Deans Diner

Today we decided to try Whiteley again as we knew there was going to be a market up there.  First of all we went to Deans Diner for breakfast having previously been to the one at Port Solent and enjoyed. It is very bright and sixties like inside which does encourage you to go in..

We chose the Early Riser breakfast which consisted of two American pancakes with maple syrup, bacon, two eggs and lettuce?  Jan also asked for two sausages mainly to take home for the dogs.  Value wise I think it was quite good at £5.50 but we can't really rave about it, because we have certainly had better. In our opinions it was all a bit undercooked. Pancakes a little bit doughy, eggs just about cooked and the bacon was very rare. We should maybe have asked for it to be crispy but we had to cut off a lot of fat. Even the sausages that we took home were barely cooked. 

We did point this out to the waitress but she just smiled and said sorry and I think was a little embarrassed. The coffee was £1.95 bottomless. I know it is all a matter of taste how people like their food cooked but we maybe won't be going again.

As I said today there was an 'Inside and Out Market' for house and garden.  It was held in the Market square up by the bakers.  It wasn't particularly busy and not too many stalls but nice to wander around. It was their first monthly market so hopefully as it gets known it will get more interest. Whiteley itself was busy as always but no trouble finding a parking space.  We quite like the mix of shops up there and going by the crowds it must be doing well.

As always we like to walk off our brekkie and today we went to Hook at Warsash. This is one of our favourite walks mainly because the dogs love it so much. There are two large fields and plenty of woodland and it is quite safe for them.  Mind you, having said that you do have to keep an eye out for adders sunbathing and at certain times of the year there are horses in one of the fields.  Here are a few pictures.

This is Peggy doing her 'up the tree' party trick.





        
Jake and Jessie have had haircuts!

Byeeee!

That's about all there is to talk about today,  more next week.........   Margaret x

LU CHINOS

Apologies for delay!

Due to the glorious heat-wave in the UK, it was too hot to take the dogs with us out to brekkie on Saturday. We decided to head back into Gosport to LU CHINOS, situated on the High Street.

This place is a little gem. The guy who runs it is genuine, friendly, funny and very welcoming. It also is an absolute bargain cost wise for what you get.

Not the healthiest option (but our breakfasts never are...!), but for £5.85 each  we got 2 eggs, 2 bacon, 1 sausage, fried bread, and 2 home made pancakes. And coffee included! (and you could have juice instead)

 Yummy! It has a tiny courtyard out the back with about 3 tables/chairs, and there are a couple of seats outside the front, though those would be a bit too close to the main street traffic. We sat inside as it was too hot out (make a change here in England!)

Following brekkie we took the dogs (Jake,Jessie and Peggy) down to Titchfield Haven. One of the better walks at the moment as they can cool off in the river, plus most of the walk is quite shady.

 And even Jake voluntarily paddled up to the top of his legs..so it must be hot!

Polly went for her weekly hydrotherapy at Richmond Hydrotherapy. She has had a bit of a rough month health wise, so its good for her to get out swimming which she loves, and keeps her joints moving. Rather than going to the vet every 2 days like she has been!

Catch you all next week, if you 'know'

 (NOSE - get it??!!) what's good for you! x

The Boat House, Swanwick Marina

We had quite a trail round finding somewhere for breakfast today, unusual for us as we normally have lots of places that we plan to visit one day.  First of all we went to the Jolly Farmer at Warsash which we have visited before and enjoyed. However today we asked for a full English and coffee and were told we would have to order the works, cereal, fruit juice, toast and marmalade, full English and coffee.  We didn't want all that so decided to leave.  We then went to Rumours at Warsash, again somewhere we have been before our blogging days and they were closed. By this time we were getting peckish so decided to go to the Universal Marina and see what the coffee shop was like there. It looked ok, no inside seating but undercover seating outside, but they don't do breakfast, only baps and sandwiches. Finally we ended up at The Boat House Cafe at Swanwick Marina.

At last we had found somewhere.  It was very pleasant sitting by the water on a very hot day like today

  

We had a nice brekkie although for £7 we thought it was quite expensive. Only one sausage so the dogs were on short rations this week.

 

This did not include the coffee so our bill was not far short of £18.

While we sat there we were trying to decide which boat we would buy when we become rich, 

or maybe not?

 

After breakfast it was really too hot to walk the dogs too far so we parked up in Posbrook Lane and walked through to the Titchfield canal, where at least they could get in the water. This week we had two dogs on sick leave. Polly is still poorly and Jake had to have a minor op under anaesthetic to remove grass seeds from his ear so he is still resting. Peggy and Jessie enjoyed it though.

  

We even got tempted and paddled ourselves to cool down.
That's all for now, more next week....... Margaret x 

Lakeside Country Park

 

It seems ages since we went out for brekkie, and if you read our blog last week you will have seen that Jan felt deserted because I was away on holiday. Just a slice of toast for breakfast. I was actually eating very well in Tenerife but I don't want to rub it in or she has threatened not to speak to me again.

This week we went to the Lakeside country park in Eastleigh and once again our friend Barbara came with us.  It was a lovely day so we took our dogs with us and ate breakfast outside. 

They do a mini, midi or maxi breakfast and also a veggie option.  It was very good value for £5.50 which included tea or coffee or juice. You had a choice of toast or fried bread.  Naturally we all went for the healthy option of fried bread (yummy).

The tables are lined up overlooking the little steam railway track so it was nice to be able to watch the little trains going by.  Saturday was a special Thomas the Tank engine day so it was quite busy.

As I said we had four dogs with us this week and after we had finished eating we went for a walk. There are plenty of walks marked out including one suitable for dogs off the lead which was nice. Here and there you need to get hold of them where the path crosses the railway track.  There are other areas where they need to be on a lead. Plenty of open spaces where they can have a good run.

 

 


 As well as the train rides there is also a playground for the children.  And, there is free parking. 

Unfortunately once again Polly wasn't well enough to come with us, but she did come round and visit later to see her boyfriend Jake.


Later on in the afternoon Jan and I went to the Warsash festival held in the Strawberry fields on Warsash shore. Loads of stalls and displays and a constant queue of people to get in. They were so lucky with the weather I should think they will have done very well.

Another very successful Saturday,  looking forward to next week.  Bye for now ............x