tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68417272585223083992024-03-05T12:49:15.149-08:00Garden Hermit Goes....What used to be 'GH Goes to the Pub' has now been retitled, after all, who knows where I might go...?garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-79459182486991863432024-02-21T11:46:00.000-08:002024-02-21T12:06:18.936-08:00...Back For Another Pint At A Wierd Weatherspoons<p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAIyUDsZUIMfjGWJ7iKYSAwbHuF1K_J84pmf0pxgMZA3OoxUf3qmDu4AGmpTKPSWnPphXXb1s532I00GxEFnHJpV9MhbQuHrZRt7IacIi4Fx-S5j17VefsgFs4_R4tghsjRWrRyO2gJ_BEEa97VR28zN3LWMuzEePayAL6s3cvAFOnPuBLAoVPS1VWSo/s4032/IMG_3267.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGAIyUDsZUIMfjGWJ7iKYSAwbHuF1K_J84pmf0pxgMZA3OoxUf3qmDu4AGmpTKPSWnPphXXb1s532I00GxEFnHJpV9MhbQuHrZRt7IacIi4Fx-S5j17VefsgFs4_R4tghsjRWrRyO2gJ_BEEa97VR28zN3LWMuzEePayAL6s3cvAFOnPuBLAoVPS1VWSo/w400-h300/IMG_3267.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Quiet stillness...St Thomas' graveyard, Lymington.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>In the quiet stillness of the graveyard of my long past blogs, rests one entitled '<a href="https://ghpub.blogspot.com/2018/03/summoned-by-bells.html" target="_blank">Summoned By Bells</a>', an epitaph to my fist visit to JDW's '<b>The Six Bells</b>, <b>Lymington, </b><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span><b>SO41 9ND</b> </span></span>back in March 2018.</p><p>In it, I focussed mainly on cheap beer, the name of the pub being linked to an old pub on the site and the beer drinking bell ringers from St Thomas' church next door., and... oh yes, virtually all my photos were out of focus.</p><p>On a more recent visit with my son, Martin, I realised that there was still some interesting, if not downright wierd, stuff about this pub that I had missed last time, and so here we go again...<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnegdXMRDRn4iMnrrBBNR0t0_OyeXu02SYWpXUtblCLlGZy0Dg2LpfFlBbbGgexGZb6axk3-VoAFHRn8divBI7j8FrPyjcGPxmGfcdDCEz46iGOkaX4tdxkXgXac7B5V5zwAuTFnvmhoC2QD9CmHuzmvaUN4YyQZjhz2_BRzoLjYnhcoGFiOig0aBKnc/s1067/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20at%2017-17-12%20Google%20Maps.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="626" data-original-width="1067" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEnegdXMRDRn4iMnrrBBNR0t0_OyeXu02SYWpXUtblCLlGZy0Dg2LpfFlBbbGgexGZb6axk3-VoAFHRn8divBI7j8FrPyjcGPxmGfcdDCEz46iGOkaX4tdxkXgXac7B5V5zwAuTFnvmhoC2QD9CmHuzmvaUN4YyQZjhz2_BRzoLjYnhcoGFiOig0aBKnc/w400-h235/Screenshot%202024-02-01%20at%2017-17-12%20Google%20Maps.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>google maps</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The more recent history of The Six Bells premises is that it was an old home furnishing and linen store, a local family enterprise, which traded on the site for 150 years, as C. Ford & Co. It is situated at the top of Lymington High Street. </p><p> The old shop front lettering is now displayed inside the pub...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVtUVtUDrvdnmPUFSK6yCjs8UqfzGRgsGGqbv4tSDqvKT1Frrgxdg2liISF2rXi16jeVhM2hMYTIcoPZBalPeZjiWZ9ay8DPgCQJMCD6QSsSnh1WxmSMIJH73WHSiKbfdnt7rEl5PDH8ZOYhVnfb0SkBe81TQ_Xy21v5lwcYUSSloNyUNLLUzCdoc4_U/s4032/IMG_3275.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSVtUVtUDrvdnmPUFSK6yCjs8UqfzGRgsGGqbv4tSDqvKT1Frrgxdg2liISF2rXi16jeVhM2hMYTIcoPZBalPeZjiWZ9ay8DPgCQJMCD6QSsSnh1WxmSMIJH73WHSiKbfdnt7rEl5PDH8ZOYhVnfb0SkBe81TQ_Xy21v5lwcYUSSloNyUNLLUzCdoc4_U/w400-h300/IMG_3275.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Still on display, the name for household furnishing in Lymington for 150 years.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>A photo frame inside the pub records what happened next....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtVws3W3LvHjERvT5HyVIlt7_A34BjbSoMgyAv3HRLTbNw0M4dfpQtWVlCEHHonAvkZguPbSKtQtnqh89bMYR9fxf9uklkZmyQ2Uz98TKxfy7Hrfbp62aUvLOTsl9aN20VWnKTX6vHe-Pf_BHI7nqZ0O1EA5LN2SJCRe1B3EcPAWG5D02tCXo-PecMAw/s4032/IMG_3288.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtVws3W3LvHjERvT5HyVIlt7_A34BjbSoMgyAv3HRLTbNw0M4dfpQtWVlCEHHonAvkZguPbSKtQtnqh89bMYR9fxf9uklkZmyQ2Uz98TKxfy7Hrfbp62aUvLOTsl9aN20VWnKTX6vHe-Pf_BHI7nqZ0O1EA5LN2SJCRe1B3EcPAWG5D02tCXo-PecMAw/w400-h300/IMG_3288.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The slightly bizarre tale of a furniture shop</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> ....in a nutshell, it was purchased in 1997 by two blokes, Terry and Geoff. They sold gifts and similar household stuff to C. Ford & Co. , and even left the old shopfront name in place. </p><p>Their claim to fame according to the newspaper article shown in the above photo, was that it was Britain's rudest shop, with the owners 'putting straight' any customers who didn't behave well in the shop. For example: 'if you can't leave those books tidy, then leave them alone'.</p><p>When Terry and Geoff decided to call it a day, they sold to JDW, and the story hit the national media (just google 'Britains Rudest Shop'). In their last few weeks of trading they put a sign in the window which said: </p><p style="text-align: center;">'Britain's Rudest Shop is Closing Down</p><p style="text-align: center;">After 170 years only a few weeks left to be insulted, don't miss the experience!!'</p><p style="text-align: left;">...and when it closed, a new sign took it's place...</p><p style="text-align: center;">'**** OFF!</p><p style="text-align: center;">WE'RE <u>CLOSED'</u><br /></p><p>It should be said however that the insults were (mainly) delivered, and received, in good humour.</p><p>How to follow a story like that? </p><p> Well I suppose I'd better ask for a pint of cask...<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UibYdB_kIh79E6-HAAUtyQwKQ2eHeNt8hpJ8fuKfWV3h9CAxh_IiEXyYX8HNkfF5nqOwgeMQ1QsAu0SBbgxMKsOykdj31GZCshDztM0Djv_zZr_v5jAmOPdT_Ux272E14C1gicJpbaPfit2deALAmDhHJgWyUozoLkCMP8t1Hbak_2b0zjUasV_CawA/s4032/IMG_3287.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8UibYdB_kIh79E6-HAAUtyQwKQ2eHeNt8hpJ8fuKfWV3h9CAxh_IiEXyYX8HNkfF5nqOwgeMQ1QsAu0SBbgxMKsOykdj31GZCshDztM0Djv_zZr_v5jAmOPdT_Ux272E14C1gicJpbaPfit2deALAmDhHJgWyUozoLkCMP8t1Hbak_2b0zjUasV_CawA/w300-h400/IMG_3287.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Just ask for any of these 3 top cask ales...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>....I was tempted by the three headliners (and the Ruddles Best), but in the end opted for a Goddard's<b> Wight Squirrel 4.3% </b>... <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjBpYb0PbTJ6OD36FKEsBmKhyphenhyphenAqiKLfGsIfgwmY53Bwx32M82DHkFmBGpzGJdCmsTwLxc9AORePmVYXheY1I83GoBIMpnDVBDrYTww2CmjmpB_UPHWfg-7HyKQWuWdIxqf2egtwTZvgw3pVuuJ3LvTNr3SJJMoWbv6Pj54JDcIo6-Bw9VI27CIDR-2rA/s4032/IMG_3268.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrjBpYb0PbTJ6OD36FKEsBmKhyphenhyphenAqiKLfGsIfgwmY53Bwx32M82DHkFmBGpzGJdCmsTwLxc9AORePmVYXheY1I83GoBIMpnDVBDrYTww2CmjmpB_UPHWfg-7HyKQWuWdIxqf2egtwTZvgw3pVuuJ3LvTNr3SJJMoWbv6Pj54JDcIo6-Bw9VI27CIDR-2rA/w400-h300/IMG_3268.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Price rises may have occurred since this photo was taken</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> ...a rich, russet colour, not unlike the island's red (not white) squirrels it refers to. Definitely a <b>NBSS 3.</b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRBaFZIe3-aVBYLKBAgNmVekXgIhmdEKiH_NHfCTzqfjKTIMspAE58DfqJM3eDZQe_RVuc03g-4i8YB-E5N6NH-LO2wJAI-YuTuU6H9sp6UQnr_Dmx2SXX13tHlLoC1k2sV6U4uHu6WxnI3UHwuUSt6x93MebTc1fePFdOihLNNQbUSsHcHnOp1-m-Do/s4032/IMG_3285.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikRBaFZIe3-aVBYLKBAgNmVekXgIhmdEKiH_NHfCTzqfjKTIMspAE58DfqJM3eDZQe_RVuc03g-4i8YB-E5N6NH-LO2wJAI-YuTuU6H9sp6UQnr_Dmx2SXX13tHlLoC1k2sV6U4uHu6WxnI3UHwuUSt6x93MebTc1fePFdOihLNNQbUSsHcHnOp1-m-Do/w300-h400/IMG_3285.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Russet - just like an Isle of Wight squirrel</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">Spurning the cask, like an insulted furniture store customer, Martin had some some craft and foreign beers...<b><br /></b></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJWcogq__kWhUH20QdSaNXWZGCjCqAc6fC5a26QlTPU2PnlZpZkVJJR7wmVLSu6jBJd0NdpC0oAp-pN8u2KJePSdTm_brGf77JRwtCq9t4OlOiU2qP2bXoEzB4V0PanW3xdssbhZpADhhi1vKpA7TSSnLcLNIhTYFeDMD0OlqyDnWevYsTy0ABhIosc0/s4032/IMG_3279.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIJWcogq__kWhUH20QdSaNXWZGCjCqAc6fC5a26QlTPU2PnlZpZkVJJR7wmVLSu6jBJd0NdpC0oAp-pN8u2KJePSdTm_brGf77JRwtCq9t4OlOiU2qP2bXoEzB4V0PanW3xdssbhZpADhhi1vKpA7TSSnLcLNIhTYFeDMD0OlqyDnWevYsTy0ABhIosc0/w300-h400/IMG_3279.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Craft</i></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZwuuadjilMI7GA7UIkml8-TKxWU55wbX75_uTycLjanvLM-Xw8nQ4unuewj7OOruyRuL-ZMKJvloPjud0OQs9tGu4m0e7WBdgjpdbT91OoEX2stZNYGXh2gpQGc0gk8xJ_-BxRvMuXRn_l-QuAEhb6TafwSdCAdtNcbyY_xml3WxvtUaCgX8P3KBZD4/s4032/IMG_3286.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieZwuuadjilMI7GA7UIkml8-TKxWU55wbX75_uTycLjanvLM-Xw8nQ4unuewj7OOruyRuL-ZMKJvloPjud0OQs9tGu4m0e7WBdgjpdbT91OoEX2stZNYGXh2gpQGc0gk8xJ_-BxRvMuXRn_l-QuAEhb6TafwSdCAdtNcbyY_xml3WxvtUaCgX8P3KBZD4/w300-h400/IMG_3286.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Foreign</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p style="text-align: left;">...but we buried our differences and shared the crisps...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooz-rlPygl5VXqE_-nybC3nmOWJ1mYvv8XuJTl1oYuyVS0KkZWqhUaJIeDOODLSazAWJ7E-C8az8j8KQSePts4dFfDV9QBeq5zUWGJYCfJo2-G2G2DRlweSPUEL_OsPgKl_-Cu9oJ04M7XgsraITygGSWHktUagrxHCMdCzt3hOxapmJqrAlpJp8SY8U/s4032/IMG_3280.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgooz-rlPygl5VXqE_-nybC3nmOWJ1mYvv8XuJTl1oYuyVS0KkZWqhUaJIeDOODLSazAWJ7E-C8az8j8KQSePts4dFfDV9QBeq5zUWGJYCfJo2-G2G2DRlweSPUEL_OsPgKl_-Cu9oJ04M7XgsraITygGSWHktUagrxHCMdCzt3hOxapmJqrAlpJp8SY8U/w300-h400/IMG_3280.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Two flavour crisps - made for sharing</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The other slightly wierd thing in this pub, is on the first floor balcony area, where a set of mirrors are placed to give an kaleidoscopic view of St Thomas' church next door.<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9HXj-6-PMSKh9HrgV2hyphenhyphenIeX-bSUfHw_VQ1aYq3xJ9Yg5aDDWxhVHg5uqckSFLHLv9uflHFbjFuZ0qeqqZw-YKv3-iExuGmIkvKrLsyKzO6ySdlyWWeYRAn13UaPA5MnSqIpK-hgUQaAUSj6rCg9XAbMcGTgC9XfbtQ4BbAO0vk6VYbnE1eyxScz9ekM/s4032/IMG_3277.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS9HXj-6-PMSKh9HrgV2hyphenhyphenIeX-bSUfHw_VQ1aYq3xJ9Yg5aDDWxhVHg5uqckSFLHLv9uflHFbjFuZ0qeqqZw-YKv3-iExuGmIkvKrLsyKzO6ySdlyWWeYRAn13UaPA5MnSqIpK-hgUQaAUSj6rCg9XAbMcGTgC9XfbtQ4BbAO0vk6VYbnE1eyxScz9ekM/w400-h300/IMG_3277.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>St Thomas - creatively reflected.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The rudest shop back story of The Six Bells must be one of the quirkiest for a Weatherspoons pub... <br /></p><p> ....and all the photos are in focus this time, win-win!<br /><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oES1HfCHa7tfFa5JA_lFsfgb_k4qJ9OPbs08fGLoQjKLOLGzALs5LD8SRTEfzpvoMPQv8pmOJDAYc0vgWe7Gwr56SS7S_2gkoC-ob8qKqE9utWMBS08Eqz1SMgY7ZdRuNr2Uy3rtnfHUdAGKl3T95t_Oklse6KZH_GV0wKUITqorn97HVVwYs2fb43I/s4032/IMG_3291.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0oES1HfCHa7tfFa5JA_lFsfgb_k4qJ9OPbs08fGLoQjKLOLGzALs5LD8SRTEfzpvoMPQv8pmOJDAYc0vgWe7Gwr56SS7S_2gkoC-ob8qKqE9utWMBS08Eqz1SMgY7ZdRuNr2Uy3rtnfHUdAGKl3T95t_Oklse6KZH_GV0wKUITqorn97HVVwYs2fb43I/w300-h400/IMG_3291.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>There goes the bell, drink up!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-17048823202507666452024-02-01T00:26:00.000-08:002024-02-01T00:26:59.470-08:00...Up The Masthead In The Bosun's Chair<p> Well I did once, when I was a lad. If I recall correctly, it was at one of those sailing regatta events, on the Hamble River. I was invited to the event by a guy who I used to sail with - if you can call it sailing (<i>bear with me there's a tenuous link here somewhere</i>).<br /></p><p>He had a fast racing dingy called a Merlin Rocket, and was desperate for a crew. I was the only volunteer, I might have even been press-ganged. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCfM_cSSctvFrrxNEXfbxK5hlaCp1s5oeJ0-rYbLqf30p0vQDVy5ZUieJ3pyZQ7jsJGU8kfMqufpBQTo3mIqpho_XPP-ZeqIx373IogbluhRRcjT9VuBtPj_db13NUL54Vlsml1_e4XTlLCfJP87Uji73O4FG2rVLeLQaHpa8VQttY3RiKrDmkLQ-CXY/s4032/IMG_3245.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlCfM_cSSctvFrrxNEXfbxK5hlaCp1s5oeJ0-rYbLqf30p0vQDVy5ZUieJ3pyZQ7jsJGU8kfMqufpBQTo3mIqpho_XPP-ZeqIx373IogbluhRRcjT9VuBtPj_db13NUL54Vlsml1_e4XTlLCfJP87Uji73O4FG2rVLeLQaHpa8VQttY3RiKrDmkLQ-CXY/w300-h400/IMG_3245.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ahoy, me hearties...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our sailing sessions usually ended abruptly with a capsized dinghy and both of us swimming in Southampton Water. Usually it was my fault because I wasn't fast enough to get from one side of the dinghy to the other and balance it, when he changed direction ('tacking' - I believe is the nautical term). </p><p>Anyhow, enough of my short, and very wet, sailing career. </p><p>The <b>Bosun's Chair</b>, <span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span><b>Lymington</b> <b>SO41 3BA</b>, </span></span>in this case is (fortunately) a pub, not a flimsey fabric seat in which you're hauled to the top of a yacht's mast, to admire the view, with your legs trembling.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYft46qplf-iBuPbiwG76FEJNiDhqduHiy41eRmICkrnCl0vAmOO7t1To27-VmiJlkW7DYygOq7xIPZzLRjLqrlY6_r_ieTGLvDj_DaejPw6msNQgzOIosZq_T7jtuV4NFyWMY0GQH_IAJHkcKBKQyia763XowcDj7wDYQ_W5D3hqcaDrtoT5cDXwhyk/s4032/IMG_3254.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYft46qplf-iBuPbiwG76FEJNiDhqduHiy41eRmICkrnCl0vAmOO7t1To27-VmiJlkW7DYygOq7xIPZzLRjLqrlY6_r_ieTGLvDj_DaejPw6msNQgzOIosZq_T7jtuV4NFyWMY0GQH_IAJHkcKBKQyia763XowcDj7wDYQ_W5D3hqcaDrtoT5cDXwhyk/w400-h300/IMG_3254.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bosun's Chair - old coaching house (and sailor's rest?)</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The pub is in the old quay area of Lymington which positively oozes naval history (as well as estuarial mud). Historically Lymington was a haven for smugglers, but was less popular with the French, who attacked and burned the town three times, in the 14th and 16th centuries.</p><p>Today, the quay is quieter and no longer under threat from French pyromaniacs. Sailing types loiter, and daytrippers wander the narrow streets...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HYZoULRaFlapvqlhcLmwOEEXBPjmEH18uANC-3S_RSLX6ZPPsHcLx3Jaj-TPRCJemL_mkbJijNDswJHPwmNOWX9uppAepPdrj0XYSDbSHt_ZTRzHyRAOSbE_JSTvPvrIwt0w_yGlvEBRGL3Uhzirex5AkiUeqRhl8T0p6NUIPs1BQBj0vj5gjDro-Ho/s4032/IMG_3246.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1HYZoULRaFlapvqlhcLmwOEEXBPjmEH18uANC-3S_RSLX6ZPPsHcLx3Jaj-TPRCJemL_mkbJijNDswJHPwmNOWX9uppAepPdrj0XYSDbSHt_ZTRzHyRAOSbE_JSTvPvrIwt0w_yGlvEBRGL3Uhzirex5AkiUeqRhl8T0p6NUIPs1BQBj0vj5gjDro-Ho/w300-h400/IMG_3246.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Smuggler-free zone</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> ...where pretty fisherman's cottages jostle for position.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnlAlyWDUHi4CS2NiaANMLZb5Hvdve-2xnxfuYJaTkR4hZn_s0d_c1n2_OSmqmiMfOmkonlmPX_gjIBoUz3yHAR_sEsuIS631dGmTgGO6y0OyNwNBWE445-Z6Ad5OXqvJjnveala7obTR35zHxzxOCw5hnyMN9o-7u5fBAjniHFXRMq1kr2Ecfnf5NUo/s4032/IMG_3243.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnlAlyWDUHi4CS2NiaANMLZb5Hvdve-2xnxfuYJaTkR4hZn_s0d_c1n2_OSmqmiMfOmkonlmPX_gjIBoUz3yHAR_sEsuIS631dGmTgGO6y0OyNwNBWE445-Z6Ad5OXqvJjnveala7obTR35zHxzxOCw5hnyMN9o-7u5fBAjniHFXRMq1kr2Ecfnf5NUo/w400-h300/IMG_3243.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Cottages jostling....</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The Bosun’s Chair is a Wadworth pub and must have, at one time, been a cosy multiroomed establishment, but now, as is the fashion, is mainly one open space decorated in a contempory style, which gives the impression that the pub industry has been invaded by kitchen designers...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb2WteemKCEF11zs0ooKo53kza0YZpApjvrA7fBeRoorskZOF88YVfxyCPt8noVrrAjwjWagnQvQ2oWiCRJC5rz8ttHY9Qu3ECk7MsE2svWwT1xZ_59AHkNtrGMBbImEMTW9-zgxUCD6Vglw27IQFChQP61gLHYLUhsMapZ49fw1939_fcKJt7U3CjYw/s4032/IMG_3248.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSb2WteemKCEF11zs0ooKo53kza0YZpApjvrA7fBeRoorskZOF88YVfxyCPt8noVrrAjwjWagnQvQ2oWiCRJC5rz8ttHY9Qu3ECk7MsE2svWwT1xZ_59AHkNtrGMBbImEMTW9-zgxUCD6Vglw27IQFChQP61gLHYLUhsMapZ49fw1939_fcKJt7U3CjYw/w400-h300/IMG_3248.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Kitchen styled...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>Despite this, it is a pleasant pub, which still retains some semblance of cosy-ness. Needless to say there are plenty of decorative nautical references (but you've probably had enough of those already in this post).</p><p>On the bar is a trio of cask Wadworth beers...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rSweyBhJUKGAuBpMRtsIzyIdTa5ogJJlX_vprl5xlTyZ44UO3sXahmtR2HRRUV93hwwUKrxZ8c56FA5cwP8OJvWlOiWnBpCBFcReW-y8N2gvWD6dd8-pYp3xQhsIkSZjd3SsmkIVmiRx-suOWaZpiwqpk4m46mfflECxp6PL8maztONGmNjzkXXyZIE/s4032/IMG_3247.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7rSweyBhJUKGAuBpMRtsIzyIdTa5ogJJlX_vprl5xlTyZ44UO3sXahmtR2HRRUV93hwwUKrxZ8c56FA5cwP8OJvWlOiWnBpCBFcReW-y8N2gvWD6dd8-pYp3xQhsIkSZjd3SsmkIVmiRx-suOWaZpiwqpk4m46mfflECxp6PL8maztONGmNjzkXXyZIE/w400-h300/IMG_3247.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wadworth's finest...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>The <b>Henry’s IPA 3.6%</b>, is a pleasant session beer although, with such a modest abv, it is never going to
make the BJCP standard for an IPA in a month of Sundays. The
artistically branded glass makes up for it...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XO8P5cZrsH97iNSosZ38_Ah3bEsKn0LSTt5j51T0e45VnxNr1bqe9AMzzmmP9RdUdV5vAd5Cl04a8_1Gt-lFFv5vmkeFC5EBRTgdNuiU2BtBUxC3Tfi6mMC8RA6E8yYhyphenhyphenCQNTVxrklzYKe6Lj1MT48VUuVw9fAJDktKq23fMwAvBv8bvvoMh0t6QxPI/s4032/IMG_3250.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2XO8P5cZrsH97iNSosZ38_Ah3bEsKn0LSTt5j51T0e45VnxNr1bqe9AMzzmmP9RdUdV5vAd5Cl04a8_1Gt-lFFv5vmkeFC5EBRTgdNuiU2BtBUxC3Tfi6mMC8RA6E8yYhyphenhyphenCQNTVxrklzYKe6Lj1MT48VUuVw9fAJDktKq23fMwAvBv8bvvoMh0t6QxPI/w300-h400/IMG_3250.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Artistic script</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>...and it is a very drinkable - <b>NBSS 2</b><br /></p><p>In the back yard, there is a large canopy which I guess could be 'sail'-like in keeping with a nautical theme, though I couldn't help thinking it looked like a Bedouin tent. Very practical though, and it will keep you dry in the coastal mists and rain.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb97RlINWs9v9gaoRP2V7v1yHmZS7diSRmcog4W3GRA_FbjfT6ZgogV2sITIVfdNT5-u-CE2VHdBkYxccBlkbXoaZvOQ6sm1t9LVyzKRCwVMI2L84m0oyjCMXkxquFPeQ_UFKd79yISD_1J-w60-CWV_5Z8MIJkb3jVSJgLVFSd7ngQxKtgzXWFOhSnjI/s4032/IMG_3249.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb97RlINWs9v9gaoRP2V7v1yHmZS7diSRmcog4W3GRA_FbjfT6ZgogV2sITIVfdNT5-u-CE2VHdBkYxccBlkbXoaZvOQ6sm1t9LVyzKRCwVMI2L84m0oyjCMXkxquFPeQ_UFKd79yISD_1J-w60-CWV_5Z8MIJkb3jVSJgLVFSd7ngQxKtgzXWFOhSnjI/w400-h300/IMG_3249.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Beer tent</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>As I left the pub I wandered down the
street to admire the impressive railway station (built 1860), while my son, Martin made a detour to the pub toilet. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY-K_ne0QdDrXzTGk5C0PWRwyqRP_G0ttkI2GmBU7CkqDroiUFNDuaLiZn5Vzo704cBhxUi2xMbX6muolvjaHQTV6uMrMQjgku4UiACip9NAO2Oulvon-0gCEXfzzpVdMOZ3o8W7XtmgjymXcB_RqyoLGO-z404y5UIBo92sfuFAb5pwatSzO_gBxOTw/s4032/IMG_3255.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGY-K_ne0QdDrXzTGk5C0PWRwyqRP_G0ttkI2GmBU7CkqDroiUFNDuaLiZn5Vzo704cBhxUi2xMbX6muolvjaHQTV6uMrMQjgku4UiACip9NAO2Oulvon-0gCEXfzzpVdMOZ3o8W7XtmgjymXcB_RqyoLGO-z404y5UIBo92sfuFAb5pwatSzO_gBxOTw/w405-h304/IMG_3255.JPG" width="405" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lymington Town station</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Martin emerged
from the pub and looked about for me. I yelled at him from down the
street...</p><p>... but it was the landlord (who had followed him out) who spotted me
first, and helpfully pointed Martin in the right direction. Now that's
looking after your customers… <br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHv2XnZ_ZU603RKkkNeGl9SjN0afdSRrhIlP0exwRMFjFNVHYiv0lLoA-ZQ-SJDENnQM15Wk6BCYF9RbM966sY3vavydpE4geBsECOp_M-QxC1cTrtG_KKMjY0rK2UHQNFNYyC1d9VNNnOf8XNL6cxS8ECkkCNadX-OkLIixvDMrHkoAJMkNWuo1GGXo/s4032/IMG_3252.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHv2XnZ_ZU603RKkkNeGl9SjN0afdSRrhIlP0exwRMFjFNVHYiv0lLoA-ZQ-SJDENnQM15Wk6BCYF9RbM966sY3vavydpE4geBsECOp_M-QxC1cTrtG_KKMjY0rK2UHQNFNYyC1d9VNNnOf8XNL6cxS8ECkkCNadX-OkLIixvDMrHkoAJMkNWuo1GGXo/w300-h400/IMG_3252.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The End...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p><br /></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-69113341920274731012024-01-24T12:44:00.000-08:002024-01-24T12:44:07.795-08:00..Boutique at Butcombe<p> I was surprised to come across a Butcombe pub in Hampshire, as I thought they were confined to the west country...</p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6MXQV8rR2OTpisAkQP0s9ndQnPYEBkuLkhn1zKoOSuvZ3bq2zuZi7FQ-8Hz4FVXOrY-JPCs8hMI1bA7OJD-kzYwszTay0F02PvHnNRfqCxDoQIyMxqea20iJ9u6DmsKpE9ieJmAy_f2r1BrdmOebS5pIoqksrZo6JTz8_5DAlMlxwNITYYuvgxI7G3Q/s400/HAS-00259-3217-mayflower-lymington.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="300" data-original-width="400" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6MXQV8rR2OTpisAkQP0s9ndQnPYEBkuLkhn1zKoOSuvZ3bq2zuZi7FQ-8Hz4FVXOrY-JPCs8hMI1bA7OJD-kzYwszTay0F02PvHnNRfqCxDoQIyMxqea20iJ9u6DmsKpE9ieJmAy_f2r1BrdmOebS5pIoqksrZo6JTz8_5DAlMlxwNITYYuvgxI7G3Q/w400-h300/HAS-00259-3217-mayflower-lymington.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>photo from 'Whatpub website'</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>...but having subsequently checked their website, it seems there are actually five in the county.<br /></p><p> <b>The Mayflower, Lymington, </b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b>SO41 3QD</b>, is a large pub with tudor style frontage and tall, ornate and seemingly top-heavy chimneys. At first glance it has the appearance of an 'estate pub', but on their website Butcombe refer to their pubs as 'boutique inns'. The same term does not appear on the web page they have dedicated to the Mayflower, where it is a 'traditional pub'. Split personality then...?</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The inside is generally one or two large open spaces and certainly it has a dining pub feel, with the large bar area just having two stools for bar drinkers. It is situated close by Lymington Yacht Club and marina-land, so is probably more 'boutique' than 'traditional' - pitched at the Helly Hanson and Musto clad owners of the gleaming white slabs of white fibreglass, bobbing on the Lymington River.</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-kSXuOLmEndhlX7dY7fUq-zQUzRlYUKTd5h1rZmjNj7XuKYeIzJ2TLwxju_fw2BTmR-7QafUYnQJIQQvvdB_yqSbgieQyQp11y8S20HKwHF8gO6merg6xzALDj8dhv1p4VjdWAYCvKoMScYhZVkpeTI9L6H2Pk7TsQS8WaWl7h5TrTweKZZQ82LhkQ4/s4032/IMG_3235.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv-kSXuOLmEndhlX7dY7fUq-zQUzRlYUKTd5h1rZmjNj7XuKYeIzJ2TLwxju_fw2BTmR-7QafUYnQJIQQvvdB_yqSbgieQyQp11y8S20HKwHF8gO6merg6xzALDj8dhv1p4VjdWAYCvKoMScYhZVkpeTI9L6H2Pk7TsQS8WaWl7h5TrTweKZZQ82LhkQ4/w400-h300/IMG_3235.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> Today I was on a wander of Lymington hostelries with my youngest son Martin, and starting with the Mayflower at lunchtime, we also planned to have a bite to eat. </span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">First up a beer. There was a selection of Butcombe beers on cask (ok - two actually and one duplicate?)*. <br /></span></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgmmQvcHp5-GKeOrWn2YTXphRs6FV9k6lGC4Wp8YBo4jFOKXp1dNUk89LKXgajTfWKuZfpI_GdDDD8IPyG2E1HyaUCup8Cef-wbdDqTwzE7OHdBcx-h4m5SPWrN98KiHaXAe9Lu8Cxdd7EPQDJLm68bbKo09cf0qsV9indbIF_Ue5PddvpoAziUzk98/s4032/IMG_3231.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimdgmmQvcHp5-GKeOrWn2YTXphRs6FV9k6lGC4Wp8YBo4jFOKXp1dNUk89LKXgajTfWKuZfpI_GdDDD8IPyG2E1HyaUCup8Cef-wbdDqTwzE7OHdBcx-h4m5SPWrN98KiHaXAe9Lu8Cxdd7EPQDJLm68bbKo09cf0qsV9indbIF_Ue5PddvpoAziUzk98/w400-h300/IMG_3231.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> I choose the <b>Original</b> 4%., which was nice...er...I mean <b>Good</b>.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-YJRLpZ55t55KfoI4T22fqsTqwTX_Gq2v-kL5E2PyDy-64Q7r1j4LXYTqfpUon4kd8YrxmfBFZuY8BYu3mhRRrkGEWy_udfNZTlUlHvdQAoQmy35cxNgwAQ7U9SIjytg3SWfHIaVY1CxnWaWH8F2guZ3oRATqqOdlw7W2h2JSAsq_gOyc2kQTZq4vCY/s4032/IMG_3232.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ-YJRLpZ55t55KfoI4T22fqsTqwTX_Gq2v-kL5E2PyDy-64Q7r1j4LXYTqfpUon4kd8YrxmfBFZuY8BYu3mhRRrkGEWy_udfNZTlUlHvdQAoQmy35cxNgwAQ7U9SIjytg3SWfHIaVY1CxnWaWH8F2guZ3oRATqqOdlw7W2h2JSAsq_gOyc2kQTZq4vCY/w300-h400/IMG_3232.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The 'original' Butcombe beer</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>We sat next to one of the front windows, giving us a nice view of Lymington's expensive suburbia in various pastel shades. <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRczrqpscQm021n32D8q0Vk7VHKKdtAiNiML4PSfz_-oYgb2BHphTFBJSY9Wy6vLETltG2U8Fu5BFyVdZ5Jryt0DydbMC08_aA4M6HastJgkigsGdnlGlXmMgH6l-pqboO0Gw6Qsvu-RZEzX5435X0L6aCplEQv-eM-pPeherpErkL8WnruknV6bB5SA/s4032/IMG_3237.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtRczrqpscQm021n32D8q0Vk7VHKKdtAiNiML4PSfz_-oYgb2BHphTFBJSY9Wy6vLETltG2U8Fu5BFyVdZ5Jryt0DydbMC08_aA4M6HastJgkigsGdnlGlXmMgH6l-pqboO0Gw6Qsvu-RZEzX5435X0L6aCplEQv-eM-pPeherpErkL8WnruknV6bB5SA/w400-h300/IMG_3237.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Shades of blue and white...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The pub was quite empty on this Saturday lunchtime, and there seemed to be more
staff than customers eying us attentively, in their black work uniforms,
which perhaps seemed to have an unfortunate resemblance to vultures eyeing their (potential)
prey (or perhaps it was just my imagination).<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62aUp2rD4Z4VIzNGWPOXOounq_dd48h9gwS95CegOezcfciKq2yxcGpat8Mn1lraWOTRdIADbYz6wmSQs38O64y7dqs8SK3TRyY94Ll6qFj3K_y7YxZhzF23WZ0L_8HeDeb6MO7PwCldK5lNpsDY4mgZ3qFBqOQMQtHfBEfjSmbq3My6CpZhCK6SMaFY/s4032/IMG_3234.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg62aUp2rD4Z4VIzNGWPOXOounq_dd48h9gwS95CegOezcfciKq2yxcGpat8Mn1lraWOTRdIADbYz6wmSQs38O64y7dqs8SK3TRyY94Ll6qFj3K_y7YxZhzF23WZ0L_8HeDeb6MO7PwCldK5lNpsDY4mgZ3qFBqOQMQtHfBEfjSmbq3My6CpZhCK6SMaFY/w400-h300/IMG_3234.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Staff....waiting...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p> So we ordered a 'light' lunch as the prices were a tad on the expensive side as might be expected for the location and target clientele.</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7MEOWL8_bQ9eSOI7CPRq2AUUOrJml7zhH6Ugefuw3HfO0dZvGeKiga0WuJLMNkXZqA3-lMDrAefWatgqPLjz5zemFFLUpFFm9XfjHtOrdFA1Rgh9tqbUB_2QiLUBmpbOtENubwPjaMyOZ_Jai9UXvL6SN6nm5Itf0BpjLMyHyAiMK890n5BQqloAnjQ/s4032/IMG_3238.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ7MEOWL8_bQ9eSOI7CPRq2AUUOrJml7zhH6Ugefuw3HfO0dZvGeKiga0WuJLMNkXZqA3-lMDrAefWatgqPLjz5zemFFLUpFFm9XfjHtOrdFA1Rgh9tqbUB_2QiLUBmpbOtENubwPjaMyOZ_Jai9UXvL6SN6nm5Itf0BpjLMyHyAiMK890n5BQqloAnjQ/w400-h300/IMG_3238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brixham Fish Finger Bun and Salt and Pepper Calamari</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>So we paid up our tab and left the still quiet pub.</p><p>A little later on, I had another look at the bill/receipt I had received, which I was surprised to note included a 'voluntary' service charge that had been automatically added to the bill and left for me to discover. </p><p>Serves me right for not checking my bill carefully enough when paying. Call me old fashioned, but isn't that an interesting interpretation on the meaning of 'voluntary' at Butcombe pubs then? <br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nmMIfKlG0siuOrs7i-WdzXvjC0sMhkFp35Tw6rvyQY8D51wzneF8snOkuE3FKTza5bnR6PKrEu3rhq4T-OzgXElVwSpbMG3eVg1t8eUQfDF4k8XHXLy-mxnHmGx0_hKustqUykJEnf39pMwrK6YoU1pCoyWtQzfgIWnhi39i3ORBaeMIxfObaD8dwh8/s328/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%2012.02.37.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="95" data-original-width="328" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5nmMIfKlG0siuOrs7i-WdzXvjC0sMhkFp35Tw6rvyQY8D51wzneF8snOkuE3FKTza5bnR6PKrEu3rhq4T-OzgXElVwSpbMG3eVg1t8eUQfDF4k8XHXLy-mxnHmGx0_hKustqUykJEnf39pMwrK6YoU1pCoyWtQzfgIWnhi39i3ORBaeMIxfObaD8dwh8/s320/Screen%20Shot%202024-01-22%20at%2012.02.37.png" width="320" /></a></div><p>If a service charge is part of the bill then fine, but surely it is not voluntary unless I decide whether it's added to the bill, rather than have to ask for it to be taken off? </p><p>Perhaps it's <i>de rigueur</i> amongst the sailing classes?</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>* <i>The Mayflower entry on Whatpub tells us that 'in some Butcombe pubs [one of their keg beers] is
