Fellini & Linguine

Rochester’s iconic Catalpa tree. An American Indian bean tree, which stands between the cathedral and the castle. The oldest of its kind in England.

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

"Life is a combination of magic and pasta." ..

Federico Fellini

As the train was heading out from St Pancras, I was trying to recall the last time I travelled by rail anywhere. I concluded that it was to Kent last autumn.

And it is again today. Rochester this time. For an Italian lunch with my uncle.

Rochester Cathedral. England's second oldest cathedral, founded in AD 604. Home of Textus Roffensis, the only existing written copy of the first code of English law.

Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall

It's the first week since Lockdown #3 that we're being allowed to eat indoors at restaurants again.

St Pancras seemed emptier than the last time I was here but some things have remained the same: https://stpancrasbysearcys.co.uk/champagne-bar-menu/

Stop No.1.

Then all aboard with my book plus a Marmite Loaf I've made for uncle M plus some pick n' mix (his favourite.) ..

A lovely stroll around this historic town pre-lunch. Charles Dickens liked it here: https://www.visitmedway.org/see-and-do/dickensian-medway/

A pre-prandial to write some postcards: http://olivers-rb.co.uk

Stop No.2.

A 1pm lunch here: https://www.donvincenzo.co.uk

Stop No.3.

We started with a hug, a gin & tonic & much chatter. Finally perused the menus to choose:

Calamari Fritti with Tartare Sauce for both of us

Carbonara for uncle M

Crab & Garlic Linguine for me

A bottle of Montepulciano D'Abruzzo

No pudding for either of us but there was coffee for one & another glass for the other.

I'll let you fathom which was for whom.

Fellini was spot on.

AMM