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| He’s not dead - he’s sleeping.... |
...although to be honest Pontus Fractus was April 2019...So what I have been doing for the rest of the summer? You might ask (or you might not)...
Well - not visiting many pubs sadly - but nevertheless I did get out of the hermitage now and then to do a bit of carousing* (like you do...)
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| GH - preparing to emerge from the hermitage and carouse... |
In a vain attempt to retain (or recover) any pub blogging kudos I had, here’s a quick summary...
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| Happy Vibrant Foresters... |
First up, the Vibrant Forest had its final bash at its Lymington brewery before moving to new premises. It was well attended, in fact they were bussing them in...
...and the sun shone and the excellent beer flowed (as always)...
April also saw the publication of my first book....courtesy of my son Andy...
...needless to say it’s not on the Sunday Times Best Seller list - but it is an epic...
After that I had a break with a beer in the greenhouse (no not a pub - the greenhouse in my garden)...
Of course it’s not all about beer (is it?) - so Mrs GH and I managed to fit in a cream tea at a posh hotel in Bournemouth...
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| Oooh cakes....look at his happy little face... |
...not just any hotel mind...this one was the house that a certain member of royalty (Edward, Prince of Wales) bought for his mistress (one Lillie Langtry)...
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| Just a small pad for the mistress... |
...and a beautiful place it was...
Forsaking the beer at Lillie’s old place (not sure if there was was any real ale anyway) the next item on the agenda was the Southampton Beer Festival, as usual in the ‘cave' under the stand at St Mary’s, home of Southampton FC...
Naturally I would have taken more photographs if I had not been too busy sampling some of the 70 beers on offer.
Then a chance visit to Downton Brewery for one of their ‘Firsty Friday’ evening sessions, which was really good with an excellent range of their beers on cask and at around £3 a pint, extremely good value....
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| Beer brewing in action at Downton Brewery |
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| Beer drinking in action at Downton Brewery |
And then - to top it all - Vibrant Forest opened their new brewery at Hardley, near Southampton - only a mile away from my house (bliss)...
It goes without saying that this is now my 'go-to’ watering hole...
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| Hi-brow beer and reading material... |
...and they had their first beer festival - the ‘Vibrant Forest Gathering’ in August...
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| ...large and vibrant gathering ... |
...and again - the sun shone, people turned up in their droves, and there were some cracking home and guest beers....
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| Look at all those beers....note murky glass of beer used as paperweight to stop programme blowing away... |
So that was it really - I suppose I better get down the pub now...
* see ‘About Garden Hermit' page for an explanation (sort of)
* see ‘About Garden Hermit' page for an explanation (sort of)
A lot of selfies there Hermit!!!! Nice to see you in the blogshpere again as your erudite wit is well worth a read.
ReplyDeleteThose of us who are slightly more prolific are still churning out dross of course!!! Like the look of that Vibrant Forest place - is it open occasionally or regularly?
Classic microbrewery tap hours BM -
DeleteFriday - 2 -7pm
Sat - 12 - 7pm
Sunday 12 - 4pm
Although you can pop in anytime they’re working in the brewery for takeout beers.
BTW - I’m the dross specialist - you keep writing the good stuff :)
"He’s not dead - he’s sleeping...."
ReplyDeleteWith a phrase like that, shouldn't he be a parrot? ;)
(hint - Monty Python) :)
"but nevertheless I did get out of the hermitage now and then to do a bit of carousing"
Next best thing to visiting pubs I hear. ;)
"in fact they were bussing them in."
Heh.
"April also saw the publication of my first book....courtesy of my son Andy..."
Impressive!
"I had a break with a beer in the greenhouse (no not a pub - the greenhouse in my garden)..."
(slow golf clap)
"Of course it’s not all about beer (is it?)"
No comment. ;)
"Just a small pad for the mistress..."
That explains why I don't have a mistress. (LOL)
"Naturally I would have taken more photographs if I had not been too busy sampling some of the 70 beers on offer."
Guffaw!
"Then a chance visit to Downton Brewery "
That reminds me; haven't seen the Downton movie yet. ;)
"only a mile away from my house (bliss)."
Well done you! (thumbs up)
"It goes without saying that this is now my 'go-to’ watering hole..."
Natch. :)
"Hi-brow beer and reading material..."
For a second I thought that was your book. ;)
"* see ‘About Garden Hermit' page for an explanation (sort of)"
I shall do that shortly.
Cheers!
A bit late in replying owing to being busy myself. Not good busy, alas, but concerning the death of my mother and all the assorted paperwork and whatnot in motion. Have enough started that, hopefully, I can deal with the rest of it from home, 2,500km away (sigh).
Please raise a pint to 'me mum' when you're next at your blissful watering hole.
Good to have you back ! You look healthier than me ;-(
ReplyDeleteI'd forgot you'd moved blog thingys.
Will catch up tonight and leave sarky comments.
Thanks for the comments all.
ReplyDeleteSorry it’s been a while ...just been to the toilet (it’s my age you know...)
Better do another blog shortly - so RM has something to leave a sarky comment on!!;)