Sunday 29th August 2021

Had a bit of a coughing fit at about 0230...so didn't feel very rested on waking. Had breakfast sat out in the back garden, before setting off in the car for Chichester. Had a wander round the city centre...some impressive Georgian buildings, and an extensive cathedral quarter. Drove on to Lymington, a journey which took us along the eastern fringes of the New Forest. Lymington was much bigger than I'd imagined, and very quaint down by the quayside...there is a vast marina. The Elderflower, which we'd spotted on a TV programme, was on the quayside, and benefits from a fresh supply of locally caught fish. We enjoyed a 4 course tasting menu. First up, sea trout tartare with avocado & wasabi, gin and tonic cucumber, and basil. Second course was pan fried halibut with St Austell Bay mussels, pickled roscof onion petals, lemon puree and a crab veloute. 

Next up, fillet of beef, crispy sweetbread, smoked marrow, sauteed mushrooms and a wheatgrass veloute; dessert was elderflower parfait, marinated strawberries, strawberry and lime sorbet, gooseberry cloud with a strawberry jus frais, and a white chocolate and strawberry doughnut. We really enjoyed it! Drove back down the M27, and got back to Findon around 1815. Had planned to buy some soup or something equally simple for supper, but the village shop was closed, so we crossed the road and ordered a chicken biryani to share between us. FaceTimed ma and pa...it seems they are to take Jim in tomorrow, as Karen wants him out of the house while she beds in with her new job. Not fair on ma and pa, but they seem very philosophical about it. Watched a bit of telly before bed.