tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15474106872605017532024-03-13T10:54:13.956+00:00P.R.A.T.S.POPPIES REAL ALE TASTING SOCIETYBrumPoppyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17849102417728954131noreply@blogger.comBlogger98125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-49332582537232831762022-08-03T11:42:00.000+01:002022-08-03T11:42:39.073+01:00THE FOUR POPPIESMEN<p> </p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">The Four Poppiesmen<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Here we are Josiah, middle a winter, coldest winter ever and
still no players, fifty quid to get into a ramshackle dump, watching 4 snails,
3 tortoises, a cupla sloth, tectonic Ted the terrapin wearing the No9 shell up
frunt, una parrot in goal. Pitch is like the Gobi desert, more hillocks than
the Himalayas. Prawgramme scrawled on a single bit uv Izal bog paper, shiny
side unawl. No chips, burgers like inside a worn-out shoe leather, drinking gnat’s
piss outta toilet brush holder, only 4 super loyal Poppies supporters and we
take it in turns to dig hole each week for the cesspit.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yis, just the 4 on us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Weren’t like this fordy years agoo, weren’t.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Nothing like it Seth, ent that lung back when we used tev a
team be Halloween, proper players unawl, well some were a bit duff. Only a
tenner ta geddin. 12-page prawgramme, crinkle cut chips in a cardboard cone,
tea in a plastic cup, and we adda replica shirt, wrung size mind.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Thad ent oat, when we were squirts, we adda team be start a
season, 30 odd players. luuuvlee, lush green pitch, uva a thousund watching, a
fiver ta geddin. In the play orffs every coupla seasons, reached the first
round uther cup most seasons. We ad tea in a mug, pasties and pies frum the
Poppies Canteen. Shiny stainless steel community urinal, with targets, you
couldn’t stand too close cus uv splash back, sheer luxury.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That’s buggrall, when I werra nipper, air ole man told us, we
had a team before the end uv the season before, pitch like crown green bowls,
tea outta gold rimmed bone china cup. They used to pay us ta geddin. Ground wuz
like a palace, cumfy reclining seats with armrest. 15 course meal before kick orff.
Free beer, massage to boot. Bidet next to the toilet. Leather bound; gilt edged
640 page prawgramme, printed on the finest vellum. This dandy fella, used to
come up from Savile Row every year, to measure us up furra shirt, silk shirt
unawl, hand delivered next morning. Won the FA cup every year, won the league
before Christmas, be 50 points. Ten thousund watched every game, gates were locked
a week before the match.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Those were the days Ezekiel, tell the young’uns that and
they won’t believe us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Think they know it all, know sod all.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Yer right there Obadiah.<o:p></o:p></p><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-82688993939635389342020-05-09T12:16:00.000+01:002020-05-09T12:31:12.884+01:00POPPIES FIRST BEER FESTIVAL<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KPIfnPLE6aq63b38jqs2umXbHhd65G6tXQQXCeBOBq4RUGoHxFEUyj_YeSFPnoJey5ZlC_9JYvh0HGYz-jPuKTPq7TFpkSz09wOh95urNrpMcAsWNU-Cis4AqTj1-ESVlhMBSA01s3M/s1600/Programme+Front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1562" data-original-width="1142" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KPIfnPLE6aq63b38jqs2umXbHhd65G6tXQQXCeBOBq4RUGoHxFEUyj_YeSFPnoJey5ZlC_9JYvh0HGYz-jPuKTPq7TFpkSz09wOh95urNrpMcAsWNU-Cis4AqTj1-ESVlhMBSA01s3M/s320/Programme+Front.jpg" width="232" /></a><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"> It seems like a lifetime has passed, another
world, a different time. 11 years ago, this weekend we held the first ever Poppies Beer Festival, 7<sup>th</sup> – 10<sup>th</sup> May 2009. The Tinhat
would be heaving, live bands, marquees outside, 3 double rows of barrels, 41
different ales, 3 lagers and 2 ciders across
the 3 bars. Food was being served by the Poppies Pantry, hundreds of people
sitting everywhere. Live bands every night with 4 on Saturday. It was a new
venture, we didn’t really know what we were doing, but what the hell. Sadly we
had just recently lost Poppies stalwart Bernard Bennett, Bernard would have
loved a beer festival on his own patch, sadly..
The ales were £2.20 a pint, the total bar take that weekend was just
over £6,200. Cleary, we like a drink. Phipps brewery had just started brewing again,
albeit at the Grainstore brewery in Oakham, and we were the first place in
Kettering to sell both Phipp’s IPA and NBC Red Star, we even had a Phipps
banner in the bar. The beer list consisted of the following, we even got lager
in for Dazza, he didn’t like the warm gnat’s piss. <span style="font-size: 10pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<br />
<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 480px;">
<colgroup><col style="mso-width-alt: 11190; mso-width-source: userset; width: 230pt;" width="306"></col>
<col style="mso-width-alt: 6363; mso-width-source: userset; width: 131pt;" width="174"></col>
</colgroup><tbody>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt; width: 230pt;" width="306"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CASTLE
ROCK BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66" style="width: 131pt;" width="174"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BLACK GOLD</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">B&T BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">DRAGON SLAYER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CROUCH VALE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BREWERS GOLD</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">GRAINSTORE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">RUTLAND PANTHER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">PHIPPS (GRAINSTORE BREWERY)</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">PHIPPS IPA</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NBC RED STAR BITTER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">TYDD STEAM BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">IRON BREW</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">TYDD STEAM BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">PISTON BOB</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">POTBELLY BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SWEET FA</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">POTBELLY BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CHAMPIONS ALE</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">MAULDON’S BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BLACK ADDER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NETHERGATE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">OLD GROWLER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">UFFORD ALES</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NIRVANA</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SILVERSTONE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">PITSTOP</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">HUMPTY DUMPTY BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SWALLOWTAIL</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">FROG ISLAND BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">FIRE BELLIED TOAD</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WHITE HORSE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">VILLAGE IDIOT</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WHITE HORSE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WAYLAND SMITHY</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">TITANIC BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ICEBERG</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">TITANIC BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WHITE STAR</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">GREAT OAKLEY BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WAGTAIL</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NORFOLK SQUARE</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">PI</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NORFOLK SQUARE</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">STILETTO</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SPECTRUM</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WIZZARD</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ICENI BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">FINE SOFT DAY</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">GREEN JACK</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ORANGE WHEAT</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SALOPIAN BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">HOP TWISTER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">DOW BRIDGE BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BONUM MILD</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">LANGTON BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">INCLINED PLANE</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">OAKHAM ALES</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">INFERNO</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ELGOODS</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">POPPIES GO FOURTH</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ELGOODS</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">DOUBLE SWAN</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ELGOODS</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BLACK DOG</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ELGOODS</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">GREYHOUND</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CONCRETE COW BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">COCK N BULL</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">NOBBY’S BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl69"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">1872</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BUNTINGFORD BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">GOLDEN PLOVER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">JULIAN CHURCH</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">MARTYR</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BARROWDEN BREWERY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">BEVAN</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">THREE CASTLES, PEWSEY</span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">KNIGHTS PORTER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">RINGWOOD </span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">OLD THUMPER</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CRONE’S CIDERS </span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">USER FRIENDLY</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">CRONE’S CIDERS </span></td>
<td class="xl66"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">SPECIAL RESERVE</span></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">WARSTEINER</span></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">ERDINGER WEISSBIER</span></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
</tr>
<tr height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;">
<td class="xl66" height="17" style="height: 12.75pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: xx-small;">STAROPRAMEN</span><br />
<br /></td>
<td class="xl66"></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb-p0DmUJqZKLl7ktWllrYsgoX0dk_SliCRjbNJoxv1u9uH5iCnOVvHWkgdlNbhAmOWIYh9M20DgA4p2bhgCO9Se0LoplHcjaogjOwHLbgCAAgu7TOQDf_LujnUvf7fJ0h8mV2JqXMxY/s1600/Layout.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="611" data-original-width="1600" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfb-p0DmUJqZKLl7ktWllrYsgoX0dk_SliCRjbNJoxv1u9uH5iCnOVvHWkgdlNbhAmOWIYh9M20DgA4p2bhgCO9Se0LoplHcjaogjOwHLbgCAAgu7TOQDf_LujnUvf7fJ0h8mV2JqXMxY/s400/Layout.jpg" width="400" /></a>We had 3 bars, the
main bar, another along the same wall as the main bar up to the double fire doors.
Then a L shaped bar from the other side of the fire doors, turned right and along
the wall that looked out onto the pitch. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Through the double fire doors was the
large marquee 12m x 6 m, full of bench tables. Up the steps to the raised area
by the canteen were more bench tables and parasols.<br />
<br />
Nearby were the toilets and
further along was Poppies Pantry, serving all sorts of beer festival snaffle.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKKNZflN1fnMZYhhXXXFTkVBllKxpk5Gt-vJhypinNN-DiJLW4kNVdjEsEAEg9w5VHEGlvb_0UCjsojsjGAPqwQfOsYyKwXJOIMkriXUVD90W0BSUjds6A7n14gRwBP1JIaSlVq-S3-g/s1600/Poppies+Pantry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="454" data-original-width="549" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjKKNZflN1fnMZYhhXXXFTkVBllKxpk5Gt-vJhypinNN-DiJLW4kNVdjEsEAEg9w5VHEGlvb_0UCjsojsjGAPqwQfOsYyKwXJOIMkriXUVD90W0BSUjds6A7n14gRwBP1JIaSlVq-S3-g/s320/Poppies+Pantry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
The entertainment wasn’t bad, naturally Dr Busker was on the
schedule, as were regulars the Seven Sinners, most of the band were Poppies
supporters, Mo still come along to Latimer Park.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9NfnNk2OT5Po9HcBPSOmKy2IE-qShs1LP1H0sfyzFNrv13DF-6UU9lqe3dp7VIDKjq_i38oIF8-T3OHMFJKWLDIFi-Ba_FKy6_ZkHTTk2HMTAx0FoMJokTpIq2qsXmuu286AX5HuK7I/s1600/Entertainment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="555" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB9NfnNk2OT5Po9HcBPSOmKy2IE-qShs1LP1H0sfyzFNrv13DF-6UU9lqe3dp7VIDKjq_i38oIF8-T3OHMFJKWLDIFi-Ba_FKy6_ZkHTTk2HMTAx0FoMJokTpIq2qsXmuu286AX5HuK7I/s400/Entertainment.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was a good beer festival, we all got very, very drunk
indeed. The first of many, back then we had 2 beer festivals a year, with the
second always around Halloween. We’ve had a festival every year since, finger
crossed we’ll get one this year.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Up the Poppies<o:p></o:p></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-29832929571033834002019-04-02T21:15:00.000+01:002019-04-05T16:38:43.232+01:00SUFFOLK PUNCHED<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Today we take
the second longest trip of the season to the nuclear green glowing Sizewell FC,
just a couple of miles from the east coast. Deep inside Adnams country, bound
to get a couple of those down our necks today. It’s our third trip to Suffolk
this season and so far it’s 2 wins from 2 visits, hopefully 3 from 3.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">An early start,
8:15am from Casa del Fuggles, the weather was bright but a bit nippy in the
air. Bill Withers is wailing on the PRATSmobile car radio ‘luvlee day, luvlee
day, luvlee day’ and so on, was this an omen.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Citra, was
already sitting in the back of the car with a tiny silk man bag clutched firmly
under his arm. “What’s in the man bag Citra?” Fuggles hollered. Citra had a supercilious
grin across his face and replied “you know the analgeestring the doctor
prescribed, well I ordered a spare”. Citra continued, “unfortunately, they sent
the wrong size, they sent a 6XL”. Citra explained that he tried it on for size
but it was far too big and just fell around his ankles. So, in a moment of
inspiration, he pulled the elasticated sides up over his shoulders, and ‘Voila’
a mankini.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Citra did say it was quite
‘eye wateringly’ uncomfortable, before he realised, he had it on backwards, it
was the plum tomatoes at the front that gave it away. Citra proclaimed “I plan
to strut my funky stuff up and down Leiston High St, my mankini will definitely
show my size well”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiovwsoHNKEVJ6IanLUNOLKIG2T3PI7TdiD30grUoPuGY6Nnu6JZKtScCk2BH9ANDadad-xiYDPzYoe4BDhU44ACyvIPfKuytpYOLfMvkYPz6aw21tYUKjhcvyJxP-xize1wkanyrslAA/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="230" data-original-width="219" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiovwsoHNKEVJ6IanLUNOLKIG2T3PI7TdiD30grUoPuGY6Nnu6JZKtScCk2BH9ANDadad-xiYDPzYoe4BDhU44ACyvIPfKuytpYOLfMvkYPz6aw21tYUKjhcvyJxP-xize1wkanyrslAA/s200/images.jpg" width="190" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We made our way
to Pharpsville, otherwise known as Rushden, a town of much effluence. A few
locals were staggering down the main street, arms outstretched in front. The
sunken central eye all glazed over, the single toothed, drooling, bottom jaw was
dangling to one side just above their barrel chests. Parker sounded the horn,
one of them swung round and gave us a ‘W’ sign and immediately walked straight into
a lamp post. He was clearly annoyed has he gave the lamp post a Glasgow kiss
and collapsed onto the pavement. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Parker was in a
chipper mood, looks as though he had something to say. “Tell me Citra, do you
have the radiant skin tone to carry off the mankini?” Parker asked in a
sarcastic tone. Citra gruffed in retort, “I’ll have you know I’ve just undertaken
a Frangipani Monoi Salt Glow”. There was a very loud silence in the
PRATSmobile. Eventually Citra continued. “If you don’t know what that is, it’s
a rather exotic, full body exfoliation ritual using ‘mineral rich salts’ and
hibiscus cleanse and exfoliate. To seal in the moisture, they use an infusion
of exotic Tahitian Monoi oil and Frangipani flowers. My skin is now delicately
fragranced and positively glowing, So in answer to your rather rude question.
