The Middle Bell

Today we visited my mate Helen as it was her birthday last Thursday. She lives in a small village and all things being well, will be about 5 mins away from me when we move ( seems to be going ok this time! ) at the end of the year. The village pub closed for good about a year ago, but the couple who bought it have turned it into a lovely family dwelling with a small tea and gift shop at the front. Very conveniently it's just across the road from Helen's house, so we paid it a visit.

After cake, coffee and a good old natter, Sav and I went over to his dad and step mums and from there, later on, we all went to The Middle Bell for dinner. It's run by a friend of mine and he has found the most excellent chefs. Upstairs is an Italian type place, pizza and pasta, and downstairs more traditional food. Today we ate downstairs for the first time and it was delicious. No wonder they have just won The Taste Of Staffordshire award for the second year. Not bad considering he's only been running it for two years.

As you can imagine, I'm a bit full now. Still, plenty of time to digest this tummy full before tomorrow's lunchtime date with both our mums at the pub that my brother manages!