being sold from behind a handpump complete with handpump style
pump-clip; this is not real ale or cask beer.'</i><br /><br /></p><p></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-51134656299611859602024-01-19T02:43:00.000-08:002024-01-19T02:43:33.199-08:00...Gatecrashing At The Travellers Rest<p> </p><p class="x_p1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s1" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's Friday...</span></b></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigosOQJsjI2DkfxvYwa-dnK8dAjEzl6IzufcswrKsWNwDVIVUXPYqcxZHlaNt697IfSOPupnkR0BFu6CB_rIrJS_tUlSR6OzVTR302smWjiuut4n_u6Cq99PyY6UKqNQ7QmYcPuEHUO4yhiFH9O24DRQVaBZ38xSPnmUvAUkReD6zT6Xifub_I8j_ErXc/s980/Travs.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="420" data-original-width="980" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigosOQJsjI2DkfxvYwa-dnK8dAjEzl6IzufcswrKsWNwDVIVUXPYqcxZHlaNt697IfSOPupnkR0BFu6CB_rIrJS_tUlSR6OzVTR302smWjiuut4n_u6Cq99PyY6UKqNQ7QmYcPuEHUO4yhiFH9O24DRQVaBZ38xSPnmUvAUkReD6zT6Xifub_I8j_ErXc/w505-h216/Travs.jpg" width="505" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>The Travs</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">...and I know all of you of a certain age will have minds conditioned to respond with....</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">....it's five to five, and it's CRACKERJACK!*</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But I digress (already)...</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On this particular Friday, as five to five approached, it was Mrs GH's private tutor session (for a school pupil) that was about begin, focussing my mind on an escape plan (otherwise known as 'getting out of the way') that involved a quick walk down to the local, <b>The Travellers Rest, Hythe, </b></span><b><span class="kY2IgmnCmOGjharHErah" style="-webkit-line-clamp: 3;"><span>SO45 3ND.</span></span></b></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">At just after 5pm I'm in the pub, and to my surprise, instead of the usual status quo - a hushed stillness, and a small number of late Friday afternoon drinkers, I am confronted by the deafening noise of a pub full of people in animated conversation.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUK7HZK4RlYybstvSfPLgH2ZP1JC-r2DzTkGGvk6voNuOqecm7V5gcJCqRwQ3WN2vWOuqpcUbzAYrJrkxwKR00r475wXn2vhPaAksuINH4xYh1RteZwVxsEWPEGTFB84W1JGYdcgNs1QL4DzGGhxn4dsFOvkBWLOBMR5HACbt3y-wsrunprAEi4EKPDQ/s4032/IMG_3768.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAUK7HZK4RlYybstvSfPLgH2ZP1JC-r2DzTkGGvk6voNuOqecm7V5gcJCqRwQ3WN2vWOuqpcUbzAYrJrkxwKR00r475wXn2vhPaAksuINH4xYh1RteZwVxsEWPEGTFB84W1JGYdcgNs1QL4DzGGhxn4dsFOvkBWLOBMR5HACbt3y-wsrunprAEi4EKPDQ/w300-h400/IMG_3768.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Post-work banter on a large scale...</i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><p></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Undetererred, I weave slowly through the crowd, exploiting half a gap between the defenders to reach the bar, interrupting several conversations mid-flow on the way.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's the 'usual' on cask, Fullers London Pride, so I shout to the landlord that I'd like a pint, reach over to tappy the card machine and then look for an empty space and the easiest route to get to it. </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit at an empty table and there are a few, as many people are standing in preference to sitting. </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Still wondering what it is that has brought so many people into the quiet country pub at this time, I ponder a few options...<br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Has 'Happy Hour' suddenly become massively popular? </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is it a pre-match crowd for the Saints (hmmm, they'd need a boat to get across Southampton Water to St Marys).</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Perhaps the audience for a band on later at the pub?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A walking expedition that has got lost on the England Coast Path (which goes right past the pub)?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4xOdCqQ98Yd2lsRbz8MQTj4hH9KiDJSMo5eHK5P5AekTQOMODrhK5HrFoBQsosio4C2lq-RMRT3KfFFixHs_Yxl6s21ufF6AP-AWnFinRfqOTn0mdAHWOrH8osFyGBjqWLz4Em8SfrCXuzjpcafe_9KA-155KEnFxxA-7c8T-plzIAfieU04nY-WnKk/s4032/IMG_3792.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4xOdCqQ98Yd2lsRbz8MQTj4hH9KiDJSMo5eHK5P5AekTQOMODrhK5HrFoBQsosio4C2lq-RMRT3KfFFixHs_Yxl6s21ufF6AP-AWnFinRfqOTn0mdAHWOrH8osFyGBjqWLz4Em8SfrCXuzjpcafe_9KA-155KEnFxxA-7c8T-plzIAfieU04nY-WnKk/w400-h300/IMG_3792.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>To the coast...<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><p></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">No obvious clues, though the crowd is mainly men, with a few women, definitely not husbands and wives, partners etc.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Anyway the Pride is <b>Good</b>. </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3-St3OdL_Pg8gTCUcWagrfpNyfURPC3XqvLG6TR1pbor1NBUlqRCBX-AJ0TcVRL8IuUDujLG5KKItS5oFpNUQWOo45_SsKqzlf9Z1AJVLOunlTWorctSEmF-J96qx3fQfWKl4HYwY3foe-wbfAN_twSQjgAhZsUpYMHufUrpewtW_5pce0oD_ix2fzU/s4032/IMG_3770.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK3-St3OdL_Pg8gTCUcWagrfpNyfURPC3XqvLG6TR1pbor1NBUlqRCBX-AJ0TcVRL8IuUDujLG5KKItS5oFpNUQWOo45_SsKqzlf9Z1AJVLOunlTWorctSEmF-J96qx3fQfWKl4HYwY3foe-wbfAN_twSQjgAhZsUpYMHufUrpewtW_5pce0oD_ix2fzU/w300-h400/IMG_3770.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Fullers London Pride (not Hogs Back) - lashings of lacings.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span><p></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit there feeling increasingly like a gatecrasher at a party, which wasn't far off the mark as it happened. Luckily Sky is on to provide a distraction and it's the Transfer Show. The sound is off, although with the noise of the crowd, I wouldn't have been able to hear it even if it was on. Instead I just read the scrolling text to catch up on the peripatetic developments of footballers.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeMRrrgrPDjpqphezum9Jfwxfmu2YtoxvsTwx0luyd7Va6hwdFl10bz9viQ7ez994QpvN5HvqPzOszCT1M8jwnXDk0eD1BGIxh1vvT5E5kBJA_mzZE6STTH8S3VoFzA7utuQeD_yrfPegTjpZdECLYSbkfqDgqg5np9SI3asXL3Nwz1f2TnfXUh64OrY/s4032/IMG_3769.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUeMRrrgrPDjpqphezum9Jfwxfmu2YtoxvsTwx0luyd7Va6hwdFl10bz9viQ7ez994QpvN5HvqPzOszCT1M8jwnXDk0eD1BGIxh1vvT5E5kBJA_mzZE6STTH8S3VoFzA7utuQeD_yrfPegTjpZdECLYSbkfqDgqg5np9SI3asXL3Nwz1f2TnfXUh64OrY/w300-h400/IMG_3769.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Transfer Show on TV and tables which give the false impression that the pub is empty.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"> </p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jurgen Klopp appears on screen but I can't lip read what he is saying. It's probably something meaningful like "it's a game of two halves", or "</span>Kick the ball into the goal, they put it back" (<i>or was that last one Genesis?</i>)</p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Then suddenly all is revealed, about the pub crowd, not Jurgen's comments. It's a leaving do, and someone starts a speech in honour of John, for whom the full time whistle has blown after 30 years at Exxon (who have a whacking great refinery just down the road). So I sit and listen, as the history of John's career, mainly the bits which would not appear on his CV, are exposed, and jeered and cheered by the crowd. </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A presentation followed, and then animated conversations resumed.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I couldn't help thinking that I should have known that so much loud conversation was most likely to be 'workplace generated'. In fact I also wondered whether it has occurred to Exxon that the expelled hot air might be captured and used as an alternative to fossil fuel for the future. Just a thought...<br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My London Pride had shamelessly reached the bottom of the glass and so I slipped out through the crowd and, ears still ringing, went home for a bit of peace and quiet and some tea.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">*The 1964 - 68 classic series with Leslie Crowther, not the 2020 revived Crackerjack which aired at the wrong time (6pm).</span></i></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><i><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Or if you prefer, the poem version....</span><i><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></i></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><b><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-feature-settings: inherit; font-kerning: inherit; font-language-override: inherit; font-optical-sizing: inherit; font-size-adjust: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-variation-settings: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gatecrasher At The Travellers Rest </span></b></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> <br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Escape, before the tutor can begin</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Down dark alley to the </span><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">local inn</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The bar is loud with talking<span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> sound</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Full of drinkers<span class="x_Apple-converted-space" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span>who offer round<br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Their knowledge and experience</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Like housewives at the garden fence</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Who know a thing or two. <br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Where's the afternoon quiet of the bar?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is the Travellers Rest where we are?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Has the post-work happy hour?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Delivered so much people power?</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I sit alone amongst the throng</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Feeling that I don't belong</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Amongst this verbal stew.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">On Sky TV the Transfer Show<br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Is in the know, where players go.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jurgen Klopp is on the screen </span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lips moving, but not heard, just seen</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">I watch and drink my London Pride</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">It's <b>Good</b>, based on the scoring guide</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Of CAMRA, the real ale crew.<br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">'Speech' cries someone in the crowd</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">All attention now and quiet, not loud <br /></span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">A tribute to John, and everyone cheers,</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">He's refined at Exxon for 30 years.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">And now his final whistle's blown</p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">And then I think, I should have known</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">This was a workmates leaving do.</span></p><p class="x_p2" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: #242424; font-family: "Segoe UI", "Segoe UI Web (West European)", "Segoe UI", -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, Roboto, "Helvetica Neue", sans-serif; font-size: 15px; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-decoration-color: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><span class="x_s2" color="inherit" style="border: 0px; font: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-82733595464453431452023-07-19T11:21:00.000-07:002023-07-19T11:21:41.653-07:00...Caravanning To (R)ookesbury Park<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yilcrGuWqa9XWeVUOBgp6VviOMVMKCb6nmrDA9K9psLW6hT3zeNM8f_1ohSCxPaJ4M_5wEU8d9Eb0kKGYNL_iCTCFn5BeKZALZrOohSbFkZsjLICQo31YNk9vawQpidOiB8eTIIIT7HhkVwRnyao4N7QZ4UFh8NPgs0nSr1IgcJEzmrMMEBncWBqrKU/s4032/IMG_3217.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3yilcrGuWqa9XWeVUOBgp6VviOMVMKCb6nmrDA9K9psLW6hT3zeNM8f_1ohSCxPaJ4M_5wEU8d9Eb0kKGYNL_iCTCFn5BeKZALZrOohSbFkZsjLICQo31YNk9vawQpidOiB8eTIIIT7HhkVwRnyao4N7QZ4UFh8NPgs0nSr1IgcJEzmrMMEBncWBqrKU/w400-h300/IMG_3217.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>'ookesbury Park - didn't quite get the R in...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Rookesbury Park is a private estate near Wickham in Hampshire, and on it, hidden away in the woods, is Rookesbury Park Caravan & Motorhome Club site, which is where I and Mrs GH spent a long weekend for our second trip out in 'Hector'...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOAjseHugxLllD9aeP8G9pU2ZGayTQa3fIwUuHZPax4XcSeXo7XfK6E-ADezJk42q22rzX3k_M7HEeSQKPoMo-QQ3xqKVTCTlAujblwVu6xz8N6u5M9HwrDwsFl1uqy-ZJQ3nskRR3PrwUY1UreQEp0yTRE6qi9aMvDqMLOj7qS3RZybUkFLwkH_oIZ0/s4032/IMG_3133.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXOAjseHugxLllD9aeP8G9pU2ZGayTQa3fIwUuHZPax4XcSeXo7XfK6E-ADezJk42q22rzX3k_M7HEeSQKPoMo-QQ3xqKVTCTlAujblwVu6xz8N6u5M9HwrDwsFl1uqy-ZJQ3nskRR3PrwUY1UreQEp0yTRE6qi9aMvDqMLOj7qS3RZybUkFLwkH_oIZ0/w400-h300/IMG_3133.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hector with his top - popped</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>...our recently acquired Eriba Troll caravan. Technically owners of Eriba caravans don't go caravanning, they go 'Eriba-ing'.. It's a niche thing... If you are compelled to know more about Eribas - this <a href="https://eribaliving.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a> is a very informative and amusing read.<br /></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwzRkDSsIwqzEedxYoC8BzGoEu2NbsX4r7-nCnhEYsqQ0KVx0mjpUQ05rRIklsAd67tQ_i6jjBw6ruW65EW0bRzBhi33x8zLVo8c5uxs8NVmvrY4obcqDY6VGLXJ6eiD4jBTAWUro1vIz87Jt8b4aAS8T2Y3TEe9FShLG00u2TlhWwrqN6d9rlb_j3fE/s4032/IMG_3224.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiwzRkDSsIwqzEedxYoC8BzGoEu2NbsX4r7-nCnhEYsqQ0KVx0mjpUQ05rRIklsAd67tQ_i6jjBw6ruW65EW0bRzBhi33x8zLVo8c5uxs8NVmvrY4obcqDY6VGLXJ6eiD4jBTAWUro1vIz87Jt8b4aAS8T2Y3TEe9FShLG00u2TlhWwrqN6d9rlb_j3fE/w400-h300/IMG_3224.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sunset over Rookesbury Park</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Rookesbury Park is a really nice woodland site with excellent facilities (toilest/showers etc) and the reception area sports a nice display of tyre planters...</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXPaRY3O00pCoQ5Z5DxG12MiMbTpU7jo42YUsBxBwZEAJfGx3JTktd_liGl0DhjL8YRJxIv1FCh72txibzIVntvgSGek3S3VPwE47PYpqdDC3cQTJ4pPIjz5kYGw4Fp9blzowWV3O9L36wImzstVEfDRhMkQsb5QJRMeUkEjiVN_K1wG57CHJdcaFlQQ/s4032/IMG_3215.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvXPaRY3O00pCoQ5Z5DxG12MiMbTpU7jo42YUsBxBwZEAJfGx3JTktd_liGl0DhjL8YRJxIv1FCh72txibzIVntvgSGek3S3VPwE47PYpqdDC3cQTJ4pPIjz5kYGw4Fp9blzowWV3O9L36wImzstVEfDRhMkQsb5QJRMeUkEjiVN_K1wG57CHJdcaFlQQ/w400-h300/IMG_3215.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hippie Minion?</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p> ...and other garden art....</p><p></p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYpacQpkikxeX6IkHF8blH409d-ujOSADeQRyaDHcYTFONeX3dVhc3zVCkd9WfA1_uTh5kSfhM0pwLKPatZV7O6zsD2mHFYYYYj2g01R5emu_V_wY0C7P31AOYwADrXTyLik0UGrKkNAuXiERn0iD1hcR-jwFS8EAqPM-DAaMnBl8vjgn2E3NoA6Q_Ns/s4032/IMG_3216.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHYpacQpkikxeX6IkHF8blH409d-ujOSADeQRyaDHcYTFONeX3dVhc3zVCkd9WfA1_uTh5kSfhM0pwLKPatZV7O6zsD2mHFYYYYj2g01R5emu_V_wY0C7P31AOYwADrXTyLik0UGrKkNAuXiERn0iD1hcR-jwFS8EAqPM-DAaMnBl8vjgn2E3NoA6Q_Ns/w400-h300/IMG_3216.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Not an Eriba</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> Even the dog walk area had some garden art...</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4jx7O4flrg8sB3Yo8gn4xPew5oTP5ZMXBkNW8ZLjWe4lyEByDMMcVIbCzgOhuMI0l_rIJvQsphr79mdPK9m0PX7lhWnLNVs93_vMNTyB6-inZRgYSbQ0n9sqMiFVGMad8oXmQkvlDWJnvJIJ-Pc3-uoohD_VC_dAZll60yUHZJRTGX7Ko1juSdh8zBQ/s4032/IMG_3220.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV4jx7O4flrg8sB3Yo8gn4xPew5oTP5ZMXBkNW8ZLjWe4lyEByDMMcVIbCzgOhuMI0l_rIJvQsphr79mdPK9m0PX7lhWnLNVs93_vMNTyB6-inZRgYSbQ0n9sqMiFVGMad8oXmQkvlDWJnvJIJ-Pc3-uoohD_VC_dAZll60yUHZJRTGX7Ko1juSdh8zBQ/w300-h400/IMG_3220.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Brambil - sit!<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> Another nice little touch (attached to the front of the toilet/shower
block), was a collection of 'pick your own' herbs - great for your
caravan culinary adventures...</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrthlNb6v3Ja3Axz7LospweKgiwJo6wvpOEJPBsgCVQ2A1MouJqJ5F1LlEVbcrgFnGkVh63L-zdUIGLSwfvjYKH_K13Q9ONJHdA-HENIa6wG2qPgaxslU1wpvusomoHWwAP-V2e5oI3oFcrkIeBD4dw094a5_5kgAZrV80ROI-618Z_IZk8wIqJ7q6GPc/s4032/IMG_3214.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrthlNb6v3Ja3Axz7LospweKgiwJo6wvpOEJPBsgCVQ2A1MouJqJ5F1LlEVbcrgFnGkVh63L-zdUIGLSwfvjYKH_K13Q9ONJHdA-HENIa6wG2qPgaxslU1wpvusomoHWwAP-V2e5oI3oFcrkIeBD4dw094a5_5kgAZrV80ROI-618Z_IZk8wIqJ7q6GPc/w300-h400/IMG_3214.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Vertical herb gardening</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> Having arrived on the Thursday afternoon and pitched our little 'des res' comprising Hector and his awning, we relaxed for the rest of the day, beer and wine etc. On the Friday morning, we ventured out to the small hamlet of Southwick, which, you may recall, I have blogged before - covering the <a href="https://ghpub.blogspot.com/2018/03/the-lions-of-southwick-part-1-golden.html" target="_blank">village's two 'lion' pubs. </a></p><p>No pub visits there this time though, just a wander round the village and a chat with a friendly group of Dutch motorcyclists who had been on a touring holiday of the Sout/Southwest. </p><p>However I did need to visit the <b>Southwick Brewhouse</b>. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJgYoM06HEcoVRrvCoHYIFZUjx5F29xl07ksA2LtM5YG31qlfwCs-juSmT8gAm-YLYIknJgb7fc8VeFOo9Ke0SJq54o5_TvWj-aV9lygHX8oMuPXC2oJFeruGL64r3sFc-Yxd7_GF38arrqbbb-UOVAGMomf7miV-QAp4L2ES7mGAILLd3KYv6MkJvpo/s4000/20230630_111342.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMJgYoM06HEcoVRrvCoHYIFZUjx5F29xl07ksA2LtM5YG31qlfwCs-juSmT8gAm-YLYIknJgb7fc8VeFOo9Ke0SJq54o5_TvWj-aV9lygHX8oMuPXC2oJFeruGL64r3sFc-Yxd7_GF38arrqbbb-UOVAGMomf7miV-QAp4L2ES7mGAILLd3KYv6MkJvpo/w400-h300/20230630_111342.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Southwick Brewhouse</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The Southwick Brewhouse is situated in the back yard of the Golden Lion pub. It is an old Victorian brewhouse, and upstairs there is now a museum, showing the old brewing equipment. The head brewer was called Dick Olden - he brewed at the brewhouse for some 50 years from the early 1900's to the 1950s, and is celebrated by 'Old Dick' bitter, one of a colelction of Suthwyck beers brewed at a local farm specially for the brewhouse.</p><p>On the lower floor of the brewhouse there is a beer shop selling a range of real ales from different breweries, some local, some further afield, as well as the range of Suthwyck Ales. This site has more on the history of the brewhouse...<a href="https://www.southwickbrewhouse.co.uk/history/">https://www.southwickbrewhouse.co.uk/history/</a></p><p>So having stocked up with beers it was back to the caravan to try some out...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtz0a_LHVZPMH-67RoSke9y-acGdMv0C2mbe-Yahnmo59b1_juxDIfDHy4gED3BhLFOVbwW97rW-MivYePouemSeBrD9XCtpf6zEqOabcR2Qif6BA_rT_QPT8sMt4U8xVY296rNpl2lFIfJ9K7cgXY-grsC3_1Xt8e3UkBgNui2N-VIDtUa-mdD5qb9o/s4032/IMG_3201.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNtz0a_LHVZPMH-67RoSke9y-acGdMv0C2mbe-Yahnmo59b1_juxDIfDHy4gED3BhLFOVbwW97rW-MivYePouemSeBrD9XCtpf6zEqOabcR2Qif6BA_rT_QPT8sMt4U8xVY296rNpl2lFIfJ9K7cgXY-grsC3_1Xt8e3UkBgNui2N-VIDtUa-mdD5qb9o/w300-h400/IMG_3201.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Proper craft lager - al fresco</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>...the Ammonite beer is a lager, and is part of the 'Jurassic Coast range' from Piddle Brewery in Dorset, 'a traditional European lager' they say, and as it is not 'brewed' at a factory in Wolverhampton - it is full of flavour and tastes really <b>very good. </b></p><p><b> </b>A 10p donation is made to the Jurassic Coast Trust (www.jurassiccoast.org) from every bottle of beer sold. I like a good beer with a good cause.</p><p> The following morning we went for a look around Wickham, a large village
that looks like a mini-market town, with it's traditional square. Henry
was first in the car as usual, not wanting to be left behind...</p><p></p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg0Aewpc1RONsJBe5ukxwOxM13pzx4gdQV9DusPw_6An_eB0c2MmvBr-r5gZ0eO39bPMs9SPnPAn3UEWiUyzwn_omqFQ-EtWDpxKuUrzWE55f7TSgGC3NS8DAJzYQuYPGehE1kqBeTBthOswsOXZlxaMAJmcpwxj0KvNt-Cu91J-0rugrwYNLUlP6qJk/s4000/20230701_093722.jpg" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3000" data-original-width="4000" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpg0Aewpc1RONsJBe5ukxwOxM13pzx4gdQV9DusPw_6An_eB0c2MmvBr-r5gZ0eO39bPMs9SPnPAn3UEWiUyzwn_omqFQ-EtWDpxKuUrzWE55f7TSgGC3NS8DAJzYQuYPGehE1kqBeTBthOswsOXZlxaMAJmcpwxj0KvNt-Cu91J-0rugrwYNLUlP6qJk/w400-h300/20230701_093722.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Dog loaded and ready to go...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>Wickham was once a centre of railway activity with it's own reasonable sized station and goods facilities on the Meon Valley Line. We parked in the car park on the site of the old station...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiRv5vW96q93RI3gqyoQ9fahj9FxKWbKfCSJpH70Chgur940gOre1Kt1lHeIiRULxFTXzKnsOeeEuf6bUir0F4ump-85PsPqv5-E6FTk4xmdYlHUq48jrwNpto7V-Kgq3t62Ck3_Efo9oQGGSoow9fznflRmg4z7-vQYvgpgDdC5e7EXaAKAfIO94loU/s4032/IMG_3167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggiRv5vW96q93RI3gqyoQ9fahj9FxKWbKfCSJpH70Chgur940gOre1Kt1lHeIiRULxFTXzKnsOeeEuf6bUir0F4ump-85PsPqv5-E6FTk4xmdYlHUq48jrwNpto7V-Kgq3t62Ck3_Efo9oQGGSoow9fznflRmg4z7-vQYvgpgDdC5e7EXaAKAfIO94loU/w400-h300/IMG_3167.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>...the trackbed of some of the railway line still exists, and forms the picturesque Meon Valley walking trail out from Wickham over the River Meon and through the countryside to Meonstoke....</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MCgLn1fiQz6T6jYYhBLWyYXEYo3_1DxdHL1jA0lLcCjQRaa4hdDFP7o6B-kx4LkDGhtd-tNxzASrDDm9ZFQZdzt8FBQppaxukeQ956BR9N3JFowyDqjqZsfdcjO21uC6IbjwlqgsObXRwcd7dbsNr2BsT5_j0VEEsikixyoMK3qdwWhEC54GDk1RbJw/s4032/IMG_3168.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0MCgLn1fiQz6T6jYYhBLWyYXEYo3_1DxdHL1jA0lLcCjQRaa4hdDFP7o6B-kx4LkDGhtd-tNxzASrDDm9ZFQZdzt8FBQppaxukeQ956BR9N3JFowyDqjqZsfdcjO21uC6IbjwlqgsObXRwcd7dbsNr2BsT5_j0VEEsikixyoMK3qdwWhEC54GDk1RbJw/w400-h300/IMG_3168.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Trail - on the old railway bridge over the River Meon</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p>We, however, walked the other way into the centre of Wickham to have a look round the old square...</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHAT5fBIgvrPnGOD8tUPVk055Rxb-nNl5wScxGfBAuHFBhleJVXTICVEFufZ-CMC-uZ624awszC__TudKE9CGpuzs9g62Vjt0UyWGvE4n704XmFzhkCg_SuMO6H8FNv0iEju3o3KFZoTGjruHYJ5_2b9y4t1MBJ5Pn-fypgMvVcYcwSbG4jwLU-bJL3Y/s4032/IMG_3189.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtHAT5fBIgvrPnGOD8tUPVk055Rxb-nNl5wScxGfBAuHFBhleJVXTICVEFufZ-CMC-uZ624awszC__TudKE9CGpuzs9g62Vjt0UyWGvE4n704XmFzhkCg_SuMO6H8FNv0iEju3o3KFZoTGjruHYJ5_2b9y4t1MBJ5Pn-fypgMvVcYcwSbG4jwLU-bJL3Y/w400-h300/IMG_3189.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Wickham Square - it's more of a rectangle really - but I'm just splitting hairs</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> After a bit of shopping for lunch at the butchers and bakery, we came to the far end of the square...</p><p>...wait a minute aren't those two guys sat outside a pub drinking beer?...(too shocked to take photo)....</p><p>...checks watch...</p><p>10:30am...and the pub is open (no it's not Weatherspoons).</p><p>Well, when in <strike>Rome</strike> Wickham...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1X6Eqv5Gj3K-08uCY3EZJYGACO7cPigI1bTBZ6M9CxgxkrMSwX9ucUNikTO2SlIAbt_Xcj0cThhi4VKh37FNA4t7Ejp0e_3_d9Iwc-XVh3L-FITFbFP20U_dkHGe8NHX1I41ij-VYLygbkzZYBY4MyD-4f4pt5ddCIH5eC4kcCtqyi1MJyXVIiTWWHc/s4032/IMG_3174.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1X6Eqv5Gj3K-08uCY3EZJYGACO7cPigI1bTBZ6M9CxgxkrMSwX9ucUNikTO2SlIAbt_Xcj0cThhi4VKh37FNA4t7Ejp0e_3_d9Iwc-XVh3L-FITFbFP20U_dkHGe8NHX1I41ij-VYLygbkzZYBY4MyD-4f4pt5ddCIH5eC4kcCtqyi1MJyXVIiTWWHc/w400-h300/IMG_3174.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>... a pint of Bowman's <b>Swift One </b>please - lovely cask pint - most unexpected at that time of the morning and <b>very good</b>. The staff kindly gave Henry a drink too...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwOrrHb9FE_GnppMMhbav4TL2E6nSvDFRdh5m3A10Gf5cYMmZnZ6szlEQ-z0jM6X3ZGGZuTjwD-39Ads7oGe5RQXFle-Asv2LQ177ueLysQF0MiQ6RlOsiAQJl31M34-ytYNTEm75KMd7WzrVEw7LfNPIiWc1co5nI3pTCab2ymjoXX5HL6lQf3M2IX0/s4000/20230701_103921.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOwOrrHb9FE_GnppMMhbav4TL2E6nSvDFRdh5m3A10Gf5cYMmZnZ6szlEQ-z0jM6X3ZGGZuTjwD-39Ads7oGe5RQXFle-Asv2LQ177ueLysQF0MiQ6RlOsiAQJl31M34-ytYNTEm75KMd7WzrVEw7LfNPIiWc1co5nI3pTCab2ymjoXX5HL6lQf3M2IX0/w300-h400/20230701_103921.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Little bowl/big dog - think he'll need another!</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>So this wonderful pub, open at 10:30 on a Saturday morning was The Square Cow (I wonder if it was ever the 'The Cow in the Square'?). </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcpMn9XGZmmVET4DpRyPwEW_rMTPgqdT-Ol8Ztr3E044UsII1jLcXN1ok4qZ4-AHpugHEgejbVOiaQ_PNRoZmZ0AntC8B8dvfyCJhwKFxL7gZVXp1EgP6S61C2Risi7SGSttiYn29rPO-uupqQNUbYS1gg8cuHQYi78RPbP6bt0x3e4ThdST6WUNsKFA/s4032/IMG_3190.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDcpMn9XGZmmVET4DpRyPwEW_rMTPgqdT-Ol8Ztr3E044UsII1jLcXN1ok4qZ4-AHpugHEgejbVOiaQ_PNRoZmZ0AntC8B8dvfyCJhwKFxL7gZVXp1EgP6S61C2Risi7SGSttiYn29rPO-uupqQNUbYS1gg8cuHQYi78RPbP6bt0x3e4ThdST6WUNsKFA/w400-h300/IMG_3190.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p> A lovely old pub, and the building dates back to the 16th century, still with old stone flag floor. The staff explained that there is an original part of the 16th century wall decorations in the meeting room upstairs and kindly allowed me to go and have a look...</p><p> So, up the Mooseum of Fame stairs...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyTBs2jC3GOFHkZD5GmsCox8z6KBTc-yIWnXBvAtqX1TA_k-0Tvl-WTGhY8PVwad0R8NZH9cUsMJwa2BHk-rZmoBK9UxYWdvJXmSYNsUW9jpGdHHPRgNPFlfUSNAOyl6WuZy6sqQZfZuQIN1asS45840i3E24zvxYP5R-A-wqPJEANZGcO-2Fjgg2uXU/s4032/IMG_3179.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHyTBs2jC3GOFHkZD5GmsCox8z6KBTc-yIWnXBvAtqX1TA_k-0Tvl-WTGhY8PVwad0R8NZH9cUsMJwa2BHk-rZmoBK9UxYWdvJXmSYNsUW9jpGdHHPRgNPFlfUSNAOyl6WuZy6sqQZfZuQIN1asS45840i3E24zvxYP5R-A-wqPJEANZGcO-2Fjgg2uXU/w300-h400/IMG_3179.JPG" width="300" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> ...and here it is, behind a protective glass frame...<p></p></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySwwoB5oQN8UtRPtQhXe9wXB2FARIQWLvZFCqmTU482HhxHtEbSs-Agz-umWY_uBk4PtNhPrpjFG-DKPGmXBUJFiU0Pa2sIS6TYCkimk-9snXhuEnszH1ZKxb0T8O3qQtkiyvQZbzxCVcXIFxny54gj4EFxH_uestNtT_9RMGnMSSljwnLlCTruicZQo/s4032/IMG_3178.