YES!” Citra folded his arms in a frumpish ‘mardy’ manner and looked out of the
window. We were almost at Pharp’s abode when, eventually Citra snapped out of
his strop and started telling us all about his new charity wristband, it was
incredibly tight on his wrist. After a couple of days his hand was throbbing,
by the end of the week his hand was all black and blue and wrinkled. Citra went
to the Doctors, the Doctor said “don’t worry, you’ll be able to shake it off in
a couple of days”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We arrived at
Pharp’s around 8:40am, Bill Withers was still wailing “luvlee day, luvlee day,
luvlee day”. Now for the long trip eastbound, but not without a return to La
hogue garden centre, just off the A14/A11 junction, for a hearty fry up, giant
snorkers and all. Citra strode up to the café counter and proclaimed, “I am
somewhat esurient”, then he went into a rather camp northern accent and said
“ooo, I’m all peckish like”, and ordered the big breakfast. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUjfIEGFo3HCh8OHUsDp6FuHa5iKop4J67mQBGI7nojg8ELtvHiVW4qH2ABxRs-QPTsL_KGiexAzUqolEATs7T5U-9OxIAWzVfiBL4fpTtFXEBY6DL6jcZ-WViA6FqgG-J3-xscRNUD4/s1600/IMG_0249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxUjfIEGFo3HCh8OHUsDp6FuHa5iKop4J67mQBGI7nojg8ELtvHiVW4qH2ABxRs-QPTsL_KGiexAzUqolEATs7T5U-9OxIAWzVfiBL4fpTtFXEBY6DL6jcZ-WViA6FqgG-J3-xscRNUD4/s200/IMG_0249.jpg" width="200" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A group of cyclists
arrived, usual format skinny legs, pot bellies and the padding in the pants
that looks like they’d taken a dump whilst in the saddle. Citra, said, “that’s
a clever idea, that one has a map of the motorways tattooed on his legs”. Parker
explained, “they are varicose viens, you’re a daft sod, Citra”. Duly fed, we
made our way to Leiston. Yes, Bill was still wailing, “luvlee day” and so on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEnod8JMQxpprQwBHxwGKhaK4dj5973HwlkGzSgrhQ7iDGAJ2F1z2_DTzuHH0J2cXPtso8yX5OhAY6-2dvEnpLDwE4tAKh5oPm-L5KVNFK0WZPhnchUz6UQJP5IRny4hNJ-KpaRugEY8/s1600/10612551_368405969991980_3176941315236606497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEEnod8JMQxpprQwBHxwGKhaK4dj5973HwlkGzSgrhQ7iDGAJ2F1z2_DTzuHH0J2cXPtso8yX5OhAY6-2dvEnpLDwE4tAKh5oPm-L5KVNFK0WZPhnchUz6UQJP5IRny4hNJ-KpaRugEY8/s320/10612551_368405969991980_3176941315236606497_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We arrived at
the Engineers Arms just before midday, just a 5-minute wait before the doors
opened. 3 hand pumps, Adnams Southwold, Adnams Ghost Ship and Greenjack
Trawlerboys. Citra, Fuggles and Pharp all went for Trawlerboys. Very nice, as
always, a good premium ale coming in at 4.6%. copper coloured and full bodied.
The ale was in very good condition, perfectly clear with the head clinging on
to the glass. Just like you tell the age of trees by counting the rings, you
could count how many swigs we’d taken to sink this fine ale. Good job we can
count to two. Time for another, this time Citra and Fuggles went for a Ghost
ship, Pharp stayed on Trawlerboys. Ghost ship is another premium ale at 4.5%,
pale and quite citrussy, very pleasant and easy to drink, once again in good
condition. Several Poppies supporters started to drift into the Engineers,
quite a few had arrived the night before, making a weekend of it. The club
chaplain arrived, and promptly starting talking about his flock staring and his
ring, with some kissing it. Needless to say, chortles echoed around the bar,
with a chorus of “are you sure”? We had a few more ales, by the time we left
the Engineers, around 40 Poppies supporters were supping the fine ales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It was just a
short drive to the ground, Bill was still wailing on the radio. A tidy set up, although
I’m not sure if they had any turnstiles or just tables by the gate.
Nevertheless, the facilities looked good, even an impromptu sprinkler system
decided to pop up and rinse the players warming up on the pitch. The game, well
it was a slog to be honest with chances few and far between. And, what is
becoming almost the norm, an injury time winner sent the players, management
team and travelling supporters into ecstasy. With the news that the Glassboys
had shattered yet again, the Poppies were now 13 points clear at the top with
just 5 games to go.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Back into the
clubhouse for a beer before the journey home. Greene King’s London Glory, not
to be sneezed at, if on the off chance you’ve been wandering across the Gobi
Desert for 2 weeks without a bottle of domestos to quench your thirst. What an
incredible waste of water, hops and barley. Time for home, “luvlee day, luvlee
day, luvlee day” Yes, you’ve guessed it, how long is that bloody song?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N9cL3KuBZyp4CCjPaOdYmeL10R6hKIkx3BHfRpYcZPNwtPQ3ph_owqrPDCeW48pfR8_rlSfwZdj2xOOYMCXLTexvorvoyU1NOCylbklC61RjjX524DwFf5jo1a02xz-RG79kw3sUbUg/s1600/16638228165_c2e69be0c9_k.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1500" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-N9cL3KuBZyp4CCjPaOdYmeL10R6hKIkx3BHfRpYcZPNwtPQ3ph_owqrPDCeW48pfR8_rlSfwZdj2xOOYMCXLTexvorvoyU1NOCylbklC61RjjX524DwFf5jo1a02xz-RG79kw3sUbUg/s320/16638228165_c2e69be0c9_k.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After a
couple of hours, we decided we needed a toilet break, lucky for us the George
in Spaldwick had a suitable latrine. We don’t like to be rude so we had a pint
whilst we were there. Fuggles and Pharp went for Timothy Taylors Landlord,
Citra decided on another Adnams Ghost Ship. It there is citrus in the description,
Citra will drink it. Parker had a London Pride. The pub was packed with diners,
a pleasant village pub, the food looked ok, dressed with the obligatory foliage
on the side of the plate. Just the one pint, we dropped Pharp off in Rushden,
the local bloke was still giving the lamp post Glasgow kisses. Parker dropped Fuggles
and Citra off at the Alexandra Arms, just a for a couple more. We both went for
Newby Wyke’s Banquo, 3.8% very pale, bitter and citrussy. A session ale, quite
refreshing and tasty, easy to quaff. Newby Wyke ales are always very good, won
quite a few awards in their time. Just one more before calling it a day, this
time the excellent Marston’s Old Empire IPA, 5.7%, a good night cap and a
proper IPA. Pale, citrussy, bitter, fresh and crisp, with a delightful hoppy aroma.
Very Nice. That was it, a luvlee day, 3 from 3 down in Suffolk, thanks to Bill
that will be going on in our heads for a few days.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-77391504186933994952019-02-13T12:53:00.001+00:002019-02-14T09:11:31.573+00:00RED ITCH WELL AND TRULY SCRATCHED<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">RED ITCH WELL
AND TRULY SCRATCHED<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Today we are
off to Redditch, “Lucky you” I hear echoing across the land. Redditch reminds
me of the story of a bloke who wears a pair of shoes 3 sizes too small, the
only pleasure he gets in life is when he takes them off. As it is with
Redditch, the only pleasure one gets from this town is when you leave it. The
Poppies can count their recent victories at the Valley or the Psycho Stadium as
it is affectionately named, on one finger, and that was in the FA Cup. We did
beat them when they spent a bit of time in equally endearing town of Bedworth.
If Redditch is the gateway to oblivion, Bedworth is the back door. Maybe the 4G
pitch will give us a bit of an opportunity to amend the record book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Once again, we
are Pharp-less, today he is attending a wedding and tomorrow he is off skiing
in Austria. Already the warning sirens of the Tyrolean Trembler are sounding,
the Alpine Horn Society are in danger of being out-horned. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Parker arrived
at Chez Fuggles around 11:00am, the wind was swirling around the cul de sac,
maybe it was a day for the thermals. We went to pick up Citra, whom clearly had
a veritable skip in his step as he approached the PRATSmobile. Questioning
Citra on his somewhat jaunty saunter, he explained that the Doctor had sorted
his very severe case of haemorrhoids, known in medical circles as ‘the grapes
of wrath’. His Doctor had prescribed a powerful pain-killing Analgeestring,
cutting edge apparently. He had also got his buttock boil sorted, he went to
the very expensive private Lancelot clinic where it was duly poked with a very
sharp implement. Citra was splashing out big time. Nevertheless, Citra was
chirpy with his new-found sprightliness and at least has got to the bottom of
his ailments. It was noticeable that Citra landed onto the back seat of the
PRATSmobile with a firm thump, not the usual gingerly lowering himself down.
The next pick up was our guest of the day, the Poppies very own media guru,
pundit, programme editor, Rioja swigger, statistician and dinkie flasher,
Cookie, marvellous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoeoYtJq1HZCm75Uzly-iux5rzJWf5JjkDteGEk9bbTe1Cz8Kbpc0tiF6m2EN5UxHlKoFTb121r5uRPf4UW7Np3P-GdEO1niPXNM8XD3Prr5dCKP9k1fH4IRp3PbOYanehstrMCUUSB8/s1600/2008196.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="448" data-original-width="596" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJoeoYtJq1HZCm75Uzly-iux5rzJWf5JjkDteGEk9bbTe1Cz8Kbpc0tiF6m2EN5UxHlKoFTb121r5uRPf4UW7Np3P-GdEO1niPXNM8XD3Prr5dCKP9k1fH4IRp3PbOYanehstrMCUUSB8/s320/2008196.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It's was just
over an hour’s drive to Studley, home of the Weatheroak brewery tap. We were
able to park up right outside what looked like two small former shop’s, which
had been converted into a bar, all very nice and cosy if somewhat chilly. The
bar area and adjacent snug were about the size of a reasonably sized front
room. Most of the cats in the street were swathed with bandages around their
heads, clearly the locals had been trying to prove a point. So, to the ales, a
great choice of their own ales plus a guest. Fuggles, Citra and Cookie went for
Victoria Works, 4.3%, a lovely straw-coloured ale, quite hoppy and very
refreshing. Loads of flavour, tasted very much like new world hops, with a
zesty finish, Very nice. Parker went for a coffee. Time for another, so we had
another Victoria Works. By now two Ellis’s and one Braines had arrived having
been on a tour of 10 football grounds, all in a good cause for the Tinhat Fund
Selfie competition. The Ellis's sat next to each other, clearly no Braines between them.Time for one more, Citra and Cookie stayed on Victoria
Works, Fuggles went for Keystone Hops, a delightful 5.0% pale ale with loads of
hops. One of Fuggles favourite ales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Time to move on
to the Psycho, not a popular place for most Poppies supporters, many will
boycott today’s match as a result of previous encounters with the local
Neanderthals. Or maybe it has more to do with our poor records here. The game,
well, we put paid to our poor results of the past to bed with a resounding 4-1
victory with 4 well taken goals. Onwards and upwards, or maybe, stay where we
are wards. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeRKYoELDzUu9bP-kGsU27BXy2oIyCLLjVKEHWbhhGniOwO2FFQdOnx-rNiQSe8VIrK5cfXrAOoPEPcpVrBgvprTAm7cVmsHO776-09CjHVBWjPh99_9bAJfcRxuyDNijlNA-KKxGRZE/s1600/The+Alex+bar.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="437" data-original-width="686" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkeRKYoELDzUu9bP-kGsU27BXy2oIyCLLjVKEHWbhhGniOwO2FFQdOnx-rNiQSe8VIrK5cfXrAOoPEPcpVrBgvprTAm7cVmsHO776-09CjHVBWjPh99_9bAJfcRxuyDNijlNA-KKxGRZE/s320/The+Alex+bar.png" width="320" /></a></div>
Time for the journey home, we decided not to stop off anywhere but
instead went straight to the Alexandra Arms in god’s chosen town, dropping
Cookie at home en route. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Citra and
Fuggles went for Salopian brewery's Velocity, which at first glance at the ale board
suggested it was 4.1%. However, on close inspection the list of ales on the
board were out of alignment with the ABV% column. Counting upwards and
downwards we finally determined that Velocity was in fact a whopping 5.2%, and
very nice it was too. Far too nice and strong to be thrashing down our necks at
the rate we were. Very citrussy, so as you can imagine Citra was in heaven. We
can’t remember what Parker had, it was a golden ale, his first beer of the day.
Time for another, Citra’s favourite brewery, slightly ahead of Salopian is
Oakham. So, you can imagine the excitement when he spotted the JHB handpump. It
went without saying that’s what he had next. I don’t know what Oakham use in
their brewing process but their ales are always pristine clear with an inner
glow. JHB, Jeffrey Hudson Bitter, ‘magnum in parvo’, a great man in a small. Also
relates to the county of Rutland. Jeffery was a dwarf, but that didn’t stop him
achieving great things. Just like his ale, not strong at 3.9% but a powerful hoppy
flavour, winner of numerous national awards. Very pale ale, straw coloured, lovely.
Fuggles settled for a Full Mash Apparition, 4.5% full bodied premium pale ale.
Bags of flavour, preceded by good aromas. Very refreshing. Parker went for a
half of Kettering’s Purple Cow Hoof-hearted. We had this at the Poppies Beer
Festival 2018, very popular, one of the first to go. 3.9% pale ale loads of
flavour. Parker committed sacrilege by pouring it into the remnants of his
first pint. Air sucking throughout the bar was clearly evident, followed by
tuts and mutterings of ‘sacrilege’ and head shaking. Parker was oblivious to
his misdemeanour. Just one more beer before home, Fuggles went for the usual Summer
Lightning, Citra stayed on JHB. Another good day out for the PRATS, 3 points in
the bag, decent ales and another micro-brewery tap to add to the list. Sorted.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-9240515611850358572019-01-28T18:24:00.001+00:002019-01-28T18:31:49.722+00:00‘THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS’<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">THESE ARE THE GOOD
OLD DAYS<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The big day is here,
we’re going to the town where most of the locals have jowls hanging down below
their chins. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZayLpYZF1dg7WKIyOWmhvcYa_6iifE0MN_wR07RwVFaOcuo7HFsnCaGgpB9DYuO-aiCZ0o8qNCf4nNgdize1iVQLFo4I91PDVqewsf5ETJc1MotEXdgZ8LfXrLWbFM4MOnwBwUKcGKc/s1600/Droopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1343" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZayLpYZF1dg7WKIyOWmhvcYa_6iifE0MN_wR07RwVFaOcuo7HFsnCaGgpB9DYuO-aiCZ0o8qNCf4nNgdize1iVQLFo4I91PDVqewsf5ETJc1MotEXdgZ8LfXrLWbFM4MOnwBwUKcGKc/s200/Droopy.jpg" width="167" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Think Droopy the bloodhound, it’s all the glass blowing that did
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It was going to be a
longish sort of day, not because we had a lot of travelling to do, but because we
had quite a few brewery taps to take in, as well as a top of the league clash. Pharp
was scooped up at 9:50am in Rushden. Pharp is a man of property in Rushden and
on occasion visits his tenants. One time he was going around the house with his
tenant, Simon Klopps, Si to his mates. He complimented Si on the wonderful
gallery of his family ancestors that adorned the stairs. All of whom had done
well in life and champions in their own field. However, Pharp was a little embarrassed
when Si said it wasn’t the family ancestors but his prize-winning Jerusalem artichokes
from the Rushden Horticultural annual show. Pharp was further embarrassed when he
recalled previously commenting on the family likeness. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were back in God’s chosen town to meet up
with the PRATSmobile by 10:20am.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNStn3PVmZJJJuSQYG9I082lmWupKuM1AEzQYrOZhR9YKLYRFR5L9arOmmdq3Ufa-B0RiqQ6AHogIhDMdFZilkDbwmlm8eL-D-uAmjoef-mkP4-BeE9qhHLi9S-vbfaTclRXgEjPuc9A/s1600/windsor-s0858301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="893" data-original-width="703" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcNStn3PVmZJJJuSQYG9I082lmWupKuM1AEzQYrOZhR9YKLYRFR5L9arOmmdq3Ufa-B0RiqQ6AHogIhDMdFZilkDbwmlm8eL-D-uAmjoef-mkP4-BeE9qhHLi9S-vbfaTclRXgEjPuc9A/s200/windsor-s0858301.jpg" width="156" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">We arrived at the
first hostelry at 11:45am. The Windsor Castle Lye, owned by Sadler’s Brewery. We
were greeted by a long bar with about 10 handpumps all in a neat row. Where to
start, Fuggles and Citra went for Peaky Blinders Pale Ale, 4.3% abv of lovely citrusy
bitterness, very refreshing and didn’t last long. Pharp went for Peaky Blinder
Black IPA, 4.4 abv, a dark richness, as Pharp would describe it ‘burnt stubble’
roasted flavour. The head clung to the glass for both ales and in very good
condition. Parker settled for a coffee. There was a sign nailed to the wall, ‘THESE
ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS’ was this an omen? Time for another, Citra stayed with
the PB pale ale, Fuggles went for half of Hop Bomb and half of Hop Hut, the
latter is a very refreshing session pale ale at 3.6% abv. Once again citrussy
easy drinking, probably a weaker version of the Peaky Blinder Pale Ale. The Hop
Bomb 4.6% abv was a little sweeter, American Pale Ale, after the previous 2
ales it was difficult to pick up any real hoppy flavour, still it was refreshing.
