Adventures in England, The First Week

Hello mates,

For the most part I’ve been adventuring on my own while The Husband is at work, but Tuesday night we went out for dinner with his co-workers.  It was sort of their office party, I was the only spouse invited.  There were a bunch of tall engineer-types and a few secretary ladies.  I didn’t get to chat with the ladies much as we were at separate tables, but I quite got on with the chaps.  The restaurant was kind of far away — out in Sutton Coldfield on this long foggy winding road.  The H and I would never have made it if not for the Tom Tom.  The restaurant was a traditional English pub with a wood-burning stove, log-burning fire and fine selection of pints.  Just another cozy evening at The Cock Inn. 

 Sadly, I forgot the camera so instead I stole a menu, which is the second thing I’ve stolen here in merry old England.  The first was when I accidentally stole a broom.  See, here’s what happened:  The H and I arrived in the UK two Saturdays past.  We were up for 32 hours then slept 15 hours which brings us to Sunday around 2pm.  We decided to go shopping for some household things we simply couldn’t live without.  We got frying pans at Woolworths and a cutting board and dishtowels at TK Maxx, which is suspiciously like TJ Max including the font and slogan, “Dream Brands, Earthly Prices.”  We saw several brooms along the way but the cheapest was 10 pounds — which is $20!  I’m not spending $20 on a broom.

We then found our way to Tesco for some grocery shopping.  We spent quite a while there and ended up in the que 15 minutes til closing behind at least 20 people.  I noticed a display of brooms for 3 quid so The Husband grabbed one of those.  Then we realized that we’d forgotten eggs, so I stayed in line with all the bags while he went searching for eggs.  This took forever and he searched 2 floors and finally found that instead of being in the refrigerated section they’re kept room temperature in an aisle.  By that time I had already reached the front of the que.  I put our bags on the floor, leaned the broom against the register, then set our baskets on the counter.  The girl was clearly ready go home and I tried to keep up packing the bags quickly but still in an orderly fashion that would prevent smashing.  Then there was a bit of confusion because our credit cards don’t have chips in them.  We tried to get them but they don’t make them in the US, but really lady, it isn’t necessary to scrunch up your face like that, just punch the numbers in, What Do You Think The Numbers On The Keypad Are For?  Anyway, I grabbed all the bags and headed out.  Once outside I realized that she probably hadn’t charged for the broom.  Indeed it was not on the receipt.  But I was not about to drag all the crap back inside and stand in line again.  Okay let’s be honest, there could have been 10 open cashiers and I wouldn’t have gone back in.  Score!  Free Broom!

 

However, using the five fingered discount at The Cock Inn was another matter — it was absolutely 100% on purpose.  It’s not leather or anything, it’s just a paper dessert menu.  On one side it says “The Cock Inn” and on the other it includes this dessert:  “Sailor Jerry spiced poached pears with greek yoghurt.”  I quite tickled The Husband’s mates, what with my “I say, what kind of place is this, Sailor Jerry at The Cock Inn?”  Ha ha ha.

Now, I doubt you will have the pleasure of visiting The Cock Inn as it is off the beaten path.  But if you’re ever up Caerphilly Mountain in Wales be sure the stop by The Black Cock Inn.  I hear it’s quite popular with the ladies.

 

 

Cheers,

Sara