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgySwwoB5oQN8UtRPtQhXe9wXB2FARIQWLvZFCqmTU482HhxHtEbSs-Agz-umWY_uBk4PtNhPrpjFG-DKPGmXBUJFiU0Pa2sIS6TYCkimk-9snXhuEnszH1ZKxb0T8O3qQtkiyvQZbzxCVcXIFxny54gj4EFxH_uestNtT_9RMGnMSSljwnLlCTruicZQo/w400-h300/IMG_3178.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>...pretty impressive eh?! (sorry for the glass reflections).</p><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_zbOvfl_8UIrnpkbdmJ70Em0fnBFpX4Wl0JNAEfypEyeIyrf6eA_YAPiHBBfnJwzCUU-Kc-I6os0n2DvhsDGkatrSZJIFpY7W-zJoorhVFBuAEIcwXN-jWUBzw3zMbwLcfu7UGylEqFD6gNy93nsAiP5JSXwBOr-N7r9IzjssxRQCHINsr-b4qF2ccA/s4032/IMG_3176.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_zbOvfl_8UIrnpkbdmJ70Em0fnBFpX4Wl0JNAEfypEyeIyrf6eA_YAPiHBBfnJwzCUU-Kc-I6os0n2DvhsDGkatrSZJIFpY7W-zJoorhVFBuAEIcwXN-jWUBzw3zMbwLcfu7UGylEqFD6gNy93nsAiP5JSXwBOr-N7r9IzjssxRQCHINsr-b4qF2ccA/w400-h300/IMG_3176.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>16th century decor...not Laura Ashley...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>I'd definitely recommend a visit to Wickham, and to The Square Cow, but for us, back to the caravan for a nice cheese and ham roll and bit of pork pie for lunch...</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkpdoMDk448Qvg3mi0U3bfNHySlliZvdCOsdg2SlDgaTE8qHOsLJuw59MOnBUlZz4pMFyqG6_8ua2JltlHslmZbgNxP8LRkTC74cPSuzmLrV0gticNXgGcfXw--8q7PEw6kYSH46QlItzT6UNPzd5eXDuY2o2AQYBZ6j3SHLEkN7oQwDTINmZXlJPT-Y/s4032/IMG_3192.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVkpdoMDk448Qvg3mi0U3bfNHySlliZvdCOsdg2SlDgaTE8qHOsLJuw59MOnBUlZz4pMFyqG6_8ua2JltlHslmZbgNxP8LRkTC74cPSuzmLrV0gticNXgGcfXw--8q7PEw6kYSH46QlItzT6UNPzd5eXDuY2o2AQYBZ6j3SHLEkN7oQwDTINmZXlJPT-Y/s320/IMG_3192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><p>...and more holiday relaxation...<br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhNShHABnUjee1fxtfuiTdI9IVDc9ZdeCWn-D45YoNnKCrjp0ssgTnJV4FjeIsiTvnh6gWEOXfEoDr4qB1IgLAcnBgqYn7SLG2d_XvQA7X8LcpXTZrOT9bQeIZ51zHaWgNMixRaLL92eTId4C9VlpVshG89OmbzXRH2hZy7tZrDDTcD1ogz5Z6e2Q5f4/s4032/IMG_3195.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYhNShHABnUjee1fxtfuiTdI9IVDc9ZdeCWn-D45YoNnKCrjp0ssgTnJV4FjeIsiTvnh6gWEOXfEoDr4qB1IgLAcnBgqYn7SLG2d_XvQA7X8LcpXTZrOT9bQeIZ51zHaWgNMixRaLL92eTId4C9VlpVshG89OmbzXRH2hZy7tZrDDTcD1ogz5Z6e2Q5f4/s320/IMG_3195.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Bye for now.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-44590821673433907892023-07-05T09:32:00.002-07:002023-07-08T12:39:54.147-07:00 ...To Roll Out The (Dusty) Barrel.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVxRRd_w7gMRN07swgI5q8qgnuoXOfGcWkTav16ozE9xd__GHve5JvJLKLcNhVpzEQcToVYNKVGHjYoTNQ5b_YCeNIxXPDJLV04THUIF6t2Nsk4F9fJR3VkUhgD_KM7M7w0XUFlKcCH4vAn5DAoXPWsJs4wX5VnLAdIQcRdgb0wAH18kgvktFvDxAkmI/s4000/20230423_144539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="3000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCVxRRd_w7gMRN07swgI5q8qgnuoXOfGcWkTav16ozE9xd__GHve5JvJLKLcNhVpzEQcToVYNKVGHjYoTNQ5b_YCeNIxXPDJLV04THUIF6t2Nsk4F9fJR3VkUhgD_KM7M7w0XUFlKcCH4vAn5DAoXPWsJs4wX5VnLAdIQcRdgb0wAH18kgvktFvDxAkmI/w300-h400/20230423_144539.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>GH 'basking in the limelight of his dog' (BRAPA quote*)<br /></i></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>I sarted writing this post 10 months ago...</p><p>...it's had a long gestation period...</p><p>...I haven't blogged since before the pandemic... <br /></p><p>...maybe I've just been useless at doing my blog...</p><p>...or it could even be 'bloggers block'.</p><p>I've now decided to change the blog title, by removing the '...To The Pub' bit, just in case I go somewhere else worth blogging about other than a pub (you never know!). I suppose the downside of this is that all my previous posts will also have the new heading, and look wrong (possibly).</p><p>Anyway back to the post. Consider it a compilation post as I've visited this place a number of times since it opened a couple of years ago (warning...there may be some continuity issues with the photos).<br /></p><p><b>The Dusty Barrel, Pylewell Precinct, Hythe, Hants</b> is the newest addition to Hythe's pub scene and the first real micropub. When I say 'real micropub' I'm not alluding to any CAMRA definition, simply that it occupies a retail premises, formerly the home of 'Goody Buys' discount goods store. So, while I can no longer buy a birthday card for under 50p, I can now buy a great range of cask and keg beers.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SApqC7xLl28czUDyaQnSLblItA1O9qxQvAWwqBu66zqdxprQsCZ32jMuv9-g_a8oFjH3dCnubnfi5DOlasvmjSmh980eYA3uIlrem9zJmecA3U-ryFYf_KA8Cob876eeed6O2rg5UAnUhadh-erMqlY_h5VCYUBsBHyc1KGpyjY_lflSjrILX54gziY/s4032/IMG_0668.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_SApqC7xLl28czUDyaQnSLblItA1O9qxQvAWwqBu66zqdxprQsCZ32jMuv9-g_a8oFjH3dCnubnfi5DOlasvmjSmh980eYA3uIlrem9zJmecA3U-ryFYf_KA8Cob876eeed6O2rg5UAnUhadh-erMqlY_h5VCYUBsBHyc1KGpyjY_lflSjrILX54gziY/w400-h300/IMG_0668.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Proper mobility scooter outside.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>The Dusty Barrel is a two storey micropub, with bar (and some seating) downstairs and further seating upstairs. The stairs to the first floor are quite steep and it is best to bear this in mind and review your post-drinking stairs negotiation skills before deciding whether to sit up or downstairs.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGS1Vp79rWXjbeGYPyytK6pMrrcTYTi2B9pRfgs5wT6pMoZbDIwBuSqzdO4lBA4nlRF9xM-RcVQlolgpn9PQCO1cUAF77rfvcx6Aqw-TzcubzBudSYUPhowOUzRvIkAVpkxThklB0AkwVno4pSo5rXyfYY8CmiTsT3uA4vkVPsjbYACvBFwowcjySC4s/s4032/IMG_0666.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGS1Vp79rWXjbeGYPyytK6pMrrcTYTi2B9pRfgs5wT6pMoZbDIwBuSqzdO4lBA4nlRF9xM-RcVQlolgpn9PQCO1cUAF77rfvcx6Aqw-TzcubzBudSYUPhowOUzRvIkAVpkxThklB0AkwVno4pSo5rXyfYY8CmiTsT3uA4vkVPsjbYACvBFwowcjySC4s/w400-h300/IMG_0666.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Downstairs bar, WC on right and stairs round to left.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p> Regardless of the risks - we went upstairs...</p><p> The pub has 4 cask ales and 8 keg beers available most (if not all) of the time, and the cask <b>Barton Bitter</b> from Steamtown Brewery was <b>very good</b>,</p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeN85MSaLbaDreslreSKaCpnHLf_y2QxJJkxzqK8xQ2gRy6fTflzYVdcnUNU4bb1Nb8IbeEs9k9FYjDv6jR_yOzv2_UvkN8Dbpa-yAOu2japzsUmcgOQyRYiSaJv5ueAB_Ut357oyJ20wsvwDetB_j6ZVLNYZ-TtVPQrUybjQZd05HLwIzAavx6WGvM4/s4032/IMG_0657.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmeN85MSaLbaDreslreSKaCpnHLf_y2QxJJkxzqK8xQ2gRy6fTflzYVdcnUNU4bb1Nb8IbeEs9k9FYjDv6jR_yOzv2_UvkN8Dbpa-yAOu2japzsUmcgOQyRYiSaJv5ueAB_Ut357oyJ20wsvwDetB_j6ZVLNYZ-TtVPQrUybjQZd05HLwIzAavx6WGvM4/w300-h400/IMG_0657.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Barton Bitter - very good/ lager glass - average.</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>The seating and tables are a functional tube and plank design, though the upstairs area also has retro chairs and a sofa, for additional nostalgia and comfort demanded by older customers. It is what the Dusty Barrel calls a 'stripped back industrial/retro setting' - nothing wrong with that!</p><p>On the rear wall are double DJ decks, (not in use at the time of our visit)....<br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW_J-4YGmdadF59G9LyhrhnFVbOft7VO8HSCxtlxGDu1nlXzj3pmYsDsf308be2QgJQsD6sbFc_bO64EgPzu326yPcNlGbyqJIj7wU1Ltr-tJxUL64xmjTLutk-IVHp5QAA2K13FokV2dtKG04BKz6PfjsXy9Q4FdvE1tDC8FsAI435pmv0f-xdCjY24/s4032/IMG_0654.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoW_J-4YGmdadF59G9LyhrhnFVbOft7VO8HSCxtlxGDu1nlXzj3pmYsDsf308be2QgJQsD6sbFc_bO64EgPzu326yPcNlGbyqJIj7wU1Ltr-tJxUL64xmjTLutk-IVHp5QAA2K13FokV2dtKG04BKz6PfjsXy9Q4FdvE1tDC8FsAI435pmv0f-xdCjY24/w400-h300/IMG_0654.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Lime green retro and brewing diagrams for CAMRA members</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>...however, when the DJ does arrive, the vinyl is handily attached to the wall...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBC8qiVHTUczs0-hAdY2_xfyrBCDqtfwyuLlhCMGUpBdbScYvSmcI1S6oKXcNq8CycQ6kToC7rVzIoLQ_3GeIUXwr3zF9ubqiWFLZzWbhCCduzSsSb2R2K6b7soG-TgoqgqEz81x6niJ9tfbpe2WvC1vgcH4J_qOsE3M3Bpy2SJR4d6kWRGay2xA6Hzo/s4032/IMG_0656.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNBC8qiVHTUczs0-hAdY2_xfyrBCDqtfwyuLlhCMGUpBdbScYvSmcI1S6oKXcNq8CycQ6kToC7rVzIoLQ_3GeIUXwr3zF9ubqiWFLZzWbhCCduzSsSb2R2K6b7soG-TgoqgqEz81x6niJ9tfbpe2WvC1vgcH4J_qOsE3M3Bpy2SJR4d6kWRGay2xA6Hzo/w400-h300/IMG_0656.HEIC" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Boney M, Jackson 5, Bruce S, Focus and other great sounds...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p>Of course being upstairs, there isn't a bar, which is downstairs. For persons of a mature age this could pose problems as normally it is difficult to remember what day it is, never mind what the 4 cask, and 8 keg beers are. Fear not - The Dusty Barrel, has a beer menu, and thanks to the wonders of CCTV the bar staff will (hopefully) clock you looking at said menu and be up the stairs to serve you, before you can say...</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujL6pGDoc0xqCvFSSKmL61g22lZA4DmO8AP9wfzOazIkXgvKGFgc84SDj7iDL0lfdzqUnMvyYt9Qu1fxRwwgvNzXepfYnUcJ01LW2-8-NzFaHwnDzVGoeq42liNRLDpgDVQLvettXgGGj0jgwPRAS8M86lWh0pOd5YA0JAcdsA6XCfvVWf42bhOXDgoA/s4032/IMG_0658.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujL6pGDoc0xqCvFSSKmL61g22lZA4DmO8AP9wfzOazIkXgvKGFgc84SDj7iDL0lfdzqUnMvyYt9Qu1fxRwwgvNzXepfYnUcJ01LW2-8-NzFaHwnDzVGoeq42liNRLDpgDVQLvettXgGGj0jgwPRAS8M86lWh0pOd5YA0JAcdsA6XCfvVWf42bhOXDgoA/w300-h400/IMG_0658.HEIC" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Upstairs table service menu<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p>....I'll have a half of <b>Mangolicious (Laine Brew Co</b>) please (<b>very good</b>).<br /></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ov7hDm1f4ZvfNS8_aZQCPWLfVXlSLVP6xz4RGgwfJx_h1zI_OxOpq8ndRR5XQB94yuNP-vbN9Q-a3TU-HD2FWMK9fF6aCeTcTA8cR25RUflXdPbx7T_zpPyia7vX94yO7J63HqPRfX2OfJhKt66NppVx3dviuUytKHq2MBzEUekWKnI67NJCddk3HJo/s4032/IMG_0661.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6Ov7hDm1f4ZvfNS8_aZQCPWLfVXlSLVP6xz4RGgwfJx_h1zI_OxOpq8ndRR5XQB94yuNP-vbN9Q-a3TU-HD2FWMK9fF6aCeTcTA8cR25RUflXdPbx7T_zpPyia7vX94yO7J63HqPRfX2OfJhKt66NppVx3dviuUytKHq2MBzEUekWKnI67NJCddk3HJo/s320/IMG_0661.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Mangolicious!</i></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>One of the strangest things about The Dusty Barrel is the audio loop playing in the toilet, which, in an American drawl, bombards you with trivia facts on various themes, while you are answering your call of nature. Very educational - maybe schools and colleges will take it up! </p><p>Of course the WC is also a good place to study some additional brewing equipment diagrams, especially for the technically minded drinkers.<br /></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ok2og1MNPzANH1enrdgfasvvyjeXDC7dodmsqmy0E9DV22rywnBVHJYIpqFFyGmxscwCK4CbEDBzBzeyaNFS1LsoCyw2dFHRIzkg0MKQ_63QTsuJSGhSONOV9ZdKEyMBL0zUwJxFk8fqhpOnsa68eWAHC4y5bxCLCayJIM4HqjxOyYdVBPGedG7nKq4/s4032/IMG_0664.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7ok2og1MNPzANH1enrdgfasvvyjeXDC7dodmsqmy0E9DV22rywnBVHJYIpqFFyGmxscwCK4CbEDBzBzeyaNFS1LsoCyw2dFHRIzkg0MKQ_63QTsuJSGhSONOV9ZdKEyMBL0zUwJxFk8fqhpOnsa68eWAHC4y5bxCLCayJIM4HqjxOyYdVBPGedG7nKq4/s320/IMG_0664.HEIC" width="240" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tbKzs0YTOzeb2QrZsaWj7tI7v5Kxu7htjz01HkofJw4n-KKR8q0FuHccw4SRA97eN-BJZoC-s-Ww4FI2XjoJs9c3y5BA7Dfg2n3_vfgrK7LZmXbtxCz55hONA3xFOv24s2Jy435KvXU2OGCUSdHDtK2cOXSvl2Epwxcodyaf5xG1AgVilexX-b1daN8/s4032/IMG_0665.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_tbKzs0YTOzeb2QrZsaWj7tI7v5Kxu7htjz01HkofJw4n-KKR8q0FuHccw4SRA97eN-BJZoC-s-Ww4FI2XjoJs9c3y5BA7Dfg2n3_vfgrK7LZmXbtxCz55hONA3xFOv24s2Jy435KvXU2OGCUSdHDtK2cOXSvl2Epwxcodyaf5xG1AgVilexX-b1daN8/s320/IMG_0665.HEIC" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Toilet training - Important diagrams about brewing </i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br />Hythe's first proper micropub is a winner, plenty of regularly changing beers, good atmosphere and about 15 minutes walk from my home - what's not to like!<br /><br />Beermat moment...<b>Laine Brew Co., Brighton</b><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZW5KOArifdvCEnSS0F5f6CJ2JhMMhiS1QYm4PLjFEXf0U79emkh23pTGs1Ewm3x0EuzfYRdcam1sGtdbAXhvqJK1ntG1mi5aJul0Dr9dA9TFgxP38soBTo1o4bmLsYBZWgHLi_rFNX7YZM-XH45AUjVE1LQdw6MLiDdOhz9kqkqd8U9F8TmVjMAeGHOk/s4032/IMG_0660.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHgI4YZFJHb843llw_4LN_MZulg2NohtziYCJLEP_EQ_-ZjoW0B7j6sDK25Ici9tQXfjqFd6hGbhmGFiUnsKo0PLx1AC4fkce2RTu6n7rc5eX3s8YJ32LtuWvpP7J7Vc3FUn2WozxoLAaF5Tbpqf69XbGjj4qcYH4ZriWHYqjSejWGi91Vlturz4brBPM/w300-h400/IMG_0659.HEIC" width="300" /><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZW5KOArifdvCEnSS0F5f6CJ2JhMMhiS1QYm4PLjFEXf0U79emkh23pTGs1Ewm3x0EuzfYRdcam1sGtdbAXhvqJK1ntG1mi5aJul0Dr9dA9TFgxP38soBTo1o4bmLsYBZWgHLi_rFNX7YZM-XH45AUjVE1LQdw6MLiDdOhz9kqkqd8U9F8TmVjMAeGHOk/w300-h400/IMG_0660.HEIC" width="300" /></a></div><p> </p><p>* Trivia Quiz - Name the title of the <a href="https://brapa-4500.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">BRAPA</a> post in which he used the quote.<br /></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-53235819170903448582021-05-10T09:51:00.000-07:002021-05-10T09:51:41.314-07:00Cast in Sway <p> <br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfAqUsWS1zRaidYQc2xIZlDqI6PLUflN4Gar1E4-4fmSu1A7QQmU4tuasfap9HtoV7bhM5y2WzKbRQ3iVEYrHu_1K0pWlX67cFo-YrtS8Ly_eyHivvHPIhL_Ys1KrYaybry_HEXfTXGY/s1345/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.25.46.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="736" data-original-width="1345" height="350" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVfAqUsWS1zRaidYQc2xIZlDqI6PLUflN4Gar1E4-4fmSu1A7QQmU4tuasfap9HtoV7bhM5y2WzKbRQ3iVEYrHu_1K0pWlX67cFo-YrtS8Ly_eyHivvHPIhL_Ys1KrYaybry_HEXfTXGY/w640-h350/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.25.46.png" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is an interesting map for you. The New Forest on the west (left) side, Portsmouth and Southampton conurbations, centre and right, and bottom right a small diamond shaped island, which, remains largely undiscovered by pub bloggers. Though there was a brief expedition by the Famous Five (Four Old Farts and a Friend) in October 2018 (<a href="https://ghpub.blogspot.com/2018/10/five-find-lost-island-pt-1-ferry-to.html">https://ghpub.blogspot.com/2018/10/five-find-lost-island-pt-1-ferry-to.html</a> ) this failed to make much progress beyond the landing point. On a positive note however Retired Martin has discovered a <a href="https://retiredmartin.com/2021/04/29/the-day-i-let-pubs-die-2/" target="_blank">new island in Sheffield</a>...<br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxWJtsUi2faRWiTrSjmX_pSdPf8_nv1HNQwGm7T_A5UAEX_9cK-Hx5Vw5d-cPM_TnS2m7K12XBxkNFjYVgzxh2HToS3RYPZuz54gaS-B1ncE1Ll76T-sAzNsDlQmsw9JhSEANGY5joQA/s632/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.39.34.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="632" data-original-width="466" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVxWJtsUi2faRWiTrSjmX_pSdPf8_nv1HNQwGm7T_A5UAEX_9cK-Hx5Vw5d-cPM_TnS2m7K12XBxkNFjYVgzxh2HToS3RYPZuz54gaS-B1ncE1Ll76T-sAzNsDlQmsw9JhSEANGY5joQA/w295-h400/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.39.34.png" width="295" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Today's expedition however, in pre-Lockdown2 August 2020, was along the blue line on the map from Hythe to the village of Sway in the New Forest. Long before 'Concrete Bob' McAlpine got to grips with the stuff, and built the Glenfinnan Viaduct for the Harry Potter movies, Sway found its claim to fame with mass concrete. The Sway Tower (<i>photo above from Wiki</i>) was built as a folly soon after the material was invented. There's a fascinating little account of it here... <a href="http://engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=125">http://engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=125</a><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGPTwSiTi2qE_I6PNgCN8AcrnMKOTT8Y2ulPXmr88hesLx9m49kOngYVaaO-gokoT92CPstVP1uURTNj6UHxWo37yBoFBjmrSMCNdZ7TOWCOKi76XghyphenhyphenlVj97Mbea1z1U7FGuHSGYmLk/s1354/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.53.34.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="503" data-original-width="1354" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdGPTwSiTi2qE_I6PNgCN8AcrnMKOTT8Y2ulPXmr88hesLx9m49kOngYVaaO-gokoT92CPstVP1uURTNj6UHxWo37yBoFBjmrSMCNdZ7TOWCOKi76XghyphenhyphenlVj97Mbea1z1U7FGuHSGYmLk/w400-h149/Screen+Shot+2021-04-21+at+18.53.34.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are apparently a number of early mass concrete buildings in the Sway area, and one of the least mentioned is the mass concrete former piggery, now the premises of New Forest Koi, where we popped in for a bit of ornamental fish retail therapy (well at least we bought some fish food). (<i>Image Google Maps</i>)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJzCge5D4CzzrtVnUdaCS87qSiwl8RwQ3MF4KtqNt1_dzeqTvggjD1zzBb7DtmiTXynSLrzqn02sxVEesvTAMQraEq57SBkbNBcS2pikiHR6pmaphkCcSo0JowUhNg0L135JM0T2QCLY/s5312/20200826_145041.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJzCge5D4CzzrtVnUdaCS87qSiwl8RwQ3MF4KtqNt1_dzeqTvggjD1zzBb7DtmiTXynSLrzqn02sxVEesvTAMQraEq57SBkbNBcS2pikiHR6pmaphkCcSo0JowUhNg0L135JM0T2QCLY/w400-h225/20200826_145041.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naturally, as a retired Civil Engineer, I’d be happy to talk concrete all day, but you wouldn't appreciate it. However Sway also has a couple of pubs - so we couldn't pass by without stopping for a quick drink at the Hare and Hounds, a family owned hostelry. As the photo shows it's quite a big sprawling pub, but nevertheless as non-bookers we were informed on this lunchtime that there was no socially distanced room inside the Inn - but plenty of room in the rear garden.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxgG0bHHK14OL3T81cmJxqAiOwkTFDasIlkPInElhCvnaC_oQS6K2nwyYvyNOWsh71NSnIEvpD2GtYa8JhSkwDn69Vv4G_tlCC4Y8Z4f5YaZC3tJ-Gvjkf-2fsgvj5EXUwEmxEHLNXSc/s5312/20200826_144856.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijxgG0bHHK14OL3T81cmJxqAiOwkTFDasIlkPInElhCvnaC_oQS6K2nwyYvyNOWsh71NSnIEvpD2GtYa8JhSkwDn69Vv4G_tlCC4Y8Z4f5YaZC3tJ-Gvjkf-2fsgvj5EXUwEmxEHLNXSc/w225-h400/20200826_144856.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So - fully sanitised, we found a table in the garden and very efficient staff armed with smart pad computer thingies, quickly took our drinks order, while we relaxed and watched the pub garden world go by...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L27BNv1sERLd3PJDwhOWHcHKmWCX-IBRzYoj0gRzwGxSnWLrrKolL913WuV9gHmFiXLsDrQpWWCFbahrFmoiTtzJAocf9Sn6SZ3W8-Fq_5hj6AgtHm57lzzsnylnjnNCh7uCW365__c/s5312/20200826_141653.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9L27BNv1sERLd3PJDwhOWHcHKmWCX-IBRzYoj0gRzwGxSnWLrrKolL913WuV9gHmFiXLsDrQpWWCFbahrFmoiTtzJAocf9Sn6SZ3W8-Fq_5hj6AgtHm57lzzsnylnjnNCh7uCW365__c/w400-h225/20200826_141653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In classic Hampshire dining pub tradition there was nothing much going on, just peace and quiet, with one or two families dining outside...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyYGxAktNKeh4nYxdDHdFv4GtHUSwZootRe9_L1h_iMqDvMlE_-HDsfVKD0FNtWhyI2BbaNgOImOCqzywzmie5-iZZ8_wxy6XzaoGE1C51tY1xYlN3jMzZjWHbOmowbAu-CdEjgnDowg/s5312/20200826_142738.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyYGxAktNKeh4nYxdDHdFv4GtHUSwZootRe9_L1h_iMqDvMlE_-HDsfVKD0FNtWhyI2BbaNgOImOCqzywzmie5-iZZ8_wxy6XzaoGE1C51tY1xYlN3jMzZjWHbOmowbAu-CdEjgnDowg/w225-h400/20200826_142738.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...the distant sound of children in the play area, and a firmly grounded Granny fretting at Freddy frolicking fearlessly, far up on the climbing frame ...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7etFlRzxp2AuTKeAGpdAhn2j-eU35g2BNvCnazc8ZFE3xkhHDSdp7cSU8tFoSbT6TkWaxbnqi5MPkBF9gtiE1GQ38okCRtgV2oMpy37BnJaGmf7Gc3A7kr60SZWlF7yIrJsIB92gFXGQ/s5312/20200826_144134.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7etFlRzxp2AuTKeAGpdAhn2j-eU35g2BNvCnazc8ZFE3xkhHDSdp7cSU8tFoSbT6TkWaxbnqi5MPkBF9gtiE1GQ38okCRtgV2oMpy37BnJaGmf7Gc3A7kr60SZWlF7yIrJsIB92gFXGQ/w225-h400/20200826_144134.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and tree stump art...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8HWj4CVmSJZxP9fONCUinHj_Fs0KMhTXxPl02FWU4PJJnrvivhLVyV29mbC2AgNjKt1Ol55RnOOhSE5ukJ_t1RaePQKdLOlZAIwfO4P6_5LKHKamnnQqyqNuYi2KXS4qG1vPs3MAZM/s5312/20200826_141645.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8i8HWj4CVmSJZxP9fONCUinHj_Fs0KMhTXxPl02FWU4PJJnrvivhLVyV29mbC2AgNjKt1Ol55RnOOhSE5ukJ_t1RaePQKdLOlZAIwfO4P6_5LKHKamnnQqyqNuYi2KXS4qG1vPs3MAZM/w225-h400/20200826_141645.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">....and the gravity served cask house beverage specially for dogs.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsWC_-ac2E7MeasNWf1HPYwt_AnUopjD-GYPXDZSXl_ti8RneeMTawRhm7Y3OhvdS81NLic_scMzDAvJKgRNwfHBHo9pgBWnFq0tCHV5V1l90vKMnsyY6biB6qKwnhhy_cfICS8G9RPY/s5312/20200826_142013.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGsWC_-ac2E7MeasNWf1HPYwt_AnUopjD-GYPXDZSXl_ti8RneeMTawRhm7Y3OhvdS81NLic_scMzDAvJKgRNwfHBHo9pgBWnFq0tCHV5V1l90vKMnsyY6biB6qKwnhhy_cfICS8G9RPY/w225-h400/20200826_142013.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The waitress brought the drinks to the table and the <b>Badger Best</b> bitter was perfect for a sunny summer afternoon, (GHBSS 3). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfGEDbNFEE42aDEq70Igyz1YBcqH5rBrQ3e1y33rT2VlRELFgqeswumU9SOiObmjzTTpLSdIlG2Gf85jDkgean0tpFt3MQHTrZyHBN6Ndy-4BA5WzzzB5dNI8vn6q8vs_678rVBgcdd0/s5312/20200826_144120.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwfGEDbNFEE42aDEq70Igyz1YBcqH5rBrQ3e1y33rT2VlRELFgqeswumU9SOiObmjzTTpLSdIlG2Gf85jDkgean0tpFt3MQHTrZyHBN6Ndy-4BA5WzzzB5dNI8vn6q8vs_678rVBgcdd0/w225-h400/20200826_144120.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As the lacings slid slowly down the glass it was almost paradise.... in fact the only thing that even slightly dented the calm
perfection that is Hampshire dining pubbing, was when a little boy
dashed back from the play area to his parents table, to announce
loudly and urgently, with appropriate trouser holding gesture, that he needed a wee...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>But will it be the same post Lockdown2?... </p><p>Soon, I may have to come out from behind the sofa and have a look....😁<br /></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-61067188626217243732021-04-21T06:37:00.000-07:002021-04-21T06:37:28.988-07:00A Window on Hythe History...<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mt7j_lgxznVy7aMcWOWF_CuVIAjZaCeWPeSDQFwSaav6c_H743CKqdA99iHngcjNG3IlghluKTZdAb9uAZFG_w2qQ1sX0lzy1ILFy-8Cf_84IAy-eYj0YpJQ1EWFc7BMElxdcg64ayE/s5312/20200820_162646.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Mt7j_lgxznVy7aMcWOWF_CuVIAjZaCeWPeSDQFwSaav6c_H743CKqdA99iHngcjNG3IlghluKTZdAb9uAZFG_w2qQ1sX0lzy1ILFy-8Cf_84IAy-eYj0YpJQ1EWFc7BMElxdcg64ayE/w400-h225/20200820_162646.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last August the second wave/lockdown of the pandemic and Retired
Martin's move to Sheffield were still events that were unimaginable* when, with
both excitement and apprehension, I set off to visit one of the oldest
pubs in Hythe, and amazingly one which has kept (more or less) the same
name since first being opened in 1851.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d6kh2S0PIMgXaEew8Tu2G0MoGjgRqWu5nGVo6pXsyRFHyWWz1lcPjh5vdphjsawnQNN788bbvgExBAqYvrzLHoD7bplQvz_a9pqBtHdWRNMP2gait09mFdv6kiwiZi1k287nUgViR-s/s3766/20200907_103617.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3766" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7d6kh2S0PIMgXaEew8Tu2G0MoGjgRqWu5nGVo6pXsyRFHyWWz1lcPjh5vdphjsawnQNN788bbvgExBAqYvrzLHoD7bplQvz_a9pqBtHdWRNMP2gait09mFdv6kiwiZi1k287nUgViR-s/w319-h400/20200907_103617.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">According to the authoritative source of Hythe history, Graham Parkes, in his book ‘Hythe A Waterside Village’, the site of the pub has been associated with beer and brewing for over 250 years, when a malthouse and possibly a brewery existed from around 1750. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg16pI_CiZigGEfp8owKQvu4ikYTfpMfczrnIJEb51agn3yZIEMCuTw5eywZoqTU8NX5xh8GK_R49Y-44SLlrQjxC5vMmUGVNCSTMudRMzDZlxBx1j0SayfciDa8gOnyrV62VKvHNGmE/s5312/20200820_162247.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigg16pI_CiZigGEfp8owKQvu4ikYTfpMfczrnIJEb51agn3yZIEMCuTw5eywZoqTU8NX5xh8GK_R49Y-44SLlrQjxC5vMmUGVNCSTMudRMzDZlxBx1j0SayfciDa8gOnyrV62VKvHNGmE/w400-h225/20200820_162247.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Malt</b>, as it is now known, started out life in the 19th century as the Malt and Hops Tavern. Though the brick building itself is not a historical attention grabber, it still sits on a street of pretty terraced cottages of similar vintage, though some shades of their exterior decor may be more modern.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p><br /></p><p></p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbwI4RY702IjawU55_myPyNJHukK0ftft6UZOSirElt2tc6rtqn4u_-kR0kahkxQMwpiUkNUpGAQIppIBXRQN8Y_FNOEskxq4O1kzBmOJ9ppsCc2x5vt1Dmi-vevAyCmvkNNs0Nt_r5E/s5312/20200820_162624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLbwI4RY702IjawU55_myPyNJHukK0ftft6UZOSirElt2tc6rtqn4u_-kR0kahkxQMwpiUkNUpGAQIppIBXRQN8Y_FNOEskxq4O1kzBmOJ9ppsCc2x5vt1Dmi-vevAyCmvkNNs0Nt_r5E/w400-h225/20200820_162624.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside The Malt there is now little sense of the pub's history and it is laid out as a 'homely' pub. Sofas, well spaced tables and chairs, vases of flowers, clock over the mantelpiece and the TV playing the afternoon quiz shows...</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjwa2388Bvpxr2w4BsklREXu8BMQ4j9ha1SyB6FtcnRjCZVzaOqbgAYwPTZgf35Ng6Qw2CngzYDr70vs9lIskt9ZRhyphenhyphenbaQtrODjOd5HijU8QtRFz9V4GGUKGzB1WJq5oRdl30TsRZyoM/s5312/20200820_162627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjwa2388Bvpxr2w4BsklREXu8BMQ4j9ha1SyB6FtcnRjCZVzaOqbgAYwPTZgf35Ng6Qw2CngzYDr70vs9lIskt9ZRhyphenhyphenbaQtrODjOd5HijU8QtRFz9V4GGUKGzB1WJq5oRdl30TsRZyoM/w400-h225/20200820_162627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the cosy little bar, definitely make it feel like you could be in someone's front room. The most striking (and probably the main remaining historical) feature is definitely the front bay window (<i>top photo</i>) which lets the sunlight stream into the bright and airy front lounge bar. There's a rear bar/games room too and out back there is a pleasant secluded garden (<i>I should have been an estate agent</i>).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm6gr0HpULNY4AC2jpEWh3DnbJ1KU4czJ3-fY_I3ZfFARV5e-ihaIw03l4xQz-rkQcjr5EE6qMJ1c3Q9jUvK_nZfpNC6E71y4w1748vPZmBWpNZb8b4HudYiMl0gzo956Rh3mhsxq0d8/s5312/20200820_163102.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZm6gr0HpULNY4AC2jpEWh3DnbJ1KU4czJ3-fY_I3ZfFARV5e-ihaIw03l4xQz-rkQcjr5EE6qMJ1c3Q9jUvK_nZfpNC6E71y4w1748vPZmBWpNZb8b4HudYiMl0gzo956Rh3mhsxq0d8/w225-h400/20200820_163102.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I mentioned being apprehensive about this visit because I had heard that there was no cask ale here. Indeed there wasn't, but I needn't have worried, as the keg John Smith's Smoothflow was drinking well (as Retired Martin would say)....and little did I know that post Lockdown2 this might become the pub bloggers 'drink of choice' across the land.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0m_YgmUQuCCkJmJJZlRIqhNEWhh-PVspW8iBQKL49hp4ZySg35Ss9J1vyLErLtHmyrCmQMaKmAQLWJlHozRvfDu-zq5vxIm_zvV4Hv83Po-twT_KcWiDH3lXrz1ftmK3ZcSSKrDL_NU/s2988/20200820_164425.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2988" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_0m_YgmUQuCCkJmJJZlRIqhNEWhh-PVspW8iBQKL49hp4ZySg35Ss9J1vyLErLtHmyrCmQMaKmAQLWJlHozRvfDu-zq5vxIm_zvV4Hv83Po-twT_KcWiDH3lXrz1ftmK3ZcSSKrDL_NU/w400-h314/20200820_164425.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and it was pleasant just to sit, sipping my classic ale and listen to the other two locals having a go at answering quiz show questions when prompted by the TV.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv1r7WWYW-TeY2-Uri9lXEd10oTdJMxw79zBP1OfL6kVp46Y11VoWCWtq42sAhZ0b_BGBULu_lZxjD1oRYTnvFPar5Ytjy33eq-PZDs-sVZz76EiOt-r9i6Te31PKOuCy0VI4YtZeWcY/s5312/20200820_162634.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv1r7WWYW-TeY2-Uri9lXEd10oTdJMxw79zBP1OfL6kVp46Y11VoWCWtq42sAhZ0b_BGBULu_lZxjD1oRYTnvFPar5Ytjy33eq-PZDs-sVZz76EiOt-r9i6Te31PKOuCy0VI4YtZeWcY/w225-h400/20200820_162634.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sign on the wall said it all really and though this historic pub may be firmly in the modern age, it is still doing a good job of being a great place where locals can relax and socialise over a drink or two.....what more can you ask for?....