Chequers Inn, Well

Today we had an extra treat in store. In addition to sampling yet another English Pub we celebrated a somewhat early Christmas lunch with the Bennetts; Merrilyn's family in Fleet. They had recommended the 15th Century Chequers Inn at Well, near Odiham in Hampshire.

We had all agreed to meet at 12pm, and we were well on the way to making it in good time, until fate intervened with a failure of the front passenger tyre. Just after we approached Crondall we heard the unusual tyre noise and pulled over to investigate. Sure enough the tyre was completely flat and sitting on the rim. It was cold - only a few degrees - but there was nothing that could be done other than get on with the job. Merrilyn gave Peter a call who fortunately was almost at the pub. Dropping his family off he doubled back the last few miles and came to our rescue. By this time I had only just managed to drop the spare from its cage under the floor pan. Not an easy job! We agreed to leave the tyre until after dinner so there we left the poor Zafira.

Well is a small village of only a few homes. It was a crystal clear day but being so cold overnight (Peter informed us it was -6.5 degrees in Fleet) there were many pockets of frosted grass and some patches of ice on the road. The pub itself if cosy with the entrance to the main bar part of the original building. Beyond the bar is the dining room which is located in a more recent addition. Very spacious and decked out with Christmas bonbon. Of course we all enjoyed roast and Yorkshire puddings. James (our little one) was true to form and polished his off in a jiffy.

Over lunch we caught up with the family news. We were all thrilled to hear that Richard has been accepted to Bath University - his first choice - to study mathematics. James is studying hard in preparation for his exams next year. But I think with Richard moving to Bath next year it will be an exciting time for the family.

With lunch completed we set off on a short walk past some of the beautiful properties in Well. We stopped at a converted barn to admire the frozen pond sitting under an oak by the road. Peter tossed a rock that bounced across the surface making a strange reverberation. Yes - it was frozen.

Peter dropped James, Merrilyn, and I back to our car and gave me a hand changing out the tyre - Thanks Peter!! However those clever engineering folk at Vauxhaul had one last trick in store. Neither of us could reassemble the type cage under the floor pan without fear of threading the bolt that attaches it to the car. In the end we used some wire to "bodge" it. Examining the failed tyre I could not find a puncture. The sidewall is destoryed so my only conclusion is that we must have had a blowout - possibly on the M3.

Quite an adventurous day. And to think we were hoping just for a quiet ale and a nice chat!

Photos are here.