IT IS true what people say, the older you get the harder it is to keep friendships close.

Working long hours, families and other commitments mean finding time just to sit down over a glass of wine with your besties is a job in itself.

This is why a group of us devised our own “WI meetings” and nowmake a point of getting together once a month to have a catch up.

Having never been to the Thundersley pub for a drink, let alone a meal, I was a bit apprehensive but the smartlooking interior and tables gave a good first impression.

I chose the Malaysian chicken to start which was a huge portion of breaded, spicy chicken with a coleslawstyle salad of pepper and onions. It came with an impressive curled poppadum which was ideal for scooping up the creamy veggies.

My friend Kate went for salt and pepper squid which was beautifully presented and Sarah went for a the traditional favourite of prawn cocktail. The cocktail was more of a bowl filled with prawns – so much so you could probably have chucked some chips on the side and had it for a main meal.

The main event was obviously the roast and the pub has a variety of options including staples like beef and pork as well as a mixed platter of three meats.

Ever the traditionalist, I went for pork loin roast which came with what can only be described as a gargantuan Yorkshire pud and a generous slathering of gravy. Kate chose the platter – lamb, ham and pork – which again was accompanied by a world-beating Yorkshire and a side of fresh, steaming veg.

Ray’s lamb was also perfectly cooked and was polished off quickly.

Sarah decided to break the mould and ordered the Sunday favourite of scampi and chips. It came with a mountain of chips.

I wasn’t sure what a “chocolate junkyard” was and wasn’t too impressed when it arrived for dessert. It was just a chocolate mousse with bits of grated chocolate on top.

It led to me eyeing Sarah’s Oreo cheesecake enviously as it arrived with a healthy dollop of ice cream.

Sadly, we are not known for sharing food so I made do with my dessert as Ray tucked into a gorgeous sticky toffee pudding and Kate finished off an apple and rhubarb crumble. Both were perfect winter comfort food.

Even though it might not be in the easiest location to get to, it’s worth heading to the Woodmans for a Sunday roast.

THE BILL

Salt & pepper squid £6.95

Malaysian chicken x2 £13.20

Prawn cocktail £5.95

Lamb roast £12.95

Roast meat platter (lamb, ham and pork) £14.95

Scampi and chips £10.95

Pork loin roast £11.95

Chocolate junkyard £4.95

Sticky toffee pudding £5.25

Apple and rhubarb crumble £5.50

Oreo cheesecake £4.95

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