Apparently, the ein is overkill. A couple of years ago, shortly before heading off to the airport (and home), we stumbled upon a cool bar near Bismarckestrasse. I made a mental note of its approximate location, but recognised that finding the place again would be a pretty remote possibility.
However, by pure chance, on this very evening, our hotel is just around the corner to the bar.
Today could have ootentially started badly. Fortunately,though, I only needed a pee on arrival at Central Station.
After work stuff, there was a visit to the Euston Tap. After a couple of nice pints (no pictures were taken), there was the Dolphin. And another couple of pints.
Oh, and more toilet issues.
Yesterday involved: Station East, The Central, The Bridge Hotel, The Box Social, The Union Rooms, Wylam Brewery, The Town Mouse and The Hospur.
A pleasant afternoon.
Yesterday, we travelled to Birmingham to see Elbow. At the Academy, a much better atmosphere than an arena gig. It was a shame that Newcastle wasn’t on their tour list, but somehow travelling for a gig adds to the whole experience.
I’ve long since stopped taking a camera to such events, it’s just something else to carry. So, I make no excuses, these are phone quality pictures.
Earlier in the day, we discovered a new old pub. In Digby.
Which claims to be the oldest pub in Birmingham.
There were some others, but none quite as nice as the Old Crown. Although we were also taken by the Victoria, near New Street. Oh, and most notably the Lamp Tavern, a tiny old Irish pub (not of the O’Neills variety, a genuine old one).
Breakfast this morning was in a rainy Burton on Trent. None of us had ever been before. Breakfast was nice.
I’m in transit to meet my second in command, well having a sit down while on my way to meet my second in command. In the Doctor’s Orders, a very nice micropub just outside Nottingham city centre.
I’m having a lovely pint of Magpie IPA. Earlier, I stopped off at a Wetherspoon’s, by the canal. For coffee.
I last called into that bar in 2005, when I was here for an Eels gig. We’d almost stole a table number (for the kitchen table), but conscience (and security cameras) deterred the theft.
Last night, we visited Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem.
Allegedly the oldest pub in England. The only pub built into a cave I’ve ever been in.
High Fell social club, just down the road to us, closed a while ago and has since been converted into flats. I’d never set foot inside the place, but I do recall a time when such places were a (bustling) social centre in most northern towns. Social clubs had their problems, of course; they were inherently sexist until recent years and most simply haven’t kept up with the times.
A couple of years ago, I visited Kings Cliffe ex-servicemen’s club. I can’t say it was very busy, but a band was playing and the evening must have been reasonably profitable.
There was a second visit last night.
It wasn’t a busy night.
But at least they now have a decent selection of Sam Smith’s beer. At a very reasonable £2.20 a pint.
Alas, probably not for much longer. Surely the place can’t survive much longer.
While my resolve was strong, I was drawn into Fanny’s Ale House. An amazing choice of beer (Berliner Pilsner for me) and a great fire.
And a link to the Northeast too.
And some blokes playing guitars and ukeleles upstairs.
Yes, Saltaire’s ok.
I generally try to avoid staying overnight for work, but there wasn’t a lot of choice today. Without the company of colleagues. In Shipley.
And that pretty much sums it up. I’m seriously unimpressed with Shipley. No, that’s a little strong. I’ve been here a few times, but haven’t needed to stay over before. It’s a nice enough place in daylight; the canal’s quite pretty and there are some really nice Victorian buildings.
But, after a shower, I decided on a beer before finding somewhere to eat (nothing vegan in the hotel). I wandered into the House that is a home (it might not really be called that, I didn’t stay long enough to take note). A lovely old building, it was horrible inside.
So I walked to Saltaire. Where I stumbled across the Cap and Collar, a craft beer bar. It’s small, but the barman understood my request for unfined beer. And I’d barely sat down with a pint when Elbow’s one day like this was played on the radio. The place resembles the Box Social in Town too, so I’m feeling quite at home.
I spotted another couple of decent looking pubs on my walk; there’s one next door. Which means I can have another beer or two on my way back to Shipley.
I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Ye Olde John O’Gaunt before, a few years ago.
It’s a nice pub, in Lancaster. Apparently, Oliver Reed once had a pee there.
We’re (kindof) back home now. In the Bridge Hotel. I have a nice Atom beer.
It’s a beautiful bridge, isn’t it.