It's all in the game: England August 2012 (days 3-5) first visit to Chesil Beach Cafe

Monday

We left the Mullions and Sheringham, heading towards Cromer as I wished to collect some crabs for my Brother and Sister-in –Law (they are both lovers of seafood). We had a bit of a walk around Cromer, I had forgotten how pretty some of the old streets in Cromer were.

We headed down to the top of the harbour and took a few photographs along the beach and of the pier.

Picked up the crabs and then headed out along the coast towards Hunstanton and Kings Lynne, we had decided not to go via motorways but across country via Cambridge, Northampton and Oxford, then down to Dorchester, we stopped and had scone, clotted cream and strawberry jam, now this is a rare occasion as I, being a diabetic, with a few exceptions never eat cakes or jams, this being another exception after yesterday’s exception of the cake, if this carries on it will soon become the rule.

We arrived in Dorchester and a friend of my SiL having no car but a garage (I know, I know don’t ask) had very kindly given us the use of it during our stay.

As usual Manuela had prepared one of her Spanish dishes for evening meal, tortilla that wonderful Spanish potato omelette. We settled down and chatted about families and this and that and t’other. It was time for bed before we knew it.

Tuesday

Up and about early and after breakfast we decided that we would have rest day, We went around Dorchester (they have a smashing new cookery shop) but I find that Dorchester is a wonderful shopping town with loads of real shops, alas my favorite second hand bookshop has closed, but there are still at least another four.

That evening we were taken to a wonderful little Thai restaurant, http://www.thainakorn.co.uk/, my brother and sister-in-law had befriended the owners and had been invited to the wedding of the pair and also to the christening of their first born.

Both Linda and I had a nice starter of Thai fishcakes in a spicy, sweet chilli dipping sauce

I had a very tasty chicken Pad Thai for my main, while Linda had a spicy Thai chicken stir fry.

Manuela had the Satay Gai followed by prawn green curry

and John the Tom Yam soup followed by a duck red curry.

A very ice evening with very nice food and good pleasant service with no attention detail spared, well done.

Wednesday

We wanted to do a bit of shopping at the Wednesday market and then head out to Weymouth for the carnival and the Olympian parade in the open topped coach. It poured, most of the stall holders had decided to pack up early, but I got a couple of packs of wild rabbit, some strong coastal Chedder and Blue Vinney to take back to Germany. We then went to Portland and by the time we arrived the rain was just starting to let up, parking up at the Dorset Nature Trust at the Fleet and start of Chesil beach.

Linda I do believe I have found the cafe

We went into have lunch at Mat Follas’s new venture at the Trusts beach centre. It is a café and sight should not be lost of this, no plush table clothes, no linen napkins or polished silver, just wonderful tasty fresh food. Do not expect high end dining, this is not who it is aimed at, though they will of course be welcomed, this is for the bird watchers, the anglers and sunbathers that come to visit the fleet, we entered like two drowned rats, but that is normal and we were among friends.

We ordered from the small but comprehensive menu that doubles for a place mat, they also have a daily changing black board

and waited, but not for long, but long enough to take in the kitchen and head chef.

I had the starter of pork pie, piccalilli and salad followed by the Vongole, linguine in a rich ham, chorizo cream sauce, the shellfish being razor clams and mussels.

Linda had the mixed fish starter with a light tartar and mixed salad. Her main being a roast onion tart tatin with a goat’s cheese sauce, boiled new potatoes and a fresh green salad.

All of the food was perfectly cooked and the quality of the produce came shining through.

After feeding ourselves we went outside and watched the waterfowl feeding themselves, it just the turn of the tide so a great number were partaking at Neptune’s table.

Jumping into the car we headed back into Weymouth, parking up at the Swannery car park, took a few photographs of the waiting ducks and headed to the front.

By this time the sun had come out and the promenade and beach was starting to fill up, very quickly and very full, though not many in their bathing attire.

I certainly hope they are

We walked along the front, I got my fix of whelks and Linda took a photo of her fix but didn't buy any.

and then onto the harbour. The little rowing boat ferries doing a very brisk trade (there is a bridge about 200mtrs up river and it is free)

I do like harbours, I have seen a few in my life but they still have an attraction that draws me like a magnet.

We needed a Loo so satisfied this desire by popping into a nice make believe pub (a plastic seaman’s pub of yester-year) to have one of those and also an apple juice and coffee. They have a nice touch for those that a cannot or will not have a large pud!

We thought that by the time the parade reached here in 4 hrs time, we could be off to Westbay , to find out if any fishing boats were taking anglers out to the deep marks alas that was not to be.