UK – Day 10: Quest for lunch

So after a decent sleep, I spoke to my step mum. I am going to see her and my brother and sister tomorrow. I have not seen them since my last trip in 2011. Yes, it will involve another train journey, but not 5 hours thankfully.

If I had to say what was different about America and Britain, I would have to say that (and I am generalising here) for the most part it seems like the Brits like to get one or two nice things, eg. clothes and won’t buy much very cheap crap in bulk. However, the quality of clothes and general merchandise in the states seems to be noticeably poorer. Its a lot cheaper, and it adds a level below the “regular” stuff that is in the UK which sometimes make those items more appealing. Cheap is sometimes better, but it does clearly manifest itself when you head out. People in the UK dress with a level of care and style, whereas in the US, some people dress nicely, but we all know there are the dreaded “Walmart shoppers” who dress like they lost a bet and all their decent clothes.</rant>

Seaview – where food stops at 2:20pm PROMPTLY

East Preston

The Tower – our first stop

I had not eaten all day, but by now it was 1:45 and we were both hungry. So we decided to head out to get something to eat. What took place next I can only describe as very familiar to a certain story that is popular this time of year. We started out in East Preston.

We went to get lunch at a pub called The Tower. We went in and as soon as in there, it felt like the piano player stopped as we went in. Everyone in the pub looked at us. My mum asked if they served food and it was clear they did not, but they said a place around the corner did, so we left. We walked to the “Seaview” it was cloudy and rainy and cold, but we managed the 100 yard/metre hike nonetheless. We made it to “Seaview” and we found a nice chalk board with food listed. I found a nice Steak pie with puff pastry and went to the bar to order lunch. We approached the bar and placed our order, only to have the barman look up at the clock. It was 2:23pm. He said the kitchen stopped at 2:20pm. We looked at eat other and I felt like I was in some monthy python sketch. We asked him to check and he went off but came back with dire news. The kitchen was closed and the gas has been turned off at the mains. Oh my! Heaven only knows how they will turn it back on again tomorrow. So that’s 2 places visited and no luck. Feeling a bit like Mary and Joseph we set out on our quest again. I remarked that in the states, most restaurants stay open from say, 10am or 11am for about 10-12 hours and don’t really stop serving food. Imagine if a restaurant like that existed in the UK!!! They would be so successful compared to these out of date relics.

East Preston – yes, palm trees!

The Lamb in Angmering – stop 3 – also unsuccessful

We went to the town of Angmering and found a pub called “The Lamb” but again, it was not serving food. You know, at 2:30pm. So, again we got back in the car and headed toward Arundel. On the way there, I spotted a “Beefeater” and I suggested we pull in there. It is a chain of pub/restaurants around the UK. They bought up pubs since the 1980s much to the chagrin of locals and lovers of “classic” pubs. I kind of felt sad as the old pubs died. However, they have one thing in their favour: they serve food all day long!! What a concept.

So on our fourth try, we finally had some food. I had gammon, which is basically ham. Yay for food. No pies though. I really have a hankering for pie and chips. Soon my precious, soon…

waiting for the train so we can cross…

Gammon and peas and chips…and egg?

Angmering

After the lunch/early dinner, we headed to the glory that is ASDA. It is a large-ish supermarket which was bought by Walmart about 10 years ago, but you wouldn’t know it. However, much of the food is ASDA brand. I stocked up on scotch eggs, sausage rolls, chocolate and more.

I then got to do some home repair. After we got home I spent a brief period caulking the bath. Hey, its the least I can do for me mum while I’m here.

For reward, I got to watch the final of “Strictly come dancing”. I had no idea who the people were, but mum loves it and the costumes were sparkly. I even got to vote.