Time to move on to the next hostelry.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Just a couple of
miles to Stourbridge town centre, we managed to get into Wilkos car park.
Fuggles was out of the PRATSmobile like Insane Bolt springing forth from the
blocks. Not unlike a gazelle he almost walked fast to the Duke William pub
about 200 meters away, with Citra in hot pursuit. Gasping for a pint or was it
oxygen, we entered the home of Craddock’s brewery. What a great pub the Duke
William is, wish we could have one like it in Kettering. Unspoilt by time, full
of locals, it was the dangling jowls that indicated the indigenous species.
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Behind the bar was a tall bloke wearing a Glassboys shirt, within a few Nano-seconds
we were trading insults, much to the delight of the punters hanging on to the
bar. We asked the bar manager what was his preference, he said he always enjoyed
a Crazy Sheep frolicking around his tonsils. We said “we can see that but what
about the ales?” More chortling echoed around the bar. Jason, the bar manager
pointed to his preference and he pulled one, then another. Fuggles and Citra
had gone for a Crazy Sheep, 4.5% abv of pale zesty loveliness. Dangerously easy
to thrash down your neck, in excellent condition with the head clinging tightly
to the glass. Pharp said he fancied Stout Goat Herder down his throat, nice, but
in the end went for a Lion’s Pride, a good premium amber ale 4.5% abv,
bitterness with bags of maltiness. With Faggots and mash on the menu it was
inevitable that Citra and Pharp would order a couple of platefuls. Time for
more beer, Fuggles and Citra went for a Saxon Gold, 4.0% abv, another pale ale
for a good session. Some sweetness early on with a good bitter finish. All very
nice, the faggots arrived and much to the delight of Fuggles and Parker it wasn’t
with mushy peas. Pharp had already unleashed a couple thunder pants, mushy peas
would have only fuelled the combustion chamber. We were happy Pharp less so, he’s
not a ‘petit pois’ sort of person. By now there were quite a few Poppies
supporters in the main bar and the ‘snug’, putting a few shillings into the
local economy. Time to move on to the ground. It was about a 10-minute drive
around the one-way system then join the queue. There was going to be a big crowd,
our reserved parking space had already been re-allocated when we arrived at
2:15pm. Nevertheless, we managed to get parked up inside the ground. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The clubhouse was
already heaving, with both sets of supporters mingling together. The War Memorial
ground is 3-sided, with the cricket pavilion across the far side. A large
covered terrace behind one goal and covered seating down the side. On open end
on the clubhouse side behind the goal. It was pouring with rain as the players
came out. The early exchanges were always going to be cautious, nobody wanted
to make a mistake. A goalless first half, saw the Poppies hit with injuries and
forced into a couple of changes. The Glassboys scored first much to the delight
of the thousand or so home fans, but last gasp drama swung the result into the
Poppies favour with the travelling horde going quite berserk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sign in the Windsor Castle sprung to mind
‘THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS’. One thousand seven hundred and thirty-four
people had crammed into the War Memorial ground to watch a very entertaining
game of non-league footy. Even the neutrals would surely have enjoyed the 90
minutes of pure drama that unfolded before them.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Time to celebrate at
another brewery tap, but not before firstly bumping into the Duke William’s landlord
Jason, who invited us back for more excellent ale, but we gracefully declined
and instead went to the Badelynge Bar home of Green Duck Brewery. The Badelynge
is on an industrial estate, if it wasn’t for the sign sitting outside on the path,
you’d miss it first time round. From the outside it’s not much to look at but
once through the door we enter the Tardis, a medium sized warehouse cum factory
unit. </span></div>
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A dozen or so long bench seats greet us with the brewery at the far end. Then
just around the corner tucked away with people milling around was a very small
bar. To the right of the bar was the lounge, with its own sign pointing the way
towards a corner with duck wallpaper and a few sofas, all very posh. The lounge
sign was no doubt ‘tongue in cheek’. There were around 40 or 50 punters
enjoying the ales, so we thought we’d join in as well. Fuggles initially went
for Duck Blonde, but on sipping Pharp’s or was it Citra’s, Fuggles changed his
mind and settled for Duck and Cover. The Blonde 4.2% abv didn’t really taste of
much, a bit wishy washy. However, the Duck and Cover was altogether a different
cup of tea. Delightful bitterness, pale ale coming in at 4.0% abv. A very easy
drinking session ale. Just time for one more before we left for another pub on
the way home. This time Fuggles went for Falconers Flight an America Pale ale,
4.8% abv, full of lemony grapefruit zipping across the taste buds, wonderful.
Time for out journey home, it seemed to take ages to back onto the M6, so much
so that our planned visit to the Red Lion Thorny was abandoned, instead,
Fuggles and Citra got dropped off at the Alex In Kettering. Parker and Pharp,
the youngsters amongst this band of lushes couldn’t hack the pace. We both
started off on Elliswood brewery’s Just One More, oh the irony, a lovely 4.2%
abv golden/amber ale with a citrussy zap. The were several Poppies supporters
already back from Stourbridge, all excited, all getting pissed, ‘THESE ARE THE
GOOD OLD DAYS’. Fuggles and Citra had another pint of something but neither of them
can remember what they were. However, Fuggles clearly remembers going home on a
pint of Thornbridge Jaipur IPA 5.7% abv of wonderfulness. Probably one of the
best ales around. Marvellous.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">That was it, Mrs
Fuggles has arrived time to go home. A little unsteady on the feet, but a great
day out and a hangover in the morning. ‘THESE ARE THE GOOD OLD DAYS’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-73748033416273412272018-10-22T15:50:00.001+01:002018-10-22T17:37:05.662+01:00BLANK SHOTS<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">BLANK SHOTS</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s FA cup day, 4th round qualifying away at Aldershot, will it be 3rd time lucky, will the Shots be firing blanks?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A nice day, pleasantly autumnal, woolly jumper weather along with the lucky boxer shorts and lucky socks. Make sure they’re on the correct feet, the blue sock with the hole goes on the left foot, the other sock, a black one, has to be inside out. It was around 9:30 when Parker arrived, Citra was gurgling on the back seat. Parker has just returned from his holiday, he’s been in Spain on the Costa Latte, strutting along the Playa Del Boy wearing nothing but his poppies red satin thong. He’s a regular strutter, apparently, he never lets a Diego by. Being of chalky complexion it didn’t take long before he turned bright red and blistered, this morning he looks like a roll of pink bubble wrap. Citra, is travelling today, although he’s got the lurgies. Citra says he has a permanent drip on the end of his nose, we didn’t ask which end. At least he hasn’t got one of those tickly irritating coughs, it’s quite clear he’s getting some purchase, by the sound of the reverberating rattle each time he splurts out another black death induced hack followed by a long lingering wheeze. Nothing an ale won’t sort out. Just before 10:00 we arrive at Pharp’s abode, we know this is where Pharp lives due to the pungent yellow haze lingering overhead, there is the occasional swirl of purple mingling with the yellow, looks nice. You don’t see many birds about. Looking up at the flock of Canada geese, you can clearly see a ‘sharply veering wobbly right turn’ in the flight path, before swinging back on course a few miles further on. The lead goose looked quite unwell, I suspect he inhaled the first billful before leading the rest of the flock on a safer course. He crashed into a couple of his chums, they look nervously frightened, goose bumps I guess. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A decent drive down, punctuated by the obligatory hold ups on the M25, very reminiscent of two seasons in the league below. Egham, Godalming, Ashford (Middx), and all those clubs around these parts, makes one shudder. We arrived at the White Lion in Aldershot around midday. Pharp got in first and proclaimed “we have arrived just in time, the landlady is pulling everything off”, Pharp had a smirk on his face. A very pleasant landlady with an antipodean accent and of south pacific appearance, duly served us our ales. The White Lion is owned by Triffle FFF brewery, from just down the road in Alton, birthplace of Courage Directors, when is was a far better product than it is today.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The White Lion feels like a real town pub with live music at the weekends, quizzes and so on. The scooter club meet here on Sundays, with scooter ornaments on all the shelves throughout the pub. A generally good feel about it. We were the first ones in, but within half hour the locals were perched on their regular stools at the bar.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Citra and Fuggles went for Moondance, Pharp had Pressed Rat and Warthog whilst Parker settled for the Alton’s Pride. Moondance is a lovely pale ale coming in at 4.2% abv. Floral nose, bitterness with a sweetish finish, very nice and very refreshing. Winner of many awards on a national level. It was natural that Pharp went for Pressed Rat and Warthog, for no other reason than its name and hoping that it would add some sort of dead animal aroma to any future emissions. Another national champion, this is a dark mild which is unusual for its hoppiness. Having said that it comes with the usual ruby colour, chocolate, coffee, fruity roasted flavour, with a 3.8% abv. Alton’s Pride, yet another national award winner, CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain 2008. A good English ale, clean, fresh and hoppy, coming in a 3.8% abv. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Parker cooked for Queen and country in Aldershot, so he knows is way around, he mentioned a few barracks names, the rest of the PRATS had no idea but the landlord knew where they were. Crash!, Pharp sends his Warthog sprawling, almost soaking the bag of Yummy Yum poppadum’s with green chilli, including dip. Parker’s trousers now have a suspicious looking splash where blokes don’t really want one. Within 2 shakes of a Maori’s tewhatewha, the landlady is out with the bar towels mopping up. Time for another round of ales, same all round. There’s a most unusual sign on the bar, ‘PACK OF 8 TISSUES ON SALE. 50p’. Never seen a sign in a pub like that before, they’d sold out as well, thankfully Citra didn’t need one, he still had room on his sleeve. By now the Weebles had arrived, Marshall, Wort, Petit Chemise and Petit Pantaloons. Full marks to Pantoloons, she drove down, Chemise was driving home, good planning. These girls are slowly catching on with all the bloke’s tricks, don’t tell Mrs Fuggles. It’s also noticeable that since the Petit’s tied the knot, Chemise is drifting towards a Moyen, the marmite and cheese sausage rolls baked by Pants was clear evidence of the culprit. One more round before we had to get parked up in the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for footy for Pharp and Fuggles, we had official duties to perform, whilst Parker and Citra thrashed down another ale in the Crimea pub. Which by a strange quirk was “half a league, half a league, half a league onward” just down the road, not quite that far but I had to get something from the ‘Charge of the Light brigade’ in. Time for a Michael Caine moment, did you know that Deene House, the other side of Steel town, is the home of the Brudenalls, the Earls of Cardigan. It was the 7th earl that lead the charge of the light brigade at Balaclava. Not a lot of people know that. As a nod towards the local footy club, the ale in the Crimea was Aldershot Town Ale, 3.8% abv brewed by Marston’s, probably re-badged standard stuff.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The EBB stadium is right in the town centre, with very little room to move. Getting into the car park was a bit of a chore, but we eventually got parked up. We spotted the manky cat club badge on the score board, the chairman of Aldershot was only too pleased to put the right one up. A beautiful playing surface, which received more water than was probably required, it even got another dousing at half-time.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The match, well we did ok, it was one of those games where the opposition win but you’re not sure how they did it. We had our chances, but didn’t take them. A decent turn out by the vermillion horde, made plenty of noise, but it wasn’t to be 3rd time lucky. The club did itself proud throughout, with the players and the supporters taking joint centre stage. Well done all round.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time to go home, as we left Aldershot, Pharp unleashed a Triple FFF, thankfully he was firing blanks. As is almost always the case when going around this section of the M25 we go to the Land of Liberty, Peace and Plenty in wealthy Heronsgate. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are quite a few posh pads either side of the road. But not the LOLPP, this is a proper pub, with 10 handpumps, lovely. We always get a welcome from the landlord, who will look at us and proclaim ‘Kettering Town’, we all nod appreciatively. Where to start, <a href="https://www.landoflibertypub.com/2.html">https://www.landoflibertypub.com/2.html</a> you will very often see ales from Tring, Downton, Dark Star, Leighton Buzzard breweries, plus plenty more from all over the country. Fuggles and Citra went for Downton’s Quadhop, Parker had Leighton Buzzard’s Captain Cook whilst Pharp settled for Tring’s Mansion Mild. Fuggles also sneaked in a half pint of Dark Star Green Hopped IPA 2018. We’ve had Quadhop quite a few times, even at the Poppies beer festival. A nice pale ale, as the name suggests it’s brewed with 4 hops, easy drinking, slight citrusy aroma very moreish bitter. Captain Cook, no not the famous sea captain, but Alistair Cook England’s cricket captain. Light bodied, not palette blowing but easily drinkable all day, coming in at 3.8% abv. Mansion Mild, as you might expect with Pharp, it’s brown, his favourite colour when it come to ales, and bizarrely his underpants. A creamy head, with hints of brown sugar, toasted malt and fruits. 3.7% abv. Pharp must have liked this one, he didn’t knock it over. The Darkstar Geen Hopped IPA 20118 was shared around as a taster, coming in at a whopping 6.5% abv, was just too strong to guzzle down on your own. Crikey, powerful or what, very bitter as you might expect with a green hopped ale, alcohol vapours coming off as well, very, very nice. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJbbk7MHXlv4QAFM75rtCiEve-FJpGTSJOT2gfdl9Ej1fZ5Rq6dowi1d2-E5XAqW9SvKlEnX1WE3n1nHpBerV-CYTdk9QRRPLHecaqtj7-ey-W04og5uT6FoTa__yHADiMWoAad2vw24/s1600/LOLPP2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="162" data-original-width="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwJbbk7MHXlv4QAFM75rtCiEve-FJpGTSJOT2gfdl9Ej1fZ5Rq6dowi1d2-E5XAqW9SvKlEnX1WE3n1nHpBerV-CYTdk9QRRPLHecaqtj7-ey-W04og5uT6FoTa__yHADiMWoAad2vw24/s1600/LOLPP2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Weebles were already in residence enjoying Cornish pasties, brought up fresh from Cornwall every week. Not to be outdone Pants whipped out her radio-active marmite and cheese sausage rolls, they were wrapped in lead lined aluminium foil and glowed a yellowy marmitey brown, right up Pharp’s street, so he duly obliged by woofing one down. Another round, this time Fuggles went for Captain Cook, it was same again for Pharp and Citra, Parker was driving so had reached the limit. The usual post-match debates ensued, Marshall knows best, or was it Pharp. Just time for our last ales of the day. We have forgotten what we had, time for home, we dropped Pharp off around 8:40, as we pulled up, the rats must have got wind of our pending arrival as they were pouring out of the sewers near Chez Pharp. We got back into God’s chosen town at around 9:00pm. Thankfully, bloody ‘strictly sodding come prancing’ was almost over.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> A decent day out, our FA Cup run is over for another season, downed some decent ales in 2 very good pubs.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-56808815170584664352018-09-30T17:08:00.002+01:002018-09-30T21:57:41.424+01:00NO NOT IVOR ALLCHURCH<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">No Not Ivor
