Here I am at The Countryman in Staverton Village. The Pub is becoming a semi-regular haunt for our three-monthly catch-ups with Ian & Ann and Alan & Mags since discovering it with old work mucker, John ‘Mez’ Merrell, exactly 17 years ago today, back in 2008! 🙄👍. Sadly, Mrs P wasn’t able to make the trip today – she’s caught some sort of cold-type bug! ☹️
Why here? It’s pretty much mid-point for all of us, where the food and service has always been excellent. Today was our ‘Christmas’ event after visiting back in January, 2022 and March 2025 then most recently, June 2025. Of course, it was a further opportunity for me to get stuck into another traditional Christmas Meal. In my world, you can never have too much Turkey! 👍😋🍗🍗
But it wasn’t to be! No sign of a Christmas menu at all – now that was a surprise! 🙄
Our table was right next to the mouth-watering Specials Board – some great choices awaited us and for me, more than made up for the lack of festive bird!
If the Specials Board wasn’t enough, there was always their usual Menu choices.
It was a relaxing affair with plenty of time to talk about this-n-that and everything in between, but it did feel strange without Ann being there! ☹️. The Pub itself was enjoying a busy lunchtime – if people are ‘tightening their belts’ there was no sign of it here today! 👍. As our lazy get-together came to an end, both the service and food had been memorable as always, in a good way – so good, I forgot to snap a photograph of my main course – Roasted Fillet of North Sea Cod in a White Wine Sauce. Me eating fish??? Surely some mistake! I just fancied it, and it certainly didn’t disappoint!
I left just before 3pm where the drive back was hassle-free, apart from the weather that was a wet as the journey there! ☹️. I was home inside an hour.
For our next gathering, in February 2026, we’re returning to Saxon Mill in Warwick.
I got into blogging quite late in life, not publishing my first post until 2004 – well into my 40s! My lifelong love of technology and communication (in all its forms), together with a fondness for the art of writing seemed to be the perfect combination to contribute a few words to the online community. But I’m no Samuel Pepys! If you’re looking for deep and meaningful comments on a variety of subjects, then you’ve arrived at the wrong site! I only pen for pleasure! On average, my posts appear about twice per month, covering family & friends, cinema visits, eating out, holiday experiences and techy stuff. Oh, and as this is my hobby, there are no sponsored links nor adverts here – it’s all done with love!
I hope you find it enjoyable, interesting and occasionally, even helpful!
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