As I mentioned previously, the hotel in which we are staying was actually the stables of the Duke of Bridgewater (I think I may have given misinformation about this). The 20" thick walls are evidence of how old the structure is - there are original wood beamed ceilings and original archways as well as brick walls still in good shape. Behind the hotel is a structure built in 1580 which was the Duke's home. This structure has much of the original interior intact. The thick walls, beautiful woodwork, stained glass transom windows above the doors, the wood floors, the stairway are all still there. (am attaching some pictures of the house.)

All of the pubs that we have visited in this area serve food as well as ales, wines, etc. However, we are told that the hundreds of pubs in London serve only alcohol, no food whatsoever. The last pub we visited, The Woodside, had fireplaces going in all of the different dining rooms, which made for such a cozy atmosphere. We notice that there are virtually no tourists in these places - just locals. We are given the once over when we walk in - treated with politeness, but we are clearly outsiders! We have seen several of the same blokes (guys) at different pubs!

Santa came to the hotel this weekend. (Don't tell but it was actually John, the concierge, who fills many roles here.) The children do not sit on his lap unless the parents request it. Rather they sit in a chair beside him. This happened in recent years after there were some not-so-nice Santas around here.

Yesterday morning Mike & I drove to the opening of Krispy Kreme in this area. Only a few of the hotel staff had heard of Krispy Kreme, but, after we brought back dozens of fresh donuts for them, they had all learned about them! We didn't even eat a single one, after overdoing it so many times in the past! It was fun to introduce them to something new, albeit non-nuritious!