Allchurch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The PRATS are
back on the road. Pharp has returned from his fishing trip somewhere north of
Scotland, either the Orkneys or the Shetlands. I suspect we’ll get the full
unabridged story, Pharp is not known for his brevity, even his farts go on for
ages, they even change note halfway through, several times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Today we are off
to a new ground, Alvechurch, the Lye Meadow, but not new pubs, we’ve supped
many an ale around these parts over the years. It was around 10:15am when Parker
and the PRATS mobile arrived at Chez Fuggles. It was a lovely day, full
sunshine although the slightest nip in the wind, it was woolly jumper attire
today. Citra was already in the back seat thumbing his Iphone8. The obligatory “how
are you doing my old ducks” ensued before we fell silent, punctuated by the occasional
‘bing’ from Citra’s phone. We were en route to the house of Pharp in god’s
chosen cesspit; Rushden. Pharp lives there because his anal emissions blend in
with the local ambience.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Pharp insisted
we go via the A45 instead of the A14, he goes that way 3 days a week. It seemed
strange going south when we were supposed to be going west. Nobody told Pharp
it was 8 miles further. Nevertheless, it turned out to be an inspired decision as
the A14 was at a standstill, it could have cost us 2 pints drinking time. We needn’t
have worried about Pharp going on endlessly about his fishing trip, it was
worse. Pharp is going for a PL. Now I know I’ve already said Pharp doesn’t do
brevity, but he does do acronym’s and all that stuff then proceeds to explain
to us what the acronym is, PL = Personal Licence. Pharp does legal stuff, it’s his
job, so as you can imagine the detail, detail after detail after detail. Citra
was comatose sitting in the back seat next to Pharp, even the perpetual ‘bings’
from his phone didn’t snap him out of his state of comatosity, Is that a word? Who
knows what an EMRO is? Was one question. For those interested it’s stands for ‘Early
Morning Restriction Order’, we then spent the next 40 miles debating when is
morning, day or effing night. Thankfully, we were about to arrive at Alvechurch
marina and the wonderful Weighbridge Inn. It took about 5 minutes to wake Citra
up. He had those spiralling circles in his eyes, you see them in Tom and Jerry
cartoons when Tom has had the frying pan whacked on his head. His bottom jaw
was all floppy, dangling on his chest, just a hint of slather fobbing in the
corner of his gaping mouth. The words ‘Blue Monkey BG Sips’ hollered in his
general direction did the trick. He was out the car and into the bar quicker
than the entire underpants department can run out of M&S when they see
Pharp enter the store.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydRazyrHhGFwsYlnV8E2DbK1oqT04TH8f2UFwKJzsKNjKthyja1MIaBD6pVDziBxq_Q7JWwj553bQ_IwQeFj-9mfiQ60GVr3c07CZX2LBTQ-FKHFhcWbGbgRFDLRdYnjlcwMpDZ2FclE/s1600/Weighbridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgydRazyrHhGFwsYlnV8E2DbK1oqT04TH8f2UFwKJzsKNjKthyja1MIaBD6pVDziBxq_Q7JWwj553bQ_IwQeFj-9mfiQ60GVr3c07CZX2LBTQ-FKHFhcWbGbgRFDLRdYnjlcwMpDZ2FclE/s320/Weighbridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Weighbridge
is a real pub, <a href="http://www.the-weighbridge.co.uk/">http://www.the-weighbridge.co.uk/</a>
compact with 4 square rooms, one of them is the kitchen. It has a bar area, a
sort of lounge for diners and another snug type bar with a serving hatch. The
walls are covered with all sorts of breweriana and canal barge memorabilia.
There is a sort of smoking tent cum loggia outside, with the toilets further
down the alley. There is a beer garden to the side. The Weighbridge is beside
the Worcester – Birmingham canal with a vast marina full of colourful barges.
The pub has 7 handpumps, always ales available from Kinver and Weatheroak
breweries. Pharp kicked off with Kinver Bargee a regular ale here, quite pale
for Pharp, he prefers a more chestnut type ale. Bargee comes in at 4.0% abv, late
hoppyness with a dry finish, very refreshing. Citra and Fuggles went for BG
Sips whilst Parker had a coffee. BG Sips is a lovely pale ale, very refreshing
ale and easy drinking at 4.0% abv, always popular at beer festivals and very
often the first one to be sold out. Winner of numerous Gold awards. Pharp and
Citra went for some solids, it was inevitable they’d go for the Black Country
faggots, thankfully they didn’t come with mushy peas, otherwise Pharp would be
walking home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Bloody hell,
guess who has just walked into the pub with his entourage? Only JC, no not him,
Jeremy Corbyn, Jezzer or Jerry to his mates. He had what looked like the local
Labour head honcho with him. A little round chap with a snug fitting suit he
bought yesterday, with a permanent Cheshire cat grin across his physog. Another
bloke looked like he was looking for a baby to kiss, he must be an MP, he
looked like a ponce, smiling at everybody, sincerity personified. You could hear
the locals almost silent utterings, under their breathes, “ferck off you ponce”
drifting around the small bar. We thought about inviting Jezzer to become a
member of the PRATS, but after due consideration we determined that he was over
qualified. One of the locals piped up, “can you sort the water shortage problem
JC”. His spokesperson replied, if anyone can, Jerry can. A silent snigger tittered
around the small bar. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">In strode the
food waitress person, she hollered “two faggots, chips and peas”. Fuggles chirped
up “I’m chips, he’s peas” pointing to Parker “and these two are the faggots”. The
bar echoed with a chortle all round. Joking apart the faggots looked lovely, as
Dick Emery’s Mandy would put it, “ooh you are offal, but I like you!”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">It wasn’t long
before more Poppies supporters started to drift in, The Weebles included
Marshall, Petit Chemise, Wort and Betweenthesticks. Marshall was wetting himself
about Jezzer in the lounge, so excited he shook his hand when JC left the pub.
Marshall said he wouldn’t wash it his hand for two weeks. We suggested he
wouldn’t need to use any toilet paper for two weeks either. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Time for more
beer, Fuggles and Citra went for Weatheroak Keystone Hops, coming in at 5.0%
abv it’s a bit early for the strong stuff. A lovely pale ale and quite hoppy,
Fuggles used to drink this at the Coach and Horses at Weatheroak Hill where it
was once brewed. A bit of a tiff, split the brewery from the pub with the
brewery now down in Studley, we’ll be in there when we go to Redditch.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The Ellis’s,
then the Mitchells, plus a few more Poppies traveling band arrived, the pub was
getting busy now with around 18 supporters in and around the pub. Another round
of ales, this time is was Green Duck breweries Sitting Duck pale ale brewed
with Amarillo hops. Very citrussy although more orange peel than grapefruit. A
delicious, moreish, refreshing pint. We could have sat all afternoon thrashing
this one down but the footy beckoned.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">We finally arrived
at Lea Meadow, nestled amongst the rolling verdant vista, on the edge of the
Lickey hills. A lovely setting, but this pitch has to be one of the steepest
slopes, I half expected to see some kid pushing a bike up the hill flogging
Hovis bread accompanied by a brass band. The slope measures a 2.8 metre drop
from one corner diagonally to the other, in fact it’s a 2metres from the top
corner to the centre spot. (Ref: Ordnance Survey website).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nevertheless, the pitch is in good condition,
lots of grass all over and appears quite lush. The clubhouse bar serves fizzy
wazz in most flavours.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Well, it took
just 2 minutes for the ‘Church’ to fall into the almost weekly trap, their defender
sent Rhys Hoenes sprawling arse over tit, the man in black pointed to the spot,
one up. The new boy and the returning from suspension lad looked a tad match
unfit. It wasn’t long before the almost weekly defensive ‘balls up’ led to an
equaliser, one each. An unmarked Towers nodded in on half-time, two – one up.
The whistle invited the swirling and wielding of handbags, with a couple of
names going into the ref’s book. We pretty much dominated the second half. An
almighty ‘Church’ balls up saw Rhys Hoenes tap into an empty net, Three – one final
score. Three more points in the bag.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Time for more
ale, just a very short 10minute journey to the aforementioned Coach and Horses
at Weatheroak Hill, marvellous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A big pub with
loads of rooms, the top end near the car park is mostly restaurant, the middle
is the lounge and snug, the bottom end of the building is the bar area. A large,
very busy beer garden and a nice little brewery shed, home of Weatheroak Hill
brewery. <a href="https://www.coachandhorsesinn.co.uk/real-ale">https://www.coachandhorsesinn.co.uk/real-ale</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEsIdyG6wjS0Mwz1s-o7g7YFbb9vfhpGEe_RtiWVlkn5hEns-EEIm21jurN-42RGRmFXlA2sYNlsspKZzYtKBxMdSQ9tofQt3USfo_vge_5KA8R44Bjihg-FBuMuGZy3_KAfKJp7Z2gI/s1600/Weatheroak+Hill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="530" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlEsIdyG6wjS0Mwz1s-o7g7YFbb9vfhpGEe_RtiWVlkn5hEns-EEIm21jurN-42RGRmFXlA2sYNlsspKZzYtKBxMdSQ9tofQt3USfo_vge_5KA8R44Bjihg-FBuMuGZy3_KAfKJp7Z2gI/s320/Weatheroak+Hill.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A great pub
with up to 10 ales to chose from, usually 4 of their own, Icknield Pale ale, a
lovely light, hoppy refreshing ale, 3.8% abv. Gold, a light 3.5% hoppy session
ale, Copton Common a robust 4.9%, based on a Vienna German lager recipe, and
finally Impossible Pale Ale, 4,2% brewed with New Zealand hops so you can
expect loads of grapefruit. Regular ales include Holdens Golden Glow, Hobson’s
Best, Hook Norton’s Old Hooky and Proper Job from St Austell. Two other guest
ales also available, including Green Pear from the Malvern Hills brewery.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Fuggles and
Citra kicked off with Icknield Pale Ale, very nice, easy quaffing, a good session
ale. Pharp went for Old Hooky, a typical ale for their palate,
although 4.6% puts it in the premium ale category. Rich and fruity, reddish
tawny colour and malty. Parker settled for Hobson's Best, a 3.8% typical English ale.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">The bar was
filling up, a group of cyclists arrived. Usual shape, scrawny legs, pot belly
wearing very tight clothes. It’s that padding at the back of their pants between
the buttock cleft that always makes me wonder if they’ve taken a dump whilst in
the saddle.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">A small group
arrives at the next table, the bloke goes to the bar, the wife goes to the toilet
whilst Granny tries to sit down. Whoops, she missed the seat completely, in
fact there wasn’t one there. She crashed to the floor with a thump. Parker was
up like Spiderman to help her back to her feet and get her seated. Granny bent
down to pick something up from the floor, Parker shouted “mind your head”. Bang
another clout on the back of the head. She looked remarkably unscathed and
joked away as if nothing had happened. The bloke arrived from the bar, wife
arrived from the toilet oblivious to all the excitement Granny had gone through.
Really exciting times down at the Coach.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Another round
of ales, this time it’s Impossible for Fuggles, whilst Citra stayed on Icknield
and Pharp stayed on Old Hooky. As expected the New Zealand hops bring out loads
of citrus grapefruit. Fuggles always enjoys hops from the land of kiwis. Very
refreshing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Nearly time for
home, but not before Fuggles thrashes down a Proper Job and Citra goes for the Malvern
Hills brewery Green Pear. This is Black Pear with green hops so it is a
seasonal ale, very hoppy with loads of aroma, 4.4% abv golden ale. Sounds nice.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Time for home,
a good day out, decent pubs, decent ales, 3 points, sorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-68946075868065566712018-03-18T12:31:00.002+00:002018-03-18T12:31:36.766+00:00THE FLIRTYBABOON BECKONS<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Flirtybaboon beckons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was just after 10:30am when Mrs Fuggles hollered
“They’re here”. Trepidation, the thermometer was reading zero, the forecast was
for gusting winds. Nothing to do with Pharp, these were coming from the east.
Fuggles stepped out the front door as the Siberian wind howled around the cul
de sac. Minus 6 was the resulting blast, thankfully Fuggles was wearing his
thermolactic gonad hugging, passion killing, long-johns. Smug or what, could
have been minus 2, God’s dandruff was swirling around on the road surface.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It’s been 3 weeks since the last footy match, bloody
weather. Today we have the relatively short journey to Stratford Upon Avon,
visiting the, wait for it, MoodChimp Stadium. Unbelievable, what or who the
hell is or are MoodChimp. Time to google, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">MoodChimp is a chat app with a flirty
side and a dating app with a friendly side! </i></b>Isn’t friendly a general
pre-requisite for a successful grapple with a stranger. Who the hell came up
with that name, MoodChimp, are you sure?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">As we are on our way to the Bardlands, Pharp regaled us of
his years of Upstart Crow thespianism. He was often criticised for his over
exuberant unleashing of Bottom and Coriolanus but was always encouraged not to
dump his Richard the Third.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Pharp let’s rip!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Hark! what yonder baboon’s arse does break, this scarlet
peach that stirs a quake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The rumbling bowel spews forth a bellow, the pungent air of
mustard yellow.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">These gasping throats that we do clutch, these wheezing
lungs that rattle much.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Briny tears well bloodshot eyes, the face contorts in
stricken guise.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The curse of each damned inhalation, we succumb to Pharp’s
evacuation.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Just over an hour’s drive as we make our way to the Boar’s Head
in the quaint and clearly wealthy village of Hampton Lucy, which sits adjacent
to the River Avon. The tall white signs with numbers 1 to 6 told us we were on
the flood plain. You could see Pharp’s brain working overtime, he had a smirk
on his face, trying to come up with some lurid pun that included Hampton and
Lucy. The Boar’s Head is a nice old country pub just off the main drag, we arrived
at around 12:25pm. As we approached the pub we spotted two blokes in Poppies
regalia, it was TailbyOO and Vlad the Impaler, they were duly pamped at,
accompanied with a vigorous waving of two handed ‘V’ signs and mouth snarling “feeeerrrkk
oooofff” in their general direction, like you do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">On entering the bar, we were surprised to see a whole gang of
Poppies supporters already in there thrashing down the ales. The mini-bus in
front of the pub had ferried a whole load of familiar faces, clearly out for a
long day of ales, footy and curry. With us four, TailbyOO & Vlad and their
8 we were up to 14 Poppies faithful contributing to the Hampton Lucy economy. Five
handpumps adorned the bar with 4 in operation, we ordered our ales, bugger.
