It all felt a little international. I was on a road built by Italians (or more accurately Romans) in a village called Dunkirk, when I unexpectedly found myself under a replica Eiffel Tower.

Keen to return to my English roots I thought the nearby Red Lion on the London Road might hold the answer, but I was wrong. It was shut up tight and, although a very scruffy bloke shouted out that it opened at 7pm, it didn’t look as if it had welcomed anyone for weeks, if not months.

It being noon, and not having seven hours to kill, I then noticed the gun shop next door and decided to head out of town as swiftly as possible.

The next pub I came across on Watling Street was the Queens Head in Boughton-under-Blean and, despite the mobility scooter parked at the door, opted to spend lunchtime there.

A Shepherd Neame house, which has clearly undergone considerable changes, it is currently being done up further and I'm sure the garden will be fantastic when it is finished.

A kindly lady at the bar, enjoying a drink with a top bloke called Pete, offered to walk round the other side of the pumps to serve me a pint of San Miguel.

I later found out this was the landlady's mum, who, like her hubbie, does everything possible to help her daughter Claire out. I should point out there was, temptingly, a Bishops Finger on draught but I needed to be awake all afternoon.

I ordered a soup of the day and walked past a couple of colourful artworks in the airy dining room to explore a delightful, decking-area and veranda on the back of the pub. Polite notices apologise for any inconvenience while the garden is being improved but there was still plenty of space to sit outside should you wish.

Back inside, the tomato and red pepper soup had arrived and I sat at a high table next to the fruit machine - switched off, I was told, as a money-saving exercise. With ever-spiralling electricity bills I wonder how many more bright, blinking, gaming machines will sit in darkness until hardened users request they are switched on again.

The soup, for £5.95, was spot on, perfectly seasoned and beautifully flavoured – Pete says he really rates this chef and from my own, albeit limited, experience he’s right.

Claire shared that she used to visit this pub as a kid and sit on the bench in the front window and has been desperate to invest in it for many years. She’s first to admit that without the help of her parents it would never have been possible, but with their support, not to mention a whole lot of hard work, she’s ensured her childhood dream has turned this gem of a pub into a wonderful community hub.

This is a big pub but it has been divided with several, separate decent-sized rooms and has been adapted to make the best use of space. I particularly liked the fact a dartboard is hidden behind a picture on the wall of the dining room and is only revealed when the darts team need it one night a week, very clever.

Whether the toilets were given a makeover pre-Covid like the rest of the place or have been done up more recently I'm not sure, but they are absolutely immaculate and up there for an award in the best kept pub facilities category.

I’d returned my soup dish to the kitchen at the back and ordered my second course, a chocolate fudge cake with ice cream for £4.95 – again, when this arrived I wasn’t disappointed. I should really have taken a picture but scoffed it far too quickly.

Claire chatted while I ate and said she’d seen online stories from a ‘secret reporter’ and now she’s starting to get the pub as she wants it, how great it would be to receive a visit – presuming, of course, it was a day when she was on good form!

Several others at the bar were raving about the Bear Island, which my new friend Pete also said he rated although, sadly, he says he can’t drink beers or IPAs since having Covid.

It’s the first time I’ve met a landlord or landlady who has been dreaming about taking over their beloved pub since they were a child.

Thanks to a large amount of support from both mum and dad, not to mention the wider community, Claire is living her dream. Here’s to the dream having a happy ending. Keep saving the pennies on that fruit machine - cheers.

Queens Head, The Street, Boughton-under-Blean, Faversham ME13 9BH

Decor: Dating back to the 16th century the pub has some beautiful historic features but it has been tastefully and thoughtfully renovated to bring it right up to date. The outside area, still under renovation, looks as if it will be impressive. ****

Drink: My pint of San Miguel was very welcome on a warm day and was well poured and served. Bishops Finger was also on draught, as were the other usual offerings from Shepherd Neame. ***

Price: Soup of the day was £5.95 A Bear Island will set you back a fiver and a San Miguel is 10p more, I assume other Shepherd Neame staples were similarly priced. ***

Food: I suppose you could say I missed the main course, but the soup starter and fudge cake finisher could not have been more impressive. My compliments to the chef, so highly rated by my new friend Pete. ****

Staff: Claire is the kingpin (or should I say, queenpin?) but she marshals her troops superbly and, with the support of mum and dad, has created a great pub at the heart of the community. *****

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