Stinky cheese

So today we decided it might be fun after taking care of some errands to go to Stilton, a town about 12 miles from base.  Stilton is famous for its cheese of the same name and they are proud of that heritage.  There are a few shops that boast their Stilton, but the one we went to is an Inn and it says right on its website that they are the "birthplace of Stilton cheese".  We went in and Cameron ordered Fool's Nook Ale and it was apparently fantastic!  I ordered a diet coke and the lady poured it for me out of the tiniest soda bottle I've ever seen.  It must've held 8 ounces if that.  We decided on a cheese plate to share and it came with "traditional accompaniments".  It had five kinds of cheese: Golden Cross Goats Cheese - Thomas Hoe Red Leicester -
Colston Bassett Stilton - Keens Cheddar – Milleens Dote.  I think the Leicester was my favorite, and one of them was really stinky (and tasted just as stinky), but I'm not sure which that was.  They came with very earthy crackers and some sort of chutney which was delicious.  I ordered the broccoli and stilton soup with bread and it was fantastic.  So far, every soup I've ordered in this country has been green.  The soup was fantastic, just like everything else I've eaten in this country (Well, maybe not lamb pizza, but that was my own fault).  London might be different, but everything I've had has plenty of flavor and tastes great.  Cameron got a stilton and tomato chutney sandwich, and it was super good, almost like a cold grilled cheese with tomato soup.  I kept looking around and marveling that the building I was sitting in was built in the 1640s!  Once we went up to pay, I was panicked slightly because I still don't know the tipping etiquette.  I asked a guy who was standing at the counter doing a crossword what was customary, and he said to tip a 'bit'.  I remember that 15% is definitely not the standard here.  I tipped 10% and hoped that was satisfactory.  So far, I've been told that tipping is based on discretion, and to not tip is not considered an insult.  We wandered around Stilton for a while and then headed back.  Above are a few pictures I took of the building!

Here is the menu: http://www.thebellstilton.co.uk/TheBellStilton_BarBistroMenu_Summer2011.pdf