Out for Brekkie!

Saturday, 8 March 2014

Poppins Restaurant, Petersfield

Today Jan and I headed off to Petersfield for breakfast. We went to Poppins Restaurant.

For some reason we thought it was going to be a quaint, older style little cafe, maybe it was the name that made us think that. But no, inside it is very modern and bright. We had the inclusive breakfast which was very nice. it was obviously cooked to order and was served nice and hot.

We thought it was very good value too at £6 each. This price also included two rounds of buttered toast and jam, and a large mug of coffee or tea. We were well looked after, quick service and friendly staff.

After breakfast we had a walk around Petersfield market and shops. For a small town there are a surprising number of shops and restaurants. Not sure who the soldier is on the horse but quite impressive overlooking the market.

I thought this was a lovely feature, really typical of an old country town. Sorry about me on the left, sure it spoils the character.

The whole town is a mixture of old and new. I do have a bit of a soft spot for Petersfield as I lived there for a couple of years during the war but left when I was three, so no memories at all only what I've heard from family.

After the town we drove down to the pond to take some photographs and we weren't disappointed.

It is very beautiful, think I would call it a lake but they signpost it as a pond.

This week with the weather being a lot kinder we have done a couple of really nice walks . Yesterday we went to West Wittering. We went at low tide and we had miles of lovely almost to ourselves. The dogs loved it, even the oldies as it is so easy going for them. The fitter two were able to run to their hearts content.

Hundreds of geese either coming or going, not sure which.

The only disappointment was that the cafe doesn't open during the week in the winter. Not surprising really as apart from us it was nearly deserted

As we were craving coffee by this time we stopped off at a little cafe just down the road from the beach called The Landing. We bought some coffees and pastries to take out. Very nice.

Today we did one of our regular local walks at Warsash Common.. Made a change not to be wading through water although still quite muddy in places.

That is all for this week, do hope this weather lasts a while.........................Margaret x

Saturday, 1 March 2014

Southsea Coffee Co

After hearing rave reviews about the Southsea Coffee Co, and a personal recommendation from the owners mum (who Jan works with!), we decided to head into Southsea to check it out.

Entrance to Southsea Coffee Co

All the reviews are correct - great little café tucked away on Osborne Road. Welcoming 'earthy' atmosphere as you enter, and a small selection of tables and chairs in the main room, with a smaller snug area (that could seat about 8) further back.

The snug area

Huge selection of coffees, and the blackboard emphasises the freshness and locally purchased produce used (the bees who 'produce' the honey are very happy apparently!!).

What was so different and appealing was the diversity of the breakfast menu, and not just the standard cooked brekkie or pancake theme that we normally go for.

Yummy menu

Absolutely delicious. We both had the toasted banana bread with vanilla marcaspone, fresh raspberries, blackberries, blueberries and banana drizzled with honey.

Even more delicious than it looks!

Yum Yum!
The little touches, like the miniature milk bottle and old syrup tin containing sugar, made the 'oldy - worldy' appeal that bit more special.

The walls are used for local upcoming artists to portray their murals/promote their work.

Reflection of mural in mirror

So - well worth a visit!

We went for a wonder around Osborne road/the market afterwards. Very quiet for a Saturday morning, especially as lovely and sunny for a change. We decided it is probably the sad decline of the shopping area in favour of Gunwharf up the road.

Park by Southsea seafront

Lots of dogwalkers out in the park, and the seafront roads open again after the heavy rain/windstorms of the last few months changed the shape of the shingle/sea defences.

Managed a couple of walks with the dogs all together this week,

Jess - Pol - Peg - Jake

Peggy Weggy

Polly Wally

Re-visiting our least muddy haunts - the occ rain fall this week keeping the flooded areas topped up sadly.

Pol Peg and Jake wading through the flood

Jessie washing the mud off

Jess with muddy feet

Doggies enjoyed it, no-one fell in, but poor old Jake got a bit stuck in the deepest bit so was rescued by his mum.

Jake struggling in deeper flood water

Rescued!!!!

Awww.

Still need wellies though..................

Jan and Peggy sunk a bit

Is frog spawn edible????

See you next week..........

Margaret seen deep in Jessies eye!

Thursday, 27 February 2014

Sprinkles Gelato Southampton

This week we couldn't resist another visit to Sprinkles. This time we went to Southampton so that we could comment on a different restaurant. It is a real guilty pleasure and please don't expect to eat anything else that day. Jan chose the White Chocolate Sensation as she loved the look of mine last time and she was not disappointed. She had it with whipped vanilla ice cream.

To make a change I chose the Peanut Butter with Chocolate sauce and M&Ms. Lovely, but it beat me, I could only eat half of it. I had it with Pistachio ice cream.

Take a look at the full menu. We went quite early so it was relatively quiet then but apparently it gets very busy later with queueing to get in. Remember they are open from 7am to midnight seven days a week.

By the time we had finished we seriously needed to walk so we strolled up through the market and went in one or two shops. Don't often go to Southampton so made a bit of a change.

Our doggie walks are still somewhat limited because of all the mud but we still get them out. This week Polly did her usual swim at Richmond Canine Hydrotherapy.