We rarely make it over across the channel to the UK these days, which is a shame. I kind of miss the place. So we were very happy to accept the invitation to Chie and Geoff's housewarming party/BBQ in Haslemere, Surrey. They decided to trade their London appartment for a 16th century country house in Surrey. Given Haslemere's proximity to London (about 1 hour on the train to Waterloo), not a bad deal I would say.
We flew in with Easyjet to London Gatwick, expecting to arrive around 7 o'clock, jump on the train, and arrive in Haslemere comfortably around 8-9 o'clock. Wishful thinking. Easyjet had us sitting in the plane for about 2 hours before takeoff - at least they gave us free drinks and snack! (non-alcoholic, though, for the drinks). There's a first time for everything, eh !? Well, to cut a long story short, we eventually arrived at Chie's and Geoff's house around 11 PM.
The next day, we got up bright 'n early, as there was plenty of work to be done before the party could start. Actually, Chie and Geoff moved in quite recently, so there were plenty of tables, parasols, grills and things to mount (not to mention preparing all the food!). The weather looked a bit menacing at the beginning, so I was a bit afraid at one point it might all be for nothing, but thankfully, the sky cleared up progressively. I even managed to get the fire going in a grill, in spite of most of the firewood being wet after the rain from the previous day. I was rather proud!
People started arriving around 2-3 o'clock, and amazingly everything was ready by then. Loads of booze, more beer than you could shake a rather huge stick at (Japanese beer, local beer from the Hogsback brewery, exotic beers you name it), and of coure huge amounts of food as well. Thankfully, BBQ meister Sinhung arrived to help out on the grill (it rather quickly became obvious he has much more experience than me with that sort of thing).
Most guests were colleagues of Chie and Geoff, but there were a few folks from the old gang present as well - Sinhung, Nick and Philippe. Nick arrived, of course, rather late (he came straight from work, so we'll forgive him), and Philippe as well (he came all the way form Paris, so we'll forgive him as well). But great to meet a bunch of new people as well, from loads of countries (that's something I really miss in France - the cosmopolitan aspect of life that I so enjoyed in the UK).
Needless to say, we had a fabulous time. Great food, loads of beer (too much?), tennis, playing pool inside the house, the guided tour (yes, a historic house like this surely deserves a guided tour given by a professional architect, Geoff was happy to oblige). We went to sleep ridiculously late, well and truly nackered.
The next day, we got up a bit less bright 'n early than the day before. But well in time for the main activity of the day - pub lunch! We went to a place called The Dog and Pheasant (now that's a proper name for a pub). It's a proper pub in every sense of the world, the interior decoration is just perfect. Me, being a big fan of traditional English pubs, obviously loved it.
I had the Sunday roast (obviously!). Now, it seems that my culinary tastes have evolved somewhat (for the better?) since I've moved to France. Let's just say that the English Sunday roast just isn't my thing anymore. Overcooked meat, with equally overcooked vegetables, swimming in thick gravy, with a piece of Yorkshire pudding on the side, it just doesn't do it for me anymore. But, hey, it was a Sunday pub lunch, so still loved it! (and I did love the Eaton Mess I had for desert)
Our appetites sated, we Geoff and Chie took us on a tour of the surrounding countryside in their Range Rover (we normally don't do sightseeing in a car, but given the rainy weather, we quite happily agreed to their suggestion!). Haslemere and the surrounding countryside is really kind of like an idealized version of the English countryside, just like one imagines it. Lovely, well preserved villages, well maintained houses and gardens, narrow, tree-lined country roads. Just perfect. Must say it again made me miss the UK a bit...
The next day, it was sadly time to pack our bags and fly to La Rochelle, where we were continuing our holiday. A great weekend, thanks Chie and Geoff for a great weekend! We'll be back soon!
We flew in with Easyjet to London Gatwick, expecting to arrive around 7 o'clock, jump on the train, and arrive in Haslemere comfortably around 8-9 o'clock. Wishful thinking. Easyjet had us sitting in the plane for about 2 hours before takeoff - at least they gave us free drinks and snack! (non-alcoholic, though, for the drinks). There's a first time for everything, eh !? Well, to cut a long story short, we eventually arrived at Chie's and Geoff's house around 11 PM.
The next day, we got up a bit less bright 'n early than the day before. But well in time for the main activity of the day - pub lunch! We went to a place called The Dog and Pheasant (now that's a proper name for a pub). It's a proper pub in every sense of the world, the interior decoration is just perfect. Me, being a big fan of traditional English pubs, obviously loved it.
Our appetites sated, we Geoff and Chie took us on a tour of the surrounding countryside in their Range Rover (we normally don't do sightseeing in a car, but given the rainy weather, we quite happily agreed to their suggestion!). Haslemere and the surrounding countryside is really kind of like an idealized version of the English countryside, just like one imagines it. Lovely, well preserved villages, well maintained houses and gardens, narrow, tree-lined country roads. Just perfect. Must say it again made me miss the UK a bit...
The next day, it was sadly time to pack our bags and fly to La Rochelle, where we were continuing our holiday. A great weekend, thanks Chie and Geoff for a great weekend! We'll be back soon!
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