</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p> </p><p>hmmm...a keg of top craft ale like Greene King West Coast IPA wouldn't go amiss...!</p><p>* <i>though of course the threat of <b>Russ'</b> apostrophe check was ever present... (did I get that one right Russ?)</i><br /></p>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-35483693621409182062020-09-03T07:46:00.000-07:002020-09-03T07:46:08.362-07:00She Sells Seashells on the Seashore....<p> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGh-poh7BWZ7o9Ik972D4Nbu5j7gSHolQcrldsTSNJQslT4G8iQvnNYXL7vxiQUhBI4m4uoPdff5ZKfPdHhfJiFQZ2QVACJvnPrNKOLUpJA2hnFm1GSuvG2UxrBy2tPStVlVsek1iR40/s5312/20200820_143325_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjGh-poh7BWZ7o9Ik972D4Nbu5j7gSHolQcrldsTSNJQslT4G8iQvnNYXL7vxiQUhBI4m4uoPdff5ZKfPdHhfJiFQZ2QVACJvnPrNKOLUpJA2hnFm1GSuvG2UxrBy2tPStVlVsek1iR40/w400-h225/20200820_143325_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Hythe seashore - more mud than shells...</i><br /><br />...don’t try the title if you have dentures, or if you are in a Covid secure environment where spitting could be dangerous. <br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jGqRfP7GZhUUm-vvtyAfjlrLOthZCZM23tRA1LveRan18ZwQjrMJlXqxDMbPkaPAOqjV-_gUEc9cYy4H19T_IwJJmBqEKg566SfDOetbrP5-XX2fPt4zzwU0WE0jDUQ-K3Lfq4Y1DQw/s5312/20200820_143414.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8jGqRfP7GZhUUm-vvtyAfjlrLOthZCZM23tRA1LveRan18ZwQjrMJlXqxDMbPkaPAOqjV-_gUEc9cYy4H19T_IwJJmBqEKg566SfDOetbrP5-XX2fPt4zzwU0WE0jDUQ-K3Lfq4Y1DQw/w400-h225/20200820_143414.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pastel cottage perfection</i>...<br /><br />Once again I am in my home village of Hythe, Hampshire checking out the pandemic pub scene. But as the sun always shines on Hythe - as <a href="https://lifeafterfootball839.wordpress.com/2020/08/26/bring-me-sunshine-derbyshire-wayfarer-pt1/" target="_blank">LifeAfterFootball will verify</a> - I couldn’t resist the chance to appreciate the cute fisherman's cottages and soak up the rays in the seafront park.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4cEpidzz5J8PovGq-nLB-5TS42meu4vcFojaxaLvPcrkDKRWOqWq0gP8RUTOh13wDqUmb1qBjyBI253hf1TRcsbVAOaoShIvIxnfbihHRmUGSkGHvaSTXa3Z0013uhXJ2iCxyy1ZcRY/s5312/20200820_144007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM4cEpidzz5J8PovGq-nLB-5TS42meu4vcFojaxaLvPcrkDKRWOqWq0gP8RUTOh13wDqUmb1qBjyBI253hf1TRcsbVAOaoShIvIxnfbihHRmUGSkGHvaSTXa3Z0013uhXJ2iCxyy1ZcRY/w400-h225/20200820_144007.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Is that our cruise liner Edna...?</i><br /><br />Of course Hythe is as cosmopolitan as Bournemouth but smaller and without the hordes of weekending Midlanders. Container ships glide silently by in Southampton Water (as the sea is known in these parts). Old ladies with wheelie cases sit on a bench by the shore and wonder what they are going to do now that their cruise ship is moored off Bournemouth and isn’t doing cruises, annoying the nimbys who don't want them any more than <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-29538033" target="_blank">wind turbines</a>.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsVwzfSTQ0eowYFo8P9em7ShioFHwiHP_qXmOnRupjtwoH1c9ivJYiodKUvXRBShYkT2l3AXxPXj2tVU-nY8AymSFUcm1zILdvhp0ROD2AzaQ9nFTu8mNSapTHMwTFm8R9_x0w6LCBDc/s5312/20200820_144653.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimsVwzfSTQ0eowYFo8P9em7ShioFHwiHP_qXmOnRupjtwoH1c9ivJYiodKUvXRBShYkT2l3AXxPXj2tVU-nY8AymSFUcm1zILdvhp0ROD2AzaQ9nFTu8mNSapTHMwTFm8R9_x0w6LCBDc/w400-h225/20200820_144653.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Accommodation with sea views...</i><br /><br />But tell us more about Hythe’s excellent pub scene, I hear you cry...<br />...well there's this one, once known as The Drummond Arms after the well known land owning family on this peninsular. Now sadly an extinct pub and another candidate for <a href="https://closedpubs.blogspot.com" target="_blank">Curmudgeon’s ‘Closed Pubs’ blog</a>.<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsZRXfr2KSVRJ-fMCD_GM_D95Fk6CWN3tmLYl7St5W6LcuqwcLzyZjjQsf4MObc3ZyQnUv1rxWJM9x-VbW9XTkywcD2rem_k0nS7lRFvvKEET4aJiKGzz38kl3QV-1LDttGSlJXp8NLI/s5312/20200820_144836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTsZRXfr2KSVRJ-fMCD_GM_D95Fk6CWN3tmLYl7St5W6LcuqwcLzyZjjQsf4MObc3ZyQnUv1rxWJM9x-VbW9XTkywcD2rem_k0nS7lRFvvKEET4aJiKGzz38kl3QV-1LDttGSlJXp8NLI/w400-h225/20200820_144836.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Seashells - through the door in the corner and up the stairs...</i><br /><br />So just down the other end of the village precinct we saunter, in search of <b>Seashells</b> (hold on to your teeth). Some may call it a pub, others a restaurant, but who cares as long as they will sell you a cask ale. Admittedly - it doesn’t look like a pub, hiding as it does, in the shopping complex that is aesthetically a carbuncle on the face of a pretty village, but functionally provides a posh Waitrose supermarket, a Superdrug, a newsagents, a bookies and (upstairs) Seashells.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPVacwXUXm1hlltfLQ2lHmH2YGQg5D0OdWdF6RMz0ujTcwZ7wSJo7b5Kelm_x1fBDzOelUkWdArAH41FYSCqTKaWGP2WGbn2jRud2PwZRLpF_rDzJeVi_NEFBInksBQIb56XiQ5dkK2Y/s5312/20200820_150911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPVacwXUXm1hlltfLQ2lHmH2YGQg5D0OdWdF6RMz0ujTcwZ7wSJo7b5Kelm_x1fBDzOelUkWdArAH41FYSCqTKaWGP2WGbn2jRud2PwZRLpF_rDzJeVi_NEFBInksBQIb56XiQ5dkK2Y/w400-h225/20200820_150911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Space - lots of it...and a quality pub sofa...</i><br /><br />On a weekday after the August government sponsored cheap food rush and mid afternoon all is quiet...<br />...Covid precautions aren’t too bad with plenty of yellow and black tape, use of face masks by the bar staff and a quaint homemade ‘engaged’ /‘vacant’ sign on the toilet door. (Turn it round yourself on entry and exit).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxASnheD7e3_s8g79Lntz41E4SIXmVxYAnlvAU6PLB0OXqNx70n3tw9dv1OfBxxO6zMlgEmNKfugUe0qUb9bL8dZ2SiNA9pcIsLu6KBNd1HqEtDFuUZAmJqbzf4QVvzyW3UHLuAwoRh3k/s5312/20200820_145301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxASnheD7e3_s8g79Lntz41E4SIXmVxYAnlvAU6PLB0OXqNx70n3tw9dv1OfBxxO6zMlgEmNKfugUe0qUb9bL8dZ2SiNA9pcIsLu6KBNd1HqEtDFuUZAmJqbzf4QVvzyW3UHLuAwoRh3k/w225-h400/20200820_145301.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />The single cask option from Carlsberg/Marstons is <b><i>Ringwood Best Bitter </i></b>- yes the traditional name is used here and not the newer alter ego ‘Razorback’. It looks well enough but the head is a bit weak and incapable of lacings, and it is slightly lacklustre (<b>GHBSS 2.5</b>).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>It’s nice and quiet inside but there isn’t much to see, so I ask the bar staff if I can go out onto the balcony area - no problem...<br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHCGVY4ChASBeeg6Yq35b2NNuf7eWMQ4gYDOe4Jma97B1_yTMmKttzsxDZO10GW781gpEqzI2bfgv47s4-c82ESBssDBlDryIV8hHH2EueuZ4OwYxLXHyuYRp4j5xLg7XuUZyic4lc7s/s5312/20200820_153033_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwHCGVY4ChASBeeg6Yq35b2NNuf7eWMQ4gYDOe4Jma97B1_yTMmKttzsxDZO10GW781gpEqzI2bfgv47s4-c82ESBssDBlDryIV8hHH2EueuZ4OwYxLXHyuYRp4j5xLg7XuUZyic4lc7s/w400-h225/20200820_153033_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...no-one there but me....so plenty of table choice...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28B0U7HJPCdlDFu3s9FhLNErr3ndp_xJba_YX9wBi3YFVh4cn3M1oAtw4i1dl387L3QQwYbcS-3Q2xE4VzMbXqMreAHC5AJMuOxd5T9Gt8osWQmXw7dPyR9rtg3U84IyFBbpjTTw_xco/s5312/20200820_151335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg28B0U7HJPCdlDFu3s9FhLNErr3ndp_xJba_YX9wBi3YFVh4cn3M1oAtw4i1dl387L3QQwYbcS-3Q2xE4VzMbXqMreAHC5AJMuOxd5T9Gt8osWQmXw7dPyR9rtg3U84IyFBbpjTTw_xco/w400-h225/20200820_151335.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the view is nice...<br /><br />....Southampton docks far enough across Southampton Water not to be an eyesore...<br /><br />..with the abandoned cruise liner that may eventually be converted to a floating hotel/casino off Skagway...<br /><br />...and the gentle curve of the Itchen Bridge, famously crossed by <a href="https://retiredmartin.com/2018/06/20/itchin-over-the-itchen/" target="_blank">RetiredMartin on his way to his Olafs Tun tick in 2018</a> (<i>warning: contains images of pre-pandemic socialising in a micro pub</i>).</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw9ASloyCVUyuWa1fn7gj5pY017815pYDCeILavE1DXoI1tC8m3G2R7q-YzAbypEcZBkcyhrqh9V7QNWjyIVEatr0n5oQ0ItBciZK4wz4kLnGej7jP1RXDl6CzIZZL2fIiGZxtOEOgmY/s5312/20200820_151345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCw9ASloyCVUyuWa1fn7gj5pY017815pYDCeILavE1DXoI1tC8m3G2R7q-YzAbypEcZBkcyhrqh9V7QNWjyIVEatr0n5oQ0ItBciZK4wz4kLnGej7jP1RXDl6CzIZZL2fIiGZxtOEOgmY/w400-h225/20200820_151345.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clear blue sky punctuated by <strike>Martini</strike> Ringwood umbrellas...<br /><br />...families walking by with fishing nets and buckets and spades...<br /><br />...kids catching <strike>Portuguese men o’war</strike> crabs on the sea wall...<br /><br />...the <strike>clear blue</strike> murky grey sea...<br /><br />...the seagulls shrieking...<br /><br />...a glass of (<i>admittedly average</i>) beer on a sunny balcony...<br /><br />...it’s a bit like being at a Majorca hotel without the worry of quarantine...<br /><br /> Yes life is truly idyllic here...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-42511571386147798382020-08-23T06:24:00.000-07:002020-08-23T06:24:14.306-07:00Ebenezers Good...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwbZJBExtCoWK9pLRMpA5Q6qcy_bILda2Pf9adH4jeE0PGzQ_Cq9_W8iFX9pYpN8LI-rPimx_jflK48TM0wKZ_5x0piSaqT4mjAopxA4e4PSU9XUsd0Fdl1d4GbTgcQ-pGpZQslXsv_w/s3135/20200820_135048_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3135" data-original-width="2924" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwbZJBExtCoWK9pLRMpA5Q6qcy_bILda2Pf9adH4jeE0PGzQ_Cq9_W8iFX9pYpN8LI-rPimx_jflK48TM0wKZ_5x0piSaqT4mjAopxA4e4PSU9XUsd0Fdl1d4GbTgcQ-pGpZQslXsv_w/w478-h512/20200820_135048_001.jpg" width="478" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>No apostrophe on the sign Russ...<br /></i><br />...but only Russ will be able to tell me whether there should be an apostrophe in the title and, if so, where it should be (<i>I’m aiming for a short version of 'Ebenezers is Good', Russ</i>). As the auto spellcheck didn’t suggest one, and Apple are never wrong...<br /><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhJA-vL5BNKTUYmR6kIdiQvhJ0gbIuXPTCRS9T1dCd_1Py15ab0pWMkt1eKzCQZqLdWsSBhJAPN2id6SGNUgyYaynhX1tRM2KqD-cegAFKW4JIFsURa0woB5Lm3bFJVWPGjfdIyW4j88/s5312/20200820_125854.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixhJA-vL5BNKTUYmR6kIdiQvhJ0gbIuXPTCRS9T1dCd_1Py15ab0pWMkt1eKzCQZqLdWsSBhJAPN2id6SGNUgyYaynhX1tRM2KqD-cegAFKW4JIFsURa0woB5Lm3bFJVWPGjfdIyW4j88/w512-h288/20200820_125854.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Satellite image - shadow of a giant GH eclipses UK...?</i><br /><br />Anyway the shadowy figure that is Garden Hermit was once again on the move to investigate post-lockdown pub life in the local village....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3Tuw1MV89oKu7LBvukcNMPBrOHW9oXobuCFg__da_l45MwKJ2fHXssI7EpnaElAP1XgeQJQ380Y0B19io9YWxUJyTP9kpRwad8Q8hVNyxU1ONDdJ49QOZ9s1VAExkbn8pJGZQlnS-nU/s5312/20200820_125436.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-3Tuw1MV89oKu7LBvukcNMPBrOHW9oXobuCFg__da_l45MwKJ2fHXssI7EpnaElAP1XgeQJQ380Y0B19io9YWxUJyTP9kpRwad8Q8hVNyxU1ONDdJ49QOZ9s1VAExkbn8pJGZQlnS-nU/w288-h512/20200820_125436.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bass pipe...?...</i><br />...past the mysterious half buried pipeline in the woods, possibly supplying draught Bass direct from Burton to secret storage tanks on the lost Isle of Wight...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMm2dZBviMIZO6OisLssLWT6OPkvGHyzm0z-zG_FwyppVXLaPkIbyiEOJu9ce-bgbH6tRJq-Bko6aL5nrk43iDS9tHJqfbZEkvIyvXqb2VDoBVrHxm_PZnIXGACFeud8oERVG_bowgV4/s5312/20200820_130219.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghMm2dZBviMIZO6OisLssLWT6OPkvGHyzm0z-zG_FwyppVXLaPkIbyiEOJu9ce-bgbH6tRJq-Bko6aL5nrk43iDS9tHJqfbZEkvIyvXqb2VDoBVrHxm_PZnIXGACFeud8oERVG_bowgV4/w288-h512/20200820_130219.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Bridge art<br /></i><br />...under the bridge carrying the Hythe & Fawley railway line, closed (except for Fawley Refinery traffic) in the 1960s and now no longer used by the Refinery. However it may soon become <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-51852821" target="_blank">Hampshire’s newest rescucitated railway</a>...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMkqS7CCmhbhM_ENoqXeohhGClce8n6z0WPz5w0dotzLomyh_pUVqnGHKuD5YJPKlV_OTEe-qN3lOLOvI2JudkvgWRxQv09Ev9he-dbRfxtJTCMgcAMfI_wdA1i-fsVczVzJPhpTDmG8/s5312/20200820_130705.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyMkqS7CCmhbhM_ENoqXeohhGClce8n6z0WPz5w0dotzLomyh_pUVqnGHKuD5YJPKlV_OTEe-qN3lOLOvI2JudkvgWRxQv09Ev9he-dbRfxtJTCMgcAMfI_wdA1i-fsVczVzJPhpTDmG8/w288-h512/20200820_130705.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><strike>Pop up </strike>squashed flat advertising...<br /></i><br />I past the litter still doing its best to advertise the UK's second favourite Australian lager brewed in Manchester, which most Australians have never heard of....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd2hYILrgKvnbp1Pa1n0xxV5oshnf1VeM8P4kupbn4TXIiV39pCh4DJPTOYXxSTDPRGaNrauDycze3ysv4Hqj60tWMc-mScUS39MY2DHOBc_n1mEtl9J1pkmCHpCoUFYXAwU9AT1k5xA/s5312/20200820_130717.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsd2hYILrgKvnbp1Pa1n0xxV5oshnf1VeM8P4kupbn4TXIiV39pCh4DJPTOYXxSTDPRGaNrauDycze3ysv4Hqj60tWMc-mScUS39MY2DHOBc_n1mEtl9J1pkmCHpCoUFYXAwU9AT1k5xA/w512-h288/20200820_130717.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Don’t stare at this if you get migraines...</i><br /><br />...and a pointy roofed factory where million pound leisure yachts are built...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPLwThjfyelJRRcz2zJHgDCttnZ-akFXbwjkDwpTQPiDYCxEd09-3CnsrHZJgxpUVeSYDXYt6W0IJjUmKA_GFTqongIJSDhi4ojuPWSHUfpc6JqTjFI-3OpLTrCq2pyVAj-_q9J5dyjs/s5312/20200805_144258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaPLwThjfyelJRRcz2zJHgDCttnZ-akFXbwjkDwpTQPiDYCxEd09-3CnsrHZJgxpUVeSYDXYt6W0IJjUmKA_GFTqongIJSDhi4ojuPWSHUfpc6JqTjFI-3OpLTrCq2pyVAj-_q9J5dyjs/w512-h288/20200805_144258.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Retirement... looming...</i><br /><br />...and at last the village centre is near, as yet another new retirement apartment development for Hythe’s ageing population, looms into view. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF6qTCRbpJHzhAUpH45qPvL-diAGxj4GOoSNPcaeMgYNsmMyUOjTb8xVzNK-vtDZMDE7-pOQYzbdWFFosXzb6NsksZbBgpdMqenjdOIdfwR1H7e0uj1Qtnj4rlzRXdwFboFjaSwXpncU/s5312/20200820_143008.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyF6qTCRbpJHzhAUpH45qPvL-diAGxj4GOoSNPcaeMgYNsmMyUOjTb8xVzNK-vtDZMDE7-pOQYzbdWFFosXzb6NsksZbBgpdMqenjdOIdfwR1H7e0uj1Qtnj4rlzRXdwFboFjaSwXpncU/w288-h512/20200820_143008.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pandemic Pub Life...</i><br /><br />The sign at the entrance to Ebenezer’s Free House reminds us all that as well as observing the normal rules, Covid pub life should be fun, as well as a focal point of the community...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj98Ij7pasnLzkRSFf9QY9iKcRJ45_eRP0tk3iT1Ud8hDRi9qeH3VT2AwA-fC3UhCB7QE41v9zXNvKqGXI6U13_yFVvupO7ESLISukeS6sBkid_wI-4IjDKBEGLyZeT3pDfkZLG6dq6I/s5312/20200820_142940.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyj98Ij7pasnLzkRSFf9QY9iKcRJ45_eRP0tk3iT1Ud8hDRi9qeH3VT2AwA-fC3UhCB7QE41v9zXNvKqGXI6U13_yFVvupO7ESLISukeS6sBkid_wI-4IjDKBEGLyZeT3pDfkZLG6dq6I/w288-h512/20200820_142940.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>...that man Pepys again.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-KaLCyV4vgaVfRsRu9s07LKBeiMtNQIydJAuSRsqbtV7y-5MkL6HGpfCUD8lbusXT3KQJmacbIByUhm_MrPJHwzX_PvMZ2YhQMZJ_E5Na14mYSINxlQsXMBRbcclEiqvt2jCFiI8jM0/s5312/20200820_131943.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_-KaLCyV4vgaVfRsRu9s07LKBeiMtNQIydJAuSRsqbtV7y-5MkL6HGpfCUD8lbusXT3KQJmacbIByUhm_MrPJHwzX_PvMZ2YhQMZJ_E5Na14mYSINxlQsXMBRbcclEiqvt2jCFiI8jM0/w288-h512/20200820_131943.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Tardis like space..</i><br /><br />Just a few customers dotted around inside (more out on the beer patio though) - so even though this is a quite small one-roomed pub, there was plenty of space. The bar had order points protected by plastic screens, sign in and sanitiser and the doors were open to blow any virus’ away.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT6nO_EMGDSlCqhYQ_GULcoX3rNCw1WeLBy7nq9S6VwbXB6oM8JWTNBj0GUYNWV3-_gZP5d2HzuYwzrBLIeF4OlzKbLPTSTOzNXkU-jyFOLySBiHtjwMDM_j4QqxzW_RrG4oNFEed1Xs/s5312/20200820_131600.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTT6nO_EMGDSlCqhYQ_GULcoX3rNCw1WeLBy7nq9S6VwbXB6oM8JWTNBj0GUYNWV3-_gZP5d2HzuYwzrBLIeF4OlzKbLPTSTOzNXkU-jyFOLySBiHtjwMDM_j4QqxzW_RrG4oNFEed1Xs/w512-h288/20200820_131600.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Full line up...(Double Drop and Abbot are the usuals)..<br /></i><br />Better still there was the usual good range of cask ales two of which change regularly.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEghF0uFbWbOZ9rcgYx4qb9Jtc8oFNrZh0G-ECBocfpc5ckg380OlXK2N06nhfLjZ5GF95PQhBfAUQODmCjQfFdmFHhDgtuwhyihDvJ_iSN6L5vS6XSMhWqQFDrokbsGu7COa-4OsxAA/s2988/20200820_132148.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2988" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUEghF0uFbWbOZ9rcgYx4qb9Jtc8oFNrZh0G-ECBocfpc5ckg380OlXK2N06nhfLjZ5GF95PQhBfAUQODmCjQfFdmFHhDgtuwhyihDvJ_iSN6L5vS6XSMhWqQFDrokbsGu7COa-4OsxAA/w512-h401/20200820_132148.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;">(GHBSS 3.5)<br /></span>The Butcombe Original was <b style="font-style: italic;">good </b> and I sat inside to enjoy it...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeoj_DdgdirroVNy4gdRxy3cpKdvaelmfCKEBGNDTqIKlP3o8pr0N1poFK2frOe69DnSUucTDoJQ0faO2qkxZYdgVm_1dISxI2d5cfl8dI1wGp_ReVHGelcAbt5lUsV1exND9KEEJduU/s5312/20200820_134111.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCeoj_DdgdirroVNy4gdRxy3cpKdvaelmfCKEBGNDTqIKlP3o8pr0N1poFK2frOe69DnSUucTDoJQ0faO2qkxZYdgVm_1dISxI2d5cfl8dI1wGp_ReVHGelcAbt5lUsV1exND9KEEJduU/w512-h288/20200820_134111.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Helpful table labels...<br /></i><br />...at a table which seemed just right for a single household person.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQdaB4JOUS1Uymey9X4tvlA817MqHj0v_ctfgSkgG4ymXehGOiVU42BzWkmss-QAxOvffm8xasJp1TC1RDaq7ASs7amwQ-IDCqh9no-KPolZaFpfEXkTjJ45shNy79a8ZHGfquvWkmNM/s5312/20200820_135702.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifQdaB4JOUS1Uymey9X4tvlA817MqHj0v_ctfgSkgG4ymXehGOiVU42BzWkmss-QAxOvffm8xasJp1TC1RDaq7ASs7amwQ-IDCqh9no-KPolZaFpfEXkTjJ45shNy79a8ZHGfquvWkmNM/w512-h288/20200820_135702.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Costa del Hythe...</i><br /><br />I’ve always liked ‘Ebs' - it's a nice place to be. So I had another beer and this time went to sit out on the beer patio, which has enough palm trees to make it feel a little bit Mediterranean..<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt_CW7qRBUW85VX9KTbgBhEplSamSsS3cvh09flsLNjpuKY8tTVt_vAluu0dUlYdoJHe5s5-2Q8Ysf1m2J7GVnDB_ofXMfm-XzUqILZxmGmkNECfUUkuLuueByxLuZd8JbLm-ee0WI5A/s5312/20200820_135022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="513" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvt_CW7qRBUW85VX9KTbgBhEplSamSsS3cvh09flsLNjpuKY8tTVt_vAluu0dUlYdoJHe5s5-2Q8Ysf1m2J7GVnDB_ofXMfm-XzUqILZxmGmkNECfUUkuLuueByxLuZd8JbLm-ee0WI5A/w288-h513/20200820_135022.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Pale perfection (GHBSS 4)...</i><br /><br />... and the beer fitted the situation perfectly. Hopback’s Crop Circle was <b><i>very good</i></b>. Cool, crisp, with a delicate floral hop flavour and as pale as a quarantine-beating holidaymaker abandoning a European holiday.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3glhLGC70bnSwcMrNsbWTlS9-AOeaXhekx1Aj0J8jCieQ-ROXthRbhBDwo1FZ5XJO0go-nR68SmTGmmXfPOmKIhuQ3O6TdI1-qBQB25vRuS7Vc5R79kYs5c01cOz7E-Hw4GCYyZ5Wd8Y/s2112/20200820_143019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2112" data-original-width="1850" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3glhLGC70bnSwcMrNsbWTlS9-AOeaXhekx1Aj0J8jCieQ-ROXthRbhBDwo1FZ5XJO0go-nR68SmTGmmXfPOmKIhuQ3O6TdI1-qBQB25vRuS7Vc5R79kYs5c01cOz7E-Hw4GCYyZ5Wd8Y/w359-h410/20200820_143019.jpg" width="359" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>a good sign...</i><br /><br />Much as the first time <a href="https://pubhermit.wordpress.com/2018/02/02/going-to-the-ebenezers/" target="_blank">I posted about Ebenezers,</a> in the post lockdown pandemic world, on a beautiful August afternoon, pandemic fears seem to fade away and pub life at Ebenezers seems to be as relaxed as ever...<br /><br />...thank goodness and long may it be so...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-66515579416690334832020-08-08T00:50:00.001-07:002020-08-08T00:52:58.434-07:00England Expects...<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkjxIyQhPkQelaqmyh6cBVAXHFWLeuEmXoXzBHuO3gGD66Q1d6ULwgChpRq8WJaKlwPK9e6og64cY272s8WUbWN162WXznDMALN2C3D9ITlVDr_0ebJxBbT0bpdCO-0zGwYRTewLkwJk/s412/img_0393+copy.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="355" data-original-width="412" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmkjxIyQhPkQelaqmyh6cBVAXHFWLeuEmXoXzBHuO3gGD66Q1d6ULwgChpRq8WJaKlwPK9e6og64cY272s8WUbWN162WXznDMALN2C3D9ITlVDr_0ebJxBbT0bpdCO-0zGwYRTewLkwJk/w412-h355/img_0393+copy.jpg" width="412" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...every man to do his duty, as Nelson famously told his men, using some early messaging system involving flags, at the <strike>re-openeing of pubs post-lockdown</strike> Battle of Trafalgar. <br /><br />Of course I’ve blogged this Hythe village centre pub before and I have unashamedly stolen this cropped photo from the <a href="https://pubhermit.wordpress.com/2018/02/27/hooray-for-horatio/#more-661" target="_blank">previous blog post</a> on that other blogging site that I have now abandoned. <br /><br />However in one of my first post lockdown sorties to the local village (yes really) it seemed appropriate to look in at <b>The Lord Nelson</b> and see how the traditional, multi-roomed pub is fairing since the pubs re-openend.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTvT93KwtKwrhqaKxguDdWhAuZ2pugqid9tD0U1YWhW9AYHoPgGZAyepEN8_5ILGopdt8FPNIo01xbhamGMfrZlECh1hZwe7BPTm78zsZR_h-LRo7ungeeUmBNm9ETiqL8QSCTiyFg4/s5312/20200805_152714.jpg" style="display: inline; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGlTvT93KwtKwrhqaKxguDdWhAuZ2pugqid9tD0U1YWhW9AYHoPgGZAyepEN8_5ILGopdt8FPNIo01xbhamGMfrZlECh1hZwe7BPTm78zsZR_h-LRo7ungeeUmBNm9ETiqL8QSCTiyFg4/w512-h288/20200805_152714.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ok it seems...<br />First challenge to negotiate the narrow passageway past the two small front rooms, and the Poop Deck snug, to the large rear room without encountering anyone coming the other way. Mission accomplished, I arrived in the rear bar, squirted the sanitiser (on my hands of course) and approached the <strike>heavily fortified</strike> well screened bar. <br /><br />It was difficult to see the cask ale pump clips past the screen so I asked the barmaid...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkiK0clLiZ7BFkb51kJXa0ZUnWgg-rIP8s47tuMl0hMTeGKtgDH4e1HYcXqAPMlpo17mtbHG7-Mdss9z4sELXDgCM0vj3UL6bHTgTw7L_E0GZ5mPIucN4S_4CVKAJSgU3CNU2PtvImBE/s5312/20200805_145057.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOkiK0clLiZ7BFkb51kJXa0ZUnWgg-rIP8s47tuMl0hMTeGKtgDH4e1HYcXqAPMlpo17mtbHG7-Mdss9z4sELXDgCM0vj3UL6bHTgTw7L_E0GZ5mPIucN4S_4CVKAJSgU3CNU2PtvImBE/w288-h512/20200805_145057.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...Doom Bar or Ringwood Forty-niner - no brainer (not Doom beer). Name and number provided for track and trace and contactless payment made, all very organised.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbj5IviqNoR91pJ7QRAwb6fvTDQjtTEbHrFupJiaX6VQyDMzIn26hCFGP6IeBJ_a7qV-win-XYqX-yVs1w9gxyDOUf2qRxwpben_LOpUqwX_nDOo6zeeB__zM9-AW25VIpFFdZ1Gf8x0/s2988/20200805_150715.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2988" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAbj5IviqNoR91pJ7QRAwb6fvTDQjtTEbHrFupJiaX6VQyDMzIn26hCFGP6IeBJ_a7qV-win-XYqX-yVs1w9gxyDOUf2qRxwpben_LOpUqwX_nDOo6zeeB__zM9-AW25VIpFFdZ1Gf8x0/w512-h401/20200805_150715.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">There were at least a couple of dozen customers inside and out, but I opted for the lovely sunny afternoon in the promenade beer garden...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RRZFZDsIQ09nE5Gdy1fmkU3rVBhrrA3f-jL2xFQeD1rF2oaFDD4VG6uvEIOwvKpokx_GcOqzksvxBImXig52CTlbzmhr__-6ze5vExa0i_A9xxmJw4Xy6m8VknYg6L1lWoRDWdxPljQ/s1458/20200805_150801.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1142" data-original-width="1458" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2RRZFZDsIQ09nE5Gdy1fmkU3rVBhrrA3f-jL2xFQeD1rF2oaFDD4VG6uvEIOwvKpokx_GcOqzksvxBImXig52CTlbzmhr__-6ze5vExa0i_A9xxmJw4Xy6m8VknYg6L1lWoRDWdxPljQ/w512-h401/20200805_150801.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...where whispy clouds drifted by.... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMA7h2Ib1aJ6b9cNb_vUHGPYSwjhOrVmTp6TuzfZlu-y1Kt43V64nsxhpeU9UuYX02zH-xrzCaKSvIeKxnuiYhVmvZF7J33QLW0qG3DC6f9blF2wIgWqDp9BacqnAYbnP58J1A5LDDUM/s5312/20200805_151326.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXMA7h2Ib1aJ6b9cNb_vUHGPYSwjhOrVmTp6TuzfZlu-y1Kt43V64nsxhpeU9UuYX02zH-xrzCaKSvIeKxnuiYhVmvZF7J33QLW0qG3DC6f9blF2wIgWqDp9BacqnAYbnP58J1A5LDDUM/w512-h288/20200805_151326.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and a breeze whispered through the huge Eucalyptus tree. Just nice...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDELgk75z7WEg_q16qK7OLBdDw7nCZuRVU3Y2Gtkeq79j1N89UcVoZNZB-hhi5BxyrF1kGWaIIiXvbraDzG4oWz4e7uvtkR2jeUwJpiy4Zvll48B7eQUw_LhQ8ukLjayQaF49CSB0GUvs/s5312/20200805_151414.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDELgk75z7WEg_q16qK7OLBdDw7nCZuRVU3Y2Gtkeq79j1N89UcVoZNZB-hhi5BxyrF1kGWaIIiXvbraDzG4oWz4e7uvtkR2jeUwJpiy4Zvll48B7eQUw_LhQ8ukLjayQaF49CSB0GUvs/w512-h288/20200805_151414.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Hanging baskets of brightly coloured flowers festooned one of the beer garden walls - (<i>useless fact warning</i>) which is in fact the back of the Hythe Pier railway workshop...</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXhbzzl2FtuBn31gyIZLL-X_PsIMX7upRnxPa3jaUxwYH79IbEJB9nakt6o_q80UNk4AagoEx6IxgHiPImuC1wb3ZjxGr_qLo_bDonzzVoQJ76F0SqnGDe9ZRZyy1v_JxJyMZN36_OJo/s5312/20200805_151748.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXhbzzl2FtuBn31gyIZLL-X_PsIMX7upRnxPa3jaUxwYH79IbEJB9nakt6o_q80UNk4AagoEx6IxgHiPImuC1wb3ZjxGr_qLo_bDonzzVoQJ76F0SqnGDe9ZRZyy1v_JxJyMZN36_OJo/w512-h288/20200805_151748.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and I watched as the e<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hythe_Pier,_Railway_and_Ferry" target="_blank">lectric narrow gauge pier train</a> departed the pier head for the incoming ferry as it has done since 1922. In this frightening world of changes, such constants are strangely reassuring.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RErsRfT7T0U1nhDN45KW3tKjX_XBM5KEO-CmmEy6boku5tzLzRzrPjHDVV7E_cLID3PT9uTQf02eMewgsLyAN7Dykj2a1hEpXbTJmmLgZ2H_BSgP9L4_M2H6RClQE3KxhwQoY_r5usU/s5312/20200805_152740.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RErsRfT7T0U1nhDN45KW3tKjX_XBM5KEO-CmmEy6boku5tzLzRzrPjHDVV7E_cLID3PT9uTQf02eMewgsLyAN7Dykj2a1hEpXbTJmmLgZ2H_BSgP9L4_M2H6RClQE3KxhwQoY_r5usU/w512-h288/20200805_152740.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Less reassuring for it’s owners was the cruise liner sitting unloved and unused in Southampton Docks - waiting for it’s elderly clientele to re-book their post lockdown cruises..</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrnCzeNbW7uwV6nFm9TgyfbJoSCNxu0URLNugRJzgZO_mve1RQSLruApcnb0tX7YiCzSYwWA2E_-pLfuMah7s8YSH0RnzrPtqPDk3IXhaMzo7S8sPHx0_3P9q24mcg-PHGFLUzOXhhZc/s5312/20200805_152633.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrnCzeNbW7uwV6nFm9TgyfbJoSCNxu0URLNugRJzgZO_mve1RQSLruApcnb0tX7YiCzSYwWA2E_-pLfuMah7s8YSH0RnzrPtqPDk3IXhaMzo7S8sPHx0_3P9q24mcg-PHGFLUzOXhhZc/w288-h512/20200805_152633.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Ringwood Forty-niner was <b><i>good</i></b> and as a bonus my beer glass explained that another sort of beer called Doom Bar is named after a sandbank (where many cask ales have foundered). Apparently this is in Cornwall, which is near Doom Bar’s home...well about as near as you can imagine a <strike>chemical plant</strike> brewery in Wolverhampton being anyway. <br /><br />I listened to the conversation from nearby tables which seemed to be in an East End or Essex dialect - suggesting that perhaps Hythe is the new Southend on Sea for stay-cationers from the south east.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OciV9i-N_eicOyL1xIs18xctm_0T8gLs12YU9g2SDKG9qs5VJDBn_diZ-C13w47lHGMB_rPnkfCX7RHDl9WTHEXIwg4WMMzAMAjC-dT_5N63CeahqlQchzlkrSKVS6uEILh7GG-Pa_0/s5312/20200805_153303.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_OciV9i-N_eicOyL1xIs18xctm_0T8gLs12YU9g2SDKG9qs5VJDBn_diZ-C13w47lHGMB_rPnkfCX7RHDl9WTHEXIwg4WMMzAMAjC-dT_5N63CeahqlQchzlkrSKVS6uEILh7GG-Pa_0/w512-h288/20200805_153303.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I thought I might try another pub in the village, so I wandered past the Pier entrance to Ebenesers, which had closed at 2:30pm and would not be open until early evening...</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPNI7YIiTyLuhxsFCeEllRSmA0mHuLf2U25bqU1E3rWGm2ahVV9UacVGtU_yrirKrcEj1e57suIabY9rhzINFIelw7dBAtpdFot6g75nlOn4BKzvsceRYyWsix3zW1oYcA6D5wDtGjUA/s5312/20200805_154214.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="288" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFPNI7YIiTyLuhxsFCeEllRSmA0mHuLf2U25bqU1E3rWGm2ahVV9UacVGtU_yrirKrcEj1e57suIabY9rhzINFIelw7dBAtpdFot6g75nlOn4BKzvsceRYyWsix3zW1oYcA6D5wDtGjUA/w512-h288/20200805_154214.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so I thought I’d try Hythe’s oldest pub...closed...opening at 4pm...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7urr633Ejm9bH7MSEoA1B1FUiwE1b8znd7cJ3IEtkuwIAmSjanpqSCiZWFWSOqqkznD6DxWWtnUBncfp8fcYt8DfPe3rh0s9-ufBNME1LKFR8Gw1xcD9aEMQNe6BXG-zSAOnapQTD8Ys/s2988/20200805_161833.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2988" height="401" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7urr633Ejm9bH7MSEoA1B1FUiwE1b8znd7cJ3IEtkuwIAmSjanpqSCiZWFWSOqqkznD6DxWWtnUBncfp8fcYt8DfPe3rh0s9-ufBNME1LKFR8Gw1xcD9aEMQNe6BXG-zSAOnapQTD8Ys/w512-h401/20200805_161833.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...giving up for the day on Hythe pubs' post lockdown opening hours, I walked the mile back to the Travellers Rest and had a pint of Abbott Ale (GK not Dartmoor). It was OK for GK (<b><i>average - good</i></b>)...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPHeKYOiQ_s9oXzt2f9Tni1qm_egflVYvNoNVzCPSkcBPrbW0eL8WPyU7YxHWSXi4E7WuodTDCmaWn0PEIRL5tPkP-oBOKsAAQKvkByiVN_X3pKyn4Eta-AWzhkLehY7TpA758WEFSdY/s5312/20200805_161023.jpg" style="display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding: 1em 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPHeKYOiQ_s9oXzt2f9Tni1qm_egflVYvNoNVzCPSkcBPrbW0eL8WPyU7YxHWSXi4E7WuodTDCmaWn0PEIRL5tPkP-oBOKsAAQKvkByiVN_X3pKyn4Eta-AWzhkLehY7TpA758WEFSdY/w288-h512/20200805_161023.jpg" width="288" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the flamingo looked on unperturbed...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-39796424425497115342020-07-31T10:49:00.000-07:002020-07-31T10:49:28.695-07:00Traveller's Tale<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga97ry9B9SywA50O-yPToJ_wai6Hn89_ZqpqpsqZqh6tgAg9RSeoh0VFkpXWVcMghqWxTppX5h2hDWVVESgpJ7OPatnhi4yNZtOArKIS_5ca1YWC4Es0haCZ3efGTOmKQ7NKUztCypETE/s5312/20200730_161648.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga97ry9B9SywA50O-yPToJ_wai6Hn89_ZqpqpsqZqh6tgAg9RSeoh0VFkpXWVcMghqWxTppX5h2hDWVVESgpJ7OPatnhi4yNZtOArKIS_5ca1YWC4Es0haCZ3efGTOmKQ7NKUztCypETE/w225-h400/20200730_161648.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the hermitage, a walk down a neighbouring cul de sac is the quickest route to the nearest proper pub..<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9IofQYy7Q3_Xhz6cmkiRJpVcI7g-lVYi80wQwPVyDRHoXNZiHaOIrjHbGN5hdqheYKLBJ2gcxQ8tOcRMbmeOmAH7pjX_JZ_ecVxhW6_-BwHhhksWL6aGBRV3K01JMy7Z7rLiDHkmtvI/s1295/Screen+Shot+2020-07-30+at+18.41.50.png" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="807" data-original-width="1295" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg9IofQYy7Q3_Xhz6cmkiRJpVcI7g-lVYi80wQwPVyDRHoXNZiHaOIrjHbGN5hdqheYKLBJ2gcxQ8tOcRMbmeOmAH7pjX_JZ_ecVxhW6_-BwHhhksWL6aGBRV3K01JMy7Z7rLiDHkmtvI/w400-h249/Screen+Shot+2020-07-30+at+18.41.50.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...not a long walk, in fact Ordnance Survey say it’s a mere 0.5km, taking all of 6 minutes<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCdSi-x0LsbtGl0eXjjBm6DReR4KsmNNnMT2IZEf__2D3z4bokpPsnkGk2Q61BVDQX9M-vAa-EZcwSiMslq6aq_ZIyBp3SzrtE4wxTv_wfr4nleKllinZ6sM4XsEL7Ps8tntvxnQKzp8/s5312/20200730_161905.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTCdSi-x0LsbtGl0eXjjBm6DReR4KsmNNnMT2IZEf__2D3z4bokpPsnkGk2Q61BVDQX9M-vAa-EZcwSiMslq6aq_ZIyBp3SzrtE4wxTv_wfr4nleKllinZ6sM4XsEL7Ps8tntvxnQKzp8/w225-h400/20200730_161905.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the end of the cul de sac, a path leads through woodland full of dappled sunlight...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rIjGju5Ee8ViU0jVvhelWlDTvffqxAPRnpvI-sPN19a1xRqUv3FySGmeNCmTaeHKjMgrIvKzIawR6xdYzMuUpsjTsTD4zJR-SeAcBTsqb0dglRhu2V8OzekUNyESmkQ0lHXcEYwIzqM/s5312/20200730_162001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4rIjGju5Ee8ViU0jVvhelWlDTvffqxAPRnpvI-sPN19a1xRqUv3FySGmeNCmTaeHKjMgrIvKzIawR6xdYzMuUpsjTsTD4zJR-SeAcBTsqb0dglRhu2V8OzekUNyESmkQ0lHXcEYwIzqM/w400-h225/20200730_162001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and out through the gates which were once part of an old long lost country mansion...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1N20zQaklfLu67j4r6ahCpXwX3RgmgFzHx95hfXjM4gQbKpk_7ZJ0CW7sV_8Z4-gmL8V8UHv7ujDsm49uD3Soqw0Xv5OM5OcKUlpmwsVBQcUiuh7rJiGRbcwoSNzL7P1AFxH_duLZNU/s5312/20200730_171006.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX1N20zQaklfLu67j4r6ahCpXwX3RgmgFzHx95hfXjM4gQbKpk_7ZJ0CW7sV_8Z4-gmL8V8UHv7ujDsm49uD3Soqw0Xv5OM5OcKUlpmwsVBQcUiuh7rJiGRbcwoSNzL7P1AFxH_duLZNU/w400-h225/20200730_171006.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...just in time to wonder why the local peacock crossed the road. Could it be because it’s too posh for chickens round here...?<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>.<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe7YdJbzY-CGwWO99cMZlzkgCv2MBcDZGlVuQGNrH0aymgS3rfadq7oZu3Z3LcjnTvJEH58SLbmghiQhQPQjHUXR9JhXn8cx5tnzjxK2QR71v7ztUq6uav4K40IlFdiqEclQOm_hYahw/s5312/20200730_170800.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoe7YdJbzY-CGwWO99cMZlzkgCv2MBcDZGlVuQGNrH0aymgS3rfadq7oZu3Z3LcjnTvJEH58SLbmghiQhQPQjHUXR9JhXn8cx5tnzjxK2QR71v7ztUq6uav4K40IlFdiqEclQOm_hYahw/w225-h400/20200730_170800.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not far now...just the quaint little <strike>time tunnel to pre-covid Britain</strike> path....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SmskljC6qMp8KY6b4QFx7RS_TMnp1x4EsDB_Lc5WOXLYLcIt_iQ-JqK3oYqiMFlr5FDBBSwBcAIr9koIfcbnyapWZo21XCOmIvsSvTHPcmc5miFVid8p9ixh1CWvZNMNE8dJHEhn3nw/s5312/20200730_170737.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_SmskljC6qMp8KY6b4QFx7RS_TMnp1x4EsDB_Lc5WOXLYLcIt_iQ-JqK3oYqiMFlr5FDBBSwBcAIr9koIfcbnyapWZo21XCOmIvsSvTHPcmc5miFVid8p9ixh1CWvZNMNE8dJHEhn3nw/w400-h225/20200730_170737.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and there it is...<b>The Travellers Rest.</b>.. fitting after such a tough walk. <br />The sanitiser bottle on the table by the side gate was empty but not to worry, I pushed open the door and went inside where there was another table with sanitiser, instructions for social distancing and a laptop for entering track and trace details.<br />The landlord must have spotted my puzzled expression as I looked at the laptop screen and came over to help me enter my details...<br />“<i><b>Are you going to sit outside?</b></i>“<br />“<i><b>Yes</b></i>”<br />“<i><b>You don’t need this then...</b></i>”<br />So I was in...(or out as the case may be) and I couldn’t help thinking of the line in the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ytJCuLh82cU">Monty Python Secret Service sketch</a>...<br /><i>Can you keep a secret?<br />Yes.<br />Good...well you’re in then.</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTuakCz1NrufnY5sgYfUHKWMusKKy6Gn6ywigLVZLHJ2sccxPUlwKgz4_XmhtkL7wgXMZMGYE4BEbeozxKHHbilJvxPqnBcCWtjInVrcDj2z8VgHJb9JPnmFzyt1yB6lAaBKEHutYVEs/s5312/20200730_162713_001.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSTuakCz1NrufnY5sgYfUHKWMusKKy6Gn6ywigLVZLHJ2sccxPUlwKgz4_XmhtkL7wgXMZMGYE4BEbeozxKHHbilJvxPqnBcCWtjInVrcDj2z8VgHJb9JPnmFzyt1yB6lAaBKEHutYVEs/w225-h400/20200730_162713_001.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I asked if there was any real ale so I didn’t have to go round the bar where I would have been at an anti-socially close distance to another bloke. “<i><b>Hobgoblin</b></i>” the landlord said, so I had a pint of that (<i>not Jail Ale</i>). <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbFIhLXL-ePHJiGSdfDEfKUdFTheGUbAgJUfPaHvV0NdFFXB1-LTmvb650yh9laDwmIjfmip8n2KYOH-jbR9yxcffb7x2V204rY9wTi_4gS9GwqxW5XPP9hO-YF_MaQPYEUnfhM_8Kt0/s5312/20200730_162833.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbFIhLXL-ePHJiGSdfDEfKUdFTheGUbAgJUfPaHvV0NdFFXB1-LTmvb650yh9laDwmIjfmip8n2KYOH-jbR9yxcffb7x2V204rY9wTi_4gS9GwqxW5XPP9hO-YF_MaQPYEUnfhM_8Kt0/w400-h225/20200730_162833.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Behind the pub, in the beer garden, the view across the fields and woodland is lovely...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4tfzZws9p5MsbKYZKMHVv6b2C_Ou3zHEhiw-zO34UzffosbZSL8RkhOAJUnWYPa-mlFHWjFjS4AHjhkEdzN1i8P46whxZNtaII70jWypBybvhZb8Gm2UuaCH9mLFNLRBkY9Z2ewM4w/s5312/20200730_163033.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeC4tfzZws9p5MsbKYZKMHVv6b2C_Ou3zHEhiw-zO34UzffosbZSL8RkhOAJUnWYPa-mlFHWjFjS4AHjhkEdzN1i8P46whxZNtaII70jWypBybvhZb8Gm2UuaCH9mLFNLRBkY9Z2ewM4w/w400-h225/20200730_163033.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The quintessential English countryside is no Jamaica beach scene but still not a bad view at all for Stevie T while he is rustling up his BBQ fare. It looks like there’ll be good BBQ business with the forecast for decent weather this weekend...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2f6GZYs5su85HzKwRKE04myf1rZR7WrKDJn02r2m5NuW8e6343do8GrR_djbAqTT3weMsvbnoAGGsU155qpmxxszZJ_PJegPbigd856X3XHfEtg-xJg26VG_u8jcm0Ox94Du36erjck/s5312/20200730_163045.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2f6GZYs5su85HzKwRKE04myf1rZR7WrKDJn02r2m5NuW8e6343do8GrR_djbAqTT3weMsvbnoAGGsU155qpmxxszZJ_PJegPbigd856X3XHfEtg-xJg26VG_u8jcm0Ox94Du36erjck/w400-h225/20200730_163045.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The well travelled pub bloggers will have no trouble in naming this island...unless it’s just a blob of paint on a sheet...or a stingray...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBQK7h2RGSAFZLr0vqS_FYGIhd6dLF7idBQDq41B80fLDdQUkrMhNo0hXtDqci0swLDIfIWGSt7pjY3170igeNmVHgYwj1L-dhfNRm24UrVCPGO-jfA2vTA5rai_rn_87RdUHFHF__2I/s1933/20200730_163417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1543" data-original-width="1933" height="319" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEBQK7h2RGSAFZLr0vqS_FYGIhd6dLF7idBQDq41B80fLDdQUkrMhNo0hXtDqci0swLDIfIWGSt7pjY3170igeNmVHgYwj1L-dhfNRm24UrVCPGO-jfA2vTA5rai_rn_87RdUHFHF__2I/w400-h319/20200730_163417.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a few people at the garden tables, and with the couple of blokes inside ...custom wasn’t bad for 4pm on a Thursday. </td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60oHTEWY230c5tNSOqLCohUs7fdgjzExgrgGLG5loSEMXUn3SGEeW9A_qt5mM_dZGKb1JFFOu1drIg6uW1ypKIpMYcKWx59wuZ6f4dtidBwBZ2nQ4q0IZb9b5X5L8wEjGm1rOLwnsxZk/s2988/20200730_170259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2340" data-original-width="2988" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg60oHTEWY230c5tNSOqLCohUs7fdgjzExgrgGLG5loSEMXUn3SGEeW9A_qt5mM_dZGKb1JFFOu1drIg6uW1ypKIpMYcKWx59wuZ6f4dtidBwBZ2nQ4q0IZb9b5X5L8wEjGm1rOLwnsxZk/w400-h313/20200730_170259.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pint of Hobgoblin was <i style="font-weight: bold;">good </i>and initially the lacings seemed to be pushing for promotion to the 'Midlands Lacings Premiership’, but faded late in the game as the sun dried them up... <br /><br />As I left to walk back home for tea, I noticed that the blackboard near the pub entrance promised live music in the beer garden for Saturday and Sunday afternoon, which should bring more much needed customers. Though for a small single room pub like this it’s a perilous balance between much needed custom and lack of covid secure space.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-66011879034887953882020-07-20T10:57:00.000-07:002020-07-23T10:05:12.473-07:00Tapping Into Post-Lockdown Vibrancy....<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOzEfKMDqppXyjQT1EdSMdeXsKT7ND260uh1vchubnKyyzxq0rTFB-OGfXx93tl3o9nBFH8Yr9Z1kw4fhfrwxpI3Tqy0k9umM7oh-MOJXwklOe83tdGiVGM_LhT14AGFheu8iRrVUjG0/s5312/20200712_123514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOzEfKMDqppXyjQT1EdSMdeXsKT7ND260uh1vchubnKyyzxq0rTFB-OGfXx93tl3o9nBFH8Yr9Z1kw4fhfrwxpI3Tqy0k9umM7oh-MOJXwklOe83tdGiVGM_LhT14AGFheu8iRrVUjG0/w400-h225/20200712_123514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Finally, on a sunny July Sunday, I emerged from the hermitage, to make a first post lockdown sortie to the pub....well ok not quite a pub....a brewery tap.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvqghA-K8c4psbApBND8e-3Un7eUYc1NuiiACFycnKK3fXWE6-haE8DEeUOklefCR8G9tW5MPimsc2XVkPKiAbjlC6LmcynP2WtplldJOLJhveojidjgh3BBvmOAhI8FLTm-rtUQCy-I/s5312/20200712_141446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqvqghA-K8c4psbApBND8e-3Un7eUYc1NuiiACFycnKK3fXWE6-haE8DEeUOklefCR8G9tW5MPimsc2XVkPKiAbjlC6LmcynP2WtplldJOLJhveojidjgh3BBvmOAhI8FLTm-rtUQCy-I/w400-h225/20200712_141446.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the <b>Vibrant Forest Brewery Tap</b>, it was nice to see that there was a good turnout and a regular flow of people arriving, during the time I was there between 1:30 and 3pm. The usual spectrum of humankind was present from the guy who could have come straight from the Tour De Yorkshire in full logo'ed lycra, to families with kids, and crinklies like me.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYJz0Urem7bQKD5fWTmcjs91eeJbAvxudIlIk24Tc9IoO83OlVMXw0ksQmJFn-RwEzpdliOOUzrsUjOJ2K7QgIgoMdEZxoZ3ARMPED9Qr1u9V3ABn9gtcBsdyMgNSGULOfRndEUFIQJg/s2124/20200712_141446.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1817" data-original-width="2124" height="343" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpYJz0Urem7bQKD5fWTmcjs91eeJbAvxudIlIk24Tc9IoO83OlVMXw0ksQmJFn-RwEzpdliOOUzrsUjOJ2K7QgIgoMdEZxoZ3ARMPED9Qr1u9V3ABn9gtcBsdyMgNSGULOfRndEUFIQJg/w400-h343/20200712_141446.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The tap indoor area isn't open because of Covid precautions (except to get to the toilet) and the main roller shutter door entrance is being used as a giant serving hatch with a bar made of temporary tables.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyhxPkgxZD0viEw_Wj5h588DwxuV5a6MQvLQwZhbIuT9ZL5wi8vEl0lwY3ksog0LrT0hZ5BYRLPdcAqCnLqPQ99dDZThIDryvltz12lfJEy1Vu5ban-3GAxy7IFR7gMP53hep_CI9bFg/s3202/20200712_123514.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2196" data-original-width="3202" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcyhxPkgxZD0viEw_Wj5h588DwxuV5a6MQvLQwZhbIuT9ZL5wi8vEl0lwY3ksog0LrT0hZ5BYRLPdcAqCnLqPQ99dDZThIDryvltz12lfJEy1Vu5ban-3GAxy7IFR7gMP53hep_CI9bFg/w400-h275/20200712_123514.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It doesn't really matter being outdoors on a day like this, and the Vibrant Forest's beer garden is huge, comprising the concrete forecourt of the five industrial units occupied by the brewery. Tables at 2m spacing not an issue here, and there are enough to accommodate 130 people in covid security (bring raincoat and umbrella if rain expected).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLu3U7Qh7JX5KFHAPaqVUYYR3TZXXv1MywALgXvFlee0LVqI84Q_WeUU9MA7JJMrPonzETn829dKMolAhFo7lyoM0bPQIJkBg5hjLoQCuLny5HiQ8gc6GgH4V5cPUTUGtXqK_V7QsKUwE/s5312/20200712_124022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLu3U7Qh7JX5KFHAPaqVUYYR3TZXXv1MywALgXvFlee0LVqI84Q_WeUU9MA7JJMrPonzETn829dKMolAhFo7lyoM0bPQIJkBg5hjLoQCuLny5HiQ8gc6GgH4V5cPUTUGtXqK_V7QsKUwE/w225-h400/20200712_124022.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sanitizer was on tap on the tables and was crisp, sharp, clean and cool and bursting with alcohol (and would undoubtedly give Doom beer a run for its money if it wasn't for hand cleaning only).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmWsThXDMbdDEUGth4lkfByGRWPLi_HNWtWL1PCdR_70PZc-d8idRTyRc8klVQQnjYPCUznlQuHQNifLgAZu0ce1Du5wc-xJtHQvEKNg5XtiMkYKPi6yQ7cI8Wt0o6Ql9fMq4k8tYsJ8/s5312/20200712_134530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKmWsThXDMbdDEUGth4lkfByGRWPLi_HNWtWL1PCdR_70PZc-d8idRTyRc8klVQQnjYPCUznlQuHQNifLgAZu0ce1Du5wc-xJtHQvEKNg5XtiMkYKPi6yQ7cI8Wt0o6Ql9fMq4k8tYsJ8/w225-h400/20200712_134530.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anyhow - fear not - there's no need to be a prophet of Doom today. Behind those grey monolithic walls vibrant beers are being born...and as usual there was a great selection on offer today..<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQM2-2qjjdNLdr-JajhoGX3UWXE6h5zqyAzkfV__iWANRQ37Pi79R8HsUgwNOOylTFXXiBGcY8KbffO2RqCGSgCbm-aJYncf6IWAa4wVPcqtVeCm6WTavs-kJn5V8Qs1sutCGRy9Pdn4/s5312/20200712_143812.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQM2-2qjjdNLdr-JajhoGX3UWXE6h5zqyAzkfV__iWANRQ37Pi79R8HsUgwNOOylTFXXiBGcY8KbffO2RqCGSgCbm-aJYncf6IWAa4wVPcqtVeCm6WTavs-kJn5V8Qs1sutCGRy9Pdn4/w225-h400/20200712_143812.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First up...a half of Summerlands, super-citrus hopped IPA in a modest 3.5% alcohol package...bursting with taste, cooling and refreshing. The Americans might call it a 'lawnmower beer' (- or is that the Australians)....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX-_clKVeORBH1oS7rerDBYTED_tG_W_0R9pSYFArozj2iTU5lglSbO0rDL5ebRS5UZR3FOddWrNcWEUGUrBBO-nqpMuq9Vustdggx5mqEaEoiXDrPbjejUdoNCXMGOK90hVa7i_Hw4E/s5312/20200712_130439.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvX-_clKVeORBH1oS7rerDBYTED_tG_W_0R9pSYFArozj2iTU5lglSbO0rDL5ebRS5UZR3FOddWrNcWEUGUrBBO-nqpMuq9Vustdggx5mqEaEoiXDrPbjejUdoNCXMGOK90hVa7i_Hw4E/w225-h400/20200712_130439.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...there was no lawn - or lawnmower - but it was just as welcome on a hot day on a giant concrete forecourt reflecting the sun's heat like a desert. Only the camels and scuttling scorpions were missing...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRB7dijQHlUnVdSv-FSOe-Vs_eA0xHKFfO0Hs4tnqPT-2gB0I4HgXvlFAomdQcRtLPpOZ2_RjSiMaiffyPA5DD_l5NcJTOGa66wHeoIRk5zlOJSr2M9qzDwBzFLZP2DPPVYEszOLykPA/s1441/20200712_141324.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1215" data-original-width="1441" height="338" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDRB7dijQHlUnVdSv-FSOe-Vs_eA0xHKFfO0Hs4tnqPT-2gB0I4HgXvlFAomdQcRtLPpOZ2_RjSiMaiffyPA5DD_l5NcJTOGa66wHeoIRk5zlOJSr2M9qzDwBzFLZP2DPPVYEszOLykPA/w400-h338/20200712_141324.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...though by way of consolation a plague of flying ants were scuttling across the table most of the afternoon.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIziGhHkgTxRIvNpdcAy85wIX_M-ngStNpRyp9-XRZB4Klt5pGLhZu_5bEhqga-UAXsRRvZ-iLLtBcx7W_WrN2gX5dhaTpAF3_XdCgBdno8uG1LQ9QybpC6gBbbqn_hHmltAfKTPDyH0/s5312/20200712_134810.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFIziGhHkgTxRIvNpdcAy85wIX_M-ngStNpRyp9-XRZB4Klt5pGLhZu_5bEhqga-UAXsRRvZ-iLLtBcx7W_WrN2gX5dhaTpAF3_XdCgBdno8uG1LQ9QybpC6gBbbqn_hHmltAfKTPDyH0/w225-h400/20200712_134810.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The cool halves were slipping down well in the heat and, after a half of Aira (4.5%) a citra/mosaic/HBC431 triple hop pale ale , I then went for a half of Misty Woods (6%)., which is a hazy American IPA. It's an interesting name for a 'Vibrant Forest' beer, but was actually brewed here in collaboration with Clapton Craft. <i>A casual perusal of the glass above shows a proper half pint...no short measures here...</i><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKBr6Wynw4gwkHSvx_E-prfhxL-NQXmIq9Y6KOJfKyFvjdvUi2Dl_WUadqYuBxNkj1HtNnBYedDtesmAds8dz-mxtNUdV4rZvMaoKS2SJfBLdotvVJGHYG5Gf8R-_Fka3Ed6KvpcjD_Y/s5312/20200712_130344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsKBr6Wynw4gwkHSvx_E-prfhxL-NQXmIq9Y6KOJfKyFvjdvUi2Dl_WUadqYuBxNkj1HtNnBYedDtesmAds8dz-mxtNUdV4rZvMaoKS2SJfBLdotvVJGHYG5Gf8R-_Fka3Ed6KvpcjD_Y/w225-h400/20200712_130344.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gentle buzz of conversation and flying ants drifted across the vast concrete expanses as chewy, murky, hoptastic beers were sipped from stemmed glasses...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FSlGL9GGIZhUKsxgsAd6phwjBo9SajfMGxfVaY6oYlIgzPybICMuefSCkVsv0fTbPggNvM_J3ma_e5gnezBrWjEPG8CpdxGJn6AVFjRdlCIuoLk7PBZKVCYdPfUKm_GSI_PzS_mwz6Y/s5312/20200712_124035.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_FSlGL9GGIZhUKsxgsAd6phwjBo9SajfMGxfVaY6oYlIgzPybICMuefSCkVsv0fTbPggNvM_J3ma_e5gnezBrWjEPG8CpdxGJn6AVFjRdlCIuoLk7PBZKVCYdPfUKm_GSI_PzS_mwz6Y/w400-h225/20200712_124035.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A stack of large wall cladding panels and the ubiquitous builders skip suggested that something was afoot at the Vibrant Forest. The bar man explained that an enlarged chiller room was being built in one of their units and the brewery's own canning line was being installed in another. No shortage of post-pandemic optimism at Vibrant Forest Brewery....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7pbKo2vMqC0O_PRUqxh6tzxdPIZWv9g4TT77jgnaXfpnQKunS6EPsoTx3mTJiX7Er0U2Q6V5I1vjN8r33ejRGot4r7bC5MwrBb3_CP-s1Gmzy5pEPi3VqFL6k0d2eD1P7yuNb5-UIXM/s5312/20200712_130415.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_7pbKo2vMqC0O_PRUqxh6tzxdPIZWv9g4TT77jgnaXfpnQKunS6EPsoTx3mTJiX7Er0U2Q6V5I1vjN8r33ejRGot4r7bC5MwrBb3_CP-s1Gmzy5pEPi3VqFL6k0d2eD1P7yuNb5-UIXM/w225-h400/20200712_130415.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the builders merchants next door will probably come in handy for the work....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyxIqVkVQyyma0NljFNzJU4U9i82iuq5MWghW77JD99omKuyASqWa7vMW7X43yLC-1EIRGXSV5YsBgkex3fYnqO7UtEoNcO7m9mG8khVvqg6cDbp1puYcjDzXpliyHRKZT5XuBXEgHo/s5312/20200712_124019.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaOyxIqVkVQyyma0NljFNzJU4U9i82iuq5MWghW77JD99omKuyASqWa7vMW7X43yLC-1EIRGXSV5YsBgkex3fYnqO7UtEoNcO7m9mG8khVvqg6cDbp1puYcjDzXpliyHRKZT5XuBXEgHo/w225-h400/20200712_124019.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two hours quickly slipped by, and so a final beer then...this time a half of Grizzly Pear (4.3%) a gooseberry and pear gose. A big blast of pear drops and ear ringing sherbet. Lovely....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo8DYvp1q7V-aK8ufT898sYtYKxEOZB1eLmyFsvdo8LVK94sLBIqNyZpDScVE1K9-XtUYNdJjYjMF3qcrYDYhPxYbAUj9q2B2lIHa6eDDX562hzfFjtxwtMDnTN7t-1NVdnfWTgQR61M/s5312/20200712_141344.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyo8DYvp1q7V-aK8ufT898sYtYKxEOZB1eLmyFsvdo8LVK94sLBIqNyZpDScVE1K9-XtUYNdJjYjMF3qcrYDYhPxYbAUj9q2B2lIHa6eDDX562hzfFjtxwtMDnTN7t-1NVdnfWTgQR61M/w225-h400/20200712_141344.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's great to see the Vibrant Forest Brewery Tap open again and as vibrant as ever (did I mention how vibrant their beers really are...?). From what I saw at this visit the faithful followers of craft are out in force to support them...<br />I grabbed my (un-needed) emergency pandemic decontamination man bag (in urban camo design) and went home feeling...well....VIBRANT!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-48957458555614419812020-07-15T01:10:00.002-07:002020-07-15T01:12:10.813-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt 7 - The Stag Hotel<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGfCOkgPr-WnVNgj-MQX0xoJfA_0o8ezNWlC7gRa6lUkUJzuNGfX-S5ahOFYGBL_qcLnBawpAcSNo6hyFMceC3rP1RumWxS1IbWWyrou3YHeu6CQt_c_ZOynVwGPAEAOdWOQ-rO42-kY/s5312/20190921_163612.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGfCOkgPr-WnVNgj-MQX0xoJfA_0o8ezNWlC7gRa6lUkUJzuNGfX-S5ahOFYGBL_qcLnBawpAcSNo6hyFMceC3rP1RumWxS1IbWWyrou3YHeu6CQt_c_ZOynVwGPAEAOdWOQ-rO42-kY/w400-h225/20190921_163612.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just when you thought the September 2019 Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass series was going to be as long as the proverbial 'one that got away'...we reached the final pub, just next door to the one we started at in Lyndhurst High Street....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknvJguWz1lJ0XQlT4jhVVJxNRc13w65V7GkvzDUuPaBZvV07UDdRPpegg5BwaoB_BkxaPoqS2XVpYshlEKqWr-w5Ko_PKdYkophYmCQ4ldNyxzkCkMZdXDQUzALTvpT_i2IZhUKQig-Q/s5312/20190921_170151.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknvJguWz1lJ0XQlT4jhVVJxNRc13w65V7GkvzDUuPaBZvV07UDdRPpegg5BwaoB_BkxaPoqS2XVpYshlEKqWr-w5Ko_PKdYkophYmCQ4ldNyxzkCkMZdXDQUzALTvpT_i2IZhUKQig-Q/w400-h225/20190921_170151.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Stag Hotel is 'a pub with rooms' type of hotel and it is another very fine historic building... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CHLL80dH2Vd6aPH_6SlATX3oPk5UOvRdp_Kf9zlEAUdqWyg66O4KVBQJTdIAsjxIQzdXsEc8gUtrAVLvVHZnbPakZvBlQJkTJBM1rxGJLVM27Qbkm7r7H-7t_SmLFcKB5zdOwnLMln0/s5312/20190921_163625.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CHLL80dH2Vd6aPH_6SlATX3oPk5UOvRdp_Kf9zlEAUdqWyg66O4KVBQJTdIAsjxIQzdXsEc8gUtrAVLvVHZnbPakZvBlQJkTJBM1rxGJLVM27Qbkm7r7H-7t_SmLFcKB5zdOwnLMln0/w400-h225/20190921_163625.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...with an interior to match, all wood panelling, aged cream walls (possibly tobacco staining from the smoking heyday...who knows), enough historic knick-knacks to compete with the local museum (above and top photo)...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6uhn8XJ6877dPtolbH080yhA3nFJ1y_cZIZkEbTrp5ns32wgZA5XYFc-1lzHNqKbe_Oio8bEUd0__70CCIrgbXznrAQTC1hggzn7poM1spf4HkJgpyY6HJiMWBCASMW_s7aEDOksGc0/s5312/20190921_163635.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS6uhn8XJ6877dPtolbH080yhA3nFJ1y_cZIZkEbTrp5ns32wgZA5XYFc-1lzHNqKbe_Oio8bEUd0__70CCIrgbXznrAQTC1hggzn7poM1spf4HkJgpyY6HJiMWBCASMW_s7aEDOksGc0/w400-h225/20190921_163635.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...posh chandeliers...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tgSicwGhKxUSWAG1eqnT3J5o-DMoLRdWRFZaYecj5QevOxJ94vEEHiWzIFY2nhCG28Yww-FTpFBDhiv2DiXpbyp7keYGY2bvKKfk34pGLEBNFVoK64GCDIMdaFAACmWIFMfYYnIXvjo/s5312/20190921_163530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tgSicwGhKxUSWAG1eqnT3J5o-DMoLRdWRFZaYecj5QevOxJ94vEEHiWzIFY2nhCG28Yww-FTpFBDhiv2DiXpbyp7keYGY2bvKKfk34pGLEBNFVoK64GCDIMdaFAACmWIFMfYYnIXvjo/w400-h225/20190921_163530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and bar stools for the most discerning posterior...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mtoS2S2vuiGw0D_-_HtW7yoCYFXdwOo7dYLntbgWzJT_d3BZwtNXaFCQteK6TSEuONvCzlSj9BWXLFXlNayCmjmdzs5lOoGsr1_V1rPMUSdPlS0t1tf0TD7mDioJXFwTXx4wFC-GbEY/s5312/20190921_163317.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-mtoS2S2vuiGw0D_-_HtW7yoCYFXdwOo7dYLntbgWzJT_d3BZwtNXaFCQteK6TSEuONvCzlSj9BWXLFXlNayCmjmdzs5lOoGsr1_V1rPMUSdPlS0t1tf0TD7mDioJXFwTXx4wFC-GbEY/w400-h225/20190921_163317.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being shoulder to shoulder with The Mailmans Arms next door, it stands to reason that, in the interests of maximum customer choice, both would be Greene King houses with a reliably similar range of beers....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEn0iuQuqYAfSrLN5ZFXh4ir4xzdARZDgt9oBgKl4lpdhni_MDlYOGM2uR4ud7Cd61Jkkgy0OHwyZYovtRu49F36xlvy1BGQsoJnNs5p5TfT7dwAMT9FOVTdOamcOkDekUPXgfcvCw98/s5312/20190921_165239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicEn0iuQuqYAfSrLN5ZFXh4ir4xzdARZDgt9oBgKl4lpdhni_MDlYOGM2uR4ud7Cd61Jkkgy0OHwyZYovtRu49F36xlvy1BGQsoJnNs5p5TfT7dwAMT9FOVTdOamcOkDekUPXgfcvCw98/w225-h400/20190921_165239.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...yes Old Speckled Hen, that old Moreland favourite, which was ok but definitely not a contender for the BB’s lacings premier league...</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT22jckNC1H0CLLUQQOlKBj7L5n96iiuN8i2ZbJGZ68SSi3FJ-H4p_fx0PWHU21XP6LQl6h19nJQGyPLZl7CcLkyLhF6di-0S9unNNwgyjL3JDbcn9qmOuqgU0K1hYw5jHhi66vLtGyI/s5312/20190921_163913.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDT22jckNC1H0CLLUQQOlKBj7L5n96iiuN8i2ZbJGZ68SSi3FJ-H4p_fx0PWHU21XP6LQl6h19nJQGyPLZl7CcLkyLhF6di-0S9unNNwgyjL3JDbcn9qmOuqgU0K1hYw5jHhi66vLtGyI/w400-h225/20190921_163913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...though another quiet and sheltered rear beer garden was a nice way to finish off the day's travels around Lyndhurst's generous selection of hostelries...<br /><br />...now I'll have to get back to the real post-lockdown summer 2020 world and see whether Doom Bar now really is the cask pint of choice....