September 2023. Lamberhurst, Tunbridge Wells.
Weeks have taken on a fairly consistent shape in recent months. Weekends spent with my parents in Waterbeach attending to shopping, doctors appointments and Chung Hwa collections, followed by trips to Mrs RM’s Mum and Dad in Tunbridge Well to try and get my father-in-law back on his feet.
We decided what he needed om Tuesday was a trip out to an, ahem, “recommended” pub in luscious Lamberhurst, which has mysteriously evaded this blog over the years.
We also decided that what he really needed was some hot, greasy food from a van on the side of the A21 just past Pembury, and if I say so myself my rapid stop in the gap between Out to Lunch and a French lorry was a thing of beauty, a bit like the Cumberland sausage bap.
The Old Boy running the burger van was a comparative newcomer (he said), only been doing it since 1986. His bap (cob/roll) made my father-in-law very happy.
If I’m honest the beer at the Chequers was less successful; Mr Spencer’s taste buds haven’t quite recovered from a bombardment of medications.
Not that that was the fault of the Chequers, whose only crime is scatter cushions and a colour scheme that Mrs RM didn’t warm to.
One side full of gentlefolk eating a rather more upmarket menu than in the parking bay on the A21.
Interesting snack menu, to be sure.
Interesting beer menu too. One cask, one cider,
five (5) crafty kegs. Who are they aimed at ?
Well, Mrs RM, I guess, but I made her have the Harvey’s for research purposes and, as is always the way when I’m driving, it looked and tasted superb. A cool, foamy 3.5, one of the best Harvey’s in a gastropub anywhere.
“You’re very welcome” said the landlady.
“Thank you”
“You’re so, so welcome”.
“Er, you’ve forgot my lime and soda”
“Don’t worry, it’s only 60p; you can pay it next time”.
Well, with only a GBG licensee pack to distract me, I DID worry, just like Red that night Andy escaped from Shawshank.
And as we left, I handed the nice lady 60p in silver.
She looked, not horrified exactly, but completely bemused. Did she think it was the most paltry tip for a 3 course meal in the history of gastropubs.
“It’s for the soda” I shouted back, and the 60p went from tip jar to till.
retiredmartin 
You’re confusing people by using cash. Just use your card like everyone else, remember to press the “no gratuity” option, and avoid ambiguity.
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Yes, I think the AI robots that now staff our gastropubs can be infected by the micro germs on cash.
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You mean Lamberhurst isn’t a German sausage???
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The Chequers seems much more upmarket than it was in the mid-80’s, when I worked in Lamberhurst. https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2015/07/border-country.html.
It was a two-bar establishment back then, and was popular with office staff from Crown Chemicals. Us plebs, had to make do with the now long shut, Horse & Groom, halfway up the hill, on the old road through the village.
I quite like the colour scheme, even though the saying is “Red and green should never be seen,” to which the reply is, “Unless there’s something in between!”
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If we can meet up after your cruise I’ll drive you there for a pint of Harvey’s, Paul.
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Thanks Martin, that sounds like a plan.
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Or maybe join t’other Paul on his cruise ?
They’ve very good from what I’ve read.
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We were in there on Friday -still just 1 Harveys pump & 1 cider. Expensive food & very few customers -Pauline
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