Old Haunts, Franks and Iwona

This food thing is never going to stop....Later today the first sight of any salad at all.  Two choices; knuckle down and eat sensibly or just simply go with the flow.  I'm going with the flow.. the former choice will wait till Canada.

Bacon sandwich then Kim and I on the road into Northampton.  Quick call to Reece to suggest he joins us and then into the centre of Northampton walking from his apartment. 

 

First stop was the Saints Shop at the Garden's only to find we were two hours ahead of opening. 

 

 

 

Then a sudden knock on the window of the adjoining office and a blast from the past.  Ex police colleague Andy Tresias had spotted me loitering with intent and came out to reconnect.  Stadium Manager at the Northampton Saints now and couldn't be convinced to share the team sheet for the Saturday game.

 

 

 

 

 

Then into Northampton and lots of memories walking through the town and most of them very happy.  Radio Northampton at the top of Abington Street a regular place for me giving interviews back in the day.  The old and historic buildings wrapping and comforting.  It is something that Canada just does not have to any significant degree.  A house over 100 years old in Canada is a heritage home and tickets for viewing are sold.  In the UK we live in them and barely raise an eyebrow until 300 years of weathering has occurred.

 

It may be just because we have been in Canada for five years but the town looks and feels less upbeat.  It could also be the fact that Abington Street in under construction.  It truly feels a bit worn and torn; the hitherto bigger retail outlets a little less prevalent.  Perhaps a sign of broader ills in the UK and also reflected in other town centres. 

 

It was nice for Kim and I to have a picture taken where we were married 10 years ago.  The very historical Guildhall.

 

 

 

We were looking for a specific welcome gift for Austin and Marks and Sparks looked hopeful.  Why are these stores so bloody hot?  Fleece off and T Shirt weather in stores and itching for the fresh air outside.  Took a quick look in a subterranean sports store as well which felt like a sauna.  Not many places distract you so much that you literally give up the will to buy anything simply to get out.  The sports store hope was a Saints shirt for less expense than that in the Saints Store at Franklin's Gardens.

 

 

 

So down to All Saints Church and the Market Square.   The market was in full flow and the last vestiges of the annual St Crispins Street Fair still evident.  So its was to the Old Bank Pub mission not accomplished on the shopping front but with lunch beckoning, and to be fair a very reasonable pub lunch for minimal cost.  Steak and Ale Pie for Kim and I at 10 Pounds for two meals.  Also the obligatory allegiance to the mighty Saints on the wall.

 

 

 

After lunch we took Reece home and then started out for Grange Park before deciding to do a tour of our old haunts and our village home in Little Brington.  We took a circuitous route back out through Shutlanger calling in quickly to say hi to Marcus before heading through Towcester out then to Weedon and then through Flore to Little Brington.  Reflections on time well spent in Middle Barn Fermoy Court

 

 

 

before passing the Saracens Head on the way to the Fox and Hounds in Great Brington. 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Brington to childhood village for Diana Spencer before she became HRH The Princess of Wales.  Great Brington is the closest settlement to Althorp House the home of the Spencer Family.

 

 

 

So tour over we then headed back to Grange Park to prepare for dinner out at Franks Hamburger House.  Samantha's choice for her birthday dinner and nice for us to be able to treat everyone.  Alan and his children Owen, Lara and Thea; Reece and Iwona (meeting for the first time) Samantha and Kim and then me and finally not eating Austin.  So nine in total.  Iwona is absolutely delightful, a really nice girl.  So good to see Reece settled and remember we are just walking in on a relationship that has been there for two years.  They are a great couple and we had some very good laughs during the evening.

 

 

 

The meal was really, really good and I can honestly say the burgers were as good as anything I have had in Canada.  I would even go so far as to say better than most.  If you are ever close to a Franks give it a try.  So food at the start of the day and food at the end.