Suddenly the pump clips were being turned around, the beer had run out on 3 of
the pumps. Pharp and Parker managed to get their ales Ringwood Razorback, Citra
and Fuggles were waiting for Ringwoods Boondoggle to come on. Five minutes
later we were all swigging down our preferred tipple. All in good condition,
the Boondoggle is a delightful citrusy pale ale. Razorback was a fairly typical
English style session ale, Pharp and Parker were content. More ales became
available, Citra let out an excited shrill as Phipps IPA came on. A few minutes
later 5 Weebles came into the bar, we were now up to 19 Poppies ‘on the road’
faithful. We outnumbered the locals 2 to 1. The place was getting noisy, the
telly was showing Italy vs Scotland rugby. All in the bar were ridiculing the Sweaties
who were getting a pounding from the Azzurri, bugger it, the lucky sods get a
last-minute penalty. A couple of hours boozing and it was time to move on to Stratford,
as we leave the pub two more Poppies supporters wander in, the Silver Fox and
his mate. Crikey, that’s 21, it brings back fond memories of when we used to
travel in large numbers all over the far-flung corners of this country.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Nothing better than seeing a horde of fellow Poppies faithful
in a distant pub on their way to a match.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Citra is still gorping at all the local wenches hoping to
catch a glimpse of Hollywood babe Anne Hathaway who has a pad around these
parts. Daft sod, no Citra she doesn’t wear PRATS, it’s PRADA, for goodness
sake.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Once more unto the Flirtybaboon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">A desolate place that brings forth famine and dearth for
the vermillion horde.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thrice we have cometh upon this barren place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Thrice we have departed without succour or solace.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">But we are a merry bunch, befuddled with mead, awash in ale,
we arrive with faith in our hearts and belief between our ears. This time we shall
smite this wretched foe upon the field of the Flirtybaboon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The sign greets us, THE FLIRTY BABOON ARENA, country
Bumsnots and Fartlingtons most welcome.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The match. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">It was cold, bloody perishing in fact. I saw one desperate
chap running across the terracing, he was leaning forward with his arms outstretched
before him, chasing a couple of meatballs. He was screaming at the top of his
voice, “bolingbrooks! bolingbrooks!”. Some chap a few yards in front of him was
getting ready to help him catch them. His foot was raised in readiness for a
stamp on the meatballs. “Nooooo! bolingbrooks!” echoed across the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Despite the weather, occasional snow flurries and gusting
wind, the match was very entertaining. Long hoofs up the field from Whitey would
often be on their way back to him before they touched down. You could see
players shivering, stammering as they uttered “f-f-f-f-f-f-ferk th-th-this”. The
lads played well, very well in fact. They handled the conditions in a dominant
and commanding manner. The curse of the Flirtybaboon was swept away with a
resounding and convincing 4-0 win. Well done lads.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Time for home, we made our way to the Royal Oak in Naseby.
Parker chirped up in a, ‘listen to me I know something’ manner. “Did you know
the River Avon rises as a spring just a few hundred yards away?” Citra nodded, “did
you know Avon is the ancient Saxon word for cosmetics and toiletries?”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The Royal Oak is owned by the Towcester Mill Brewery, so it
came as no surprise to see a couple of their ales amongst the 5 handpumps. Black
Fire, a 5.2% black IPA and Crooked Hooker, 3.8% amber session ale brewed for
the six nations. Also available was Deuchars IPA, Fullers London Pride and
Fuggles favourite Oakham Ales Bishops Farewell, 4.6% of citrusy loveliness.
Pharp and Parker went for Hooker, Citra and Fuggles went for Bishops. We hung around
here for a good hour, thrashing down the ales. Fuggles sampled the Black Fire
before returning back to bash another Bishop. It was 8:20pm when we got back to
gods chosen town. All in all, an excellent day out watching the Poppies, great
pubs, great ales, great company, excellent Poppies support again and a great
result. Sorted.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-12992342841201653012017-08-24T14:34:00.001+01:002017-08-24T14:34:58.002+01:00KINGS & QUEENS<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">After the
footballing hiatus, or was it a lacuna, never sure, maybe both, oh bugger it.
After the footballing gap, we are back, back from a summer of beer festivals,
loads of them, terrorist attacks, disasters and a prime minister shooting herself
in the foot. We’ve had a flurry of friendlies; the lads look promising. The big
fella got some sending off practice in, marvellous. We now have a few tenacious
terriers in the squad, able to constantly snap at the heels with a bit of class
thrown in for good measure, we could be in for a good season. PRATS have done most friendlies, only the
Coalville trip getting the elbow. We had a few decent pints as you might
imagine and went to a few new pubs to plonk on the list. The Priors Oven in Spalding
is an exceptional little micro-pub, all the ales served straight from the
barrel, with enough room for about a dozen drinkers. The return to Rushall saw
us pop into the Manor, one of the oldest pubs in the country, a pub with no bar.
So now here we are two weeks into the new season. The first day saw us
triumphant at Arbour Park, the new home of Slough Town, last season’s play-off
finalists. On that day Citra proclaimed he had put on his new lucky underpants,
two weeks later and winning our first three games Citra has still got them on.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9YK1HOXnyvHWVYvd0y50gaoNbbzSMK7L6Ly5KSef9uieVzQTUvpa4NdHB2rfEu2fLKGyTTGHPX3ammH64WacbbqPkgsbZuCRnQC42_sKpBKgCUE1OkTlIh-hXyV18WT8ARnpdiPWNmc/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="225" data-original-width="225" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo9YK1HOXnyvHWVYvd0y50gaoNbbzSMK7L6Ly5KSef9uieVzQTUvpa4NdHB2rfEu2fLKGyTTGHPX3ammH64WacbbqPkgsbZuCRnQC42_sKpBKgCUE1OkTlIh-hXyV18WT8ARnpdiPWNmc/s200/images.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
It is possible that the third fermentation is well and truly underway. A
mumuration of bluebottles dance a merry buzz within close proximity of Citra’s
crotch, although one or two have dropped out of formation and are gasping
desperately on their backs, legs akimbo, flailing skywards. Citra seems
unperturbed although the occasional yet vigorous scratch might suggest the
yeast is working well.<o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">So, today we
are off to Kings Langley. Hands up all those who know the connection between
Kings Langley and Kettering, well Geddington actually, hands up? Bloody hell,
surely Geddington narrows it down a bit. Well Queen Eleanor, built the palace
around these parts, she also used to have a shoe factory in Kettering and her
old man put a sorry excuse for a cross in Geddington. Cross, more like a spike,
but I suppose Eleanor’s Spike doesn’t a have the same ring to it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=WD4+8BS&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle&t=ft&p=1">Kings
Langley</a> is not a big place but has plenty of pubs. Last year we popped into
the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/MCH/473/saracens-head-kings-langley">Saracens
Head</a>, a nice boozer with 4 ales on pump, and If we recall quite
inexpensive, worth a visit, just 10 minutes-walk from the ground. Across the road from
the ground is a Toby Carvery, easy for the coach travellers to pop into. The
PRATS are probably going to Abbots Langley just a mile or so away, the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WAT/5/royal-oak-abbots-langley">Royal Oak </a>looks
very tempting with potentially a good range of ales, despite Bloody Doombar
being their regular. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">Kings Langley
are unbeaten so far this season, so we’re in for a tough game. Will Citra’s
pants be flying from the flagpole or will the fermentation continue further. On
the way home, well the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/BES/526/cuckoo-toddington">Cuckoo</a> in
Toddington is always a temptation, however, there is a beer festival at the <a href="http://www.thegreendragonhotel.com/events.html">Green Dragon</a> in Higham
Ferrers, not too far from Chez Pharp. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-45116717532641396232017-04-12T14:01:00.000+01:002017-04-12T14:17:30.864+01:00ONCE MORE UNTO THE BARDLANDS<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">This
weekend the PRATS travel just an hour away to Stratford Upon Avon, our
penultimate away game. We are without Pharp who is once again on holiday, this
time on the piste in Austria. Not much snow about apparently, which isn’t
surprising considering all the warm vapours drifting about. No! that is not an
Alpine horn, it’s Pharp. Hopefully, he has honed his technique of the local, silent
‘Tyrollean Trembler’ thus minimising the risk of avalanches. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"> It was Wednesday morning this week when news
reached the Bard’s province of this sceptered isle; Kettering Town FC had won
the Hillier Senior Cup. The shock waves rippled up the river, like it’s very
own Avon Bore, homes, shops, pubs and restaurants all shook violenty. In the
Sushi bar, Japanese tourist, Igota Ichinaka struggled to control the sea
cucumber wriggling between his chopsticks. He proclaimed “I feers rike hom I
dowtow Yokohama”. Australian Shakespearian drama student Nick Bottom, equally
aghast uttered forth “Struth, for this wretched earth duth shudder, likened
only to this demonic mob of tyrant mother roos, bounding forth upon Billabong
Boulevard in furthest Wollagong, cobber”. Igota asked Nick why such a caramatus
event should occur in Bill’s backyard, a place of serenity, peace and heavenly
tranquillity. Nick unleashed a reverberating Sir Toby Belch, before once more unto
his breach did he scratchethed, and replied. “Crikes, haven’t you heard, it’s
all over the news, Kettering Town won a cup”. Igota fell off his stool and
rubbed his head in wonderment, “broody herr, must be clap opposition”. Nick informed
Igota that it was in fact the puny sporran wielding Corby infidels whom the
‘Poppies’ had pummelled into the blood drenched earth of Sixfields. “Ah” Igota
bursting with excitement, “I know this Corby, rook at me trouwers, vewy ni crease
yeh”?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVzfO3KhtLdwSGzwgMC_1a2CRNsQfDAKMDVG6c8ZD9BUHKJDYzKx0yppevROOywr_XhdT7hF2QMr6BXS8m9e1wd0mjGyNFnmALX48Ng-fi5pUKDxewYUklNNECYsvb0VW5ASjMFD_dWI/s1600/IMG_1229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRVzfO3KhtLdwSGzwgMC_1a2CRNsQfDAKMDVG6c8ZD9BUHKJDYzKx0yppevROOywr_XhdT7hF2QMr6BXS8m9e1wd0mjGyNFnmALX48Ng-fi5pUKDxewYUklNNECYsvb0VW5ASjMFD_dWI/s320/IMG_1229.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So
where to sup a couple of ales, as usual the micropub <a href="http://thestratfordalehouse.com/ourbeers/">Stratford Alehouse </a> has to be a favourite, we’ve been here a few
times on our travels. However, maybe a jar before we get into town so perhaps
we could nip into Hampton Lucy and pop into <a href="http://www.theboarsheadhamptonlucy.com/real-ales-on-the-bar">The Boars
Head</a>, always serve a decent range of local brews. There are of course <a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=stratford+on+avon&t=t&p=1&lat=52.1928&lng=-1.71013&_token=gqrLvjCulkws5XpfPePTRojiuWd4TrD0P47cOnDJ&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle">loads
of pubs </a>in the area, so plenty to choose from. Close to the ground <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/SHA/169/crown-inn-tiddington">The Crown Inn</a>
at Tiddington is worth a visit, usually 4 ales on tap and is just a 10-minute
walk, no more than half a mile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">So,
onto the footy, we’ve been here twice and lost both times, once on the dreaded
penalty shoot-out. Add the pasting we received at home this season, then we owe
the ‘Town’ one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-59544409419467989402017-02-07T20:42:00.000+00:002017-02-07T20:42:28.344+00:00WILL THE CHIPS WILT<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We find ourselves returning to Chippenham on
the same weekend as last season, the weekend before Valentine’s day. Just like
last season we are without Pharp, once again he’s away for a romantic weekend
at Center Parcs, probably windsurfing. Pharp has asked the remaining PRATS to
pay homage to one of his ancestors, a Saxon nobleman who went by the name of
Ethelwynd the Unsavoury. Ethelwynd was famous for developing the scorched earth
policy, especially when he was running away from his arch enemy the Viking
eunuch Ivar the Boneless. Contrary to popular belief, Ivar’s helmet never had
the horns.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Ethelwynd the Unsavoury’s boss was King Alfred who
spent some time hanging around this part of Wessex, but he buggered off from
Chippenham around 878AD when the Vikings besieged the town. Ethelwynd followed
Alfred, most people preferred to have Ethelwynd behind them. A few months later
Alfred and Ethelwynd kicked seven shades of Valhalla out of Guthrum and the
Viking horde, forty miles down the road in the </span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Battle
of Ethandun. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">One
day when Alfred was doing a bit of baking; Ethelwynd came into the kitchen,
bent over to stoke the grate and the rest, as they say, is history. Why Alfred
took the blame remains a mystery. Ethelwynd the Unsavoury was a literary giant
in his time, credited with the epic manuscript the Anals of Anus Horrobilis.
