Profil von sycamoredesign

I used Java & Jazz to meet clients several times now. I really like the informal setting, the background music, the furnishings, the friendly staff and atmosphere.

Oh yes... the coffee & cakes are always a welcome addition - full of flavour and good size portions.

Next task is to arrange a lunchtime meeting to check out the menu!

We reached the Tom O The Wood by canal on a narrowboat.

Our route took us past many canal side pubs and you would be hard pressed to better the Tom!

We were worried it would be too posh to allow dogs, but the initial modern “gastro” restaurant look & feel soon vanished! – the truth was that CJ was greeted with a dog biscuit from a huge vase full at the door & was welcomed with open paws! The same welcome was afforded to the kids as well!

The decor & furnishings was beautifully done, a lot of effort & time had been made to create a very smart pub/restaurant.

Their fantastic menu was matched by a great selection of real ales & wines

On our 120 mile trip, the Tom was possibly the nicest pub we found – don’t miss it, moor outside & check it out for yourselves!

OK, as we drifted on a narrowboat to a mooring right opposite the Cape you could practically taste the beer!
After a long days cruising, a drink & one of their well known fish dishes was going to round off a perfect day. Unfortunately we had missed the kitchen!

But… “here are the take away menus, take your pick, order, get it delivered & you can eat here”!

Their selection of beers & ciders was great. The friendly atmosphere was even better & best of all – they welcomed dogs! Oh yes, and kids!!

Belgium is famed for its lack of humour, the Manneken Pis is their attempt to fight back! I can see little point in this famous little statue except to make people laugh… stand with your back to it & watch the expressions of your fellow tourists – not a bad way to spend a few minutes before heading off to museum or for a beer!

If you find yourself in Brussels during Christmas, make your way to the Grand Place and feast your eyes on the nativity scene! What ever your religion (or lack of it) the effort is worth it!

No visit to Bruxelles is complete without experiencing a traditional cafe bar – La Mort Soubite (if you ignore the name!) is hard to beat for authenticity! I can not help wondering how many thousands of hours have been lost over a beer or two in this amazing place! Artists, lovers, politicians, tourists, political activists, business men & women, poets, writers… Check it out, have a beer & a snack and loose yourself in the atmosphere of the place – I hope you will thank me for sharing it with you!

I’ve lost track of the number of times I have visited Batemans – open air concerts / WW1 & WW2 weekend events / Indian Horse Regiment displays / re-enactments / a quick snack or afternoon tea… whatever the excuse its worth it every time. I never tire of the house and its history & always glean a new snippet of information whenever I walk round!

Quite simply… STUNNING! We’ve been back time & time again, never tiring of the experience

As National Trust members living nearby, we make full use of our passes & visit many times every year. Their WW1 & WW2 weekends make it a must for us & the kids. We never tire of the castle & its views – overseas friends, especially from the USA, are usually gobsmaked by their visit!

Right on the A21 it is easy to drive straight past this Fish & Chips / Chinese Takeaway – BIG mistake! Consistently well cooked F&C mean that we keep going back. My veggie daughter is not a fan of F&C – no problem… a full selection of Chinese dishes are available as well! Veggie Chow Mein is a big hit with her!