Category Archives: Pubs

Bird bath

This morning, at silly o’clock while waiting for a train, I observed a pigeon exhibiting unusual behaviour. At first, it seemed that the bird was lying in a shallow puddle on the platform. But then I noticed that the puddle was being fed by a steady drip from the roof. And the pigeon had positioned itself under the dripping water. I felt compelled to take a picture, which sadly didn’t quite capture the event.

On my return journey, I had enough time for a pint in the Parcel Yard, the bar in Kings Cross station. It opened a while ago, but I’d not had a chance to call in previously. And I was impressed. It’s a huge improvement on the old station bar; it claims to be the largest in the country. While some of the salvaged fittings are a little over the top, I’d happily pass a couple of hours there.

Well worth a look.

New year

Over the past few days, we’d been considering how to spend new year’s eve. We’d initially debated whether to make the trip to Peterborough and Charters, or stay local and go to the Bridge Hotel. After opting for the latter, my second in command’s recent injury forced us to reconsider. Her range, on crutches, was limited, so town wasn’t likely to be possible. But, a couple of days ago, a new cast made a real difference; her mobility is now vastly improved. So we settled on an evening in the Bridge, with perhaps a pub or two beforehand. We’d done pretty much the same thing the past two years and had enjoyed the atmosphere, including watching the midnight fireworks from the high level bridge.

Unfortunately, on arriving at the Bridge, we learned that the band had cancelled at short notice, so the pub would close at ten. The Central would have been a decent plan B, but the walk across the Bridge (and back to find a cab) wasn’t realistic with a broken lady. So, after another drink in town, we caught a cab back to the Tuns. Their band (the Ska-toons) hadn’t cancelled, and we bumped into a some people we’d met when we were away a couple of months ago, so the evening ended well after all.

Disability

Recently, my second in command has been experimenting with transport.

She was quite impressed with the stop button on buses, which emits a siren-like noise. Today, we visited our local hospital, where my second in command’s foot was scanned. We only need to wait 10-14 days for the results.

We’re hoping that’s some form of expectation management and that we’ll soon have an outcome. After our disappointment, we went, by wheelchair to our local.

Where people made a special romantic table for us.

And then there was a Â£1.60 cab home (with a massive tip).

Pies

Yesterday, my second in command had her first real excursion following her injury. We took a bus to the Central, where we seemed to be the only customers.

After a couple of beers and something to eat, we returned home to make pies. Mushroom and beer (Innes & Gunn original).

Now that she’s getting the hang of crutches, we’re considering venturing out again today.

Slush

Yes, slush, not snow. Yesterday, I was forced to delay my planned Christmas shopping and, instead, spend time in a pub.

And all because modern buses are unable to cope with slush on our hill. My journey from Washington to Newcastle was not possible after a couple of hours of snow. My bus had to turn back when attempting to reach our street; other buses were already stuck on the hill and my double decker was sliding from side to side.

My bus ride ended at Gateshead Interchange, where I realised that a return from Newcastle by public transport wouldn’t happen in the near future. So, I had a couple of bottles of Tucher in ‘Spoons while waiting in vain for bus services to our hill to resume. Eventually, I gave up when a bus to Low Fell arrived, walking from there to my local.

I may attempt some shopping today.

Bombay potato

While in a rush to Kings Cross, I stopped off at a Christmas market outside the station. Upon noticing lots of dead stuff on sale, I didn’t bother walking around and cut straight through instead.

In doing so, I found a stall selling veggie food. Best of all, a lot of it was vegan. I opted for a (huge) Bombay potato wrap, which I’ve just consumed on the train. I only mention it because it was gorgeous.

Also gorgeous was the pint of stout in the Chandos en route to the station.