Highams Park (HIP)

 ‘H’ is for Highams Park

There isn't a suitable hostelry near Chingford station so we went to Highams Park. 

We started out from our local stations on the Overground, changed at Whitechapel onto the Elizabeth line and back on to the Overground at Liverpool Street.

     

Our goal was the County Arms at Highams Park

I am beginning to realise we are quite lucky to be able to eat in a pub at lunchtime.

These days the pub is used by drinkers and the café next door is for eaters.

When challenged one barman took us outside and pointed out three cafes in the same block as the pub. “We can’t compete,” he said.

We ordered two dishes from the main course menu and got a discount on the bill.

 

Keith ordered scampi, chips and mushy peas and indeed it looked a good meal. I, on the other hand, ordered the lasagne. When it came up it was overdone and did not look at all appetising.

However, I started to eat it but the top layer of pasta was hard and I was unable to cut it with my knife.

The barmaid came over to ask if the meal was OK and I told her it was not very good.

“Did I want another dish? Did I want a refund?” she asked, when she saw the food.

I opted for half my money back.

The rest of the main course was (just) edible.

We decided to have a pint of Carlsberg Pilsner each at a discount price (£3.99).

 

For dessert we had an apple crumble at £4.49 a dish which had a lot of crumble and not much apple.

 (Can’t seem to get apple pie these days in pubs or cafés).

 All-in-all the train travel was good but the pub took some of the enjoyment from our day out.

 

  

Anyone is welcome to join us on our travels, usually on a Wednesday or Thursday.