos today! 🙂
    (((HUGS))) ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

  5. Fallen trees seem to be the norm around here lately too. I’ve passed a few – none blocking the road!
    Lunch sounds delicious, but no photos!
    If I could I would eat out most days!

    1. Thank you very much, Sue. Jackie was the only one with the camera today. Hers is less wieldy than mine

  6. Love the way the words ‘fish and chips’ roll off my tongue. We had planned a take out beer battered fish fry for dinner today but they were too busy for take out orders. The Lent season, y’know. Dined on tofu, instead ????. ‘Skate Wings’? Really? We used to catch an occasional skate when fishing. Sounds like a good time was had by all.

    1. There is a whole range of these trademarks – and firms making them to order. Thanks very much, Doug

  7. Wow, that was quite a storm! The pub looks comfortable and pleasant. I like the natural light and can see why Jackie was taken with the owls.

  8. I would never have guessed that the owls were actually thatching beneath chicken wire. That’s really clever. I’m glad you made it there and back safely, Derrick.

  9. I was wondering if the fallen tree meant a long detour for you, then I read that you arrived before opening time so all must have been well.

  10. Love the photos of the owls and luckily the toppled tree didn’t hurt anyone. Noisy spring storms rumbled through our area early this morning, and now the sun in shining.

  11. It’s always sad to see felled trees – especially in the middle of the road. Nice to have lunch with good friends and family 🙂

  12. Sorry about those toppled trees, Derrick. The storms with heavy winds seem to be playing havoc all over the world. Glad you two are safe.

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