Saturday 20 September 2025

A wander around Bath and a snack, then back to clam up for the Gala Dinner. This was held in the 2,000 year old Roman baths. A decent Loire Crémant on arrival, served around the bath pool, before we went upstairs to the Pump Room for the dinner.

First up was a wood pigeon and Guinea fowl pate en croute with a Louis Jadot Moulin a Vent Chateau des Jacques Clos de Rochegres, 2020 (a Gamay from Beaujolais). This was followed by Scottish scallop and lobster vol-au-vent with lobster bisque. The Garzon Maldonaldo Albarino 2023 a good choice (Uruguay South America). Main course was a 48 day aged roast loin and braised short rib of Hereford beef, fondant potato, spinach and carrot. Served with Zuccardi Valle d Uco Jose Zuccardi Malbec 2020 (Argentina). The truffled Bath soft cheese with quince emulsion was very British and the Gasper Goriska Rebula 2020 a sharpish white wine from Slovenia. Grilled peach with lemon thyme and a Chateau Coutet Barsac preceded the final petit fours and coffee and it was all over by 11.00 pm.

Sunday 21 September 2025

We all fronted up again for the farewell lunch at The Architect Restaurant and it was good to see a little bit of restraint. The starters, mains and dessert were a choice of two and the wines a lovely Picpoul from St Loup France and a Cote du Rhone red blend. Generously served too, for a change. A nice cold ham hock and pea terrine or potted trout starter was followed by chicken breast, pancetta and mushrooms or a typical sirloin steak and chips. These were all well executed and tasty. The desserts were a chocolate and orange tart or a lemon posset with raspberries. And that ended the three day Grande Chapitre for the UK National LCDR.

Monday 22 – Wed 24 September

The drive back to Stockbridge was pretty easy and we arrived at Laura Jane’s to drop off a bag for London, have a coffee and hit the road for Gatwick, where we met up with Jenny. The Easy Jet flight to Prague was full and a replica of a Jet Star flight and we arrived on time.

Our apartment for two nights is in Nerudova, on the hill and we share the street with the Romanian and Italian consulates, some gift shops and cafes.

Tuesday was a walking day.14,400 steps in fact. In mild weather we walked the streets, taking in the various architectural styles, many statues and visited a number of bars. We also did a food walking tour with another couple from Texas. Interesting (and hearty) Czech food. Heavy on the bread and dumplings, potato and beef. They do have excellent beers though. A stop at a flash rooftop bar was worth the effort and a nice Gruner Veltliner was a hit with the team. Even though we had a solid layer of peasant like Czech food on board, we did go to a local Italian restaurant for dinner. Good wine. Acceptable food.

Wednesday we moved to the eastern side of the river for the last night in a new apartment, close to the railway station, from where we will depart for Wroclaw, Poland tomorrow. It was here in this neighbourhood, that we discovered the Monkey Bar. 

This is attached to a local hotel and boasts inside and outside seating, rooms and comfy nooks. After a light lunch and a couple of cocktails, we went on a “Cold War” tour of an underground bunker. Great to see some 1950 to 1990’s communications equipment, including the complete bugging of the adjacent hotel. Apparently, it was used as a honey trap by the Soviets. Disappointing that they played no recordings but Flashy got to play with some AK 47's and a CZ sub machine gun.


Roman Baths Pump Room.






Fried cheese and potatoes, pickled cheese, schnitzel and potato salad, slow cooked beef and rice, and the famous boiled bread and meatloaf with lots of sauce!



The escape tunnel from the Soviet era bunker


In the monkey bar









Comments

  1. Graeme28 September 2025 at 19:08

    Disappointed I didn't see spotted dick or toad in the hole on the Chaine menu.

    ReplyDelete

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