Category Archives: Beer

The Ostrich and the Bumble Inn

The Bumble Inn, in Peterborough, opened a couple of years ago, but it has unusual and short opening hours. As a result, it’s taken me ages to catch the place open.

It was mostly populated by middle aged, real ale types. But there was a nice feel about the place and a choice of unfined beer.

And, over a year since our last visit, we called in to the Ostrich. It was already one of the best pubs in the city, it’s now made the full switch to craft beer.

Most impressive was the guest ale board, with a Buxton tap takeover.

Almost every one’s fish free too.

CAMRA

I feel like a spy. Or something like that. We’re in Charters, which (as I’ve mentioned occasionally in the past) is one of my favourite bars. And probably the best in Peterborough.

This weekend, they have a beer festival, with around 20 guest beers on cask. There’s discount for CAMRA members too.

I almost paid full price until my second in command prompted me. While I don’t carry my card, the accepted its picture.

So, we’re members of the Tyneside and Northumberland branch. Which kind of makes us undercover.

Candlestick

We’re currently enjoying a beer in the Cluny, waiting for food. After shopping in Team Valley, the beer was hard earned.

We also called in to the vintage furniture place, under the arches, buying a lovely knackered old candlestick. That’s it above.

Bridge hotel

It’s way too long since I was last here.

The Bridge Hotel, Newcastle.

Mean eyed cat

Today, I had my third visit to the Mean Eyed Cat in Haymarket.

Well worth checking out.

Matrix

My second in command bought me a watch for Christmas. I don’t like eearing a watch, but I do wear one for work.

But, last autumn-ish, I came across this beautiful thing.

Mine’s the one on the left, the middle one’s still in development.

Anyway, it’s pretty just a fitness-type watch, except it’s human powered. By body heat.

I started wearing it on Friday night, so one wouldn’t expect much activity. Wednesday was good, but I did walk across half of Manchester.

So, while Friday might have involved a crash after pressing the wrong buttons together, I think that Saturday may be typical for me

My walk around bars today is clearly my healthiest decision of the week.

Andrew

Andrew is a hero. In South Shields. In McDonalds, where I went to pee. On entering I found security guard protected toilets; also, a young girl warned me to take care because strange things were happening in the Gents.

I barely hesitated, because my need was great. On entering, I found the boyfriend of the girl outsite, unbuttoning a man’s jeans.

I should say that he’d been asked to do so by the wearer of said jeans. Unfortunately, the jeans gentleman also wore jogging bottoms under his outer layer. Apparently, he’d anticipated below zero temperatures.

Worse still, his underlayer involved a tie-cord. Which was firmly fastened in a knot.

Andrew (the boyfriend of the girl outside) asked me for assistance because he bites his nails and struggles with knots. I also bite my nails and find knots an impossibility. I was mid stream at the time too, so helping would have been a challenge.

On leaving the Gents, I located my second in command. Andrew, who followed soon after, confirmed that the knot was undone.

All ended well. Although I suspect the multiple layered man might not have fastened himself back up sufficiently (he seemed to be wearing weed-scented aftershave).

Should I ever bump into Andrew again, I shall buy him beer.