</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-19368619290155643122020-07-10T00:52:00.002-07:002020-07-10T00:56:06.039-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt 6 - The Fox and Hounds<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnga70FmXhZZUAgAwc0G1jSrOpf23o3JwLQoNjeTLugDEHkMV1DugLoCw0clzCu36M4Ar7Xfps7_qtgJ42TYrKpvsvip9wGcW_FDscIM_DQ-wOfdHsaf23ax55yq6n3LqUzMEDdpNXpXY/s5312/20190921_162930.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnga70FmXhZZUAgAwc0G1jSrOpf23o3JwLQoNjeTLugDEHkMV1DugLoCw0clzCu36M4Ar7Xfps7_qtgJ42TYrKpvsvip9wGcW_FDscIM_DQ-wOfdHsaf23ax55yq6n3LqUzMEDdpNXpXY/w225-h400/20190921_162930.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Of course post-covid there’s never been a better time to go to the pub now that VAT on food and soft drinks (but not real ale) has been temporarily reduced....except that it might not apply to pubs apparently...(<i>don't drink the <a href="https://yesteryearsnews.wordpress.com/2011/04/28/white-flash-what-a-gas/">Atlantic White Flash</a></i>)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YIUx0dw7Q7Ep4hkmk2jPrPvZKX6qlnBt_Os29id0eifOmbUYi70m49gnPX7mYcUh5cFt1uT-fHfQnl4_G_xAtGaO8TA6X0ffkwiEl22hJF61jAJ39aUlo7B9O1DXINW8f0J0U_4r3qU/s5312/20190921_160450.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6YIUx0dw7Q7Ep4hkmk2jPrPvZKX6qlnBt_Os29id0eifOmbUYi70m49gnPX7mYcUh5cFt1uT-fHfQnl4_G_xAtGaO8TA6X0ffkwiEl22hJF61jAJ39aUlo7B9O1DXINW8f0J0U_4r3qU/w225-h400/20190921_160450.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...but this post is still pre-covid September 2019 when you could still help yourself to cutlery, and condiments from the bottle.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ErQocvEH39O1myZcfROXdBuuMkjLirlqWEXoqrVj1cugrGMjOME2wvrF7crOI-cyTTAOmMWgPFch48Vojpv1LtM_iu7B2HryUOczck-9X_cgpyWAmFTKuCbaceWSAZ1mPT7bbxX8Zc/s5312/20190921_170318.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz7ErQocvEH39O1myZcfROXdBuuMkjLirlqWEXoqrVj1cugrGMjOME2wvrF7crOI-cyTTAOmMWgPFch48Vojpv1LtM_iu7B2HryUOczck-9X_cgpyWAmFTKuCbaceWSAZ1mPT7bbxX8Zc/w400-h225/20190921_170318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">So after the disappointment of The Swan and the enchantment of the church, we arrived, halfway down Lyndhurst High Street, at the next pub, The Fox and Hounds. </span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S0YOSpp2rq2mb1b-hizVab2WT1fyxR4_i_9Kw5boZ92_XEyIFgb5TzVy4QgLD0rus8kLc8xxaf1Dx4_-MhwFG4RnhJZdi3FION8HXWkG_0bkF4M1zBeMb9Xqy6UYn_gcib2K1CjW-Bs/s5312/20190921_160432.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S0YOSpp2rq2mb1b-hizVab2WT1fyxR4_i_9Kw5boZ92_XEyIFgb5TzVy4QgLD0rus8kLc8xxaf1Dx4_-MhwFG4RnhJZdi3FION8HXWkG_0bkF4M1zBeMb9Xqy6UYn_gcib2K1CjW-Bs/w400-h225/20190921_160432.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a beautiful old coaching house pub, with a symphony of aged woodwork inside....</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRHYhyjaapPQ4N5rp3B7CywqAIf0mjRP_lg7NhA9E09kA1CQrPNSTPs1fQqByG-s7-I64YMGFMgJrkbnpSF6HRv7soBoJssWELR8XMIRGgVnr0ZfPKJfXyOFq2dZGOK9AHbaFGNWt7ek/s5312/20190921_160551.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxRHYhyjaapPQ4N5rp3B7CywqAIf0mjRP_lg7NhA9E09kA1CQrPNSTPs1fQqByG-s7-I64YMGFMgJrkbnpSF6HRv7soBoJssWELR8XMIRGgVnr0ZfPKJfXyOFq2dZGOK9AHbaFGNWt7ek/w400-h225/20190921_160551.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and a nice beer garden in the large rear yard with the old stabling buildings etc.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2irt7-XEcWNYbXKHzmzAu21VdaCWsuQkg-gNWNUOSTOTtwWOQubdLwREMAbW4R0xz0LBg1bp8roNue6NFnGphbkZZ027ERxznSt2cY0rR1VMNTtexM3HGcOW3SA1CYmxWftoh_VtnBTs/s5312/20190921_160318.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2irt7-XEcWNYbXKHzmzAu21VdaCWsuQkg-gNWNUOSTOTtwWOQubdLwREMAbW4R0xz0LBg1bp8roNue6NFnGphbkZZ027ERxznSt2cY0rR1VMNTtexM3HGcOW3SA1CYmxWftoh_VtnBTs/w400-h225/20190921_160318.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As a Fullers pub the usual culprits were on the bar, as well as Romsey Gold from Romsey microbrewer, Flack Manor....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreuh2nX4HC6-fY3zcAcW8S4Gavj9pJWPhLQzHFvsHv6yDCbQetBKOg1IgXIeWNJIgwPZYM3ZX_69zNkyE1j9yHDXD7Nd_-lkDTXvh8rkALfRth2x69vu5Qb_W-s0qZYDLSvY0Yfj7Ss0/s5312/20190921_160641.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjreuh2nX4HC6-fY3zcAcW8S4Gavj9pJWPhLQzHFvsHv6yDCbQetBKOg1IgXIeWNJIgwPZYM3ZX_69zNkyE1j9yHDXD7Nd_-lkDTXvh8rkALfRth2x69vu5Qb_W-s0qZYDLSvY0Yfj7Ss0/w225-h400/20190921_160641.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...so it had to be that top Asahi beer, <strike>Tokyo</strike> London Pride. Still a very fine beer, still brewed in London and most important of all, still in one of the most ornately decorated beer glasses ever. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwexjw26xjnPJgO4nZv7l4wkiIHaKw9OY-s9NxAqyS051aAtvF5mPXok0AbzOwtEONBkf_GIteiFww3kCEZUVUp8TocuVAiCtCQuZDQ84YNXawFypppcSHQfcp1MfjX2WKxWMgRae49Y/s5312/20190921_162924.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEwexjw26xjnPJgO4nZv7l4wkiIHaKw9OY-s9NxAqyS051aAtvF5mPXok0AbzOwtEONBkf_GIteiFww3kCEZUVUp8TocuVAiCtCQuZDQ84YNXawFypppcSHQfcp1MfjX2WKxWMgRae49Y/w400-h225/20190921_162924.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The enclosed rear stabling yard was a lovely place, sunny and isolated from the constant traffic noise of Lyndhurst High Street out front. Time enough to savour a beer, and appreciate a historic advertising sign for that old staple - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEizMndxvOY">Liebig sou</a>p...</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PUzheHc-HzTCZMhatUETSvxoAAsw9SpQYo1HDtEw83Z51UIQcWNaYlV14M7zVjk7dN6R4GC2l2S0JN8_ovsSCgC_YAmZ62X354oz46r_M3JPFm1Q3872hLvo8qB1s-0a2JsiUXxLA9A/s5312/20190921_160457.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PUzheHc-HzTCZMhatUETSvxoAAsw9SpQYo1HDtEw83Z51UIQcWNaYlV14M7zVjk7dN6R4GC2l2S0JN8_ovsSCgC_YAmZ62X354oz46r_M3JPFm1Q3872hLvo8qB1s-0a2JsiUXxLA9A/w400-h225/20190921_160457.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and something once made in Britain (apparently...)<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-29632020049283311232020-07-08T01:24:00.001-07:002020-07-08T01:24:38.964-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt 5 - The Swan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGq1L8kRNczP0hKmhSZUM0Eu8lOzdO-Mt1BNRMYxAUztVPRvsR3_UFp2zgSdbeHnliFVB4bsKUleLtEQCPDfJD016hjNYORrIcafX_UbUh2o3zAA8AnhOiXufpxQ_hp8QN7QsAOp8id8/s5312/20190921_144808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGq1L8kRNczP0hKmhSZUM0Eu8lOzdO-Mt1BNRMYxAUztVPRvsR3_UFp2zgSdbeHnliFVB4bsKUleLtEQCPDfJD016hjNYORrIcafX_UbUh2o3zAA8AnhOiXufpxQ_hp8QN7QsAOp8id8/w225-h400/20190921_144808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As excitement reaches fever pitch on other pub blogs following the 'unlocking' of pubs, I'm still opting for the Covid free past with last September's pub walk. If I make it last I might just get to the end of the second wave.... Anyway in the previous post we had left the New Forest Inn and now headed back on the short walk to Lyndhurst...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGq1L8kRNczP0hKmhSZUM0Eu8lOzdO-Mt1BNRMYxAUztVPRvsR3_UFp2zgSdbeHnliFVB4bsKUleLtEQCPDfJD016hjNYORrIcafX_UbUh2o3zAA8AnhOiXufpxQ_hp8QN7QsAOp8id8/s5312/20190921_144808.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DFd4DOCx5Ly6QctbbSXlHE55jV8-Rtxdjwz6JfFBm0UsxiK_p_yieDYMyfwDOTtIm7FgRgsb3u4CPJRLORhKYIQy3PaoBvX_oc1KzLo4V3UBymi1xw2rERD33CD3gJ63skqqRJU8hCY/s5312/20190921_153731.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5DFd4DOCx5Ly6QctbbSXlHE55jV8-Rtxdjwz6JfFBm0UsxiK_p_yieDYMyfwDOTtIm7FgRgsb3u4CPJRLORhKYIQy3PaoBvX_oc1KzLo4V3UBymi1xw2rERD33CD3gJ63skqqRJU8hCY/w400-h225/20190921_153731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...which soon hove into view, and there without further ado, was the next pub, The Swan....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnM2taKb6JTPWbVvJ4m97j9DmftwKLH34Hp0-llcCuuuyJ_9AOOe_d5KSOITegvaXD8i9gKA4nrDjsdOaMBqoBnbR2z86tbybJbWCR-X243L_APo2RubpzieZ6Xfk0_eFFJYaN7ybcew/s896/Screen+Shot+2020-07-08+at+09.05.27.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="647" data-original-width="896" height="289" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJnM2taKb6JTPWbVvJ4m97j9DmftwKLH34Hp0-llcCuuuyJ_9AOOe_d5KSOITegvaXD8i9gKA4nrDjsdOaMBqoBnbR2z86tbybJbWCR-X243L_APo2RubpzieZ6Xfk0_eFFJYaN7ybcew/w400-h289/Screen+Shot+2020-07-08+at+09.05.27.png" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...hardly far enough to walk off the last pint.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHm3-DVoxfX2L_-yoG3x-eiQ9l7XhvueqUPbMYgxHdV8nI4-KUQNbIwgnvoQkoUuDDfr5J9VlEsrJ_E7MbeF-6FDQPJm0yqlqzErOb-ZWu9l9-wZpQgQp59LXwT3WsiyI-3lOqsFGlE/s3188/20190921_153754.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1802" data-original-width="3188" height="226" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMwHm3-DVoxfX2L_-yoG3x-eiQ9l7XhvueqUPbMYgxHdV8nI4-KUQNbIwgnvoQkoUuDDfr5J9VlEsrJ_E7MbeF-6FDQPJm0yqlqzErOb-ZWu9l9-wZpQgQp59LXwT3WsiyI-3lOqsFGlE/w400-h226/20190921_153754.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the temptations of the Ferrari/Maserati garage just down the road in Lyndhurst town centre, the pub car park boasted one of Elon's chariots (<i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elon_Musk%27s_Tesla_Roadster">space trip</a> on a Space X Falcon Heavy rocket not included</i>).<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch0X3ArZaqAvwwFHuNYt2Z8m93lbHvTch6qQrLekua2lcRgeVZbLN2a1VQA9qQXmVWSffAD9NNDSME78etVb9C9LVYrTR9Pvnlxc9wK7f2GJ61ODc7FmzUWT1kZV1JzJeOhUNT5lD858/s5312/20190921_154100.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhch0X3ArZaqAvwwFHuNYt2Z8m93lbHvTch6qQrLekua2lcRgeVZbLN2a1VQA9qQXmVWSffAD9NNDSME78etVb9C9LVYrTR9Pvnlxc9wK7f2GJ61ODc7FmzUWT1kZV1JzJeOhUNT5lD858/w400-h225/20190921_154100.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the pub, there was a strange, even eerie, feeling of the emptiness of space. We stood at the bar, and waited...no member of staff appeared....a couple of other tourists wandered in....still no bar staff appeared. So after a few minutes in the Heart of <strike style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">space</strike><font face="inherit"> the New Forest, we decided to forego the wait for the solitary Ringwood Razorback cask</font><font face="inherit">, and </font>we wandered out again....<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3xvzfPurfGfAfJbX5tv5MAHGiH8aKIF7FU4Nvizk4DyKy_1V9zB50LYHNTow6VFYQ9gu0kInRIdAqSYsmIIj6-Hk2_LbXI3UM_TN5wmcDzfywFbAHpTV7QWu9bN0pyDJSqnxFYEv2Ik/s5312/20190921_155839.jpg"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3xvzfPurfGfAfJbX5tv5MAHGiH8aKIF7FU4Nvizk4DyKy_1V9zB50LYHNTow6VFYQ9gu0kInRIdAqSYsmIIj6-Hk2_LbXI3UM_TN5wmcDzfywFbAHpTV7QWu9bN0pyDJSqnxFYEv2Ik/w225-h400/20190921_155839.jpg" width="225" /></a></div></div>As we headed down Lyndhurst High Street there was the famous church of St Michael and All Angels, a beautiful brickwork design by that prolific church architect, William White and completed in 1869. <br /><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlkDuAVlJ2pqau9Z3bqjJ8grSO04S9oelJkV42atQBP7D78o-uqTcsiYI87sr_Zzw48Jkv2ybUnuYGJjkYoIO2-sB4o9qkvhQS_GRLlg4ztWQ2zeCuwJDyhI5-RLC9phlvB8ZSgYliw40/w225-h400/20190921_155555.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Other well known designers such as William Morris, Edward Burne-Jones were responsible for the stained glass windows.... </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WRu_Dle1hGIhY1U87vQlt7Pj0uCk9acRkeBh2C5XJMWWL7mDxF92lQoZYhCJP2MgPE60e9qMhZmlSZnDi-L1mlGZVFpXapOAjHy66v5Ej7Gj3PKVNPuBBOhwP0t5gBp_MEZKTvzBQr4/s5312/20190921_155530.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6WRu_Dle1hGIhY1U87vQlt7Pj0uCk9acRkeBh2C5XJMWWL7mDxF92lQoZYhCJP2MgPE60e9qMhZmlSZnDi-L1mlGZVFpXapOAjHy66v5Ej7Gj3PKVNPuBBOhwP0t5gBp_MEZKTvzBQr4/w400-h225/20190921_155530.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">..and of course its other claim to fame is that it is the last resting place of Alice in Wonderland,...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAPozonJMgbG5-DGN7mBECb-iwuY9xWAsrE2ub7wwgaN-z-LcdKsg-j-RCgyjbFqcEh6RZdySKqyATcTS685v4U8_H4G4Hx5QP0cCmtiWPAstZerBmuNiWHVw28cbkgOpKqEAbrnYHk4/s5312/20190921_155510.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghAPozonJMgbG5-DGN7mBECb-iwuY9xWAsrE2ub7wwgaN-z-LcdKsg-j-RCgyjbFqcEh6RZdySKqyATcTS685v4U8_H4G4Hx5QP0cCmtiWPAstZerBmuNiWHVw28cbkgOpKqEAbrnYHk4/w400-h225/20190921_155510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...aka Mrs Reginald Hargreaves.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-61009078248619982852020-06-30T06:53:00.000-07:002020-06-30T06:53:55.400-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt 4 - New Forest Inn<br /><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD_BDyVMy9H6eTnEpcx-lkvF4SO-rfkDdyKUOohJRL3hhbeph3vESx14yVprU1FHcVTopYZUXC-THo3xKSNANYdWaQo61lV9pbfCgZ5mkpYQq9HrYB7pdz3aX2tz8x0JxjY-lzUN3JTI/s5312/20190921_144336.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVD_BDyVMy9H6eTnEpcx-lkvF4SO-rfkDdyKUOohJRL3hhbeph3vESx14yVprU1FHcVTopYZUXC-THo3xKSNANYdWaQo61lV9pbfCgZ5mkpYQq9HrYB7pdz3aX2tz8x0JxjY-lzUN3JTI/w400-h225/20190921_144336.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We walked along the New Forest single track lane though, contrary to the impression given by this photo, all was not peace and tranquility. Every few minutes the silence was punctuated by vehicles rushing past, using the lane as a ‘rat run’ to avoid the Lyndhurst traffic jam, and causing us to retreat regularly into the hedgerow to avoid being mown down...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLB6XgR01J1PDabSIuBwgqwsBAHyTruyKOm9imYAOwtXtWdbjuGCbDfpsq0v7GDjsP6-SNj3rZmLDjN8BKSGEmNY4MFgh-qesaqV2f1bJr6jrlmNIVpXZRF8K2paQbSfMpJbNvR6Jnwo/s5312/20190921_144808.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbLB6XgR01J1PDabSIuBwgqwsBAHyTruyKOm9imYAOwtXtWdbjuGCbDfpsq0v7GDjsP6-SNj3rZmLDjN8BKSGEmNY4MFgh-qesaqV2f1bJr6jrlmNIVpXZRF8K2paQbSfMpJbNvR6Jnwo/w225-h400/20190921_144808.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">But having successfully dodged the traffic, a sign pointing to civilisation soon appeared as we arrived in Emery Down.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNdk1xbHvz6viRlI8EePTO4khflufUJ0Gt8VIXwO6y0t95Zc6xVjNSdvAw5uM73gC0QP8A260SeF_l_n0tUc7NMyBK0ygy3RonVtOUWBij7fHiA-_f-8IdBByku1GxHCrcZBHRzF-RR0/s5312/20190921_144750.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNdk1xbHvz6viRlI8EePTO4khflufUJ0Gt8VIXwO6y0t95Zc6xVjNSdvAw5uM73gC0QP8A260SeF_l_n0tUc7NMyBK0ygy3RonVtOUWBij7fHiA-_f-8IdBByku1GxHCrcZBHRzF-RR0/w400-h225/20190921_144750.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We past Christ Church nestling against the trees and walked through the village....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYpSQZ8ALKp52OOmsDRwdiinhIsKvLzLxqTcBQoTQUr1jccOmbXiC9pf8fo_N-OeNcOWH0PDOva5MXDqptKp_OPaQf8z-WCUoeNgXdwB-8SE-8hCId9M1EEJq8SK9HpemnYqtZMMmJsU/s5312/20190921_144954.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYpSQZ8ALKp52OOmsDRwdiinhIsKvLzLxqTcBQoTQUr1jccOmbXiC9pf8fo_N-OeNcOWH0PDOva5MXDqptKp_OPaQf8z-WCUoeNgXdwB-8SE-8hCId9M1EEJq8SK9HpemnYqtZMMmJsU/w400-h225/20190921_144954.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...past the black and white timbered Alms Houses...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F-OfbGFWlWZq3TUYV_TJYb37iHoVaJ2sAVozXusUjk9nTLOHXswY7MBQap0JbFACWdFnBgv02K5Onsl2mQU3I3EPAlERnM1cNrXA-u4_W3ZCja4VA4quOyzUcG7dYNW-HuKx6Y7jwd0/s5312/20190921_145154.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8F-OfbGFWlWZq3TUYV_TJYb37iHoVaJ2sAVozXusUjk9nTLOHXswY7MBQap0JbFACWdFnBgv02K5Onsl2mQU3I3EPAlERnM1cNrXA-u4_W3ZCja4VA4quOyzUcG7dYNW-HuKx6Y7jwd0/w400-h225/20190921_145154.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and the next pub appeared in the distance...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuN5KYJ-hQY6vPBMj_w_IssNwEpXCouVMYMbf8J_RGUA-613S5XeClhG1AT25i691aFXyn_iUTuKWigr0vSZs5BHTy63sNamor4DGDf6CiqXAADqCq3xpPI_eyr9M62-J7P-sjyB2HSA/s5312/20190921_145226.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNuN5KYJ-hQY6vPBMj_w_IssNwEpXCouVMYMbf8J_RGUA-613S5XeClhG1AT25i691aFXyn_iUTuKWigr0vSZs5BHTy63sNamor4DGDf6CiqXAADqCq3xpPI_eyr9M62-J7P-sjyB2HSA/w400-h225/20190921_145226.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As we drew near to <b>The New Forest Inn </b>and saw the orderly queue forming outside,<b> </b>we were initially concerned that it might be busy....<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U0eqsulh8n7WCEWj5qTxXhFkOzHIyGjHcmpVBowGLA-OrYydANPOHM7ooQGJ7ePZGKPb1Hu4AoTbD5Wzsm7AWOE7PlTknQ4mcqTgALMZBCnS-D5Z4J8snnZluPDmJp8_5JZiudsnIsI/s5312/20190921_145733.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-U0eqsulh8n7WCEWj5qTxXhFkOzHIyGjHcmpVBowGLA-OrYydANPOHM7ooQGJ7ePZGKPb1Hu4AoTbD5Wzsm7AWOE7PlTknQ4mcqTgALMZBCnS-D5Z4J8snnZluPDmJp8_5JZiudsnIsI/w400-h225/20190921_145733.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...however we needn’t have worried, it wasn’t crammed with New Forest ponies, and there was just a smattering of New Forest folk/tourists*<i>delete as appropriate</i>. <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqfnhtyMEWjkwGx9vzG-m24SFSBhfN07ooK34vwIjXYuMz1mQtygeYLm7s09akNHe7fWInFcbYXO4Tb5lMtS7MVly1bAt6omZcXfETnqBNu3sLn7WRcMAkORqC_vwx04FtkaiWk-31sk/s5312/20190921_150502.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqfnhtyMEWjkwGx9vzG-m24SFSBhfN07ooK34vwIjXYuMz1mQtygeYLm7s09akNHe7fWInFcbYXO4Tb5lMtS7MVly1bAt6omZcXfETnqBNu3sLn7WRcMAkORqC_vwx04FtkaiWk-31sk/s320/20190921_150502.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I couldn’t resist trying the Piddle Brewery <b><i>First Try</i></b>, a ‘dark IPA, but as a dark, pale ale, is a bit of an oxymoron, perhaps it should really be an IDA, India Dark Ale. As it happens it was my first try of this beer and I wasn’t going to be put off by the lady serving who explained that customers responses had been mixed - bit of a ‘marmite’ beer then. It wasn’t too bad, but perhaps a bit too heavy on the roast malt flavour for the black IPA style.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImXhMxPd7J2qsJJVez05OArEUMpDUesU5oSQu8UspB9zjwMJlSjiQygOq_18o1MGS-Iqul4c_dhfi8HsVVz4FPuAuoTZ7J8gmr7aizMJfjmEzMtv0M_dVeaXJXkzwlFU_tgLleU8kwoY/s5312/20190921_150322.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImXhMxPd7J2qsJJVez05OArEUMpDUesU5oSQu8UspB9zjwMJlSjiQygOq_18o1MGS-Iqul4c_dhfi8HsVVz4FPuAuoTZ7J8gmr7aizMJfjmEzMtv0M_dVeaXJXkzwlFU_tgLleU8kwoY/w400-h225/20190921_150322.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The New Forest Inn is a nice country pub in a lovely little village, I liked the milk churn bar stools too...<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uipc2kWG7xfS_i5pA99POHJs8LyMyoigtwxRwN2BLQhs2zW4DcvJbcmczsxFrMYt1qiMduiFdVIzJnmOOIZ_jVkJufM2IjIJkm4XH5L3qMOBL4TKfszy-Vkuf-BhN8i45S6CoTCBBWI/s5312/20190921_151130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uipc2kWG7xfS_i5pA99POHJs8LyMyoigtwxRwN2BLQhs2zW4DcvJbcmczsxFrMYt1qiMduiFdVIzJnmOOIZ_jVkJufM2IjIJkm4XH5L3qMOBL4TKfszy-Vkuf-BhN8i45S6CoTCBBWI/w400-h225/20190921_151130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...though I was much less enthusiastic about the ‘Book Now for Christmas’ display which seemed so inappropriate on a warm and sunny September day. Resisting the temptation to 'book early to avoid disappointment', we wandered off to continue the walk.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-35725589510305177172020-06-24T09:54:00.000-07:002020-06-24T09:54:26.462-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt 3 - Waterloo Arms<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The tale of a September 2019 pub walk in Lyndhurst continues...<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZIR-C4q8x6LFXV528zsWZ8lYB0Sy8GPKP9TuxV0iRXwOCbMxXQjnt8_phJChM0ApjJqLqfOV7Aa8wKPWItLRi_TeNt9CvOtsEX_yvFMUdr-2ptoT7vH1hwD_JgVPBb5yxL9RzJ6_pCQ/s1600/20190921_133456.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirZIR-C4q8x6LFXV528zsWZ8lYB0Sy8GPKP9TuxV0iRXwOCbMxXQjnt8_phJChM0ApjJqLqfOV7Aa8wKPWItLRi_TeNt9CvOtsEX_yvFMUdr-2ptoT7vH1hwD_JgVPBb5yxL9RzJ6_pCQ/s400/20190921_133456.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leaving the White Rabbit we were confronted with what was, at the time, a common scene in Lyndhurst - the traffic jam of tourists visiting the New Forest. Though, in a coronavirus world, traffic jams were, for a while, just a thing of the past, there are now signs that, at least in this respect, ‘the old normal’ might be returning quite quickly....</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_7PC8T11T4hkpMOFKeizyusr9Gjcm7Fhnu_bRCICCgSZCn3o5HN1u9j_MZz4CSxBBoRr3mMPGnK8jLlg4HjP4XGa8NM-I1HBLEQ0qKpqDRtGoEb-PDx0EbdN_AUrVZvjUfDPGF-L3Jk/s5312/20190921_133701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB_7PC8T11T4hkpMOFKeizyusr9Gjcm7Fhnu_bRCICCgSZCn3o5HN1u9j_MZz4CSxBBoRr3mMPGnK8jLlg4HjP4XGa8NM-I1HBLEQ0qKpqDRtGoEb-PDx0EbdN_AUrVZvjUfDPGF-L3Jk/w400-h225/20190921_133701.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A short distance up a country lane the hum of the queuing traffic faded away and the next pub came into view in all it’s thatched and flowery finery...<b>The Waterloo Arms</b><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span><div><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ULhRdhkg34sJbqiOvvXoygMaYf-MBjEfEurTiYVIlU7eYqVgDovMKJdpXS8a2k3BBLflHOc7c-FRSAXBLxD7qTbrSbVTilQ9LYcKpUIW5cSmDLeyOlEWICk6I3qQ7ir7JGF2rUJq87I/s5312/20190921_133857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0ULhRdhkg34sJbqiOvvXoygMaYf-MBjEfEurTiYVIlU7eYqVgDovMKJdpXS8a2k3BBLflHOc7c-FRSAXBLxD7qTbrSbVTilQ9LYcKpUIW5cSmDLeyOlEWICk6I3qQ7ir7JGF2rUJq87I/w400-h225/20190921_133857.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside the hand pumps were festooned with brightly coloured pump clips, promising an extravaganza of craft cask. On closer inspection, it turned out that the clips on the left were cider, and those on the right were Ringwood beers (and the beer that shall not be named). I recall feeling slightly disappointed, as Ringwood beers are so ubiquitous in the Forest. Now it occurs to me that if pubs (and I) survive to see post coronavirus Britain, I may be grateful to see a Ringwood beer on bars full of the beer that shall not be named. A doom beer scenario if ever there was one...<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IWyudU-88RzixUbj0qXw29w0qm0sgi8AASeNPc3zH9-96XzQ9Gpb4oLeY2Z-Co_j1ZiaRjeXprrnGi9U0pCChIyjIkiN-etJohX44flewqYfIl4ovCYyA2x4Q1ivgTB7UNFQki_zklU/s5312/20190921_135942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4IWyudU-88RzixUbj0qXw29w0qm0sgi8AASeNPc3zH9-96XzQ9Gpb4oLeY2Z-Co_j1ZiaRjeXprrnGi9U0pCChIyjIkiN-etJohX44flewqYfIl4ovCYyA2x4Q1ivgTB7UNFQki_zklU/w400-h225/20190921_135942.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opting to head outside again, into the warm and sunny September afternoon and a large and well patronised beer garden.... <br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt7MjkRXP6moHpLkIeC9IG7Z4bNQcV_DAGeekRWmHI3CvDKS32B9ibsQ0SJEohIaBRro4AkPRjRCCVrY-CcXOH8X7hY2mdZQHV1svTRWRe1DSSMjkDyQ8iKZbSqEjZRgyMA4aj5lJbSM/s5312/20190921_135521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdt7MjkRXP6moHpLkIeC9IG7Z4bNQcV_DAGeekRWmHI3CvDKS32B9ibsQ0SJEohIaBRro4AkPRjRCCVrY-CcXOH8X7hY2mdZQHV1svTRWRe1DSSMjkDyQ8iKZbSqEjZRgyMA4aj5lJbSM/w225-h400/20190921_135521.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...where the Forty-niner went down rather well...</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></div><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kvY6_5eiWo9T_FoIcO5iJEc1mgOhvVsFo37q88HtMrcy6NvOWI8nxeNa8RGWZplSwh3LXmKDifDOussYcy16_SjJ2icCpI-LPCFkEi-X4Ux94ef1_q5rQs5Abj3xPKZrHlEwmQZSENs/s5312/20190921_141339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5312" data-original-width="2988" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9kvY6_5eiWo9T_FoIcO5iJEc1mgOhvVsFo37q88HtMrcy6NvOWI8nxeNa8RGWZplSwh3LXmKDifDOussYcy16_SjJ2icCpI-LPCFkEi-X4Ux94ef1_q5rQs5Abj3xPKZrHlEwmQZSENs/w225-h400/20190921_141339.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...as did Martin’s keggy, lagery drink, beating my Forty-niner in the lacings competition though the tall glass (and unnecessary fizziness) was deemed to be an unfair advantage.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span id="goog_1646171870"></span><span id="goog_1646171871"></span><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGUsaVxXU22Td-d1NaPCvLP3RZP5UMyFRKyNM7mrWA1ATT07t40SHoR66_PbtN3LueGTZlvWa5VJywCpYplnb41UlJQAJuWBTILTlFyAq44RuCQanLDm4jHVOP8e1KBeOL7nyD2upRIQ/s5312/20190921_143452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2988" data-original-width="5312" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaGUsaVxXU22Td-d1NaPCvLP3RZP5UMyFRKyNM7mrWA1ATT07t40SHoR66_PbtN3LueGTZlvWa5VJywCpYplnb41UlJQAJuWBTILTlFyAq44RuCQanLDm4jHVOP8e1KBeOL7nyD2upRIQ/w400-h225/20190921_143452.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And so after the quiet refinement of the Waterloo Arms beer garden, and without so much a mention of Alice In Wonderland, we continued out into the wilderness of the New Forest to find the next pub on our Through the Beer Glass pub walk.<br /></td></tr></tbody></table>garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-15238018026385770222020-04-13T09:56:00.000-07:002020-04-13T09:56:04.230-07:00Lyndhurst Through the Beer Glass Pt2 - The White Rabbit<b><i>"Curiouser and curiouser".....</i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IDj-EqhyV8gIZVMr70BioLnBRbhifv_M_NK3nkxq21UFfsQq6DX7wnqRg2XeY9IvR3YeFJBXOSC3t3Zz1QhjSH73_SIosqkCC5fAW0yEoIpnzOuikO_n7HckwPZ5gLowt6Pd-E3N4g0/s1600/20190921_133327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1IDj-EqhyV8gIZVMr70BioLnBRbhifv_M_NK3nkxq21UFfsQq6DX7wnqRg2XeY9IvR3YeFJBXOSC3t3Zz1QhjSH73_SIosqkCC5fAW0yEoIpnzOuikO_n7HckwPZ5gLowt6Pd-E3N4g0/s400/20190921_133327.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>...cried Alice (she was so much surprised, that for the moment she quite forgot how to speak good English). </i><i>Alice In Wonderland - Lewis Carroll.</i><br />
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<h1 class="quoteText" style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;">Certainly you could be forgiven for thinking that I’d fallen down a rabbit hole since the part 1 and I now need to emphasise that this is strictly pre-coronavirus material (by about 6 months!)</span></h1>
<h1 class="quoteText" style="color: #181818; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif;">A</span><span style="font-family: inherit;">nyway I’ll try to write good English, but keep it brief in the form of photos and captions..</span></span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc7zE27YJWMUQWSyxAGlxIXxb2d03Gzt8t4e_DQZZO-e7WOcV8RK4dUIIKx_wCiuZR2K5oxD_Rxwbdh06cU7mB6wo9ctE0JudQZoR_b3bt0YGAzh9624GUUcNanRTlCs3gEgK5HAzKYg/s1600/20190921_132851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZc7zE27YJWMUQWSyxAGlxIXxb2d03Gzt8t4e_DQZZO-e7WOcV8RK4dUIIKx_wCiuZR2K5oxD_Rxwbdh06cU7mB6wo9ctE0JudQZoR_b3bt0YGAzh9624GUUcNanRTlCs3gEgK5HAzKYg/s400/20190921_132851.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">It was quite curious that, as we continued our tour around Lyndhurst, we came to </span>The White Rabbit<span style="font-weight: normal;">, not, presumably an entirely coincidental name for a pub in Lyndhurst, but definitely white...with a bit of grey.</span></span></h1>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYU7R0x9axaDgcTpXg_7IUfprUBkkAkCNus_5tCwe_ojEpSlQAbtPR_sf8ZotMLvfr9o0hcCKNQHbLpg4MawImagx9JrVFOQQvLyfHOHOHzm_eWF0_FbmUKjcSnFeQ6La2UnBpL3BWeE/s1600/20190921_130146.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglYU7R0x9axaDgcTpXg_7IUfprUBkkAkCNus_5tCwe_ojEpSlQAbtPR_sf8ZotMLvfr9o0hcCKNQHbLpg4MawImagx9JrVFOQQvLyfHOHOHzm_eWF0_FbmUKjcSnFeQ6La2UnBpL3BWeE/s400/20190921_130146.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This rambling Chef and Brewer chain hotel-dining-pub was certainly playing on the Alice credentials...</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">...and thoughtfully even had ‘rabbit water’ on cask...though there was no sign of any rabbits (white or any other colour) refreshing themselves while we were there...</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We decided to sit outside rather than in, but there was nothing curious or magical about the pub interior. It was pleasant enough, but just a fairly standard dining pub layout....</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">In the end the only curious thing we came across was...the robin...which joined us for lunch in the beer garden and helped itself to chip leftovers.</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Salt and vinegar...?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">"But what beer did you have?' I hear you cry. I was too busy taking photos of Lyndhurst tropical quarter to get a photo of the beer and I can’t remember... so let’s say it was Ringwood Best... </span></td></tr>
