After a call to the SPCA (a man was killing pigeons in Argyle Street), we returned to Sloans.
Category Archives: Ethics
Mono
And, now, our first visit to Mono. I was only told about the place yesterday, a veggie bar-cafe-music shop.
We’re not hungry, but the menu is impressive. They even stock Sam Smith’s beer too.
The Station
Today, while escorting my second in command’s father to his train, I noticed something in Central Station.
I’ve read about these, but hadn’t seen them before today. Just a few years ago, this would have been unimaginable in Newcastle. Hell, I remember being regarded as different in my early days of vegetarianism seriously think that vegetarians/vegans will one day dominate the world. Naturally, anyone who resists will be fed to cats. And, speaking of which, I need to purchase a chair, a white long haired cat and a pair of black (faux) leather gloves.
Also in Central Station, on the same theme, was a shop.
Finally, while having a pre-second-in-command’s-dad-train Erdinger, I found that the Station Hotel is likely to reopen soon.
While only the facia has been retained, I’m looking forward to the reopening.
The Ship, Ouseburn
We’ve had a most pleasant afternoon in Ouseburn today.
After a pint in town, in the Split Chimp, we caught a bus to Lime Street and walked to the Cluny. Walking past the Ship, we noticed an unusual barbeque outside.
The menu was 100% vegan. So, after a pint of Jakehead in the Cluny, we decided on a beer in the Ship. When talking to the chef, we found that the pub is now vegan. A vegan pub in Newcastle!
We shared a portobello mushroom burger and a chilli wrap; both were great.
Then there was a walk to the Tyne Bar for a pint of Sam Smith’s Taddy lager and live music. We’re currently with Erdinger and Budvar in the Bridge Hotel. All in all, a most pleasant afternoon.
Le disgrace
After an afternoon/evening in town with Trevor; currently watching a documentary about Lance Armstrong and doping. I’m one of the many people who believed in him at the time, but it’s shocking how deliberate the whole thing was. The attempted cover up was even worse.
One has to wonder whether he would have made it without transfusions, hormones, etc. He possibly could; never for so many years, but surely one or two.
The threats against people who’d potentially give evidence is particularly disappointing.
Aquafresh
It seems as though there’s a new scandal involving politicians every few months. But David Cameron does seem to be weathering the current Panama storm and he’ll most likely survive, albeit with a little (more) tarnish. However, should that not be the case, he could fall back on his acting career.
WH Smith
When a sandwich can’t be found in either Sainsbury’s or Waitrose station shops, surprisingly there’s WH Smith.
Wylam
Wylam brewery produces a lot of fish-filled beer. I appreciate that clear beer without finings is a serious financial undertaking, but there’s got to be a long term ethical proposition. Jakehead, for example. It’s quite delicious, as cloudy as a wheat beer, and tastes pretty nice too. And, at 6.3%, it has some weight behind it.
I’ve had some Almasty, Out There and Cloudwater over the weekend, so my veggie real ale needs were catered for, but Jakehead is something pretty special. Take note, Wylam.
We’re now watching EastEnders. Yay.
Reconciliation
They’re so beautiful, said Steph McGovern this morning on BBC Breakfast. She was talking about newly born lambs, in an interview with a farmer in Wales. Part of the whole EU debate, of course. The farmer described how the lambs stay with their mothers for a whole 24 hours before being moved to a separate pen, to learn about life.
A strange choice of word, life, since the interview then moved on to talk about the proportion of lamb production destined for export to Other Member States.
I find it rather sad that we can look on these creatures, effectively babies, as both cute and tasty.
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.