FROM the Mayflower, Southampton to see Sir Les Patterson and Dame Edna Everage (courtesy of Barry Humphries) to The Mayfly, Fullerton (courtesy of mine hosts, Barry and Julie Lane) — for an after show supper. Here we experienced a fine ‘full-stop’ to a most enjoyable day.

Barry and Julie have been steering The Mayfly along the banks of the River Test for 28 years – in fact only two years before they arrived it was known for many years as The Seven Stars – and, if such a providentially-located pub in Hampshire did not exist, it would have to be invented.

Probably best known for a most picturesque of locations, which attracts many to enjoy an alfresco riverside pub lunch in better weather days, we arrived early evening with the River Test in full and noisy flood.

The Sprat and Winkle line used to pass near this pub, evidenced by the A3057 bridge with its many arches. Had Dr Beeching not got his way back in the early ’60s, Andoverians today could catch a train at Andover Town (close to where the town’s Sainsbury’s now stands) or Andover Junction and alight at Fullerton Junction with just a short walk to this most pleasant of hostelries, and not endure the rigours of what can be a very busy car park on sunny weekends coupled with the usual negotiation of who is going to drive home.

For this winter evening visit, all inside was cosy and warm, including the requisite roaring log stove, and we enjoyed a friendly welcome from the young and enthusiastic staff.

Much has changed with The Mayfly offering since our last visit, which has been far more years than I care to remember, this being for us, in the ’80s and ’90s, a much-favoured regular haunt.

Gone are the large joints of cold rare beef, roast pork and gammon with a spoonful or two of salad and a hunk of farmhouse bread (which, for serving, you queued patiently).

Now there is a waiter-driven table service with an interesting variety of both pub and British dining favourites, and that which we ordered were pleasingly presented.

My wife fancied the seared king prawns, chorizo and chilli and this came with just the right degree of fire.

Chorizo, also releases much more flavour when served warm, as was tonight’s offering.

While she tucked into her starter, washed down with a glass of Pinot Grigio, I enjoyed my beer and took time to enjoy the warm and homely touches of the bar restaurant including fresh flowers on our table and a high degree of continuous good housekeeping and clean tables – a matter that can sometimes be neglected in some busy pub establishments.

Our main courses arrived which were both sirloin steaks served with sauté potatoes, grilled tomato and watercress and a side dish of various, steamed al dente vegetables. The steaks were cooked precisely to order and were tender and flavoursome.

I enjoyed a glass of red Rioja with my rare steak.

For dessert I enjoyed a pear and ginger crumble and ordered the dairy honey and ginger ice cream to accompany it. My wife had the same ice cream plus a scoop of their ‘Heavenly Chocolate’ ice cream, which she judged as from ‘Elysium’.

Coffees, with a Baileys for her and a Drambuie for me, completed our repast which came to £57.30 plus drinks. We then left into a cold and windy night for the journey back home resolving to return again on a fine spring day.

DEREK KANE