Day 1 - A trip to Upper Farringdon

Having arrived in the U.K. yesterday and being welcomed by our dear friends the Harsham's of Alton at Heathrow Airport with M&S branded individual wine servings, we settled into a good night's rest before beginning our 11 month adventure.  With bright skies and a warm wind we ventured on a hike to Upper Farringdon for lunch at the Rose and Crown Pub.  The walk took us through Chawton which was the home of Jane Austen.  You can visit the house and gardens (https://www.jane-austens-house-museum.org.uk/) to discover more about her and the life she lived.  One can also visit the pub (www.thegreyfriar.co.uk/)or the tea shop (http://www.cassandrascup.co.uk/) across the road from her historic home.

Along the main road through Chawton we passed Chawton House (https://chawtonhouse.org/) and St. Nicholas Church (http://www.chawton.info/St-Nicholas-Church/) before the road ended and we resumed our walk along a well-used path that eventually led to an uphill, cross-country trek to Upper Farringdon (the end of the trail leading into the village is actually downhill).

Unfortunately, the Rose and Crown pub was closed down and is currently for sale.   Angela quickly responded upon seeing the closure with the line of the day "Rose and Crown and Guildenstern are dead!".  However, armed with two biscuits left on our pillows by our friends and a bottle of water, we made the walk back into Chawton where we took advantage of Chawton House and its own tea room to have lunch (cream of leek soup, a buttered bun and tea for two).  Our return to Alton on foot was uneventful.  Now some of you may be thinking that we did not have much for lunch,  but we are planning on returning to the Greyfriar pub in Chawton for a substantial evening meal (and perhaps a pint or two).

Stay tuned for tomorrow's adventure!

Ale of the Day:  Abbot Ale, Greene King, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk