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?
Category Archives: Pubs
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?
Grammar
I came across this note in a Post Office window, in Sunderland, last weekend.
Quite shocking really. Last weekend also saw us attending zombie school for a second year. The actual event starts next weekend and we’ll probably be doing two or three nights. Lesson learned from last year, though, I won’t be doing two nights in a row. I couldn’t walk properly after two nights last year.
Speaking of zombies, while I dearly love Sam Smith pubs, I do recognise that they can attract a certain type of clientele. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, but it can put some people off. While in Preston a couple of days this week, I was seriously impressed by the work done on Ye Olde Blue Bell; it’s incredible how such a gorgeous building (and a Sam Smith’s pub) had been hiding behind the grotty render. I loved the old, dirty incarnation of the pub, but it’s now having the attention it deserves.
Ed Tudor Pole is walking up your street
A text from my youngest daughter. And he was. I’d imagine he was staying round the corner, after playing at the Tuns last night. It was a good night too, although this was the first pie festival at the Tuns where I was unable to partake of pie-ness. There was one potentially vegan pie, but I didn’t want to chance it. They had plenty of vegetarian pies though, pretty impressive for Gateshead. Anyway, Mr Tudor Pole was very good last night; and a true gentleman.
Long weekends II
Another pretty cool long weekend involved some of my favourite pubs in both Peterborough and Newcastle. Worthy of mention are Charters and the Wortley Almshouses; the latter was visited a couple of times. Oh, and the Ostrich, where we saw a great band on Saturday evening. The following evening involved some truly nice real ale in Newcastle, from Out There, Atom and, perhaps best of all, Cloudwater. All unfined and vegan.
Long weekends
Are never long enough. Still, the weather’s been gorgeous and some time was spent in pubs doing a lot less than we’d planned. Yesterday was particularly good, with live music and great beer in the sunshine in Ouseburn. There’d be pictures, but they’re on my phone and I’m too lazy to transfer them. The Tyne Bar has another great band this Sunday at three; we may be there if tbe weather’s ok (they’re using the outdoor stage).
Ms Kidston
Kath Kidston has a sale, you know.
Manchester
We’re currently in the Castle, on Oldham Road, Manchester. It’s a rather beautiful old pub with a free jukebox.
I’m drinking Brooklyn lager, but last time I was here I had a bottle of Elbow beer. The old build a rocket boys variety.
And, speaking of Elbow, yesterday we fell down a hole in the neighbourhood of Oxford Road.
The Temple, followed by Big Hands.
And then Elbow at the Apollo. Which a pretty amazing gig, with lots of old stuff and a move away from a one day like this finale.
Happy new stuff
The high level bridge was a pretty cool place to be a few minutes ago. Currently in the Bridge Hotel, enjoying a pint of erdinger.
The evening may not have been as special as last year (Local Authority spending constraints had an impact I imagine), but it was still good.
Time for a cab I think.