Lunch at the Whip
On this day in 1949, the British De Havilland Comet, the first jet-propelled airliner, made its maiden flight. It carried 40 passengers.
I am visiting family in Pennsylvania, having crossed continental America by jet. We take this kind of travel for granted - even Blake, the eight-year-old boy who sat next to me. He was excited by the view, but when we reached 30,000 feet, he reached for his backpack, pulled out two blankets and his small stuffed dog, and went soundly to sleep.
Frank Whittle, the inventor of the jet engine, was not much taller than Blake. Frank was five feet all, but he had a knack for overcoming adversity as we explained here (scroll down). And because Whittle did, I have the happiness of catching up with my family.
On Saturday, I went to a nature preserve with two young cousins, and their two dogs - mutts with British breeds - Cairn terrier, Wheaton terrier, beagle, lab and King Charles Spaniel - whimsically mixed. You could hardly call them beautiful, but they were jolly dogs. We walked into the woods, crossing Doe Run via the covered bridge built by a remote ancestor, and meeting riders as we hiked.
Sun and humidity combined to create an interest in lunch, and we found the Whip nearby. The menu, to my surprise, offered Bangers and Mash Shepherd's Pie, Ploughman's Lunch (aged English cheddar, Stilton and Branston pickle), Fish & Chips, Welsh Rarebit, Chimichurri rubbed steak with curry, Mussels in Strongbow Cider, Scotch Egg and Runnymede Watercress.
The drinks list looked something like this -
Newcastle Brown Ale
Morland Old Speckled Hen Pale Ale
Belhaven Scottish Ale
Samuel Smith Oatmeal Stout
Black Sheep Holy Grail Pale Ale
Orkney Skull Splitter Scotch Ale
St Peter's Cream Stout
Salopian Entire Butt Porter
Duchy Organic Bitter
Wells Bombadier Bitter
Belhaven Twisted Thistle
Sam Smith Organic Cider
You can sit outside, above a small creek. We ate and drank happily, and the dogs enjoyed leftovers.
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