Home after a very pleasant few days away. A most enjoyable time. Nice people were encountered.
Category Archives: Out and about
Angel
An important new discovery was made today. The Angel, a Sam Smith’s pub near Shaftesbury Avenue. Lots of old panelling and tiles.
We also, on a closed Regent Street, came across Genevieve, the car from the old Kenneth More film.
Windsor
Currently in Windsor. Apparently, my dad lives in the vicinity. Well, in the county.
Stamford
Sam Smith’s pub in Stamford.
Glasgow
A long weekend, with a stay in Glasgow in the company of gentlemen, has left me feeling somewhat tired. Still, many establishments were visited; only to view the architecture of course.
Some old favourites were included, for example The Horseshoe Bar.
And, my own personal favourite, the 13th Note.
And, a relatively new discovery of a couple of years ago, West.
A stop-off in Edinburgh on the return trip prompted plans for a future excursion.
Graffiti
While on a train from Birmingham this afternoon, I noticed some random rail (purposeful) graffiti
Ok, so a little I imagination is required. But it wasn’t me. After all, I’d have been more artistic.
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.
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?
Mr Smith & Lady Gaga
Today, we went to York. In Newcastle, on our way to the station, though, it was hard to avoid the Pergida gathering. And the associated protest, of course.
The protest was way bigger, which was only right.
Anyway, two Sam Smith’s pubs were visited in York, beginning with the Kings Arms, by the river.
The bar was ridiculously busy, but that allowed me to rescue a beautiful glass from its captivity. And it gave me time to admire the pumps.
And the walls (which reminded me of our bathroom).
I don’t recall the name of the other Sam Smith’s bar, but it was pretty cool. A real gem, hidden away.
While there, we met Lady Gaga, who seemed to like my second in command.
We also visited Plonkers, a place I’d not been to since uni, well over a decade ago (when cheap Russian beer was frequently consumed). And it’s a place which also looks a lot like our bathroom.
All in all, a good day.
Peterborough via the Northwest
I’m currently sitting in my most favourite pub in Peterborough. With a delicious pint of Sam Smith’s extra stout. We’re going to our favourite curry house next.
Food’s needed more thought since I started the vegan thing. But Manchester and Liverpool made life pretty easy. The Thirsty Scholar, on Oxford Road, near the O2 Academy is a great bar, with a brilliant vegan menu.
It’s brilliant because it’s all vegan. There’re veggie options, but the main offerings are vegan. It’s pub food, but like the chef (a great bloke called Andy) says it’s not healthy, but it’s not as unhealthy.
The food was really nice though.
Andy (I hope that’s his name) told us about a place in Liverpool, the Egg Cafe, for which I’ll be eternally grateful. It’s a lovely place with gorgeous food.
It’s great to know I’ve a couple of cool places to eat in a couple of my favourite cities.