Meadow, River, Gastropub

Back in the Southern Town, we strolled across Port Meadow, a wondrous, large, public pasture land right by the town's centre. The meadow is home to cows, horses and other livestock belonging to residents of a neighbouring town. You sometimes need to navigate large numbers of cattle, lowing and chewing cud. People have been killed by cows. 

There is also much greenery.

There is water in the centre of the meadow. In winter, the lake floods, and can freeze.

The attractive blurred effect in the images below is the result of pocket lint and a foggy lens.

I looked for Ben and Holly under these thorny brambles, but couldn't find them.

Crossing a short bridge over the Thames. As the day wore on, the banks became crowded with shirtless male youth and females in bikinis. 

I fantasize about living on a canal boat. For anyone with similar fantasies and a fondness for crime fiction II'd recommend reading George Simenons Le Charretier de la Providence, 

which all takes place on canal boats among locks in France.

Narrow paths lead past the river, shaded by trees. The shade is welcome in this genuine heatwave that the country is experiencing.

The boat below may sail again, when tides rise.

We were headed to a local pub for lunch. We had been there before, and lazed, lazily, drinking pints under a grand weeping willow. The pub has now changed and added the word 'gastro' to it. This means that the venue is cleaned up, shiny tiles and pub paraphernalia installed inside, younger and more attractive bar staff hired, fancier food served, and prices raised.

To be fair it remains a very comfortable place, with dogs allowed, with some reservations.

The Weeping Willow remains. The umbrellas are a new addition.

This fella was pegged to the ground.

Despite the blinding midday sun this outdoor light was switched on. Inside, despite the fierce heat, a fire was lit in the fireplace.

A Gastropub is a bar that serves high-end beer and food. 'The term "gastropub" was coined in 1991, when David Eyre and Mike Belben took over The Eagle pub in Clerkenwell, London. Traditionally, British pubs were drinking establishments and little emphasis was placed on the serving of food. If pubs served meals they were usually basic cold dishes such as a ploughman's lunch. The concept of a restaurant in a pub reinvigorated both pub culture and British dining, though it has occasionally attracted criticism for potentially removing the character of traditional pubs. "Pub grub" expanded to include British food items such as steak and ale pie, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, bangers and mash, Sunday roast, ploughman's lunch, and pasties. In addition, dishes such as hamburgers, chips, lasagne and chili con carne are now often served.'

The most noticeable difference between a pub pre- and post-gastro is that the 'public' relaxed nature of the space has been lost. Pubs tend to welcome locals of all stripes (although of course this is somewhat idealised), where dress codes and not generally prohibitive. Gastropubs are more exclusive.

The banks became crowded as the day wore on.

Shirtless men frolicking in the sun.