A quiet corner of Sevenoaks

Today is our 11th wedding anniversary and, to pinch a very funny quote from my brother in law who shares the same wedding anniversary date "we went out for a meal to celebrate 11 years of wedded bliss - well, that's what Susan tells me!"

No, seriously it has been a wonderful 11 years and we're looking forward to many more to come.

After a swim, a coffee and 1/2 a muffin (I know how to treat a lady) we went to Sevenoaks for an afternoon of browsing followed by a meal at a Loch Fyne restaurant. We've lived in Kent for over 35 years and although I've been to the town for various reasons before I've never looked around the town centre.

The High Street is not the most pleasant of environments with lots of traffic, noise and fumes but the side streets are interesting enough and make you look carefully. This old pub, The Black Boy, has been in existence since 1616 selling beer from the country's oldest brewer. To the right is an old church, now converted (pun) to shops and offices. Not a lot of interpretation to help you appreciate the buildings though. I would have expected the town to celebrate its heritage more than it does.

Reading "Cross Country" by Peter Ashley makes you look at architecture and landscape much more carefully and be more observant.

The meal was nice too, and good value. An £11.99 for 3 courses deal which would have cost twice as much a la carte. Cullen Skink followed by tagliatelle for Susan and Cullen Skink followed by roasted salmon for me. Both excellent, as was the mango and passion fruit cheesecake, the glass of white wine and the pint of golden pale ale on the pub before.

Another great day.