Friday 19th June 2025

 Friday 19^th June

SHE SAID:

Mum, Geoff & I went off to Alfriston, a village about 50 minutes away from Horsham. I had found a little National Trust place called the Alfriston Clergy House. It was the first place that the NT purchased in around 1890’s. It was a quaint little place, just like the village, which we walked around after the house.

In the evening I had my catch up with my old school friends. The original booking at La Pizzaetta Italian Restaurant was for 12, but during the week it dropped to 8, then only 5 of us actually made it to the restaurant! 

Geoff & Mum joined us for drinks at the Red Deer, then headed off to Ask for their dinner. I think we all had a good time.

Alfriston Clergy House

Drinks with Philippa. Elaine & Claire
at the Red Deer

Dinner with Julie, Diane, Claire & Elaine

HE SAID:

The day out was warm and interesting, with another unbelievably old place to walk around and wonder at. The evening went well, too. A couple of pints while we chatted with Varena’s school friends, then a tasty Italian meal. The recent proliferation of tipping culture is getting on my nerves here though. I was pestered about 4 times when trying to pay for dinner about including a tip. There was nothing wrong with any aspect of the meal. But that is just the basic minimum. Why are customers being fleeced for more? I didn’t tip.

Back at Wakefield Court I convinced Jan to have a Bailey’s out in the back yard as it was such a warm evening. I took out a couple of generous glasses of the stuff and found several other residents there already. Jan said that she never goes out there, so now we have shown her how easy and enjoyable it can be. Hopefully she’ll do it some more after we’ve returned to Australia.