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<br />garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-77403950349767670232020-01-06T05:59:00.000-08:002020-01-06T05:59:02.114-08:00The Hythe Christmas Beer SurveyWhen, finally, that time of year arrives, we all need something to help us recover from the incessant message from retailers (you know, the one that Christmas is all about buying things that they want to sell you), which has been rammed down our throats since the beginning of November.<br />
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However, whilst trying to ignore this entirely spuriousI meaning of Christmas, I thought a Christmas beer might help and then began to wonder what (if any) Christmas beers, Santa might had brought to the locality...<br />
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...or if not, whether the beers available would pass as a 'Christmas beer' (whatever that is).<br />
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First stop The Glen, in the principality of Dibden Purlieu (on the south western boundary of Hythe...<br />
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The Glen usually put a christmas branded beer on, in the past these have included ‘Rockin’ Rudolph and ‘A Good Stuffing’, the latter when it was on a couple of years ago now - was the source of much amusement for one of the barmaids who insisted male customers asked for the beer properly (e.g. could I have a Good S******g please).<br />
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This year however not such trauma as the beer was <b>Scrooge</b>, from Robinson’s Brewery...<br />
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An intersting ‘copper ale’ which was in decent form (<b>good). </b>However not as dark, or rich tasting as christmas beers often are - which made me wonder whether Robinson’s had deliberately made this one ‘a bit thin’ to live up to it’s name. Anyway - top marks for a Christmas named beer, and the Christmas tree (top) not too bad either.<br />
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On then to the second stop, The Travellers Rest, nestled in its little countryside setting on the southern edge of Hythe...<br />
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No Christmas named beer here, but there was a very suitable alternative...<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>Jail Ale - woolly hat enhances its ‘winter beer’ credentials.</i></span></td></tr>
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...Dartmoor Brewery’s Jail Ale. This fine beer is a regular here and its sturdy, malty flavour would hold its own as a Christmas Beer any day. The beer was <b>good</b>, and served in proper glasses, all as usual here.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>...yes...that tasted good...</i></span></td></tr>
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Whilst it is always difficult to drag yourself away from another Jail Ale, we pressed on to Hythe village centre...<div>
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...and The Nelson...</div>
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...whose promenade front beer garden was looking quite inviting - but a little too cold for most.</div>
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Never mind, we hit the jackpot, with christmas branded beer no.2...</div>
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... ‘Blitzen’ from that fine ‘oop North’ brewery Black Sheep.</div>
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Billed as a ruby christmas ale - this seemed to have quite a roasted malt taste - not unlike a porter. Again a <b>good</b> and very enjoyable beer ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpCB-JOA9nfc28Lnxz4TH-lQX-Ks9UmrDa099HnCjxCdMqpRxCLFk-iA2AcjtA0nIgZ8gQ9pQupJqaDoFRwKlY4Us4uXUCpHFq8zf0aihUoGBke3VVaNqPBJ-4ze6w3QZlgfLlGGbwz4/s1600/WhatsApp+Image+2019-12-22+at+16.04.01.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="759" data-original-width="1599" height="188" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpCB-JOA9nfc28Lnxz4TH-lQX-Ks9UmrDa099HnCjxCdMqpRxCLFk-iA2AcjtA0nIgZ8gQ9pQupJqaDoFRwKlY4Us4uXUCpHFq8zf0aihUoGBke3VVaNqPBJ-4ze6w3QZlgfLlGGbwz4/s400/WhatsApp+Image+2019-12-22+at+16.04.01.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...though we had to settle for Wadworth and Ringwood glasses as it was undoubtedly too much to expect Black Sheep glasses to have made it this far South just for Christmas.</div>
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The final stop was at Ebenezers also in Hythe village centre. Ebenezers have a wide range of regularly changing real ales on two of their four hand pumps ( as all the pump clips displayed over the bar attest). </div>
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So I thought it would be a safe bet that we would find a Christmas branded beer - but it was not to be, with Otter Ale and Free Fall (Red Cat) available in addition to Double Drop (Flack Manor) and Abbott Ale (GK)...</div>
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The Free Fall was a <b>good, </b>citrusy pale ale, but had no pretensions of being a christmas beer. Not a bad afternoon though, with 2 christmas branded beers, another one which could pass as a christmas beer without any effort, and all the beers good quality and enjoyable. </div>
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Ebenezer’s christmas tree rounded off the afternoon nicely though.</div>
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...and for the true meaning of Christmas - you can’t beat John Betjeman’s ‘<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyZL9_To0_A">Christmas’</a> poem...</div>
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<b><i>'Provincial public houses blaze</i></b></div>
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<b><i>And Corporation tramcars clang,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>On lighted tenements I gaze</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Where paper decorations hang,</i></b></div>
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<b><i>And bunting in the red Town Hall</i></b></div>
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<b><i>Says “Merry Christmas to you all”.</i></b>’</div>
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etc...</div>
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garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-32752549500663512472019-12-24T02:18:00.001-08:002019-12-24T02:18:11.252-08:00Lyndhurst Through The Beer Glass Pt 1 - The Mailman’s ArmsThe New Forest town of Lyndhurst has a few claims to fame, for example...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqOz8dMbI0mSxoKbtPmhAX9jQZvNBrKcEmYZ-0_TEk48vmSLYhvPHS0AolLq4btlmpdJVUMObKxZJPOX3WmwqucGUFwqyPLmnQYJYsF6TudxU1HTzvibixSflntVd-_qGhIBg0aedhGA/s1600/20190921_155510.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirqOz8dMbI0mSxoKbtPmhAX9jQZvNBrKcEmYZ-0_TEk48vmSLYhvPHS0AolLq4btlmpdJVUMObKxZJPOX3WmwqucGUFwqyPLmnQYJYsF6TudxU1HTzvibixSflntVd-_qGhIBg0aedhGA/s400/20190921_155510.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Alice...</span></i></td></tr>
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It is the resting place of Mrs Reginald Hargreaves, the woman/girl who Lewis Carroll based his ‘Alice’ on, in 'Alice in Wonderland'...<br />
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It has one of the worst (and probably most unsolvable), traffic bottlenecks in the New Forest...even in 1950, John Betjeman picked up on the effect of early traffic when featuring Lyndhurst in the second of his Coast and Country radio programmes on the West of England Home Service (4th August 1950). For example:<br />
‘<i>But on a warm night you can smell it [the New Forest] between the wafts of petrol and scent that linger on tarmac....</i>’<br />
and,<br />
‘<i>But I can imagine that before motors came into existence, before the ‘caffs’ and the ‘kiosks’ and the guest houses..., before the petrol pumps, wires, poles and signs that follow the motor car - before all these things, Lyndhurst, lost in the forest and its nearest railway station three miles away, must have been a paradise to stay in</i>.’<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eJsb9vxkcmfS7lbavSmOKZnZhQBsXXaX9w5Et2ILsfGfxJmwZFd2VCELCFUThDQ6CdtxBDlU7MQByr7ZWCgTI1mZiebpz2P3Avm6oigVOzn-GAorKOoHHBgxbUfMHh2mU1tg1B7cLek/s1600/20190921_153754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="905" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eJsb9vxkcmfS7lbavSmOKZnZhQBsXXaX9w5Et2ILsfGfxJmwZFd2VCELCFUThDQ6CdtxBDlU7MQByr7ZWCgTI1mZiebpz2P3Avm6oigVOzn-GAorKOoHHBgxbUfMHh2mU1tg1B7cLek/s400/20190921_153754.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Tesla - quality traffic in Lyndhurst</span></i></td></tr>
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...and, for a small country town, rather remarkably, it has seven pubs, in the locality.<br />
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Perhaps not so bad a place then, for a Saturday afternoon beer walk on a pleasant autumn day...accompanied by my son, Martin.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;">“<i><b>Begin at the beginning," the King said, very gravely, "and go on till you come to the end: then stop.</b></i>” (<i>Alice In Wonderland</i>)</span><br />
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So we did, and the starting point, at the bottom of Lyndhurst’s High Street, was the Greene King’s <b>The Mailman’s Arms</b>...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXogEyKLlhBLmW-ObEYjPOgPvCz1C1nvrL8gsubI9Ei4tIUlGfaX6XuJJKeheCBepYCpe6pV3oUb9bxDHyKUNQYv2tR38iKx9KrM6TrBt_na_OD4C_ZMHXgNJk6a3KuKKJQ3Bn6gU1U/s1600/20190921_121058.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkSXogEyKLlhBLmW-ObEYjPOgPvCz1C1nvrL8gsubI9Ei4tIUlGfaX6XuJJKeheCBepYCpe6pV3oUb9bxDHyKUNQYv2tR38iKx9KrM6TrBt_na_OD4C_ZMHXgNJk6a3KuKKJQ3Bn6gU1U/s400/20190921_121058.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Mailmans Arms - ‘green’ King</span></i></td></tr>
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This is a lovely little oldey worldey, flower bedecked kind of pub, which, according to the sign on the wall, once upon at time sold Burton’s finest beers...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg260zvyqv1URVXaAivtMHDeBLeEHJaH5RzFc3x5M7Qpr783aUr70cYThXgJqGSjl4YKQFJSMhyphenhyphenLRLYH7qbJTqo_zZBLFaJsEfgvZnf8Xn7Yup9TFx_EHJ89r-HvycH2XbVHmrcGRnok/s1600/20190921_124747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsg260zvyqv1URVXaAivtMHDeBLeEHJaH5RzFc3x5M7Qpr783aUr70cYThXgJqGSjl4YKQFJSMhyphenhyphenLRLYH7qbJTqo_zZBLFaJsEfgvZnf8Xn7Yup9TFx_EHJ89r-HvycH2XbVHmrcGRnok/s320/20190921_124747.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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...but not any more...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ylVXS9O8tZQW9TqBvnkGCgyACLd48wjEXmM7zzWG00vGDAniOX_SAti-eVfhiklQiXXngqC_KLim5N6Fp7gYYYX33Xm7DxBQlhlZgfcgI-6bb8Wjk5Gtk-KG1YPqlW6FtjpEkQ8dwg/s1600/20190921_122949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj61ylVXS9O8tZQW9TqBvnkGCgyACLd48wjEXmM7zzWG00vGDAniOX_SAti-eVfhiklQiXXngqC_KLim5N6Fp7gYYYX33Xm7DxBQlhlZgfcgI-6bb8Wjk5Gtk-KG1YPqlW6FtjpEkQ8dwg/s400/20190921_122949.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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Resigned to the prospect of a Greene King IPA, it was a relief to see that the house beer was in fact Bolton’s Bench Forest Bitter, named after the local landmark, commemorating an 18th century New Forest Master Keeper, the Duke of Bolton...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9Fq0AI9uQgCMePgS2TjcYnpYl3nBwmpEi05Rc9nqN-uB7NBuZKeAiRLO12VxZA93-ZRfSzTjSi6SCp-yhXLhAA_IaxBHCBXir79d7jYNIVVGi5i3yuL6NiOggRTUQ1su8LjFBiWjC6M/s1600/20190921_121323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9Fq0AI9uQgCMePgS2TjcYnpYl3nBwmpEi05Rc9nqN-uB7NBuZKeAiRLO12VxZA93-ZRfSzTjSi6SCp-yhXLhAA_IaxBHCBXir79d7jYNIVVGi5i3yuL6NiOggRTUQ1su8LjFBiWjC6M/s400/20190921_121323.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Not IPA (possibly)...</span></i></td></tr>
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...while it has to be said that the pint looked remarkably like a GK IPA in it’s appropriately branded glass - it was in fact a <b>good </b>pint<b>, </b>which just shows that re-naming a 3.9% IPA, can make all the difference.<br />
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I’d like to tell you more about the pub's quaint interior but, as it was a nice day, we decided to sit outside in the front beer garden...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjw7FV9nGO-JiEUGag4UaKQ5jsCFXSjXPDISP47YUix_d99J7JSXRQbvwkS3DImqXp2X18JlHNBSkwTLxFM7CTxBZKCkTvlFLOwa-TOuX_-FV8n6-HnM-XJczOa5J_nvSXaroVlYxvIk/s1600/20190921_121534.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUjw7FV9nGO-JiEUGag4UaKQ5jsCFXSjXPDISP47YUix_d99J7JSXRQbvwkS3DImqXp2X18JlHNBSkwTLxFM7CTxBZKCkTvlFLOwa-TOuX_-FV8n6-HnM-XJczOa5J_nvSXaroVlYxvIk/s400/20190921_121534.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Beer garden.... </span></i></td></tr>
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Though Lyndhurst suffers greatly from the excesses of the motor car, ironically, right next door to the pub is the Ferrari and Maserati dealer, ensuring that the bankers and stockbrokers returning to their weekend homes in the New Forest, have suitably powerful vehicles to cruise around the 40mph speed limited Forest roads. </div>
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So at least they are ‘quality’ motor cars, if you can afford one...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">....with views of stunning supercars...</span></i></td></tr>
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Coincidentally, while we sat there drinking our beers and pondering what it must be like to drive a quarter of a million pounds worth of Italian super car, the Glory Boys (Mods for Life) turned up, as if to remind us that not all classic Italian motoring needs to cost an arm and a leg...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hVhOGu6LtxpA2aHqBDiTxT_0CdnodbC8Rehkj1ZOBLNnxbZtbpNI2ABl7deg0hWaM5X7NWU1cQJYSzFaHBgy_7I-qmxsNtlvfQoiUbInzywcGP8sqW7e5jLUjASY48jsUkBDwl_MUgI/s1600/20190921_123558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-hVhOGu6LtxpA2aHqBDiTxT_0CdnodbC8Rehkj1ZOBLNnxbZtbpNI2ABl7deg0hWaM5X7NWU1cQJYSzFaHBgy_7I-qmxsNtlvfQoiUbInzywcGP8sqW7e5jLUjASY48jsUkBDwl_MUgI/s400/20190921_123558.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Affordable Italian motoring...(not the black one)</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">“Would you tell me, please, which way I ought to go from here?'</span><br style="caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">'That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,' said the Cat. </i>(<i>Alice in Wonderland</i>)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So we set off up the High Street to the next pub...</span></span></div>
garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-27000394278571358472019-09-19T10:20:00.001-07:002019-09-19T10:51:12.071-07:00A Summery Summary...Yes - with the last (Pontus Fractus...) post I’m bang up to date again...so like Hector one of our Leonbergers, I can relax...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVeXC90L4TpthhOK00V3M15yaJlnqfFVIuawHTia9k7hxn05N0-lo5HO4clX27JKJUhU31wtRTHCCs9qb-z3kdawaO7I1twVPiaXrL3t9QK6wtcB5J4BvCSUhuUd1am5N_R2Xxv8fA3U/s1600/20190421_183252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglVeXC90L4TpthhOK00V3M15yaJlnqfFVIuawHTia9k7hxn05N0-lo5HO4clX27JKJUhU31wtRTHCCs9qb-z3kdawaO7I1twVPiaXrL3t9QK6wtcB5J4BvCSUhuUd1am5N_R2Xxv8fA3U/s400/20190421_183252.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">He’s not dead - he’s sleeping....</span></i></td></tr>
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...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)...<br />
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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...)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpainLMwtBIwZxFU2ylN7HeId6_82XFFoyg2L1G2SlSDJuhAJRp-rKBpWTdQLk9f7pLXSTZaMsRrAlWUcp8aNp6HYKsiEngKR3ADv64-A39G9sIdaU8qpddaJ-URHnnigDUakkUrEIgk/s1600/20190622_164152.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglpainLMwtBIwZxFU2ylN7HeId6_82XFFoyg2L1G2SlSDJuhAJRp-rKBpWTdQLk9f7pLXSTZaMsRrAlWUcp8aNp6HYKsiEngKR3ADv64-A39G9sIdaU8qpddaJ-URHnnigDUakkUrEIgk/s400/20190622_164152.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">GH - preparing to emerge from the hermitage and carouse...</span></i></td></tr>
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In a vain attempt to retain (or recover) any pub blogging kudos I had, here’s a quick summary...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJKcbNaF-wZuXeSShxVMV3visMfxc9oTQfyFm76rcUZjuhv-tA1Vhv3gXR2-7dmOIjp9bqUFH2gVFyUvvYnSbnMX9UVXFx9XZtS879sWF-5qb1DDzhLmlW32vshgUcmLDzeB1S_cdKWU/s1600/20190427_142130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVJKcbNaF-wZuXeSShxVMV3visMfxc9oTQfyFm76rcUZjuhv-tA1Vhv3gXR2-7dmOIjp9bqUFH2gVFyUvvYnSbnMX9UVXFx9XZtS879sWF-5qb1DDzhLmlW32vshgUcmLDzeB1S_cdKWU/s400/20190427_142130.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Happy Vibrant Foresters...</i></span></td></tr>
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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...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXbn6iIY90IZAkQ-yJelRw3S-8HOYJ1bJ-RxKhoBTAWo_TcunJUMk5AFvk-fViiAxcGUFooKc8RATnq7GlZL48wE2wqKp5HNgkDOTOMv3pmHOIfBHA0PdPo1RA9cBVYm2eqS_VGzfE3o/s1600/20190427_133156.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXbn6iIY90IZAkQ-yJelRw3S-8HOYJ1bJ-RxKhoBTAWo_TcunJUMk5AFvk-fViiAxcGUFooKc8RATnq7GlZL48wE2wqKp5HNgkDOTOMv3pmHOIfBHA0PdPo1RA9cBVYm2eqS_VGzfE3o/s400/20190427_133156.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...and the sun shone and the excellent beer flowed (as always)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKlPYe1QL2SDj7OMKHJls_HZyahSqJrMyYkN3Jv7spSeYl9JgLIOKm85f6B8-GTlpObR1EMZUnc3Rvet6XUSBs9KcsKnPNLL5VrcogklThtxF2bw2NJqHZZiuyXeAUtlTKv-nhPNW7Xs/s1600/20190427_133131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuKlPYe1QL2SDj7OMKHJls_HZyahSqJrMyYkN3Jv7spSeYl9JgLIOKm85f6B8-GTlpObR1EMZUnc3Rvet6XUSBs9KcsKnPNLL5VrcogklThtxF2bw2NJqHZZiuyXeAUtlTKv-nhPNW7Xs/s400/20190427_133131.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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April also saw the publication of my first book....courtesy of my son Andy...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuPfFRl46atkcAYS4MyACK1fcKl-9MWz7QQj34IQu-lueN4TQ0hXFPedlkfRKi4ORfvWasSXx7-KgDI3DLCPg7xOEFbhqjshXTjZk_rKfFr49PUfem6LVOFTUGGdslmK8r6i4hZooy7s/s1600/IMG-20190417-WA0000.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVuPfFRl46atkcAYS4MyACK1fcKl-9MWz7QQj34IQu-lueN4TQ0hXFPedlkfRKi4ORfvWasSXx7-KgDI3DLCPg7xOEFbhqjshXTjZk_rKfFr49PUfem6LVOFTUGGdslmK8r6i4hZooy7s/s400/IMG-20190417-WA0000.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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...needless to say it’s not on the Sunday Times Best Seller list - but it is an epic...<br />
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After that I had a break with a beer in the greenhouse (no not a pub - the greenhouse in my garden)...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdsjpzixzGgFE45EdK8E27-IEVDuLZTTk0GLXC9GxMIq0rBUp-o_GUhjtVzwnN4nhMCrCakePyjsCFPbRWI_MooD1XGevJWbHfuSehKAa13i5UWH4dhb2Ea9iK2k08yMlGFkKCaMNhMc/s1600/IMG-20190430-WA0004.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkdsjpzixzGgFE45EdK8E27-IEVDuLZTTk0GLXC9GxMIq0rBUp-o_GUhjtVzwnN4nhMCrCakePyjsCFPbRWI_MooD1XGevJWbHfuSehKAa13i5UWH4dhb2Ea9iK2k08yMlGFkKCaMNhMc/s400/IMG-20190430-WA0004.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div>
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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...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vjbu04z3m3MUcJclFsMNuJO9y4gNbsosBzJVNe3JoI3QcPJc40EBue1PhjteLGgBHzMAQ3gBm_ii9qA9di9Gxt3R3tFS0uga-oCJUMene1ZiQkxBgpLVt7PXC7u2ZRp7YuhDVVHi7Io/s1600/20190504_125713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Vjbu04z3m3MUcJclFsMNuJO9y4gNbsosBzJVNe3JoI3QcPJc40EBue1PhjteLGgBHzMAQ3gBm_ii9qA9di9Gxt3R3tFS0uga-oCJUMene1ZiQkxBgpLVt7PXC7u2ZRp7YuhDVVHi7Io/s400/20190504_125713.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Oooh cakes....look at his happy little face...</span></i></td></tr>
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...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)...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm5y1_Uk819h40WmmdQrD9zQgV6IX_8wvK_XeyvLE_A92vPMgbq2PKnqclXJnup6OZEI-4sWmtg-FfjFVXONFbss3UR3GTZIk_keuCp5hrMkInTFIme5EbOReXJ9fM16INSdMtyFzlkc/s1600/20190504_135731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjm5y1_Uk819h40WmmdQrD9zQgV6IX_8wvK_XeyvLE_A92vPMgbq2PKnqclXJnup6OZEI-4sWmtg-FfjFVXONFbss3UR3GTZIk_keuCp5hrMkInTFIme5EbOReXJ9fM16INSdMtyFzlkc/s400/20190504_135731.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Just a small pad for the mistress...</span></i></td></tr>
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...and a beautiful place it was...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4thfxtrlwqlq2A3SAVSEXZjYxDTgD13rHkI5RlR1ZAbJ-JpR5QGI-GZ2Y2EFU4y6seYMFuh0kYplDipTXmO48H6ndEuA7B9FnY1TZCH-m_kOofLW7v9thPl6BTJ9HbN3fB_KamfDWm68/s1600/20190504_124223.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4thfxtrlwqlq2A3SAVSEXZjYxDTgD13rHkI5RlR1ZAbJ-JpR5QGI-GZ2Y2EFU4y6seYMFuh0kYplDipTXmO48H6ndEuA7B9FnY1TZCH-m_kOofLW7v9thPl6BTJ9HbN3fB_KamfDWm68/s400/20190504_124223.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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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...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq1zGtELsOZyjjn_UEfOGcpxvvp67lmTCXM_czaWz3iq6XL5xwH_gMlX7c36bHRYjib-DVSVOK0G8AyHD0SoXMzLVRy52LB5tHxiZnOdUFM1raaWDoPkuXJX42sCbsPFH6EZX1baMyj0/s1600/20190608_153739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1254" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBq1zGtELsOZyjjn_UEfOGcpxvvp67lmTCXM_czaWz3iq6XL5xwH_gMlX7c36bHRYjib-DVSVOK0G8AyHD0SoXMzLVRy52LB5tHxiZnOdUFM1raaWDoPkuXJX42sCbsPFH6EZX1baMyj0/s400/20190608_153739.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Naturally I would have taken more photographs if I had not been too busy sampling some of the 70 beers on offer.</div>
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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....</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOaM4b0QMbKzoRgNeY0oxQKbiQW53MbNt8sj8G7J1BHTTuzeZVz6dp8DKE-YT3sz8Cp9Xc0GwTdmwArWL0yzBWmVZD4AhrgFwr3hfGpZe3jt-a3bwOnhqEZ8KGJy_sGt8UNFXFnh0dHg/s1600/20190614_171214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOaM4b0QMbKzoRgNeY0oxQKbiQW53MbNt8sj8G7J1BHTTuzeZVz6dp8DKE-YT3sz8Cp9Xc0GwTdmwArWL0yzBWmVZD4AhrgFwr3hfGpZe3jt-a3bwOnhqEZ8KGJy_sGt8UNFXFnh0dHg/s400/20190614_171214.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beer brewing in action at Downton Brewery</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp8dFKWrNkoUHrUvEyQfb1aQhqeGFiXO8IeOex1OGGre9iaPocSkfN64YzqGsINAKeKGj2tCHZ1FTCf_Ee9DnzVb4YEAIED9fmo6oovp-KJJfmuD_PvFOgcT0X_dDcanX8w7yvXW-xGw/s1600/20190614_171227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyp8dFKWrNkoUHrUvEyQfb1aQhqeGFiXO8IeOex1OGGre9iaPocSkfN64YzqGsINAKeKGj2tCHZ1FTCf_Ee9DnzVb4YEAIED9fmo6oovp-KJJfmuD_PvFOgcT0X_dDcanX8w7yvXW-xGw/s400/20190614_171227.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Beer drinking in action at Downton Brewery</span></i></td></tr>
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And then - to top it all - Vibrant Forest opened their new brewery at Hardley, near Southampton - only a mile away from my house (bliss)...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Vk9wCxqUkz0uVm6ekgaMgyb_fyAnjzIGdcjRVrkxnODpsT2P4QC7bBSk4KkiA8LKjAmMLaaOQdRI4IhY4PnsMdEYUrcZoU0AG6BisVcyrbdi_l2bKUDdC8BmAaNDcHWOwx7ZBhjWRw/s1600/20190707_131936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf5Vk9wCxqUkz0uVm6ekgaMgyb_fyAnjzIGdcjRVrkxnODpsT2P4QC7bBSk4KkiA8LKjAmMLaaOQdRI4IhY4PnsMdEYUrcZoU0AG6BisVcyrbdi_l2bKUDdC8BmAaNDcHWOwx7ZBhjWRw/s400/20190707_131936.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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It goes without saying that this is now my 'go-to’ watering hole...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIm7ra9E0P5YB94j9pNct7Dcorr1__FESCRUfIRKl0Xko6o23kbR0DilPE_vUV74yZsXvjf590B-jsb9Towlo8mhApjITdetR7Wtpbey3mS6Owe8CfU6ILT03yftJb52X6ABMi_CLxhA/s1600/20190707_131914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzIm7ra9E0P5YB94j9pNct7Dcorr1__FESCRUfIRKl0Xko6o23kbR0DilPE_vUV74yZsXvjf590B-jsb9Towlo8mhApjITdetR7Wtpbey3mS6Owe8CfU6ILT03yftJb52X6ABMi_CLxhA/s400/20190707_131914.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Hi-brow beer and reading material...</span></i></td></tr>
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...and they had their first beer festival - the ‘Vibrant Forest Gathering’ in August...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">...large and vibrant gathering ...</span></i></td></tr>
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...and again - the sun shone, people turned up in their droves, and there were some cracking home and guest beers.... </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSr2f2HlIQjOqm7ki-ZgQfK6n8ROYjyCyzwqDJaWqr4ml4cY_RhN-t1qKRyql4ax9psdM1EGr-DipnXFSC9cwM2xC52nMncNK1utUozfJ4j2aywW0FvDjmvbCBb7TsQrS2ttsoRb5srs/s1600/20190817_132540.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOSr2f2HlIQjOqm7ki-ZgQfK6n8ROYjyCyzwqDJaWqr4ml4cY_RhN-t1qKRyql4ax9psdM1EGr-DipnXFSC9cwM2xC52nMncNK1utUozfJ4j2aywW0FvDjmvbCBb7TsQrS2ttsoRb5srs/s400/20190817_132540.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Look at all those beers....note murky glass of beer used as paperweight to stop programme blowing away...</span></i><br />
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So that was it really - I suppose I better get down the pub now...<br />
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<i>* see ‘About Garden Hermit' page for an explanation (sort of)</i></div>
garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-70868804896707414272019-09-09T10:33:00.002-07:002019-09-19T10:55:57.894-07:00Pontus Fractus and all that...Another visit to distant West Yorkshire...back to Pontefract in fact...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVduv-wG_XPEysugRGLuT2tWugLpHwn2KbBCFEuZmpj6lx9VjO5EnNH-3VV0CauI_wbjH2yk4G5dvaRQpV3unigHLN1-HSC5GgQA3rkVSBUCb-H1NjWA7WsvM6hD3zJEorO-10rf2kXMY/s1600/20190413_134216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVduv-wG_XPEysugRGLuT2tWugLpHwn2KbBCFEuZmpj6lx9VjO5EnNH-3VV0CauI_wbjH2yk4G5dvaRQpV3unigHLN1-HSC5GgQA3rkVSBUCb-H1NjWA7WsvM6hD3zJEorO-10rf2kXMY/s400/20190413_134216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">All that I see is mine - as Ilbert De Lacy must have said of the view from Pontefract Castle.</span></i></td></tr>
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...not to tick the latest entry in the 2019 Good Beer Guide, but rather for a visit to my son, Andy and his fiancé Leah.<br />
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On Saturday the three of us had a wander around Pontefract in search of a good beer or two.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl2papimXCjK1s1Z7Udqxfoj-cdzJRTZana0RCN0k6xWg5kSCXng6oyVDYaz9LAp_zqJ-_0Oe0pAjngNTmBclY9hZ9c4eLJyQyPOqxF8Djf7h7aF6tq4zIlFbKyhZj0jhM2QGp97AUDU/s1600/20190413_134346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUl2papimXCjK1s1Z7Udqxfoj-cdzJRTZana0RCN0k6xWg5kSCXng6oyVDYaz9LAp_zqJ-_0Oe0pAjngNTmBclY9hZ9c4eLJyQyPOqxF8Djf7h7aF6tq4zIlFbKyhZj0jhM2QGp97AUDU/s400/20190413_134346.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Originally fearsome but now a bit fallen down...</i></span></td></tr>
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We had a look round the remains of what was reputedly <a href="https://www.exploring-castles.com/uk/england/pontefract_castle/">England’s most fearsome castle</a>. Still a large and quite impressive ruin on a steep hill overlooking the town and miles of surrounding countryside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDS5qQln7JF4EwNa4HdaywfnHncORULF2hRmpNsXZZT5LQ4YEKUwJhB0ZrWZwjBV7riVduwTIQb57Grzlz5y7R5udWI1_zLeXceKKSZP8l2_HvDPPPonmW5laoKmuqZPkE14tOlSz47o/s1600/20190413_150721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgDS5qQln7JF4EwNa4HdaywfnHncORULF2hRmpNsXZZT5LQ4YEKUwJhB0ZrWZwjBV7riVduwTIQb57Grzlz5y7R5udWI1_zLeXceKKSZP8l2_HvDPPPonmW5laoKmuqZPkE14tOlSz47o/s400/20190413_150721.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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...and what better after all that castle history stuff than to partake in a little Weatherspoons history at their town centre pub, <b>The Broken Bridge</b>.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRs3VygF6EACRJSIMq5SnAqBFoYTAkIRqwr8aS67gDzhRW1ktJzKTVbBMpPLw46KfupEU0mQUU0hQlOBOwKaQwffuh8c311HHtUokix0z3eFsdrkbL831tWzJipODrnM6mwnvmMp5Cgk/s1600/20190413_150700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRs3VygF6EACRJSIMq5SnAqBFoYTAkIRqwr8aS67gDzhRW1ktJzKTVbBMpPLw46KfupEU0mQUU0hQlOBOwKaQwffuh8c311HHtUokix0z3eFsdrkbL831tWzJipODrnM6mwnvmMp5Cgk/s320/20190413_150700.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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Though the premises looks like it has all the history of a disused Poundland store, Weatherspoons have established that there was once an old historic house on the site. They have also established that the name Pontefract comes from Pontus Fractus which is Latin for 'our bridge is broken' (or something like that). Another triumph for Spoons' historic researchers....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr0qWRpiPWBnKaimXKRsKsZUPFvDygu69WdXfwjPgc4b8p2nXqd-JzQneM7pAj4lEq-XxYibil2nhsWy0gZu_8u092nIatQu4Tf3_2YqwSuKUM-n2-QiMs1rKh6GNAd2ylnYJ-UoK3rg/s1600/20190413_141335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnr0qWRpiPWBnKaimXKRsKsZUPFvDygu69WdXfwjPgc4b8p2nXqd-JzQneM7pAj4lEq-XxYibil2nhsWy0gZu_8u092nIatQu4Tf3_2YqwSuKUM-n2-QiMs1rKh6GNAd2ylnYJ-UoK3rg/s400/20190413_141335.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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Inside it looks like...</div>
