Day 15 - Midweek Matinee

You might have figured out by now that our blogs have gotten somewhat lighter in terms of travelogue. That is because most weekdays we will be working on our various projects. However, we will endeavour to do our best in taking some time during these days to do something worth reporting on this blog. Take today for example. Salisbury has, in the middle of the old city, an Odeon cinema whose facade and outer lobby are Grade I Listed while the balance of the building is Grade II Listed (A listed building is deemed to be of significant historical importance and to be preserved. Grade I being of the highest importance, then Grade II).

It was built originally as the home of a wool merchant in 1470 and to this day the outer lobby has original beams from the Tudor Age. The auditorium part of the building was constructed in 1931 when it opened as the Gaumont Palace Cinema. In the '90s the original auditorium was split into 5 separate theatres, and today we were taking some time out for the 11:15 matinee of Kingsman: The Golden Circle in theatre 2. A little bit of comic book escapism in a glorious work of architecture

Two hours later we emerged into the daylight in search for a proper cod and chips. Oh yes, it is hard to believe that I have gone two weeks without having had traditional fish and chips. I knew it was too long as I could feel my arteries unclogging. Golden batter and chunky chips. According to the BBC, 'Winston Churchill called them "the good companions." John Lennon smothered his in tomato ketchup. Michael Jackson liked them with mushy peas.

Who first came up with the idea of mixing chips (which had been brought to England from Belgium and France sometime in the 17th century) with fried fish (brought into the country about the same time by Jewish immigrants from Portugal and Spain)? The answer to that question remains in dispute, but it was thought to have originated in the 1860s. Since that time, it has become a national institution, although in recent years it is no longer the dominant take-away meal, having surrendered its position to kebabs and pizzas.

Our takeaway meal was consumed in Guildhall Square, a centrally located open pedestrian plaza that hosts fairs and gatherings. We watched the locals make their way toward wherever, before heading back home ourselves (I might have waddled a bit given the portion size) to finish up our day.

Ale of the Day: New Forest Ale, The Downton Brewery, Downton, Wiltshire