The essential guide to food and gyms in Medway

 

Kieran Watkin's dishes the dirt of the best places to eat both on and off campus, as well as where to burn it all off! (written by Kieran Watkins for The Medwire)

Not all university students have to live off tins of baked beans and pot noodles. Some may attempt to cook, some may wish to order a takeaway, but if you’re feeling adventurous, you could always sample the local cuisine of Medway. Here to help you with a few picks of the best fine-dining establishments is the Medwire’s very own guide to eating in Medway:

On campus:
The university campus has various cafes and restaurants for students. On the Kent campus, the newly refurbished No.1 Bistro in the Rochester building offers everything from maple pancakes at breakfast to lasagne in the afternoon.
On the Greenwich campus, there is Costa Coffee and a range of hot food in the Pembroke building, with food available in the Canterbury Christ Church buildings.
The Pilkington building offers the best choice for hungry students with a varied menu each day. The campus bar, Coopers, also offer pub grub. Watch out for their special curry nights too! The Drill Hall Library and the campus shop, Essentials, offer various snacks and drinks too.

Chatham:
Just a five-minute walk from campus is Chatham Dockside, where a host of fast food outlets and restaurants are all conveniently located next to the waterfront. For a quick snack, Burger King or Subway should do the trick. For cheap meals, Dean’s Diner and Pizza Hut will leave you and your wallet looking healthy. Student favourites The Real China (all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet) and Nandos are both available here. Fancy something a bit upmarket? Dine on Italian cuisine at Zippers or be treated to a bit of Mexican spice at Chimichanga.
Dockside is also great for coffee too, from the fantastic range of Panini’s at Caffe Fratelli to the Australian-inspired flat white at Boomers café. You can also grab a bite to eat and wash it down with a nice cold pint at the Ship and Trades pub, just off Dockside towards St Mary’s Island.

Gillingham:
When you come to Medway, you will realise that takeaways are aplenty. And I mean aplenty! You just have to walk through Gillingham High Street to see for yourself. There’s everything from kebabs to southern fried chicken, Thai to Indian; there is something for everyone.
Our favourites however? For oodles of noodles, head to Tai Won Mein where for just a fiver for head, you’ll be full for days. Dixy’s Chicken in Gillingham will almost certainly cure a hangover after a heavy night at Bliss, just off the High Street. And if you love American food, head to the Hollywood Bowl opposite Medway Park for one of Gillingham’s best-kept secrets.

Rochester:
In the cathedral town of Rochester, hundreds of café’s and tearooms with freshly made sandwiches are surely enough to tickle your taste buds. Pubs are aplenty here too, so it’s the perfect place for a Sunday lunch.
Our pick? Head to the yummy Serendipity cupcake bar for Rochester’s finest cup cakes.

And after you’ve eaten to your hearts content? Well ensure you don’t have a heart attack by signing up to Medway’s finest selection of gyms and recreational facilities
- Medway Park, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 336655)
- Roko health club, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 382333)
- Waterfront health and leisure club, Gillingham (Tel: 01634 280033)
- Virgin Active, Rochester (Tel: 01634 292900)

How to smell a rat on the first date

Forget the day of love, lust and happiness we saw waft into our lives yesterday, like a bad smell. Valentines; besides the copious amounts of glossy cards, wilting bouquets and last-minute dinners is just like any ordinary day. What is to say it is going to be the right time for a first date?

We all know the first date is supposed to be romantic. Whether it be a meal and a night out at the cinema, or a picnic in the park; it is the perfect chance to get to know a boy better. But what if he is not interested? How do you tell if he has put the effort into making the perfect first impression? Here is my guide, from a boy who has done all of the below and failed at winning a girl over, on how to ditch the guy who is not interested.

If his idea of a restaurant means a meal in McDonalds.
So he has just paid for you at the cinema, and he is a bit strapped for cash. Where does he take you, McDonalds? Classy right? No. Who wants to stare into their potential bf’s eyes over a Big Mac and fries? If he cannot afford to buy you a nice meal now, imagine the next date. Ditch him.

If he uses a voucher code to pay for the meal.
Ok, so if he takes you to a fancy meal at a Gordon Ramsey restaurant, it might be acceptable. But if he has you picking from a set menu at Pizza Express because it’s 2 for £10, he obviously has no money. Forget it.

If he takes you out on a Wednesday.
What’s wrong with Wednesday right? Wrong, Wednesday is Orange Wednesday. In other words, it means cheap cinema tickets and food that will keep his balance in check. In other words, he is a cheapskate. Dump him.

If he wears trainers and trackies to a date.
Imagine the pain and stress you have put into choosing your outfit, to find he has shown up in a Lonsdale tracksuit and a pair of Reebok classics. Do you really want to be seen around with that on your arm? Chuck him.

If he uses his mobile during the date.
If it’s an emergency, then of course it is acceptable. But if it is to poke a friend or tweet about the gorgeous girl sitting across from him, it is rude. It means he is bored of you. Call it off.

If he starts talking about his ex.
So you sit there talking about your life, struggling to stay conscious as you stare in to his dreamy eyes. Then suddenly the moment is ruined as he pours his heart out about his ex. If he even mentions her name, it means he is not over her. Lose him.

If he expects more than a kiss on the checkIf he is a decent, caring bloke he will know not to tread the line and simply kiss you on the cheek, and arrange a second date. But if he asks to walk you home, or goes in for the kill, he only wants one thing. And it is not to see your Justin Beiber album collection. End it.

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia