I am in England!
After landing in London two days ago I headed straight out of the city to explore the English countryside. And as pretty as it all was, I wasn’t able to stop giggling. Store front and restaurant names like Goblins Pantry, The Eel Catcher’s Daughter, and The Fox and Hounds brought huge smiles to my face as I was chauffeured from idyllic town to idyllic town in a friend’s Land Rover.
Who wouldn’t want to eat at Goblins Pantry?
The Copper Kettle, Magpie Centre, The Crutched Friar…oh, I still can’t get enough. It all seems so, well, so English. Fancy that!?
Downtown Hunstanton
My first two nights were spent in the Victorian seaside town of Huntstanton. This small town of around 5000 is a prime summer destination because of its long stretch of seashore. I thought it was particularly cool because during low tide I could walk the beach and pick-up clams (too bad I didn’t have a kitchen to bring them home too!). I also enjoyed the fact that both Prince Henry and William have a home in this small town.
Both mornings I made way to Mr. Bun the Baker’s, aka Pete’s, The Corner House Bakery and Tea Room on High Street.
The Corner House Bakery and Tea Room on High Street
The first morning he greeted me with, “That must be an American accent.” To which I replied, “Very American.” He then proceeded to introduce me to his array of traditional pastries. He also informed me that the Queen owns most of the land in the area and that her home (truly owned by her and not the British government) was quite close by. He boasted (in a humble way) that he bakes bread for her when she is in town (which she was – apparently she spends most of her time there these days) and that Princess Diana often frequented his old bakery in Richmond, located outside of London.
Mr. Bun the Baker!
My first breakfast in England…courtesy of Mr. Bun 🙂
Pete’s “sausage roll,” a delectable flakey pastry wrapped around a delicious sausage, made me a huge fan of this traditional baked good. He also talked me into including an English strawberry tart to my breakfast order…which didn’t take too much talking.
I ended up taking my breakfast at the same table as a local named Dorothy. She invited me over to share the warmth of the heater. I learned she had been coming to Pete’s bakery every morning at 7am for 9 years (her teapot is represented in the pic above)! We went on to chat for 40 minutes, and during that time I learned something fairly peculiar…my English is really not that good at all. Amazing!… especially since one of the reasons I had not prioritized a trip to England in the past was because I had it in my mind that there was no “challenge” or exoticness in going to a country that spoke the same language as me. Yet 30% of my conversation with Dorothy I was just hopelessly nodding as I couldn’t quite decipher what she was saying! Both accent and some of her phraseology completely had me stumped!
A sample of my “language barrier.” I am still trying to figure out what this means. Another sign that made me turn my head sideways was one next to a raised flower bed that read, “Don’t sit on the sleepers.”
When not at the bakery, I did tour a bit of Norfolk (a county known for carrots per Dorothy) and Cambridgeshire…
Entrance to Sandridgeham
After learning about the Queen’s retreat home, I had to go take a peek! Clearly she didn’t get the memo that I was in town.
The grounds included a visitor center, gift shop and hiking trails…but the home was off limits for us common folks. I did, however, catch a glimpse of it through the trees. It looked spectacular.
Next stop Ely…
Horses in downtown Ely
This pretty little town in Cambridgeshire was named after all the eels in the nearby river. The town used to consist of many “eel catchers.” Today only one still exists…and according to him the best way to trap eels is with dead cats. Ha! Now there is a fact I know you were dying to know! 🙂
Streets of Ely
Mr. Simms Sweet Shop! Looks like a place Harry Potter would buy Bertie Botts. I was completely amused by a sign out front that said their sale was ending “soonish.”
The adorable Eel Catcher’s Daughter boutique in downtown Ely.
The owner, Helen, is not the daughter of an eel catcher at all. In fact her father was an electric engineer…but “The Electric Engineer’s Daughter” didn’t seem be as catchy.
Beer Pong in Ely…who wouldn’t want to visit now.
Next stop Downham Market…
Downtown Dowham Market
During the Middle Ages, this little town was famed for its butter market and a notable horse fair. Today it seemed a bit more sleepy, but we did find a particular restaurant quite adept at…
Fish and Chips – an English staple!
Perfectly-fried, fresh local cod in a light batter accompanied by newly peeled chips made me understand why the English can’t get enough of this famous dish.
After lunch we headed to our dinner stop in North Norfolk…
The Rose and Crown in Snettisham
This traditional pub had a bar from the 14th century, low ceilings, old beams, twisting passageways and many signs that pointed to “The Loos.” Everyone had a pint in front of them…well, except me. Even if I had tried to use one of my new English phrases, like “bits and bobs,” my glass of rosé was a dead give away that I wasn’t from around those parts.
Dinner of moules and a winter vegetable salad at The Rose and Crown.
The huge fireplace was heavenly, and so was the food. So who started the rumor that English food was bad? I couldn’t disagree more.
At another table a father and son duo were streaming the Liverpool football match on their iPhone.
Cheerio, Huntstanton. To the big city I must go.
Now I am off to London! My train just departed from King’s Lynn and I will arrive at London King’s Cross (notice a theme…I am pretty sure every name in this country includes a royal title or animal). I am happy that my first taste of England was of its rolling countryside, stone cottages, sheeps and geese…the storybook elements that stereotypically depict this great country. It has all charmed me indeed…so much that I hope to be back.
Onward to witness the iconic sites of London! Cheers!
