Blackbird dining

Tonight saw dinner at the Blackbird, Ponteland. I never entered it in its nursery pub days, despite its historical associations; it was once Ponteland Castle (though probably strictly a fortified house rather than a fully keeped and baileyed establishment), was the site of a summit between Alexander III of Scotland and representatives of Henry III of England in the 1260s, and was sacked by the earl of Douglas on his way from Newcastle to Otterburn and the battle of Chevy Chase in 1388. It's now been reborn as a gastropub, though the drinkers were crowding into the bar area.

Food was good, though the choice for vegetarians like me was limited to the filling and well-flavoured mushroom and stilton risotto. I think that a Blackbird veggieburger would be a welcome addition to the menu, having sampled a fellow-diner's chips (presented in a small frying sieve) and admired the mushy peas.

Dessert was a worthy jam roly poly with vanilla custard and raspberry ice cream, and an image is included in this post for your consideration.

I shall have to try the beers another time: they included Wylam Brewery's Admiral Lord Collingwood, as well as Hobgoblin.