Many tales from this renowned verse were used in the classic mediaeval folk songbook
the Backside of the Moon. Often performed by folk band Pink Haemorrhoid in the
boozer they used to hang around in, the Bunch of Grapes.</span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTblcyXkcYJcZx9IF8Rx9cePLSYWo27FcaRjJUqGgKfphqWyck1B_52kJ3G7lN48D6o4Y8wPJeRbDMd4A-RCIXzdIweDTDS6f2R_tu5-TU-gWc9fXMmAV3Esk1ZlZJCOIWpauLzxAo18/s1600/24736.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSTblcyXkcYJcZx9IF8Rx9cePLSYWo27FcaRjJUqGgKfphqWyck1B_52kJ3G7lN48D6o4Y8wPJeRbDMd4A-RCIXzdIweDTDS6f2R_tu5-TU-gWc9fXMmAV3Esk1ZlZJCOIWpauLzxAo18/s200/24736.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We won’t be going to the Grapes, instead we
will make our way to the <a href="http://www.threecrownschippenham.co.uk/beer-list"><span style="color: blue;">Three Crowns</span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><u>, </u>we came here last season and an excellent boozer it is
too, having </span></span><strong><span style="color: black; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-weight: normal; margin: 0px;">won the NW Wilts
CAMRA Pub of the Year 2016 & completed the double by winning the NW Wilts
CAMRA Cider Pub of the Year 2016. </span></strong><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;">The<u> </u><a href="http://www.threecrownschippenham.co.uk/beer-list"><span style="color: blue;">beer list</span></a><u> </u>looks
interesting, we could be in for a good couple of hours. There a<u> </u><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=SN14+6LR+&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle&t=ft&p=1"><span style="color: blue;">few
decent pubs</span></a><u> </u>in the town with the<u> </u><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WNW/12225/old-road-tavern-chippenham"><span style="color: blue;">Old Road
Tavern</span></a><u> </u>probably the best for ales and within reasonable walking distance from
the ground.</span></span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">We are in for a tough game this
season with Chippenham sitting on the top of the pile. They were doing quite well
this time last season but completely folded going from the top end of the
league to completely missing out on the play-offs. Will they do the same this
season? Our record against the top teams has not been good so far, hopefully we
can put that right.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4HxZy9a8LRczVpl-JXaYRgnXeidtj0igyFChH87mQb4G2uFZ5sLkb7ddAY-3TQ45mEdEA9o-wbXx-kv-zJ33QvSaTxYA4dFv1YD78SpMLCEAmfRcaDuyvutJYPMFlDwWOc1kR3tFVyg/s1600/About-Towcester-Mill-Breweryv4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="127" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw4HxZy9a8LRczVpl-JXaYRgnXeidtj0igyFChH87mQb4G2uFZ5sLkb7ddAY-3TQ45mEdEA9o-wbXx-kv-zJ33QvSaTxYA4dFv1YD78SpMLCEAmfRcaDuyvutJYPMFlDwWOc1kR3tFVyg/s200/About-Towcester-Mill-Breweryv4.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">On the way home, well we haven’t
stopped off at the<u> </u><a href="https://www.towcestermillbrewery.co.uk/"><span style="color: blue;">Towcester
Mill brewery tap</span></a><u> </u>since he first day of the season, maybe it’s time to pop
back in.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-47814818807003552822017-01-12T13:56:00.001+00:002017-01-12T14:02:23.324+00:00DOWN THE DUNSTABLE DEMONS<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This week we mosey on down the M1; to a place we have been
well and truly spanked in both of our previous visits, time to put the Dunstable
demons to bed. The PRATS are hopeful of a decent result, in recent weeks the
frequency of sphincter oscillation has been reduced, just the occasional twitch
these days. When you’ve got Pharp within 20 metres that is very good news
indeed. Recently Pharp has been pretty volatile, Christmas food being the main culprit,
pungent to say the least. Even Pharp’s has been struggling to deal with it, he
has been heard coughing and spluttering through his very own rendition of Toni
Braxton’s ‘Unbreak My Fart’. </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRNk2eEjmRqFbWO37k0ZjNxhB5yW_M53JCRIp2ZAo8pxDZIta13gWxQPqYiF6vXdeLP4WsG8OFXlRGFBLZZdpu1mypul-CePfqOTwPG-tTmhU60gp0aidKGDIgxAHFDSdKAIeAaI2qN8/s1600/Globe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpRNk2eEjmRqFbWO37k0ZjNxhB5yW_M53JCRIp2ZAo8pxDZIta13gWxQPqYiF6vXdeLP4WsG8OFXlRGFBLZZdpu1mypul-CePfqOTwPG-tTmhU60gp0aidKGDIgxAHFDSdKAIeAaI2qN8/s200/Globe.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One or two decent pubs in Dunstable, Banks and Taylor own
one, the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/BES/158/globe-dunstable"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Globe,</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> sporting
ten handpumps, including 5 of their own ales, plus a few ciders, sounds good
but the parking is atrocious so expect a bit of a stroll. On our last visit
here we popped into the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/BES/173/victoria-dunstable"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Victoria</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, a nice
pub with four ales. There is parking in front of the pub if you’re lucky but
you may have to go around the corner. A nice pub, with soul or Motown music
playing in the background. Sport on the TV if you want to catch the early game,
food looks good as well. Further down the road on the opposite side is the </span><a href="http://www.the-pheasant-inn-dunstable.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pheasant Inn</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8AHv79AjIVDvuakPpwfl-JBmyr5GUb8_K3Q1H8mCA0-JIjBM-U9bizyKNyDxCH4krgS2xMis_dNoQFBifaI7Jc3O75bEZweE9ZT3EvF87zDk-ZxCTHZXIUxkUHJHnQfa4z6otE5H3Vg/s1600/Pheasant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="71" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW8AHv79AjIVDvuakPpwfl-JBmyr5GUb8_K3Q1H8mCA0-JIjBM-U9bizyKNyDxCH4krgS2xMis_dNoQFBifaI7Jc3O75bEZweE9ZT3EvF87zDk-ZxCTHZXIUxkUHJHnQfa4z6otE5H3Vg/s320/Pheasant.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">six ales
including our favourite from Cornwall, but amongst the others will be some good
local brews. Once again sport on the telly and good food. Parking is around the
back, it’s in the 2017 Camra good beer guide. There are plenty </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=dunstable&lat=51.8833&lng=-0.516667&r=10&t=t&p=1&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">more
pubs</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> in the town centre worth a visit.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">After the game, it’s hard not to head off to Toddington and
return back to the Cuckoo, a lovely small two room pub with eight handpumps, 6
ales and 2 ciders. They also do a half decent pork pies, whilst not from Melton
Mowbray this Yorkshire cousin is OK. Another temptation is to get nearer to
home and pop into a new pub for the PRATS. In fact, a new pub for everybody, it
only opened at the end of October 2016. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2VuPEtvwD0q3IMjZmhfnJRqwkuqxn2w12yWZsOg__bWCLLS1tiz7WkSmZUpiShDwxEmBmkgEb1uRzvS5CanaYJmW_VhgxT2MmGOr58uERZ7MTHvfy2tPC7Y-OpU_5L76_NqeMZ4TJZI/s1600/thFTVG30SI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2VuPEtvwD0q3IMjZmhfnJRqwkuqxn2w12yWZsOg__bWCLLS1tiz7WkSmZUpiShDwxEmBmkgEb1uRzvS5CanaYJmW_VhgxT2MmGOr58uERZ7MTHvfy2tPC7Y-OpU_5L76_NqeMZ4TJZI/s200/thFTVG30SI.jpg" width="191" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/NTH/628/saxon-tavern-earls-barton"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Saxon Tavern </span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">in
the village of Earls Barton. Six ales to sample usually brewed locally, all
served straight from the barrel. Could be a good day out, especially if we can
put Dunstable down.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">You might recognise the Saxon, that's Pharp's ancestor Ethelwynd the Unsavoury</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-8950973384640998632017-01-04T22:07:00.000+00:002017-01-04T22:07:22.249+00:00BOOZE ON THE OUSE AGAIN<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s the annual day
after New Year’s Day fixture, and this year we are at relegation doomed
Cambridge City. The Lilywhites have been nomadic for a few seasons now,
currently plying their trade at the home of St Ives FC. The bright sun blasting
through the living room window was disguising the fact that it was bloody cold
outside, just 3 degrees centigrade. So on with the thermal vest, gonad hugging
long johns, thick shirt, woolly pullover and so on, you get the picture. It was
just after 11:00 when the PRATSmobile pulled up outside, 20 minutes later we
were picking Pharp up in Rushden. Just as Pharp was getting into the car,
another car pulled up, the lady driver wound the window down and asked “Have
you seen a little dog”? was this some sort of ‘Carry on Spying’ password? Pharp
replied “No I’ve just come out”. There was a little titter in the car, Citra
nervously moved away from Pharp on the back seat, the lady drove off. On our
short journey, Citra told us all about his weeping wound in his abdomen. Not to
be outdone, Pharp told us all about his exploding elbow, leaving a nasty stain
on his shirt sleeve. It sounded quite awful, Pharp thought that perhaps he
should write a book all about his experience, certain it would be turned into a
Hollywood animation blockbuster or a maybe a Christmas pantomime. We let him
down gently, suggesting that had it been his ankle and not his elbow, he might be
in with a chance, but ‘Puss in Sleeves’ doesn’t really cut the mustard. I will
never have mustard on my ham sandwich again. We took a slightly different route
to St Ives, as we approached the town, Pharp said ‘we’ve come in the opposite
end’ another titter in the car, Citra nervously moved further away from Pharp
on the back seat. After a few minutes driving around St Ives town centre up a
one way street to a dead end, we ended up almost outside our first pub the
Oliver Cromwell. Citra and Fuggles leapt out of the car like gazelles and sent
Parker and Pharp off to meander their way back through the town to the car
park. It wasn’t long before Citra was thrashing down his first pint of Oakham
Ales JHB, Fuggles had the same, although a bit pricey at £3.80 a pint it was in
good nick, quite bitter with lots of citrus 3.8% very pale ale. 10 minutes
later Pharp and Parker arrived, and Fuggles was soon on his 2</span><sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">nd</span></sup><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> of
the day. On special offer was Hopback’s Summer Lightning at £2.75, which for a
5% ale that’s not bad. Often regarded as the Summer ale trendsetter when it was
first brewed a few decades back. A straw-coloured ale with loads of hoppy aroma
and a refreshing long lasting bitterness, lovely. Pharp went for Great Yarmouth
brewery Lacons Legacy at 4.4% a delightful blonde ale, not at all what you
would expect Pharp to be drinking, loads of lemon and grapefruit aromas with
citrusy flavours once again in excellent condition. Parker settled for a
coffee. By now Poppies supporters were starting to pile in, the Keystone Hops
closely followed by the first wave of Weebles, Cardiac, Betweenthesticks and
the Petits, Chemise and Pantaloon. A few minutes later Marshall, Wort and
Filtch made the Poppies baker’s dozen, swelling the Cromwell’s coffers. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBVbS3LqfONVoO8-Yx413kCTN1Eyqa15MfaS7jb09QuBZucsPeGiN4vntqYVsfO3Ce3SaYqnTAqfRybkMXkwJDqlxGAv4Y9ayWjq4OcbShWfqOGVroOJJ-coOY8QAqYwqBy6ph90BRqU/s1600/Waxing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="170" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYBVbS3LqfONVoO8-Yx413kCTN1Eyqa15MfaS7jb09QuBZucsPeGiN4vntqYVsfO3Ce3SaYqnTAqfRybkMXkwJDqlxGAv4Y9ayWjq4OcbShWfqOGVroOJJ-coOY8QAqYwqBy6ph90BRqU/s200/Waxing.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The
Weebles were all of a quiver, they had spotted a Male Waxing Specialist
boutique in the town centre, the website address was the main culprit for all
their fluster. It would seem that Filtch and Cardiac are no longer hairy arsed
brutes. Wort was waxing lyrical about the whole experience. Pharp was getting
all of a dither and is planning a visit sometime this week, assuming they can
find a volunteer waxer. No dates set as yet but you’ll know when he is there,
large wax bubbles will be floating around outside. Pop the bubbles at your
peril. The bedding shop next door has a lovely range of bumfluff pillows. We had
another round of ales, Parker had another coffee, then it was time to move on.
We wandered along the river bank up into the town to the Royal Oak. Always a
favourite boozer with a decent choice of ales. Naturally Citra and Fuggles went
for Oakham Ales Inferno, 4.0% golden ale with a fruity dry finish, a good
thirst quencher. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZZZoPwAgZjhi__WRYnPXPtQsFcuXW6qYxyt3EIzl9FOczIjJM4te7zhNcx0FkrWe_f_0EcLJDxyLvyecMHKujONSYsc1z57Ui4YLDlY9QIS61lUJqIHZIq6RCdU3MHo64-mI1V21IPY/s1600/royal-oak-st-ives-sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZZZoPwAgZjhi__WRYnPXPtQsFcuXW6qYxyt3EIzl9FOczIjJM4te7zhNcx0FkrWe_f_0EcLJDxyLvyecMHKujONSYsc1z57Ui4YLDlY9QIS61lUJqIHZIq6RCdU3MHo64-mI1V21IPY/s200/royal-oak-st-ives-sign.jpg" width="138" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pharp went for Tydd Steam’s Arctic Fox Polar Beer, a 4.3%
Winter Ale, a bit paler that you would normally expect for a winter ale. It
looked in good condition, Pharp offered us all a taste and it was very
difficult to find any great taste, it was just about OK. We had just a couple
of pints in here with Citra and Fuggles staying with Inferno, Pharp sampled
Timothy Taylors Landlord, always popular and winner of many champion ale award.
Parker settled for another coffee, the bar lady needed to fetch some more
coffee beans stored in the rabbit hutch, time to move onto the ground.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We’ve had a decent
run of results here, 4 games with one draw and 3 wins, so hopes were high.
Cambridge City are wallowing in a relegation battle and should be easy fodder
for us.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Within 15 minutes we
were 2-0 down, yet to wake up, making dreadful defensive mistakes and as
penetrating as a eunuch. We managed to pulled one back before half time to
offer a glimmer of hope. The Poppies young faithful supporters always enjoy a
good day out at St Ives regardless of who we are playing. Standing and
generally hollering on the steps right in front of the clubhouse, needless to
say, they were all well-oiled with pint glass in hand. When we were 2-0 down
the young Poppies faithful could easily have turned on the manager and the
players, but they didn’t. They hollered louder, supported harder and encouraged
further, always convinced we would win 3-2. And so we did, when the third and
winning goal went in they went quite berserk, along with almost all other
Poppies supporters including the Poppies bench. Anyone would think we’d won the
FA cup and not just beaten a team destined for the drop. A memorable moment and
credit must go to the team for showing great character and determination in turning
a 2-0 deficit into a 3-2 victory. But credit must also go to the Poppies young
faithful for keeping the faith.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Time for home, and as
we did last November, it was off to the King of the Belgians in the village of
Hartford just outside Huntingdon. The Weebles had arrived earlier,
unfortunately Marshall, Filtch and Wort had got lost, they were half-way down
the A14 before they realised they’d gone passed the pub, it would be another 20
minutes before they arrived. Pharp kicked off with a pint of Caledonian Flying
Scotsman, 3.5% of chestnut nothingness. A powder puff of an ale for such a prestigiously
named and powerful railway engine, shame. Citra and Fuggles tried Woodforde’s
Once Bittern, 4.0% copper coloured/golden ale, a touch of citrus fruits with
some maltyness, quite pleasant, we had a couple of these, then that was it for
the day. A few decent ales and a sort of entertaining game. A good day out.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-1878714726394376722016-12-31T16:08:00.002+00:002016-12-31T16:08:52.019+00:00PRATS REVISITED<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;">PRATS
REVISITED</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">It’s
been a few weeks since the PRATS were last on the ale trail, St Ives was our
last outing and on that trip one of the guzzlers was in the first days of
spending almost 7 weeks, quite unwell, hospitalised. It didn’t seem appropriate
to do a write up without Citra. The good news is that Lemonhead is now home and
is almost back to his hogswilling best. Oakham ales have been through a torrid
time with sales plummeting, coinciding with Citra’s arid spell. Visiting Citra
during his period of tonsil dehydration in Northampton general, it looked as
though he had a secret supply hidden beside bed No12093. The plastic bag looked
to be containing a rather putrid Watney’s Red, it was flat, hazy, a slightly
fizzy head, warm, with a sort of yellow golden glow, we don’t have tasting
notes. In the early days, Citra had all sorts of tubes connected to him,
entering his carcass through far more orifices than he was born with. There was
a strange looking bag dangling from his nose. Apparently, it was a new green
looking product from Bird’s Eye, bile in the bag, lovely. Citra was back in the
pubs before Christmas, keep an eye out for the brewer’s stock market prices,
they’ll soar over the coming weeks.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK4QBf2YNiHxG_orBeekKZ7JkZth6bBa9rrfVDToF2bSp9iopXvvyQgJlsARxfbFRDIxOUFAvnGDSfz2-2eCd4kNsWHy8JBeRVeXpo0VjIoozrkdXMKLH6ryRDCFZorAGMiKya98l-SE/s1600/St+Ives.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK4QBf2YNiHxG_orBeekKZ7JkZth6bBa9rrfVDToF2bSp9iopXvvyQgJlsARxfbFRDIxOUFAvnGDSfz2-2eCd4kNsWHy8JBeRVeXpo0VjIoozrkdXMKLH6ryRDCFZorAGMiKya98l-SE/s200/St+Ives.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; margin: 0px;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">t
seems fitting somehow that we start back in St Ives, albeit playing against
Cambridge City. St Ives is a good place for a few ales with </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=St+Ives+%28Cambridgeshire%29&lat=52.3247&lng=-0.071088&r=10&t=t&p=1&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loads
of good pubs</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> within easy walking distance. We have to visit the usual
places, The </span><a href="http://www.theolivercromwell.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Oliver Cromwell</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
serving half a dozen ales. A stroll along the river and up into the town we
come across the </span><a href="http://www.nelsonsheadstives.pub/index"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nelson's Head</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.
