Originally Posted by Toontje

This place took my card, but others are insisting on "chip and pin". Weird stuff because I always thought the only time you needed a PIN was on a debit, not credit card.

Anyway, the Brits have joined the Dutch as "chip and pen"-ers.

Originally Posted by Toon

argh! can't remember the name but think it was on Petersham Road. There was the park nearby and some sort of athletic grounds. Decent-sized car park at the rear; a bit of stained glass, and to my great surprise, dogs were allowed inside near the bar.

There were roast dinners of chicken and apricot, lamb, and sirloin; as well as salads like goat cheese and strawberries and grapes, and crusty bread with oil and balsamic vinegar for dipping -- a mix of old and new favourites. Even "nut roast" for the vegetarians. The potatoes were slow roast and there was veg on the side including broccoli and carrots.

I remember nearly the whole menu but not the name! I even remember reading the permit of "allowed" activities -- didn't know you needed a permit for dancing, for example.

It was a pub but it felt more like a restaurant; it was "child-friendly" and there were certainly loads of kids there.

(snowbunny logged in as Toon)

Originally Posted by Sarah

Whereabouts in Richmond did you go? I worked in Richmond for years and lived about 2 miles away - its a lovely place, always used to fantasise about retiring there one day.

Originally Posted by Ray

I have friends who live in the Park ...beautiful house ....

Originally Posted by rushman

My dad had a pub in Richmond called Te Black Horse. at the bottom of Richmond Hill on the Upper Sheen Road.

Originally Posted by Sarah

Not Dickie Attenborough is it? Used to go in his pub a lot.

Originally Posted by fatbrit

And then report the wankers here: http://www.chipandpin.co.uk/consumer/2005/problems.html

Originally Posted by snowbunny

Wankers away, my boys, wankers away.....

The worst offender was the ticket seller at Norbiton Station, South West Trains. Wouldn't even try it. But since I have the ticket still (24 hour pass) I know precisely what time it was. The only mitigating factor is that his English was practically non-existent and I doubt he spoke any of the languages we could speak.

There is a very noticeable difference between now and the summer of 2004 -- everything is more Americanised, especially adverts, and I guess I notice the Asian population more, though they are in most cases friendlier than the "indigenous" population. We did come across a "real" Eastender and he was nice as pie, older gent, lovely Cockney accent.

Well..... back to attempting to go to the embassy and do a few tourist things. Still haven't cleared the jetlag.

Originally Posted by rushman

They were dumbing down especially for your visit


"Real" Eastender? As opposed to a cheap plastic one from Walmart?

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