Kinsmans Calling

Now that Mollie's made her UK visit & fed back to her state-side posse just how great England is, it was only a matter of time before more Kinsmans came a-knocking.  This time around, Aunt Donna & Samwise were stopping into London on the tail-end of their week-long romp around Europe.  Sam had registered for a brief summer session at the LSE, so Aunt Donna stayed over in London for a couple of days to help him settle in.  To take advantage of their arrival, Fi had booked a table at the Duke of Wellington for Sunday lunch, so the Kinsmans met us (Fi, Tania, Mummy, & yours truly) there for some proper English victuals & getting-to-know-you chit-chat.  

Sunday lunch at a pub can be a pretty exciting prospect if you've done your homework.  Fi had researched gastropubs in Marylebone, & the Duke seemed very well-regarded, so I had high hopes for my meal.  Upon the grounds of experiencing traditional British fare, I convinced Samwise to opt for the beef with me, & we were not disappointed.  In a pint's time, I was presented with two slabs of savoury 28-day aged sirloin flanked by duck-fat roast potatoes, carrots, savoy cabbage, & an embarrasingly large Yorkshire pudding.  Om. Nom.

Though the roast potatoes weren't a patch on Mrs. Mooring's, the rest of the vittles quite redeemed the meal, & in no time, I'd stuffed my meat-stomach to contentment.  Sunday roast can be a beautiful thing.  After lunch, the six of us chatted for another hour or so, thoroughly entertained by Aunt Donna & Sam's travel tales.  Good times.  Upon leaving the pub, Fi & I parted ways with the other Moorings & accompanied the Kinsmans on some errands til it came time for us to head back to Oxford.  All told, the visit wasn't much more than a few hours, but I really enjoyed myself.  It's always nice to see family, esp when you can eat some delicious meat in the process.