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...well...</div>
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...a Weatherspoons...yes that same old successful formula...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizplThDkkkKZ-5Dj8P8q1_WRS4jSCye8k1tX5azuN8abLoWqQ-Qi2GdlQxZ06ygy0BM1yX_Qav6Tv35TiUH5jd_nHJu9cCBiKqKu-DCsZI-KOD7eNLkAaH5WrCMjt82qXuupGrXyr4G_8/s1600/20190413_142948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizplThDkkkKZ-5Dj8P8q1_WRS4jSCye8k1tX5azuN8abLoWqQ-Qi2GdlQxZ06ygy0BM1yX_Qav6Tv35TiUH5jd_nHJu9cCBiKqKu-DCsZI-KOD7eNLkAaH5WrCMjt82qXuupGrXyr4G_8/s400/20190413_142948.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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...and even though Weatherspoons are expert purveyors of the ridiculously cheap pint of real ale, the mind boggles as to how the Chinese manage to get their casks over here for the price (unless there’s a secret pipeline)...</div>
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....no hang on...I’ve just read the pump clip 'small print' and it seems it was brewed in Wolverhampton (aren’t they all...?).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozbYyuL2APsWJyYZU_cwHLM1yzhuuRS7ZYx44HtPo-KrGAi5wx1FEnNAIc02VshyoaiWSiebLyAZykSGh1D9cGQwvmwzoaosRm9ynj0n8pCnG9O728JFsqq-WCBjZY4XbVo6DAtv4To/s1600/20190413_141210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiozbYyuL2APsWJyYZU_cwHLM1yzhuuRS7ZYx44HtPo-KrGAi5wx1FEnNAIc02VshyoaiWSiebLyAZykSGh1D9cGQwvmwzoaosRm9ynj0n8pCnG9O728JFsqq-WCBjZY4XbVo6DAtv4To/s400/20190413_141210.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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As this visit was also before the 'phone crash and factory-reset’ event (see last post) once again I cannot remember which beer I had (and alcohol induced memory loss had nothing to do with it).</div>
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But these are the only two pump clip photos I have - so it was probably one of them and Andy would have had the other.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6UkIwQgS_X1MxDoCW2lK7NJSh-VD_dF3M8P4F9Snitk26vrHPo1HWGytbzOgeVupvHwL-ItL4T-D2Ot7SJAPhBri7QS9NrV-OTfgNHDbZbBbwIg2Sfq1MXz8Ls9J7K0wgW9dazz-tUE/s1600/20190413_143018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV6UkIwQgS_X1MxDoCW2lK7NJSh-VD_dF3M8P4F9Snitk26vrHPo1HWGytbzOgeVupvHwL-ItL4T-D2Ot7SJAPhBri7QS9NrV-OTfgNHDbZbBbwIg2Sfq1MXz8Ls9J7K0wgW9dazz-tUE/s400/20190413_143018.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I also have two 'beer in glass' photos...this looks like the ‘Chinese’ pale ale from Wolverhampton...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVKQ4Uhyphenhyphen2Pwhr-Aj88Jdr3IU1FS49ZWBNng05MQ87v1npEbnQwjcySfiw9K0fuXPIbYyDZa-hxfSmwIzbLgaRklWbETiy8cbGlESQbSu2OMsMVG8IAWDhb2WLavh3vATeToVL6OJil4/s1600/20190413_143029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVVKQ4Uhyphenhyphen2Pwhr-Aj88Jdr3IU1FS49ZWBNng05MQ87v1npEbnQwjcySfiw9K0fuXPIbYyDZa-hxfSmwIzbLgaRklWbETiy8cbGlESQbSu2OMsMVG8IAWDhb2WLavh3vATeToVL6OJil4/s400/20190413_143029.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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...and this must be the ‘Monkey Wrench’. CAMRA experts may be able to tell whether either or both were good...</div>
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After this things could only get better and it wasn’t just the Pontefract architecture...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8zwjKwJDrRprcrLLoPHiR8jxpiIEZmIdmiox7j9Ut1CdWA6FtKZ1cQoMxIagh1LH8U-9bO6hhVMnHZJZWl4hZ1Jmm42vlnFcMbiEWu6Mo4Bjg5zxi4JxksSQxdkavybML_j5TV1jGYQ/s1600/20190413_151147.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz8zwjKwJDrRprcrLLoPHiR8jxpiIEZmIdmiox7j9Ut1CdWA6FtKZ1cQoMxIagh1LH8U-9bO6hhVMnHZJZWl4hZ1Jmm42vlnFcMbiEWu6Mo4Bjg5zxi4JxksSQxdkavybML_j5TV1jGYQ/s400/20190413_151147.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Tim would have preferred these premises for his Spoons (probably)...</span></i></td></tr>
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...we also found a proper pub...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwXfFB5lwDvQyZDer-jxtxT7Fl0_yYcq0NHremTgwH4gxmfbAXxSGOlVnc_jcuF4I_6CHgK3mhfXyOVhkaA2FmYXTOyfPc-PoH1jQ3VN6d9OVRUWhtNOGDE0cl3eF6BY2LY0A4aX7dww/s1600/20190413_160231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwXfFB5lwDvQyZDer-jxtxT7Fl0_yYcq0NHremTgwH4gxmfbAXxSGOlVnc_jcuF4I_6CHgK3mhfXyOVhkaA2FmYXTOyfPc-PoH1jQ3VN6d9OVRUWhtNOGDE0cl3eF6BY2LY0A4aX7dww/s400/20190413_160231.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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I had visited the Robin Hood on my last visit - and though it was still serving the same excellent beers from its own ‘Henry Smith’ brewery, it also had a bit of a cosmetic facelift inside. There was a great atmosphere to the place, bar staff and landlord really friendly ...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIct7zKRDYJdmcZNQnNZLYwPYfmrQYaQf_mkQLe5jBPBZwz5FuZA4E76GCsWCh-pSH6KFs3BDBc397KwThrjmy0YILVea8uVABjyYPc0ZfmwMnFOU7Kl7edVblHscmjPjQpjcQVidBxA/s1600/20190413_165120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBIct7zKRDYJdmcZNQnNZLYwPYfmrQYaQf_mkQLe5jBPBZwz5FuZA4E76GCsWCh-pSH6KFs3BDBc397KwThrjmy0YILVea8uVABjyYPc0ZfmwMnFOU7Kl7edVblHscmjPjQpjcQVidBxA/s400/20190413_165120.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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The Henry Smiths bitter was excellent. The landlord explained that since there were a number of other Smiths who had historically set up breweries in Yorkshire, there might as well be a Henry Smith’s as well - what better reason...!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC_7vUuL1Kh1hs3PhgExuyHFhfQnqNVfSAoE1tbAyppO_2UyXwtyCxAVxku2pZXl7u05bILpScmhq8hYsZh-ehgeDLZtk1k0coTQ1GlifJq67854ZfDTB2CDat5qb74AuKlpEKY7SGlc/s1600/20190413_160838.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbC_7vUuL1Kh1hs3PhgExuyHFhfQnqNVfSAoE1tbAyppO_2UyXwtyCxAVxku2pZXl7u05bILpScmhq8hYsZh-ehgeDLZtk1k0coTQ1GlifJq67854ZfDTB2CDat5qb74AuKlpEKY7SGlc/s400/20190413_160838.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Proper Yorkshire beer...</span></i></td></tr>
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In fact it was so very good, I had to have another one...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr_Q-e6y6Ev53GmmzDBLQIyOT5pzkR3XsrBPN_rdpb8XxazBG3tOFBCFFT24dsUC0BW7-H_0iNA-n5y2cF1fg1S0-EgXLkmeM8P_LAFIIdH2SEtkF1Guousd2hVoCsp4teWSPrtju4Rg/s1600/20190413_161927.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvr_Q-e6y6Ev53GmmzDBLQIyOT5pzkR3XsrBPN_rdpb8XxazBG3tOFBCFFT24dsUC0BW7-H_0iNA-n5y2cF1fg1S0-EgXLkmeM8P_LAFIIdH2SEtkF1Guousd2hVoCsp4teWSPrtju4Rg/s400/20190413_161927.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
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There were other (perfectly good) beers too...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_oxVAoENl67d69yL2YrOnZcWnzsGP2ThT85SZzzz9Q-ZH6utjBseAkL_XLgOcGp17GWDp9sSpArw3JwumQ4paKPAhuXtAepKAWMPFAmEKnC9XsoN5f8TiuPcqFaGzprIhryN0EPVcLw/s1600/20190413_161914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_oxVAoENl67d69yL2YrOnZcWnzsGP2ThT85SZzzz9Q-ZH6utjBseAkL_XLgOcGp17GWDp9sSpArw3JwumQ4paKPAhuXtAepKAWMPFAmEKnC9XsoN5f8TiuPcqFaGzprIhryN0EPVcLw/s400/20190413_161914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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An absolutely top notch pub and beer - well worth a visit...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9o99g6L7zrNISJpErbLcpiKF3vAIkPbdoMBEtsX3nI5BTlYqcdqFP1Yb9VqnTETZStE4e3aRcMkTn_8-c3BUH-wj8NvmK-JJqM5uASJaNaX_pmfqTdiBz7cYjgtlSWSQqqRemmDNEs8/s1600/20190413_165531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS9o99g6L7zrNISJpErbLcpiKF3vAIkPbdoMBEtsX3nI5BTlYqcdqFP1Yb9VqnTETZStE4e3aRcMkTn_8-c3BUH-wj8NvmK-JJqM5uASJaNaX_pmfqTdiBz7cYjgtlSWSQqqRemmDNEs8/s400/20190413_165531.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Cars possibly all just off shot - waiting to run me over when I cross the road...</span></i></td></tr>
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...though expect to take your life in your hands crossing the busy road junction....(don’t ask me how I managed to get a photo of it with no cars - I’ve no idea... :)</div>
garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-57903969091102365332019-06-27T06:41:00.000-07:002019-06-27T06:44:49.339-07:00Give It Some Welly......which is hardly what I've been doing these last few weeks as far as my pub blogging is concerned...<br />
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...but never mind, all good things come to those who wait (well here's another blog post anyway....)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TnOoUqK7xrMx3jGnMCs-OfcIq4HdN2-ZcJrQ9OzEwOGdy2eKovFk-nCzEFHMu-KVkMWYkSyEktft8uTbKRKAs5Gh6z4TqrMjUzsF7MAGK22iYk-6Uo-iEjh9xmf85bLozzJSbGe8Prc/s1600/IMG-20190330-WA0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_TnOoUqK7xrMx3jGnMCs-OfcIq4HdN2-ZcJrQ9OzEwOGdy2eKovFk-nCzEFHMu-KVkMWYkSyEktft8uTbKRKAs5Gh6z4TqrMjUzsF7MAGK22iYk-6Uo-iEjh9xmf85bLozzJSbGe8Prc/s400/IMG-20190330-WA0002.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Well...are you...?</i></span></td></tr>
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This intriguing Greene King poster caught my eye, though I have to admit it might not have been during this latest pub visit (it could have been the last pub visited? See 'factory reset' issue below). I tried to find out a little bit more about the Black Baron and Greene King's website suggested that I click on their Seasonal Ale Calendar to find out more. When I did I got a white page with a bit of computer programming text that said 'Access Denied' - so I'm none the wiser...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qXoaP-3lUa09s9hhNmx1EQ883xH2cC44mE_DypKuJvGxFYl2Ty545-TVXEuDZXINmhG5hJ1nNI8B_1jQdTJbaa7R_mJOsFy13aEeqHw68TYdzxdjdTs5jd6agIWRS6RAXrCQJkVbPBs/s1600/20190330_152517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1515" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qXoaP-3lUa09s9hhNmx1EQ883xH2cC44mE_DypKuJvGxFYl2Ty545-TVXEuDZXINmhG5hJ1nNI8B_1jQdTJbaa7R_mJOsFy13aEeqHw68TYdzxdjdTs5jd6agIWRS6RAXrCQJkVbPBs/s320/20190330_152517.jpg" width="302" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Street Corner Character...</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoX-APry37R6gORo2qr67kCtEUvTYS_zXWl8rrnwXjU1hc7dpEL5rC1U1djwMq4bxu4lGqnhZphJ6B9ayg7pIFJZtq1waAmELMDdlFSUAyqHXzVKf4jpZ_dwoBk5LQT_dkMxd7w-oo9Y/s1600/20190330_161900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOoX-APry37R6gORo2qr67kCtEUvTYS_zXWl8rrnwXjU1hc7dpEL5rC1U1djwMq4bxu4lGqnhZphJ6B9ayg7pIFJZtq1waAmELMDdlFSUAyqHXzVKf4jpZ_dwoBk5LQT_dkMxd7w-oo9Y/s400/20190330_161900.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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This visit was to the Wellington Arms, 56 Park Road, Southampton. <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/HAS/00599/wellington-arms-southampton">Whatpub</a> says that it's a Star (Heineken) owned pub and dates from the 1860s. Though it's earlier name of The Swan has changed, the pub certainly retains its traditional residential street corner location and pub character.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW4sP995cIHZ23zlj-ZKOlDvBd51PoJbiIl1G68rCLn8f8BSNvH_yNEIpanPdmmTATZ5Bc3FlWrpALHWl10yMZHhTo-vobsGs9K_rp6C9VetJnf-DGe0QVt6VE2PHMemFlb25CAxQf4I/s1600/20190330_152532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdW4sP995cIHZ23zlj-ZKOlDvBd51PoJbiIl1G68rCLn8f8BSNvH_yNEIpanPdmmTATZ5Bc3FlWrpALHWl10yMZHhTo-vobsGs9K_rp6C9VetJnf-DGe0QVt6VE2PHMemFlb25CAxQf4I/s400/20190330_152532.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Symphony in lilac...</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">They don't make window frames, glazing and tiled friezes like that anymore. Though the paintwork, which appeared to be possibly deep purple, or even brownish, on the previous photos - seems now to be lilac on closer inspection...</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEGHzvS-a4sC5mUa8Bj-VU0SDNmM_bCV_QhXKLozSv7ntG1Xv4pvKmxDM_FhC7jrpiERVs9paKHM39i2QWs1bOfBTq8V5ZOtj6dsLL86ZDnP0goDAQZMRMsTbdfiXudo8QPmR8iLNung/s1600/20190330_152901.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoEGHzvS-a4sC5mUa8Bj-VU0SDNmM_bCV_QhXKLozSv7ntG1Xv4pvKmxDM_FhC7jrpiERVs9paKHM39i2QWs1bOfBTq8V5ZOtj6dsLL86ZDnP0goDAQZMRMsTbdfiXudo8QPmR8iLNung/s400/20190330_152901.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Proper darts cabinet...</i></span></td></tr>
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The traditional character continues inside with two rooms (to the right and left) off the doorway entrance area, and the central double sided bar opening into both rooms. Bench seating, proper tables and chairs, beige decor, patterned carpet and dartboard - it's all there...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJH39z-evhJGfZkIBkjTMUpQWqrUAI6UltYHKeHbiovkE3f_DQZ6Ps_ak6MpJzYdDu13Re0d2f0uatuNkBfrozheSr37SqtUvu25OQWTifNj9_jYRUlr7xbwQEBpJNXBesGaha3pIsnJY/s1600/IMG-20190330-WA0000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJH39z-evhJGfZkIBkjTMUpQWqrUAI6UltYHKeHbiovkE3f_DQZ6Ps_ak6MpJzYdDu13Re0d2f0uatuNkBfrozheSr37SqtUvu25OQWTifNj9_jYRUlr7xbwQEBpJNXBesGaha3pIsnJY/s400/IMG-20190330-WA0000.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Noblewomen's toilet door not shown...</i></span></td></tr>
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...and even special toilets for noblemen...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1mN3Aj6qhWAlY7Ka-IYwK3tMuMJicr6vXKb24nH3tNYDg-BCEOUuaEsKe_Okko5Ss9Zn4VZQowx5YQ4Ytd0i-moQoFatyNi8xGc-1_SdZeM56Kl2uFt-AbDqzC4dAj533G0rBdyftSg/s1600/20190330_152759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1mN3Aj6qhWAlY7Ka-IYwK3tMuMJicr6vXKb24nH3tNYDg-BCEOUuaEsKe_Okko5Ss9Zn4VZQowx5YQ4Ytd0i-moQoFatyNi8xGc-1_SdZeM56Kl2uFt-AbDqzC4dAj533G0rBdyftSg/s400/20190330_152759.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Party Seven in cask (better than trying to open the can and spraying it all over the kitchen ceiling (or is it...?)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="text-align: left;">Ok - lets get to the bar, and in case you were wondering about the significance of that GK poster, (as I still am) - don't - it's not GK beer here. In fact a rather impressive choice is available...though those two spare hand pumps could do with GK IPA and Abbott on them (</span><i style="text-align: left;">only joking...)</i></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE17BLOCvDKImX_fUM34ORxEW3DFx84EtpXp_jYpCwAr2AxmSmaUbfpYhyd6733xJz_qheTiwoMNgA8aYfpHncjFWWEhjSLNiMTp9J6WQk5gVrVO_2YhnyrkpFraJmjahSjy-gjc4ilE/s1600/20190330_152856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgE17BLOCvDKImX_fUM34ORxEW3DFx84EtpXp_jYpCwAr2AxmSmaUbfpYhyd6733xJz_qheTiwoMNgA8aYfpHncjFWWEhjSLNiMTp9J6WQk5gVrVO_2YhnyrkpFraJmjahSjy-gjc4ilE/s400/20190330_152856.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Other bar beers...</i></span></td></tr>
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...and there are some more in the other room on the other side of the bar.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47fPHv-ftI04CCORTihXAGp3X4GCE2icYoBTqgI4FxeDsIuH9VszEORi32RBAjfZW8nHgtKJnsrRCltqOoFdDxXAkg85DMaN5BqwQ4ZZ_bUyAcwpbDbdMm6vfpxTBogCUqBtOg2wmO_Y/s1600/20190330_135323.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi47fPHv-ftI04CCORTihXAGp3X4GCE2icYoBTqgI4FxeDsIuH9VszEORi32RBAjfZW8nHgtKJnsrRCltqOoFdDxXAkg85DMaN5BqwQ4ZZ_bUyAcwpbDbdMm6vfpxTBogCUqBtOg2wmO_Y/s400/20190330_135323.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Happy beer...</span></i></td></tr>
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I'd like to tell you what beer I had but, in the ensuing weeks of blogging inactivity since this visit, my phone crashed and needed a factory reset so I lost my notes and can only rely on an unreliable memory and the set of photos in the 'Wellington Arms' album on Google photos (that'll teach me). </div>
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It definitely wasn't the Party Seven (anyone who experienced that beer in the 70s would be put off just by the name, even if the beer is different), but it might have been the Dartmoor Legend. Anyway, my son Martin looks happy - so it must have been good.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdyz81pncpQ20zilkfeh8EK47Phi4RNQm0TYaTk7TpQQq6t9ULKdakq08CQ_LQ2yExfDI2HbiWynRjJrxpFthR7FW5VEsTm8uwlFgAVWYFStRYBI2ofNoWNrayECNYGDtmIuiy9JkBvY/s1600/20190330_154148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfdyz81pncpQ20zilkfeh8EK47Phi4RNQm0TYaTk7TpQQq6t9ULKdakq08CQ_LQ2yExfDI2HbiWynRjJrxpFthR7FW5VEsTm8uwlFgAVWYFStRYBI2ofNoWNrayECNYGDtmIuiy9JkBvY/s400/20190330_154148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>...or door to the cellar...?</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
...and look at that bit of quality upcycling of an old door....</div>
<br />
The Wellington Arms is an excellent traditional pub - still full of old pubby character with plenty of beer choice... to boot (<i>see what I did there</i>...)<br />
<br />
...definitely worth giving it a visit (if not some welly)...<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Beer Mat Moment</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix11mU7UlYozdpR1KFzgTq6O0h3VBl8oAMHf2RohT0j5lQFBAyl48W6kAV1Rih7i8Bh_0_z0nJSiwN0lFnFl9BadE2b9f8qOgGC31rSJb3W6uN6c0iJBcPcbK2oOrIztpFQVsv6155hwk/s1600/20190330_144320.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1565" data-original-width="1600" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix11mU7UlYozdpR1KFzgTq6O0h3VBl8oAMHf2RohT0j5lQFBAyl48W6kAV1Rih7i8Bh_0_z0nJSiwN0lFnFl9BadE2b9f8qOgGC31rSJb3W6uN6c0iJBcPcbK2oOrIztpFQVsv6155hwk/s400/20190330_144320.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Titanic Brewery Stout - A side.</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW-YxADF__uhPT1cFACXeX9_usxCciWNyPlM2820kXNCIPUxz7HTCNTZxqR98u3a75iCpCre1_PDRFB1dk5Woamg207Bogz0h8f3Z7djcHRqwzqDryYuaL7tPU1kx5qMfOehIIiA30zU/s1600/20190330_144313.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1435" data-original-width="1600" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOW-YxADF__uhPT1cFACXeX9_usxCciWNyPlM2820kXNCIPUxz7HTCNTZxqR98u3a75iCpCre1_PDRFB1dk5Woamg207Bogz0h8f3Z7djcHRqwzqDryYuaL7tPU1kx5qMfOehIIiA30zU/s400/20190330_144313.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Titanic Brewery Stout - B side</i></span></td></tr>
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<br />garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6841727258522308399.post-20211415650189412182019-05-10T07:28:00.002-07:002019-05-10T07:28:47.704-07:00All In All It’s Just A...Sitting in the hermitage, with shafts of early morning sunlight shining through the trees..<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJrfpnY0TFkXsKESwz8KwYGerTqqfNo_J_T-PsbiCdweEHyHWpZ9QJfDDKhQDmEC3wickLGK4IOj1FWX_robXXof1XP4UfTQ3I2SFnOvRjmn48ZPz9V23jDHAhOC4VHU39UwNh0Fo0uw/s1600/55E0785B-BC11-4B89-ABA7-A12958B6AD04.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1196" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNJrfpnY0TFkXsKESwz8KwYGerTqqfNo_J_T-PsbiCdweEHyHWpZ9QJfDDKhQDmEC3wickLGK4IOj1FWX_robXXof1XP4UfTQ3I2SFnOvRjmn48ZPz9V23jDHAhOC4VHU39UwNh0Fo0uw/s400/55E0785B-BC11-4B89-ABA7-A12958B6AD04.jpeg" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">.<i>..Steam not shown...</i></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
...and illuminating the steam gently rising from the compost bin, I suddenly realised that I hadn’t done a GHGTTP2 blog post for a while...<br />
<br />
So back to Southampton town centre for a quick one at a pub near the revamped cultural and educational quarter by the civic centre.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EiMCs_77WsoK3re5nszApTf0_PKevqDMEsESP2FXzrfUjKj81j8CMOKVGC95zl9gWN66AJyvG6bsbqUg56VZyYJWpye4eqJ403l5rx9IrPGp02CVbVQ3pCCKYeOm9zQqIF742E0tqjU/s1600/20190321_124316_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_EiMCs_77WsoK3re5nszApTf0_PKevqDMEsESP2FXzrfUjKj81j8CMOKVGC95zl9gWN66AJyvG6bsbqUg56VZyYJWpye4eqJ403l5rx9IrPGp02CVbVQ3pCCKYeOm9zQqIF742E0tqjU/s400/20190321_124316_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Place of learning MkI...</span></i></td></tr>
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The <b>Scholars Arms</b> is housed in what appears to be an old department store style building...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-Xcun4YB-rNp0KtFp8bVsxntqfLCECGR2P1A3exo6SLF2rMFKBG6-gjKnPyCVLxX6vs-oQwxSXv-Co33NLlhuShXlqhKxg0YdZqFKZLzYw-Cdbo9XGxmCIlpkhLUCH0zzE8AlqmeVNg/s1600/20190321_121515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-Xcun4YB-rNp0KtFp8bVsxntqfLCECGR2P1A3exo6SLF2rMFKBG6-gjKnPyCVLxX6vs-oQwxSXv-Co33NLlhuShXlqhKxg0YdZqFKZLzYw-Cdbo9XGxmCIlpkhLUCH0zzE8AlqmeVNg/s400/20190321_121515.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Place of learning MKII...</span></i></td></tr>
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...and is owned by the country’s leading pub retailer and brewer (their words, not mine), Greene King. Unfortunately they’re not leading the TripAdvisor rankings with this pub, but I suppose being ranked 249, out of 985 pubs in Southampton could be a lot worse.</div>
<br />
Inside the pub is a large single space with a raised area on the left and large bar on the right. It is a generic eating pub, like Brewers Fare, and all the rest (too numerous to mention)...<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxY4GLFXF2OCX_AKTW001r7oLuyHYeDDkNG269_UgiX76GAkkNQ0JM6H3WKJcxm0zr-DGqlRVCBBtnIogTlOeGm5u-he8xBMiawYtT1SqPFXRXpK0tH9NbsnJ3nP85LAN3nwJKhrJKLY/s1600/20190321_122621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilxY4GLFXF2OCX_AKTW001r7oLuyHYeDDkNG269_UgiX76GAkkNQ0JM6H3WKJcxm0zr-DGqlRVCBBtnIogTlOeGm5u-he8xBMiawYtT1SqPFXRXpK0tH9NbsnJ3nP85LAN3nwJKhrJKLY/s400/20190321_122621.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Big bar...</span></i></td></tr>
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At the bar, as you might expect, there’s a fine selection of beers from the country’s leading brewer...</div>
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<br /></div>
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...but you don’t need a photo of those.</div>
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After a short deliberation, I decide to have a half of IPA, rather than the Abbot or Scrum Down (no idea why really...)</div>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05hsPOXBfTLRdiWI-MWimV0VLjsc8NoMEJeAOdGP6LN7jwX7EcqN8d75fJgNMkJhORfACtj1TBv8Md2KGkNwBQKdp8DixhdEOZ4nHnH7-MehWPHGvUinT6WGRZfhteE5tZ7E8gRQMuSU/s1600/20190321_121955.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05hsPOXBfTLRdiWI-MWimV0VLjsc8NoMEJeAOdGP6LN7jwX7EcqN8d75fJgNMkJhORfACtj1TBv8Md2KGkNwBQKdp8DixhdEOZ4nHnH7-MehWPHGvUinT6WGRZfhteE5tZ7E8gRQMuSU/s400/20190321_121955.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Not an Italian beer...</span></i></td></tr>
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The heavily tattooed barman, fully understanding the subtleties of ‘the proper beer glass’, served the half of IPA in an worryingly thin, but beautifully decorated Peroni glass. Having done my best to dispel any thoughts that I was drinking a European lager, the IPA was drinkable, <b><i>good</i></b>, but uninspiring and not a great example of an India Pale Ale...</div>
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Multiple TV screens were showing Sky Sports upcoming schedules, adverting loops or just staring blankly at the few customers who were spread thinly about, eating or just having a drink...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1351Zuh1DhL7t1vxVKCdZS9IHDoNLxG8cmIwjJQ6AvV4yAuOCx7F9eiRJMUX5Fw2madvBUmUa05xDDOA5g1Sm1-RaMSUieM8d5n32nctOm-5K40ol57A0OGwONzDmekgChn1AaLr9zU/s1600/20190321_122042.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY1351Zuh1DhL7t1vxVKCdZS9IHDoNLxG8cmIwjJQ6AvV4yAuOCx7F9eiRJMUX5Fw2madvBUmUa05xDDOA5g1Sm1-RaMSUieM8d5n32nctOm-5K40ol57A0OGwONzDmekgChn1AaLr9zU/s400/20190321_122042.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Blank screens....</span></i></td></tr>
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...the piped music competed with gentle hum of background conversation to make the place seem welcoming...</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zQxOiSn9pBnC54loLGDsy51N3NMQnxuFknAd_7wCnBRZXuXZwB5qASeoAvBJ0OBHy08nz8n1RmxcXriTiZguqrA7Jq_vV5Ek1p1X-zY_APIkEXROQ6jJFCGPkatScHipdiRnbhwrGh0/s1600/20190321_123630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4zQxOiSn9pBnC54loLGDsy51N3NMQnxuFknAd_7wCnBRZXuXZwB5qASeoAvBJ0OBHy08nz8n1RmxcXriTiZguqrA7Jq_vV5Ek1p1X-zY_APIkEXROQ6jJFCGPkatScHipdiRnbhwrGh0/s400/20190321_123630.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">View to the front - piped music and conversation not shown...</span></i></td></tr>
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...but the standard design, drinks offerings and pre-packaged menu just makes it seem bland.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NYbJIWBVT55icyu5DHMXecOaTUJGG1OCwA020c-uI-783J5u1pQd1BlvmEKmgP7vQ-kRs8fADriC4nDiWH86jwLTSGbvVatPMe6QnVJQjltGjCMatOuZmzTqwgLXafL_vjKrQpkZTGY/s1600/20190321_121848_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5NYbJIWBVT55icyu5DHMXecOaTUJGG1OCwA020c-uI-783J5u1pQd1BlvmEKmgP7vQ-kRs8fADriC4nDiWH86jwLTSGbvVatPMe6QnVJQjltGjCMatOuZmzTqwgLXafL_vjKrQpkZTGY/s400/20190321_121848_001.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Who me....?!</span></i></td></tr>
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There wasn’t really any incentive to stand (or sit) still for very long here, and I finished my half of IPA, and said thanks to the barman as I left...but the quote...<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=2&v=HrxX9TBj2zY">the song and the original video</a> kind of struck a chord...</div>
<br />
...<i><b>We don’t need no India Pale Ale...</b></i><br />
<i><b>...We don’t need no thought control...</b></i><br />
<i><b>...No dark sarcasm in the taproom...</b></i><br />
<i><b>...GeeKay leave them pubs alone </b></i><br />
<i><b>...Hey!...GeeKay! - Leave them pubs alone....</b></i><br />
<i><b><br /></b></i>
<i><b>....All in all it’s just another brick in the wall.....</b></i><br />
<b><i>etc...</i></b><br />
<br />
To be fair there’s nothing wrong with this pub, it is functional and perfectly adequate, a lot of people who visited it liked it on Trip Advisor and...and...<br />
<br />
...all in all it’s just another GK pub...<br />
<br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Beer Mat Moment.</b><br />
<br />
Ok I couldn’t resist a fine example from the country’s leading brewer...<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrb_fQisATfb1ZDX6sDKXWT2ylU8BcaNgA7QLTM-l9_yePhSwIcsq9xyUW-ef-zUu3dKScH6w35kD8z05YuIBlfyqXmUfNwJ-1MJ6fw-kptVXY4J-_yRSA4JGkxc_wuPZNUekE5aGQlI/s1600/20190111_141216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1492" data-original-width="1600" height="372" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSrb_fQisATfb1ZDX6sDKXWT2ylU8BcaNgA7QLTM-l9_yePhSwIcsq9xyUW-ef-zUu3dKScH6w35kD8z05YuIBlfyqXmUfNwJ-1MJ6fw-kptVXY4J-_yRSA4JGkxc_wuPZNUekE5aGQlI/s400/20190111_141216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">A Side - Greene King ‘Your IPA'</span></i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_fgS7U6Zq7jU5C7t_H7Wxd6FqDrjevcwI9TB8uqwwAlmjvBYIDModlGU3TFtu0Xv65aYweycZ59EyOVLk1jH_axfIhLV8w5AMDSV_-5BZXaAOja499ZvuEMJq2eUTQvEPJ0TJ310puQ/s1600/20190111_141209.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1598" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_fgS7U6Zq7jU5C7t_H7Wxd6FqDrjevcwI9TB8uqwwAlmjvBYIDModlGU3TFtu0Xv65aYweycZ59EyOVLk1jH_axfIhLV8w5AMDSV_-5BZXaAOja499ZvuEMJq2eUTQvEPJ0TJ310puQ/s400/20190111_141209.jpg" width="398" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">B Side - Greene King - ‘Your IPA’.</span></i></td></tr>
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<br />garden hermithttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02729468804899958277noreply@blogger.com8