In The Village...

We have just returned from a week with this lovely old but renovated cottage: No. 5 The Green, Binham, Norfolk. The village is tiny, yet it boasts a petrol station, superstore (but not of the large chain ilk) a butchers and a pub serving brews from the attached micro brewery amongst others.

The self proclaimed superstore or village stores which happens to stock a bewildering array of goods is owned and run by Trevor. He's a local born and bred with an accent to match. He expects his customers to behave themselves and will not shy away from reprimanding those who step out of line. I happened to witness one such occasion, whilst on an early morning mission for bacon, bread and non-bio washing liquid. Someone who shall remain nameless as I don't know their name, dared to utter the following phrase, which I share with you only in the safe knowledge that Trevor will not see it repeated, (no you wouldn't dare!!) His customer remarked that he wouldn't pay that much at Tesco, at which Trevor lept into discourse about the said word being worse than swearing. His customer immediately retorted with 'which word's that then? Pay?' Such jovial banter this early in the morning is worth getting out of bed for alone. I would have laughed but I though it best not to. In any case, The bread was very fresh, the bacon was tasty and the washing liquid met with approval, so all was well. It wasn't worth spoiling it with a misjudged chuckle at the lord of the supermarket.

The butchers also sold milk and bread and bore the same surname as that of the superstore. Perhaps there is some in-family rivalry over supply of village staples, but I didn't like to ask.

The Chequers Inn is well appointed at the intersection of the villages two roads, namely Front Street and Back Street. No imagination was wasted on naming houses or streets in this village. Much more care has thankfully been lavished on perfecting the real ales brewed in the attached micro brewery, all of which are flavoursome, well balanced and come in varying shades of brown. In line with convention however, it is called simply The Front Street Brewery.

The priory remains are a short walk out of the village and is now used as the parish church and the best hide and seek location in the country.

I hope you like it.