Pigeon

My quizzing buddies are called Mick and Mike. We had accumulated £240 in quiz prize money (US$320) and as it is Mick's 68th birthday today,  we decided to go out and spend some of it.

We descended upon "The Rising Sun" at Nether Green and bought pints of local beer. Not something I am used to doing on a Monday lunchtime. Then we sat down to peruse the menu.

Being less sophisticated than me, the other guys picked meals fit for factory workers - (a) pie of the day with chips (American: fries) and (b) burger with chips. However, I was in the mood for something special and memorable so I went for pan-seared pigeon breast, leg lollipop, pea puree, boulangere potatoes, pigeon jus and wild garlic oil. I followed this with a dessert of white chocolate mousse with honeycomb, strawberry gel and shortbread crumb.

My meal was delicious. I hadn't eaten pigeon in decades and I had forgotten how earthy and tender it was - a real taste sensation. From now on those wood pigeons that descend upon our garden had better watch out. I will have my catapult ready.

As usual Mike, Mick and I conversed merrily for the full two hours we were in "The Rising Sun". How many words have we exchanged in the past thirty years? Thousands of them - like a vast shoal of sardines. 

It's nice to know other humans with whom you feel wholly relaxed. No need to prove anything. No need to show off or feel nervous about getting a word in edgeways. We can just be ourselves until the next time we meet up and the shoal of silvery sardines grows even bigger.

"The Rising Sun" at Nether Green

from Yorkshire Pudding https://ift.tt/fTwnxj3