Wasn't the Chattanooga Choo-Choo!!

After a brief rest yesterday, we headed out for dinner. Did a modest pub crawl first. The Wire Mill, another old restored mill made over into a restaurant and bar was lovely. Not as old as the Haxted Mill where we celebrated Karina's birthday, but nonetheless, impressive. I am absolutely knocked out with the age of buildings here, the levels of preservation and the absolute, bar-none charm of the area!

We had dinner at a restaurant modeled after our Road House style restaurants and had a VERY filling dinner there. Trevor remarked that as the restaurant is owned by an American, it was obvious to him that they were also trained to the standard of American service. Didn't think most young waitresses who were English would have been so accommodating!

We waddled out of the restaurant after we had wheedled a sparkly cowboy hat (plastic) from the management for Karina, She wasn't up to going out and had stayed in. Left there and headed to the Plough, the local pub for Trevor, and it was packed!! Honestly, I think that our Health Departments would have fits as most of the patrons had brought along their dogs!! Of course, these dogs are trained and well-behaved and most of ours tend to be a little wild! It got very hot in the pub, so I sat outside for a bite and people watched. When Jeff and Trevor came out, we headed home. Short pub crawl. The mind may have been willing, but the body sure wasn't!

We got back to The Old Byre to find the neighbor's teenage children were having a party they weren't supposed to be having ... until nearly 4 AM. Needless to say, I didn't sleep most of the night over the screeching of the girls and the howling of the boys and the music. Even closing the window with its triple glazing didn't help. Was dragging a bit this morning ...

Trevor "knocked us up" at 10 and we cleaned up and headed to a private historic railroad company. Old restored trains, beautiful dining cars with inlaid woods, gorgeous upholstery, paneling, deco lights and the crispest white linens on the tables one could ever imagine. We headed up the tracks while we had our starters (I had a leek, pear and Stilton soup -- lovely!!) and some Spanish champagne. The waitresses and bus staff were incredible balancing trays of open wine glasses and drinks and water as they swayed to the motion of the train. We passed fields of cows and sheep, saw pheasant and horses, a herd of deer and enjoyed the green, green (with a slight tinge of yellow and reds!) countryside.

For dinner, Jeff and Trevor had beef and roasted potatoes (Jeff, I think, could happily move here where he could have beef and potatoes any day of the week, lamb for the asking and no on requires salads or veg!); Karina and I feasted on plaice (fish) stuffed with sorrel and fennel, served on a bed of ratatouille with veg and new potatoes.

Stopped at the end of the ride and enjoyed a delightful desert -- summer pudding for me, and, you guessed it, chocolate something for Jeff! Had a chance to chat with he staff -- the caterer who does the dinner on the train has paid staff, but all of the engineers and firemen, conductors and train masters are all volunteer!! They definitely have a passion for the historical trains, and explained the engine's workings, the age and provenance of the engine, and the fireman, a braw young man shoveled rocks of coal into the boiler. The engineer valves and instrumentation was fitted out in high-polished brass, and the trainmen had a pot of tea with a fitted enamel cup snugged right up to the boiler to keep warm.

I am having some difficulty with the photos and promise that we will post copious ones on Facebook when we return.

After a perfectly idyllic trip, we headed back into Dormansland to the Plough where there was a festival going on with a pig roast and live bands and I think, much like the Adirondacks when there is an event, everyone was there -- with dogs!! We had a glass of wine, listened to the music and then headed back to the house.

Trevor then prepared dinner -- haggis and mashed potatoes with a small steak for Jeff. Ready ... wait for it ... I know there are some of you who will find this absolutely impossible, but I SWEAR it is true -- JEFF ATE HAGGIS!! And not one serving, but 2!! He thought it better with the whiskey gravy (correct!) but it was good. We are now resting a bit before I try to teach a reluctant Karina how to use e-mail so she can be in touch!!

Tomorrow, we head to London and we all will be sorry to part. A short train ride into Victoria Station, a couple of Blocks to the Lime Tree Hotel, and phase 2 of this saga begins. Looking forward to connecting with Scott who flew into England today to Heresford for business. We hope we can take the train out to meet him for dinner.

Trevor thinks he will be in London for business on Wednesday and thought we might connect for lunch. I can say that will be wonderful, but I need to put in at least 100 miles of tourist walking to try to shed some of these pounds!!! It will be a major undertaking when we get back to the States. I swear I have put on 10 pounds in just these 5 days alone!!

So, I will sing off for tonight to have a little more time with our gracious hosts and friends. Expect a resumption of the tale tomorrow night from London!

Off, with love ...