English Breakfast consists of eggs, sausage, ham, potato, beans, mushrooms and a grilled tomato. In my case, along with several cups of tea. It's a traditional breakfast, and a perfect way to start my first full day after having slept 8 hours or so. I was at breakfast by 6:30 am, which is 1:30 am for those of you stateside. Breakfast was good. I asked for small portions, but I don't think the cook varied from the usual hearty plateful. I tried Marmite - a yeast spread that is popular here. You remember hearing in a popular song from the 80s by Men at Work singing about a vegemite sandwich? Marmite is similar. It was a paste made from what tasted like softened bouillion cubes. Very salty. I tried it. I'll try most anything once. Not to my taste, but maybe I didn't eat it how it's supposed to be eaten. I spread an ample amount on a roll. Maybe it's better on toast or with something like tomatoes and lettuce.
The little hotel where I am staying has both a restaurant and a pub. There's a lovely waitress/barmaid about my age who calls me darlin' and sweetheart, although I see it's not reserved for my lovely American self. She calls all the guests by those names. And it's dahlin and swit-haht. Lovely accent.
Yesterday I was sleepy all day. Mostly I stayed in my room, sleeping on and off until bedtime and then going to bed. I had to call for help because my electric tea kettle wouldn't come on in my room. A kindly handyman came straight away only to find it was switched off at the wall. Once I was able to fix my tea, things improved immensely.
The countryside I saw while I traveled from London to Basildon looked not unlike the countryside in western NY. Crop fields were smaller almost always in blocks edged by trees. This gives the effect of a patchwork quilt. Leaves are turning gold and coppery red, just like at home, although so far I cannot identify the type of tree. No maples. Oh! there is an oak tree in the hotel surround.
My plan today is to venture out to a nearby Retail Center across the highway. I was going to try taking the bus into town where more shops are, but I still can't figure it out. I have tried online to get bus stop info and directions, but when I put the hotel address in, their system doesn't recognize the address. Oh well. Maybe I need more rest to tackle that bit. I will stick to walking today and likely be back for a nap in the afternoon until dinner. There are several restaurants in the retail center - Outback and Burger King. I'll look for others that I haven't heard of before. I plan to look for an iron. I need one and it gives me a goal. If I happen to find my new bank along the way, I would be happy as well.
Til later! Leave me comments or questions below by clicking on Comments. Hope you all have a lovely day.
3 comments:
Wow that breakfast looks really intense. I don't think I've ever seen a fried tomato before. I like your idea of getting an iron as the day's goal—it's kind of amazing how such small things like using the bus or finding an iron become an adventure. All those brands you know—like diet pepsi—might just be a bit different. It's a really fun surprise.
Enjoy your day, relax into your new home—I'm enjoying all of your discoveries.
Congrats Sonja on what you've done so far - sounds like wonderful adventure. I'm now wanting to catch each posting to see what you're up to. Love the fish and chips pic. Good luck in your adventures....peg ristin
That was the ONLY day I got the full English breakfast. A bit too heavy and too much food. Thanks for the encouragement, Peggy!
Post a Comment