Food glorious (English) food

After gymnage yesterday, I indulged in a toasted teacake and a mug of Clipper de-caff. I was pleased to discover that the health club serves Clipper teas - very good they are too.

Sole Bay Fish Co.Ltd

Speaking of good food and drink, we had much of both during our week in Southwold. We had hoped to eat at  the Sole Bay Fish Co. shop  but, when we returned to the harbour on Wednesday, it was closed and we never did return.

Sunset at Southwold Harbour

We had a really nice fish lunch at the Harbour Inn (note the flood level sign), which was open on Wednesday. MWNN had Dover Sole and I had battered Hake and chips. This is where Ron had a large portion of Dover Sole (mainly skin).

Southwold is really dog-friendly. Most pubs allow dogs in the bar and will happily serve food there from the restaurant menu.

Window below 1953 flood level

The interior of the Harbour Inn is unusual. The public bar is below the level of the restaurant and would have been completely under water in the 1953 floods.

Adnam' Beer Mat

MWNN drank Adnams' beer at Southwold. An earlier version of the Adnams' Southwold Jack can be found in the churches of Southwold and Blythburgh, where he is known as the 'Jack O'Clock'.

The Blyth

 We ate out for lunch most days and yet didn't manage to try all the recommended establishments in the town.  We were both keen to try the award-winning Blyth Hotel and had lunch there on Friday.

 Once again, Ron was made welcome in the public bar and we ordered from the restaurant menu.

MWNN peruses the menu over a pint of Broadside

I was pleased to see that Adnams' Pink Fizz was available by the glass as I'd just bought a bottle from the brewery shop. Once it had warmed up (marks deducted for over-chilling), it tasted of the promised strawberries.

I chose steak and kidney pudding (made with Adnams' Broadside beer) and seasonal vegetables. It was very good, although the pudding's chunky filling was a little dry. A jug of rich gravy overcame the dryness. Ron had a hefty share of both steak and kidney, which I couldn't finish because of the pudding's size.

For me, the highlight of our gastronomical tour was afternoon tea at Tillys. Although we'd already eaten lunch and there was chicken in the slow cooker for dinner, we each indulged in a sweet tiered tea.

Visually amazing, the tea consisted of 3 sorts of sandwiches (no crusts, of course) ; egg and cress, turkey and cranberry,and ham and tomatoe; Victoria sponge, fruitcake; plain scones with jam, whipped cream and fresh strawberries; pot of tea for two.

Quite the nicest afternoon tea served by a waitress in traditional uniform. A perfect end to a perfect day.