MADDOGLEP

Flic's advent calendar gift was a Manchester dice roll. We rolled a 4 which ment finding a Chinese. We decided to try The Rice Bowl on Cross St for the first time. A great choice. The basement dining room was about 85% full on a wet February Wednesday. Good atmosphere and service. The portions are large and we ended up boxing up about half of it. Flic had honey ribs to start whilst boss had satay chicken. For mains we had chilli chicken and slow cooked beef with aubergine. Fried rice and soft noodles to accompany. Washed down with pints of lager at £6.75. Will definitely be back, especially as our go to Thai has gone downhill.

Took a walk up to the castle, a steady climb but not difficult. Entrance to the castle and Alcazar only 2.5€ each for old codgers like us. 5.50 for youngsters. Paulicarus and Jorvic free. Decided to have a breakfast of coffee washed down with a cider. Very good coffee and refreshing cider. 12€ for two of each. Nicely shaded..must bake here in summer. Very pleasant in February.

When travelling the UK looking for pubs we like to buy thin pork sausages from proper and traditional butchers. Casta also loves to try the pork pies, bacon etc. The pies and bacon were yummy. Great white pudding and tastey black pudding. The sausages very good but not up to our all time favourites. ( Dales in Kirkby Lonsdale, Watson's Farm shop in Hope and Huddleston in Windermere.) Must try harder! Did not pluck up the courage to buy Pluck!