The Millers Arms

It's been a little while since I showed you a pub.  Let me introduce you to one of my favourite hangout places.  It's already appeared on the blog once before, when my friends got hold of my camera for the afternoon!

Built in 1862 to serve the local mill workers, I hang out in The Millers Arms at least once a month.  This is the location for our Players social on the last Thursday of every month.  A chance for us to get together, chat about the latest production, catch up on gossip, meet new members and generally have a moderately nosey noisy evening together.  

It's a great choice - cask ales, a really good Chilean Sauvignon Blanc (my favourite), decent food if you are peckish and good size tables for large groups of people that they don't seem to object to you moving around as more people come and join you.  The conservatory is also really nice to sit and relax in.

The small courtyard garden is also great to hang out in when the weather is warmer!  In the meantime, the inglenook fireplace helped keep you toasty and snuggly during the ridiculously long winter we were suffering from.

Located on Mill Lane, near St Radigunds and close to the Marlowe Theatre, The Millers is also an old historic coaching inn and still runs as a B&B to this day.

Entrance is via the large double doors just opposite the old Mill where the river Stour runs through the centre of Canterbury.  The roar and gurgle of the water rushing through the sluice gates of the Mill is one of the sounds that is intrinsically linked to Canterbury in my mind, along with the tolling bells of the Cathedral and the squawk of seagulls on the University sports hall roof!  I could sit in the summer months with a cold beer and a good book and listen to the river for hours.

The Millers Arms was recently refurbished and has gone for an eclectic vintage vibe with old crates and antique photographs providing the majority of the decor, offset with ivory, vanilla and moss green walls and stained pine wood features accented by deep plums and aubergines.

Tables are large, homey and spacious and parties are welcome.   Magazines and newspapers are scattered for the patrons to use and the tables are simply decorated with small vases with fresh flowers.  Wooden chairs and leather benches are inviting and comfortable with plenty of room to go around.

The Millers feels a lot lighter and fresher than some of the older pubs in Canterbury, being relatively new in comparison.

Food is traditional and well portioned.  Ordering is via your table number - choose what you want, go to the bar, give them your order and your table number, pay and wait for your food to arrive. 

Cheesy chips are my go-to bar snack.
 

The L shaped bar is manned by very friendly and knowledgeable staff who are happy to offer their advice and recommendations on both your food and drink choices.

This is one of those pubs where you can pull up a chair, get in the drinks and sit and talk happily for hours on end.  The last session lasted *cough* 5 hours.

I also really like the fact you can pay for your order on card, even if it is under £5 AND still get cash back - so convenient!

For a bunch of amateur drammies, most are really camera shy.

Not these three though.  Hijacked my camera again. 

Bunch of posers!

A Sunday Lunch on A Saturday

No matter how big I get, I still love a good roast dinner at my mum and dad's house.

Sunday roast on a Saturday with the family?  Why not! 

Mum and dad live about an hour from us, so I jumped into the car and ploughed down the motorway, eager to see the family and tastebuds watering at the prospect of roast lamb.

Steve was unwell so couldn't make it this time.  This did however mean that dad got rosemary on his lamb, something he doesn't get if Steve is there as he really dislikes the taste.

It's been a little while since I've seen my aunt and uncle and two out of three of my cousins were there.  

Emma, the oldest of the cousins, is getting married this year so I caught up on wedding plans with her and her fiance, Paul.

Mum doesn't get to see her brother that often and when they do get together it is hard to get an word in edgeways!  

After hugs and greetings all round the bubbles came out.  

Sadly I was driving so had to stick to the non-alcoholic bubbles (fizzy water and fresh lime.  Which dad keeps on the patio.  Obviously).

With music from the Buddha Bar playing in the background it was time to sit down.

Everyone says that their mum's cooking is the best.  My mum's really is.  Eating at my parents house is like tastebud disco,  complete with sequin flares and platform wedges.

Starter:  New potato salad with smoked anchovies, parmesan flakes, fresh green beans, pancetta and a walnut dressing.

Divine.

Roast lamb for main.  Potato gratin, parsnips, shredded leek, pea and bacon in a cream sauce.

 Even Moses was after the lamb! 

A lot of wine got opened.  And drunk.  And opened again,

 After the lamb had been demolished it was time for a rest, talk and a lot of laughter.

Before moving onto dessert.

Mango tart tatin.  Minus the tart bit unfortunately as mum got too carried away in the kitchen and had a slight accident.

This didn't need the tart though; it was light, fresh and citrusy.  The mango had been steeped in lime and the cream had fresh flakes of coconut running through it.  It was like being on a beach in Koh Phangan rather than South London!  

Cheese boards were all laid out and ready to be carried through to the living room.  Groaning we made our way there, slightly daunted at the prospect of yet more food.

My sister got the fire going and we all curled up in our favourite seats to share childhood stories, reminisce about made up games that were half forgotten and laugh about old mishaps.  

There was more wine.  Sadly not for me though.

I had plans with friends back in Canterbury that night so I quietly slipped away, leaving them to continue their merrymaking well into the evening.