A Greene King pub but it also has other ales available usually from Nene Valley
brewery. Just around the corner is the delightful </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/STN/172/royal-oak-st-ives"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Royal Oak</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
another half dozen ales with Oakham Ales always on tap. If you like your
Elgoods then along the Broadway towards the ground is </span><a href="http://www.floods-tavern.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Floods Tavern</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyHA6MdL94LSSaf-9NJhy3d8K4wu9Dmh7qLgVhBqa8SfxyPvITdlwrVgAD4ziP8CBxMyzcPGAh6Lu4aNyt7p4eaIUrfbexfuL_ibZiIwUPq43pQA2FMoAAOqXR6g01DwYEtavuoD5Oy0/s1600/Merchant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyHA6MdL94LSSaf-9NJhy3d8K4wu9Dmh7qLgVhBqa8SfxyPvITdlwrVgAD4ziP8CBxMyzcPGAh6Lu4aNyt7p4eaIUrfbexfuL_ibZiIwUPq43pQA2FMoAAOqXR6g01DwYEtavuoD5Oy0/s200/Merchant.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Perhaps the closest
pub to the ground is the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/STN/161/merchant-house-st-ives"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Merchant House</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">,
they give discount to CAMRA card carrying members. Worth a try, just a short
walk away from the ground leaving town is the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/STN/173/seven-wives-st-ives"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Seven Wives</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, also
known as the Husbands Nightmare, Summer Lightning is usually available as is the
ever popular Bloody Doombar. The clubhouse at St Ives always have a half decent
selection of bottled ales, a reasonably lucky ground for us, fingers crossed.</span> <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-87438681131191287952016-10-16T20:23:00.000+01:002016-10-16T20:46:33.478+01:00NOT SO SWEET FA<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It’s Saturday and is FA cup day, however, it
was full steam ahead in the Fuggles kitchen, Mrs Fuggles was making the
Christmas puddings, not for the coming Yule time but the one after. She always
makes them 15 months in advance, they taste better apparently, well that’s what
Delia says anyway. The whole process started on Thursday, Fuggles had to fetch
the alcohol that goes into the giant mixing bowl, this year we used Elgood’s
Scotch Ale, coming in at a whopping 9%, we are using this instead of the barley
wine. For the stout we are using Guinness Export with a strength of 7.5%. Now
Mrs Fuggles only uses 125ml of each which means Fuggles has to swig down what’s
leftover. Mrs Fuggles pours the bottle remnants into a pint glass and hands the
brown foaming concoction over to a reticent Fuggles. My god, it was like
drinking a pint of Covonia, it took a bit of getting down, but a man’s duty is
a man’s duty. Early Friday morning there was a bit of turbulence in the air,
the motion sensors were in over-drive and by mid-morning all hell let loose. It
was like the siege of Moscow, the 1812 overture, such was the emotion it
brought tears to Fuggles eyes, it’s fair to say the whole experience was a pain
in the arse.</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Parker arrived at around 11:00, the PRATS have
travelled to many delightful parts of the country, but for every Ying there is
a Yang, today we go to Solihull. Is it solly or sowly? we much prefer Charley.
Damn and blast our pre-match plans have been scuppered, we had planned to go
the micro-pub the Pup & Duckling in Solihull but they don’t open until
5:00pm on a Saturday, 5:00pm on a Saturday, are you sure? </span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><br />
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<span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocyRFZtZLXo98kMQPXP-1n5Uq72NjgY5aazvBBVsh0O6cZ5Lje0OpKuTxeUaSwtJejYidmrnNAOWd0SIv2RHGwBdTEHZWh4v3xPeylAAOvnFcOiAC82qWyvNCu_jy4QTB2LYDl0B9FC0/s1600/bhfront400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocyRFZtZLXo98kMQPXP-1n5Uq72NjgY5aazvBBVsh0O6cZ5Lje0OpKuTxeUaSwtJejYidmrnNAOWd0SIv2RHGwBdTEHZWh4v3xPeylAAOvnFcOiAC82qWyvNCu_jy4QTB2LYDl0B9FC0/s1600/bhfront400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiocyRFZtZLXo98kMQPXP-1n5Uq72NjgY5aazvBBVsh0O6cZ5Lje0OpKuTxeUaSwtJejYidmrnNAOWd0SIv2RHGwBdTEHZWh4v3xPeylAAOvnFcOiAC82qWyvNCu_jy4QTB2LYDl0B9FC0/s320/bhfront400.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
</span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Instead we went to
the </span><a href="http://thebullsheadbarston.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bulls Head Barston</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> a nice
village local which has been in the Good Beer Guide for 24 years and winner of
the Solihull CAMRA Pub of the year 2016, the 7th time it’s won the accolade. $
hand-pumps in the bar, Adnams Bitter and Purity Mad Goose are the regulars, the
guest ales were Hooky from Hook Norton and Bootleg Brewery’s Lawless. Fuggles
went for the Lawless, a pale ale with a hint of citrus. Traditional session ale
coming in at 3.8%, it didn’t have a lot to say for itself. A very slight aftertaste,
refreshing but that’s about it. It was in decent condition, nice and clear with
a good head. Pharp and Citra went for the Mad Goose, a delightful blonde ale
coming in at 4.2%. a very slight haze was the only thing we could find wrong
with it. A zesty ale, loads of Citrusy notes, right up Citra’s street. Parker
went for a very large mug of coffee. Within a few minutes the Inbred Village
Idiots Faction arrived, Vlad, Vladling and Broughton’s most inspirational
half-wit and model railway enthusiast Tailby OO entered the bar. For the next
thirty minutes we solved all the problems on the pitch, easy really. We had
another pint each, this time we all had Mad Goose, Parker had another very
large mug of coffee.</span></span></div>
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was time to move on, our target pub was the
Vaults in Knowle, only a couple of miles away. After a few minutes of driving
up and down Knowle High St we finally came upon our destination, but drat and
double drat is was closed, no lights on, doors shut and a for sale sign
adjacent to the building. Soddit, so we quickly scanned Whatpub on the Iphone and
came across the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/SOL/1759/acres-solihull"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Acres</span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">just a few miles away and near the ground</span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO47siZDZI-binXR_h_RxPjWdKsazwqzRaooEzo3Kdl7ibWqiYLLWHBFvCh6Vd8tR3hZlGHuA-yyKW-DvfFSC62sJ4n4rabBG9QpIFRA2Xsd2r__cAFUFd5K4RxY4IFaWzge7u0B0b-4/s1600/Acres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO47siZDZI-binXR_h_RxPjWdKsazwqzRaooEzo3Kdl7ibWqiYLLWHBFvCh6Vd8tR3hZlGHuA-yyKW-DvfFSC62sJ4n4rabBG9QpIFRA2Xsd2r__cAFUFd5K4RxY4IFaWzge7u0B0b-4/s1600/Acres.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfO47siZDZI-binXR_h_RxPjWdKsazwqzRaooEzo3Kdl7ibWqiYLLWHBFvCh6Vd8tR3hZlGHuA-yyKW-DvfFSC62sJ4n4rabBG9QpIFRA2Xsd2r__cAFUFd5K4RxY4IFaWzge7u0B0b-4/s320/Acres.jpg" width="320" /></span></a><br />
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="margin: 0px;"></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="color: black; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As we approached our new destination we received a text
from the Weebles saying they were in the Vaults, treble drat and quadruple
drat, it wasn’t shut. Several expletives later after driving through a 60’s
housing estate, we came across a pub, where on earth were we? We gingerly
walked into the bar, a large room which could easily double as a night club
with the lights on. Tall flowers in thin vases on every table, a few chaps
milling at the bar and there in the distance, leaning on the bar was a bloke in
a Poppies shirt, it was Gretton Poppy. According to Whatpub they have 4
hand-pumps with a good selection of ales. A quick scan up and down the bar,
then a second scan up and down the bar. Aaaaaarrrrrrggggghhhhhh, it suddenly
dawned on the PRATS, only one hand-pump had a pump clip, 5-tuple drat and
six-tuple drat. Bloody Doombar is the only ale available. The Poppies match against
a team 2 leagues higher is not the greatest challenge to be undertaken today.
We ordered the stuff, held our noses and sipped, It reminded Fuggles of the
dentists, although there was nothing to spit into. At least the pub and the
landlord were pleasant, a huge tray of hot spicy wings was placed on the bar
for all to enjoy. We didn’t indulge, we just sipped quietly with accompanying
grimaces. The stuff was duly consumed and we moved on to The Automated
Technology Group Stadium. Not a bad ground I suppose, although probably needs a
bit of work doing to it if the Moors intend to stay in the National Conference
for long.</span></span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> There was the merest hint of kerosene in the air, Brum
airport is just a few miles away, aeroplanes can be seen and heard jetting off
to exotic idyll’s, such as Barbados, Antiqua, Isle of Man. Citra asked if there
was rain in the air, Pharp pointed to the 747 passing nearby and suggested
someone had flushed the toilet, Citra hoped the macerator was functioning
correctly, splat! oh dear.</span></span></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The game, well the Poppies were clearly second
best, not on effort but purely on class. The Moors had more time on the ball,
rarely hurried and made very few errors. They will probably consider their day
as a professional job well done. We didn’t let ourselves down, we had our
moments and could have scored more than just a solitary goal. But that is the
cup run over for another season. Hopefully next time we come here it will be as
equals in a league game.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for home, we decided not to go to the Pup
and Duckling and chose instead to go to the Woodfarm Brewery tap, we arrived
just before 5:45pm. Hang on, what’s afoot, no ales whatsoever from Woodfarm or Kendrick’s
brewery. 7-tuple drat and 8-tuple drat, the brewers have moved out and gone to
the Pig ‘n’ Muck a few miles away in Claybrooke Magna. Still there were 4 ales
to choose from, 2 from Dowbridges, brewed just down the road in Catthorpe, one
from Milesone brewery of Newark and another from ‘we forgot’ the name of the
brewer but it was called Howler and Pharp went for this. A red ale coming in at
4.5%, it certainly looked rich and fruity, it was clear and a very tight head.
Fuggles and Citra went for Milestone’s Pekko, a delightfully refreshing pale
ale, just 3.9% easy drinking. Quite a good citrus aroma, slightly sweet with a
bitter finish, very nice. Parker had another cup of coffee, he’ll be awake all
night. Next up, Pharp and Citra stayed with what they had whilst Fuggles went
for Dowbridge’s Ratae’d, 4.3% a golden-pale ale, quite tasty with a hoppy aroma.
Served in good condition, very clear with a tight head. That was it for the
night, we were home around 8:00pm.</span> </span><br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-25601880736406470292016-10-13T13:54:00.003+01:002016-10-15T10:30:09.437+01:00POPPIES GO FOURTH<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">The PRATS are back on
the road in the FA cup, this time it’s the 4<sup>th</sup> Qualifying against
Conference side Solihull Moors. A newish club formed in 2007, an amalgam of
Moor Green and Solihull Borough. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">They thought about
calling themselves Moor Solihull, but were advised against it, who the hell
wanted anymore Solihull. The ground is called the ‘H’ stadium because it’s in
the middle of nowhere. Less than on hour away so we should see a decent turn
out from the Poppies faithful.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Last time we were
here in a competitive game was during our Conference North championship season,
it was on Boxing day 2007 and we sung ‘Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all
the way, oh what fun it is to see Kettering win away’, we won 3-1. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CYFNYFc9uSSxSjrVzwExSK2y-zdTzcMAO4RdEiBZo2Gk9tos_B7TB3gQ0izwuoCBoF_b1kRw_uhh49F-WHx3Yh6Cxp_7w_A50uZhfN8k11Xxxm_PKZ8zmteJd_X106K1m07dDQtVim8/s1600/White+Lion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6CYFNYFc9uSSxSjrVzwExSK2y-zdTzcMAO4RdEiBZo2Gk9tos_B7TB3gQ0izwuoCBoF_b1kRw_uhh49F-WHx3Yh6Cxp_7w_A50uZhfN8k11Xxxm_PKZ8zmteJd_X106K1m07dDQtVim8/s200/White+Lion.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
Fuggles
remembers this game well because his mate Sphericals ate for the world that
day. We called into <a href="http://www.thewhitelioninn.com/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">the
White Lion Inn</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> in Hampton in Arden, (I’m sure there a joke
there somewhere) Sphericals chomped down a huge plate full of faggots, mashed
potatoes and mushy peas, on arriving at the ground he thrashed down two
gigantic jumbo sausage hot dogs, by half-time he was munching on a couple of
Mars bars, only to eye up the burger van for further sustenance before the end
of the game. Now you know why he is called Sphericals.</span><br />
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNVcVH_iYv8-p-zDKFIr75ycUL8HNgKmEOSomZvZiBnPk-Al7wfRUESGS7vjT6rBDCMl_fIcTAA7VHkkSzDLl5GE4-Z88Vzmf46tUoS47Bvwf_3HjoByaDb6ReSwgdJHhiAEZP3P7-QM/s1600/Pup+and+Duckling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVNVcVH_iYv8-p-zDKFIr75ycUL8HNgKmEOSomZvZiBnPk-Al7wfRUESGS7vjT6rBDCMl_fIcTAA7VHkkSzDLl5GE4-Z88Vzmf46tUoS47Bvwf_3HjoByaDb6ReSwgdJHhiAEZP3P7-QM/s200/Pup+and+Duckling.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">Not many pubs near
the ground, the closest is </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/SOL/1759/acres-solihull"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">the Acres</span></span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">, it’s about a 10-minute walk away, they boast a decent
selection of ales so might be worth the trudge. However, there is a micro-pub
in Solihull </span></span><a href="http://micropubassociation.co.uk/micropubs/the-pup-and-duckling/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">the
Pup and Duckling</span></span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;"><u>, </u></span></span></span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;">for an up to date ale list you’ll need to refer to their </span></span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pup.and.duckling/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Facebook</span></span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> page. They have 6 ales plus 5 ciders so should be a good
pre-match sup. UPDATE, THE PUP & DUCKLING DOESN'T OPEN UNTIL 5:00pm. After the game, well we may pop into the White Lion mentioned
above or maybe pop into the </span></span><a href="http://www.greyhoundinn.org/"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Greyhound
Inn</span></span></a><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0px;"> just off Jct. 3 on the M6, they
serve local ales from Bryatts brewery which is just a mile away from the pub.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-74388924359509092662016-09-18T16:36:00.001+01:002016-09-19T11:50:07.582+01:00A LIMP PICK<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was around 10:30am
when the PRATSmobile pulled up outside Fuggles abode. It was a mild day but the
wind had the potential to cut through you; so jumpers and cardies were the
order of the day, Autumn is upon us. FA cup day and a shortish trip up the M6
to the Black Country to Rushall. We were within spitting distance of Walsall
when that old joke reared its ugly head. Here we go, a police car pulls the
driver over, the driver winds down the window. The officer asks the driver,
What’s your name? Goodall. Where have you come from? Walsall. Where are you
going to? Rushall. What sort of car is this? Vauxhall. What have you
got in the boot? nothing. Hopefully, that horrendous attempt at humour can be
put to bed for another couple of decades. We arrived outside our first watering
hole at around 11:45am, we were early the Black Country Arms didn’t open until
noon. There were, what looked like a couple of parking spaces, other cars were
parked here, but we weren’t sure if this was a proper parking area. We asked a
local chap about parking the PRATSmobile. Well, he scratched his head, then set
off on what can only be described as a high toned wailing recital. He pointed
up the hill and gestured around the corner, he turned around and pointed up
another hill and around another corner. We all said thanks, three of the PRATS looked
at each other and shrugged their collective shoulders. We hadn’t got a clue, fortunately
Citra used to live around these parts so he repeated it all again for our
benefit. Parker, Pharp and Fuggles looked at each other and shrugged their
collective shoulder, we still hadn’t got a bloody clue. So we took the car to
the ASDA car park. We hung around outside the pub looking like desperate vagrants
waiting for it to open. Then a couple of Walsall fans arrived, they started to
talk to us, we nodded. We managed to deduce that they were playing Bolton
Wanderers, and low and behold a few minutes later a group of Notlobians arrived,
they started to talk to us, we nodded, said “yes” occasionally, but
respectfully altering the inflection to give the appearance we knew what they
were talking about. Fuggles looked at Citra for guidance, he shrugged his
shoulders and said “dunask me”. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpg7ruqYsIoad7xV0Ld5gDl6fZ07PHMxjjf_nhrVWBaeAfTEN-AyoVA6GlOZDvk-cegD8AATZX0Vi1CKM6NDUkaZQRq35blbB81ml-6vYS_4WgW27oIJQD-QTKu4B8ewvlZkeTy_nBuA/s1600/BCA+ale+board.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzpg7ruqYsIoad7xV0Ld5gDl6fZ07PHMxjjf_nhrVWBaeAfTEN-AyoVA6GlOZDvk-cegD8AATZX0Vi1CKM6NDUkaZQRq35blbB81ml-6vYS_4WgW27oIJQD-QTKu4B8ewvlZkeTy_nBuA/s320/BCA+ale+board.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At Last the pub opened and the twenty thirsty throng
thrashed through the slightly ajar door, bowling over the diminutive apron
adorned maiden who was opening up. Fuggles slowly walked in after the rest,
giving the appearance of complete control, pretending not to be gagging for an
ale. In the bar, the barman asked who’s first, like clambering school kids the
thirsty throng all hollered “me sir, me sir”, waving their folding money in the
air trying to catch his attention, it looked like the stock exchange floor.
