After a couple of pints of Taddy lager in the Tyne Bar, my second in command and I had food in the Cluny, with a pint of Erdinger. We’re now in the Cumberland Arms, or outside, with a rather nice Atom IPA.
Category Archives: Pubs
Kendal Calling
My second in command and I are currently sitting in the Tyne Bar, having showered and hosed-down our tent, following our return home, this morning, from Kendal Calling. It was a very grown up, little, festival. And we enjoyed it very much.
Oasis
Having missed a bus in Washington this evening, I decided to kill time with a quick beer in the Oasis; a decision I instantly regretted. It’s without question the vilest place on earth
Le Tour
Thankfully, phones allow tv streaming when things matter.
Charters
This weekend involved an unplanned, additional, night in Peterborough. We’d originally intended only to stay on the Friday, following a party, then spend Saturday night in Kings Cliffe. But this did give us the opportunity to visit the Wortley Almshouses. I’m only allowed the one visit though; my second in command isn’t too keen on the regular patrons.
We did, however, stumble into Charters on (technically) three occasions over the weekend. Well, it’s very much a summer bar.
Eating in Gateshead
I did decide on that second pint of Angara. It’s pretty addictive. Just looking at the menu. It’s a pretty small menu, but my second in command always tells me that small menus are better. You’re less likely to be served with freezer food.
Anyway, there are five veggie meals, two of which are labelled as vegan. That’s impressive, particulsarly since the other three look as though they could easily be veganised. And, worthy of mention since this, remember, is the northeast.
The Central’s a chain pub, belonging to the Head of Steam brand, now owned by Cameron’s. Hopefully, the other HoS pubs will have the same veggie-ness of menus.
I can’t stay today to try the food, since I have a family thing this afternoon. But, I shall soon return. Might have another pint of Angara before I leave though.
Angara
No, I’ve not bought a telescope. My late uncle Patrick was the astronomy expert of the family. I’m currently enjoying, and nearing the end of, a pint of Out There’s Angara. It’s as black as you can get and a bit chocolaty.
It’s quite gorgeous and locally produced too.
I may have another.
Alcohol frei
A conversation in a pub …
Me: Do you have Erdinger in bottles?
Barperson: Yes, we do.
Me: Thanks.
Barperson: There you go.
Me: Er, that’s alcohol free.
Barperson: Yes.
Me: That’s alcohol free?
Barperson: Yes, it all is.
Me: Do you have the alcohol version?
Barperson: No, they only do non alcoholic.
Me: They mostly do alcoholic beer.
Barperson: Oh, I’ve only ever seen that kind.
Me: Ok, could I have a bottle of Heineken please?
Going Forth
Last night ended in the Forth. And this afternoon picked up where I left off.
After some shopping, that is. We bought yet another battery back-up for phones (and some other stuff we don’t need). Well, the Glastonbury ones are £25 this year and they only manage one charge. And there’s the queue. So, we’ve bought a couple of higher capacity batteries and have a few older ones left over from previous festivals. There’s the car as a last resort, but I’m confident we’ll not need that.
While on the subject of festivals, is anyone else going to Kendal Calling? It’s only a month away and a festival at a very reasonable price. A whole weekend festival for half the price of the mainstream stuff (you can pay monthly by direct debit too).
And, this year, a great line-up too. Elbow are headlining on (I think) the Saturday evening, which is reason enough to go. And here’s Snoop Dog and the Kaiser Chiefs. Oh, and the Levellers (did I mention that a friend of one of the band killed our TV a few months ago? After a bottle of wine and most of a bottle of vodka. And some weed.) and, really worth seeing, the Lake Poets. But, as much as I love Elbow, and others, I’d go just to see Augustines.
And, should you be reading this, you should consider the same. Because You’ve nothing to lose but …
you’ve nothing to lose, but
you’ve nothing to lose, but
you’ve nothing to lose, but
you’ve nothing to lose, but
you’ve nothing to lose, but
… your head …
That was me, singing. I don’t sing very well, but I do recommend the band (Mr William McCarthy et al) though; they have serious potential.
Back to Glastonbury now; we won’t be going next year. I’m saying this in advance because I don’t want to be confused with the (many) people who can’t get a ticket, but pretend they weren’t bothered about going in the first place. We’ve simple decided to take a break. We may go again one day, but a gap is needed to avoid something pretty cool from becoming routine. We’re considering Lowlands or Benicassim next year. I’d favour the former, because I’ve been twice before, but my second in command seems to be drawn to Spain (it does sound amazing). Or we may do neither.
York
After a nice long sleep, I’m completely hangover free. That’s despite a day in York with beer. A civilised day, in quality old pubs, and in the company of old gentlemen; what more could a man want?
