Lunch at The Black Swan

The Black Swan is a Hall & Woodhouse Inn located just off the A23 at Pease Pottage (just south of Crawley). Yesterday I joined four old business colleagues here for lunch. With a combined age of 348 we have stood the test of time, haven't really changed much and still know how to party!

The Black Swan, Pease Pottage

Cosy interior view

The inn has been completely refurbished and offers a really warm welcome. Being a Hall & Woodhouse property the full range of Badger ales is on offer. I had a distinct feeling of deja-vu as Ros and I stayed in a Hall & Woodhouse inn only last week - The Lulworth Cove Inn in Dorset. And the menu was exactly the same. Three of us opted for hand battered fish and chips, the fish coated in a wonderful light and crisp Tanglefoot ale batter, and the other two went for Chargrilled Gammon Steak. Plenty of Rioja and Sauvignon Blanc was used to wash the meal down. For dessert the Treacle & Stem Ginger tart is a tangy delight.

The inn interior is cosy and very well furnished and the staff are friendly and attentive. If you are ever in the area then the Black Swan is well worth a visit.

What? No Wi-Fi?

Ros and I are staying in beautiful Lulworth Cove. The weather has been magnificent. Wall to wall sunshine. Great food, great ale provided by Hall & Woodhouse who own the Lulworth Cove Inn. But, we have had no wi-fi service since we have been here. So presently I am sat above Durdle Door using my Huawei 3 portable router and a Macbook Air to make this short post. I have much to catch up with when I get back home.

The iconic Durdle Door to the west of Lulworth

Chalk cliffs to the west of Durdle Door

So, that's it for now. I am going to enjoy the sun and the birdlife. Have just seen a Peregrine falcon...

More at the weekend.