Piggy's ressurrected in Chatham

Looking back toward Rochester

Arriving early in Rochester, we decide to walk toward Chatham and Piggy's Cafe where we ate breakfast several years ago.

We curve around the boat harbour, pass a synagogue, and admire the surviving pre-war buildings along the high street.
We look back and see the spire of Rochester Cathedral and the keep of Rochester Castle behind us.

The Old Piggy's of Chatham

New Piggy's of Chatham Cafe

To our surprise we come upon Piggy's re-located in a smaller venue.  Ted, the proprietor, greets us merrily and takes our order.  Turns out that two years ago he was forced to move from the larger premises by the Town Council -- and what's frustrating to Ted is that the building still stands empty, along with other spaces along the row of store fronts where several businesses used to reside.

Pizzazz in the Old Piggy's

He tells the story that initially no compensation was offered, and then denied when requested.  Finally "after a fight," he received some compensation.  But the other closed businesses, those that did not query the eviction and did not seek compensation, received none.

Giant pig at previous venue

The previous Piggy's of Chatham Cafe displayed numerous ceramic pigs; now there is room for only a few.  A sad turn of events for Ted and Piggy's.

But gratefully he still flips tasty soft fried eggs, and brews a strong cup of English tea.

The Piggy's Cafe we remembered

An interesting Breakfast in Britain.

Rest-A-While in Strood, Kent

Headed for our favourite spot in Rochester, Kent, we decide to stop in Strood on this side of the River Medway.  “Rest-‘A’-While” Café stands on the V-corner where the two one-way streets that cut through the town centre reconnect. We almost miss the entrance -- Happy, now hungry, Husband happens to look up and see the sign 20 feet up the wall!  

We make our way past the dumpster and find ourselves in a warm and absolutely shining cafe. Turns out we entered by the back door.  The front tells a different story!

Almost everything about this café goes against our point system, as flexible as it is. The pictures are of food seem the variety that one would purchase from a DIY-Café-on-line-shop, the rigid table and chairs are attached and fastened tight to the floor and walls, a plastic DIY-café-on-line-shop menu sits on each table. 

  But the ultra-friendly staff make up for all that.  Ozzy, from Izmir, Turkey came to the UK 14 years ago.  He's chatty and insists on taking our picture, as we've asked to take his.

He keeps his café sparkling clean, serves very hot tea, provides newspapers, offers soft radio in the background, and has no noisy machines blasting on the scene.  There’s been an attempt to brighten things up with Christmas décor.  He talks of his homeland, Turkey, and we watch his eyes sparkle.  He recommends Nevsehir, Kapadokya for our next holiday, proudly describing fantastic scenery displayed on his phone screen.  The clientele, many workers donning reflective jackets, keep him hopping.

The food tastes great!  Typical cafe Full English Breakfast for Happy Husband and 2x2 for me -- an artsy touch with the bread arrangement -- a bit owlish!

 The sunlight fills the street while we eat.  We head out to enjoy the local art work -- sculpture of local shipbuilding.

 We head off across the bridge into Rochester for a visit to the Castle (an English Heritage site -- we do recommend membership) and all our favourite charity shops.

 Another delightful Breakfast in Britain.

Paul's Cafe, Greenwich UK

 Ah, the simple pleasures of a sugar-shaker that pours.  Little did I know, as I do not eat sugar, that  Happy Husband notices the flowing quality of the sugar-shakers.  And here at Paul's Cafe in Greenwich -- the sugar pours freely!  

Thursday Breakfasts in Britain have not faltered; it's the posting that has.  Between a daughter's wedding and the temptations of summer, I've been away from my computer.  Now the dark is returning to London, and my cozy computer corner welcomes me.

We'd spotted Paul's Cafe months ago, walking home from Greenwich via Deptford, crossing the Ravensbourne River bridge closest to the Thames.  

Nestled on a side street (18 Haddo Street, SE10 9RN) and hidden from tourists,  Paul's business is hopping. The proprietor of nine years, from Capadocia,Turkey, explains that the cafe is busy all day, catering to young professionals from the surrounding new high-rise flats springing up in Greenwich at an amazing pace.

Somehow we forgot to take photos of the food -- I'm not a fan of food photos anyway.  But it was hot & tasty -- no complaints.
After our meal we walked the short jaunt to historical Greenwich and enjoyed a self-tour through the Cutty Sark, fastest ship of its day!

Our recomendation:  Paul's Cafe is clean, friendly -- we enjoyed the quirky collection of teapots on the window sill -- a place to which we'll return for another delicious Breakfast in Britain.

On London's rooftop - breakfast at the Duck & Waffle

Spectacular way to celebrate one's 60th birthday! Breakfast at the Duck & Waffle in the new-ish Heron Tower in the City of London, erected in 2011.  Thanks to Tod's buddy, Mike, for the gift certificate!
We arrive on the 40th floor via glass lifts travelling a smashing 5 kms per hour!  The ads highlight the UK's largest privately owned aquarium holding 1200 fish, but we never see this.  What we do see is the spectacular view of London, stretching in all directions.

Street level, on Bishopsgate, a doorman greets us.  We flash our printed reservation, a requirement before we enter the private lift. Once up we join the crowd of early diners. Getting up on a Thursday for a 7:30 breakfast date seems popular.  Why is church on Sunday at 11:00 too early?  Ah, priorities of the young and those with cash to spend.



We studied the menu yesterday, sent upon request when I made the reservation -- from Duck Egg en Cocette to the "Full Elvis" Waffle, to Ox Cheek Benedict.  Sauce and sides seem to fill the items.

This morning I go for my standard order --two poached eggs on toast. We marvel at the Duck 'N' Waffles delivered to the next table (too shy to take a photo).  That, literally, involves a chunk of roasted duck perched atop a dark waffle!

Happy Husband goes all out, as it's his birthday, with the Full English Breakfast: pork & herb sausage, two organic eggs, organic Duroc bacon, grilled tomato, field mushroom, hash browns, scottish black pudding, and sourdough toast.  Baked beans are notably missing; we wonder, "Is this is a class thing?"

The presentation is plain -- I guess I expect lovely china or a flower garnish.  My two little white balls of egg nestled between two toasted white bread slices look lonely on the extra large sparkling white platter.  Perhaps they are urging me to re-think my choice and order more to fill up all that white space. Happy Husband shares a bit of his black pudding and hash browns that my eggs might look less forlorn.

We watch the morning haze burn off, and the outlines of the city sharpen. The ribbon of the Thames sparkles as it winds timeless through the urban construction, past Greenwich, past the Tower, past Whitehall, past Parliament, on to Richmond.

We probably won't return for breakfast, it's a bit crowded and loud for us, but we will return to use the rest of our gift certificate to sit in the peaceful glass atrium area and enjoy a cup of coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice while gazing out upon the spectacular city view below.   Ah, London!

Thanks Mike!