Here’s a question, have you ever heard a Brummie or Black Country accent spoken
in a deep tone? Why do they all sound as though they’re wearing a pair of underpants
three sizes too small. There is a person at the Poppies, who lives out by
Dudley way, we won’t reveal her identity as we might get sued. She is from god’s
chosen town and generally speaks with a ‘Ketrin’ accent but occasionally drifts
off into a Black Country lilt and every time she does her voice goes up a
couple of octaves. </span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At last we got ale,
Fuggles and Citra went for Black Country Ale (BCA) BFG, nothing to do with Roald
Dahl, BFG stands for Bradley’s Finest Golden, and before you ask, no we haven’t
a clue who Bradley is. As the name suggests it is a golden ale with a tight
white head clinging to the glass. It’s very clear and refreshing, quite citrusy
coming in at 4%, very nice. Pharp went for the BCA’s 4.2% mild, Pig On The Wall,
deep brown colour, when asked, Pharp described it as “like licking a field of
almost burnt stubble”, quite! I’ll leave you to work out what that means, but next
time you hear Jilly (hollyhocks) Goolden use it to describe the finest Chablis,
you’ll know where you heard it first. Parker went for the old classic M&B’s
BrewXI. Bloody hell we haven’t seen this for years, it used to be brewed in the
Cape Hill brewery which was situated just down the road, now I believe Brains
knock it out under contract to Milson Coors. It was a session ale in its day,
brewed for the men of the Midlands. 3.8% golden amber ale, it doesn’t say a lot
but it will satisfy many palates, it looked in good condition.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQWN7ROD_iAQXMCXrhJzmhqkvkCFxxtKGTtumt3QsFJPeNceYxlG8na5_K0J6YXfyM0FKJZ5tQHbhr1REMkK01fQ3WUZk405mgFHEp0LO75AakiVluGERnchO1A0msrhzrP-aNOPpm_s/s1600/Faggots.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfQWN7ROD_iAQXMCXrhJzmhqkvkCFxxtKGTtumt3QsFJPeNceYxlG8na5_K0J6YXfyM0FKJZ5tQHbhr1REMkK01fQ3WUZk405mgFHEp0LO75AakiVluGERnchO1A0msrhzrP-aNOPpm_s/s320/Faggots.jpeg" width="240" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Whilst supping
the first pint Citra and Pharp scanned the menu and duly ordered the faggots,
creamy mash and mushy peas, we rejoiced in the knowledge that this was a short
trip, very little time for fermentation. The snaffle arrived, all very symmetrical,
3 ice cream scoops of mash down one side of the square plate, 3 faggot swimming
in onion gravy down the opposite side with a green lava flow of mushy peas down
the middle, it certainly looked wholesome. More beer, Citra stayed on BFG,
Fuggles went for Whiter Shade of Pale brewed by Bad Company, close. Coming in
at 3.2% Fuggles was not going to get inebriated on this, it was OK with very
little taste, it was in decent enough condition. Pharp decided to try Bartrams
Black Forest Porter, as you would expect with a porter loads of chocolate, but
with the name you would also expect cherries and you wouldn’t be disappointed.
Dark and rich with a good tight head coming in a 4.5%, lovely. Time to move on,
we trudged back to the ASDA car park, passed a couple of boarded up buildings.
if it wasn’t for the droning accent coming from the shoppers you could easily
believe you were in Merthyr.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just a couple of
miles away to the ground, we parked up in the club’s car park. We decided to
walk to the pubs just down the road, no more than 200 yards away by the canal.
As we left the car park a coach arrived full of vagrants, ne’er do wells and
Eli, the supporters bus was here. As we approached the pub the first thirsty
Poppies lout raced passed us, it was Captain Kirk’s boy Dick. A couple of
seconds later a rather tall young lady followed in hot pursuit. She looked
desperate, Pharp shouted “are you chasing Dick”? she waved back, which was nice.
We were all surprised, we didn’t realise Carla only had a middle finger on her
right hand. We arrived in the Boathouse, to be followed by the miscreants who
appeared to get preferential service. They all got served before we could get
our order in. Just 2 ales to choose from but not too bad, Citra and Pharp went
for Marston’s New World Pale Ale, a very nice refreshing ale, using Australian
hops which will always bring out a zesty citrusy flavour, at 3.8% it has become
a very popular addition to the Marston range. Fuggles went for York brewery’s
Guzzler, a 3.6% blonde ale, very nice quite refreshing, easy drinking, a little
bit of grapefruit in the aftertaste. In good condition. Parker settled for a
coffee. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0X4EgieQeZSfebyEqBueA5-obYhAcgQ_-5UPtMTYyFwb4icqX81NR-jA0ddtgsa3uaJo0RMC-CaGcpNV4XWkGYScI4c10s2ZAPbZI5JoblPF31ox7uxl0D-HGnfKO0W2PFS39dTleAU/s1600/Manor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0X4EgieQeZSfebyEqBueA5-obYhAcgQ_-5UPtMTYyFwb4icqX81NR-jA0ddtgsa3uaJo0RMC-CaGcpNV4XWkGYScI4c10s2ZAPbZI5JoblPF31ox7uxl0D-HGnfKO0W2PFS39dTleAU/s320/Manor.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We only had the one pint, but whilst we were guzzling in the Boathouse,
Poppies radio, in the guise of Companion accompanied by Oswald were lubricating
their vocal cords just down the tow path in the Manor Arms. Said to be one of
the oldest pubs in the country, been around since 1105 and they’ve held a licence
since 1248. A unique bar, there isn’t one, just an open serving area. We asked
Companion for his opinion, “marvellous” is all he said. Sounds like we may have
gone to the wrong pub.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for some footy,
Dales Lane stadium is OK, portacabins painted white make up most of the
buildings, the clubhouse opens up into the ground. A long covered terrace down
one side with two stands, one on each side but as far away from the clubhouse
as you could be and still be in the ground. One of the stands had an ‘Evolution’
sign running along the top. The pitch has a very steep slope from side to side
and clearly affected the play, the Pics must be able to make home advantage
count with a slope like that. The game well, we worked hard and were 2 up by
half-time. The second half we were made to work even harder and eventually
scraped home 2-1. Our cup run goes on and we add two more goals to our FA cup
goals tally. </span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEByAe_iZ1TWVEljMXBDZmSZCgsIv3hnDiK7IV7oYsHEuXuHW8j6uK52_5UynwmjeEv1GPtFxS_hf-3vneoXrsPkEzYH0gKDhyphenhyphenFO0MiyDFFAcsqGZ-ywsLd8n3j6_qwBC4TufbQWsQ3Zk/s1600/Fountain.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEByAe_iZ1TWVEljMXBDZmSZCgsIv3hnDiK7IV7oYsHEuXuHW8j6uK52_5UynwmjeEv1GPtFxS_hf-3vneoXrsPkEzYH0gKDhyphenhyphenFO0MiyDFFAcsqGZ-ywsLd8n3j6_qwBC4TufbQWsQ3Zk/s320/Fountain.jpeg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for home, we
decided to go to the Fountain in Walsall, the Weebles went in here before the
game and described it as a bit of a Forest Gump. Unperturbed, we went anyhow, a
pleasant back street town pub owned by Backyard Brewery, and as such their ales
were available along with a few others. </span><span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fuggles
and Citra kicked off with Backyard Blonde, Pharp said he just to know one of
those. A nice fresh tasting ale, loads of citrus fizzing on the palate, in very
good condition. 4.1% and a decent price at £2.60. Pharp settled for Backyard’s
Hoard, 3.9%, another golden blonde ale but with more malty notes. Once again in
good condition. By now the pub was filling up, live music from 8:00, I think
the band were in the Snug with us, there was a group of people all wearing
bowler or cowboy hats and they were all wearing waistcoats. Just time for one
more ale, Fuggles went for just a half pint of Marinka IPA, a whopping 5%, very
nice, you could taste the strength with plenty of fruity bitterness. Citra had
another Blonde, that was it for the day. Time to go home, Pharp was now percolating
inside, the odd rumble was there, but we got home relatively unscathed.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With a win today we
won’t be going to Merthyr on the 30</span><sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">th</span></sup><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, which means a Tuesday night
in November, shame really, the PRATS may not make the trip this season, it’s
always a good day down in the valleys.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-7265307687106931602016-09-15T12:38:00.000+01:002016-09-15T12:38:57.042+01:00WHAT'S THE RUSH ALL ABOUT
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">It’s FA cup time
again, this week we are off to Rushall Olympic, in the West Midlands not far
from Walsall. Walsall that brings back memories of handbag Harrington ripping a
few new anal passages in the Walsall defence. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-qA4FtZFp-vod6DhJ5zAmB3koVAlyx1z8aNkk_2M4-yBjb0gAagx-0Vy9LyhS92_OrgurqmvuXen_Y6y7W0beF4kz2KLaJiTLqVUcag0dA6ok9-AYQQ849tBYle0B5_B_skv53pS0TI/s1600/BCA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-qA4FtZFp-vod6DhJ5zAmB3koVAlyx1z8aNkk_2M4-yBjb0gAagx-0Vy9LyhS92_OrgurqmvuXen_Y6y7W0beF4kz2KLaJiTLqVUcag0dA6ok9-AYQQ849tBYle0B5_B_skv53pS0TI/s1600/BCA2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh-qA4FtZFp-vod6DhJ5zAmB3koVAlyx1z8aNkk_2M4-yBjb0gAagx-0Vy9LyhS92_OrgurqmvuXen_Y6y7W0beF4kz2KLaJiTLqVUcag0dA6ok9-AYQQ849tBYle0B5_B_skv53pS0TI/s320/BCA2.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">We have a few decent boozers nearby,
but one we must aim for is the <a href="http://www.blackcountryarms.co.uk/beer_board.htm"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Black Country Arms</span></a> in
the centre of Saddlers country. Blessed with 16 hand pumps we are bound to find
something we like. No doubt they will have some of their own brewery’s ales
available, along with other local breweries, Backyard, Holdens, Kinver and Sarah
Hughes. They also do some decent snaffle here, but there is a great fear
amongst some of the PRATS, in the <a href="http://www.blackcountryarms.co.uk/bca%20menu.pdf"><span style="color: #0563c1;">menu</span></a> on the list of
Black Country Specialities is Black Country faggots in rich onion gravy with
creamy mash & mushy or garden peas. Do not let Pharp see that, I’m not too
sure about the grey peas & bacon with a warm crusty baguette either, both potential
master blaster fuel.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">No Poppies away FA
cup day would be complete without the Poppies horde thronging into the local
boozer nearest to the ground or the clubhouse, you can’t beat a good throng.
Throng, not to be confused with the apparel Citra and Pharp wear when they are
gracing the beaches of Skeggy or Frinton on Sea. A throng is a ‘thong that is
wrong’ and in Citra and Pharp’s case it is wrong, very wrong. It puts a whole
new meaning to the term beach bum. If Pharp let’s rip whilst wearing his gonad
hugging silk hankie with the bootlace chaffing deep into a place when no man has
gone before or indeed would want to. The pitch is so high that it is inaudible
to humans but all the dogs are whining and howling away in what sounds like
strangled agony. On the odd occasion when Pharp has been for a dip, you don’t
get the high pitch, it’s more like a Duane Eddy thwang.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn-gs1Mc-B9ldVjq4j7BY18e5GP2ZMTkX5v__SQ2enLhUzlD_OhsRmPgvcyRKL8sGclxNe5A_qx_LZvy-NBPuAn8I6tLcQTNIvFnfcy281BcF7_DybC10oaa3HHxb8Z6mUgIUs5WIOqs/s1600/Rushall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn-gs1Mc-B9ldVjq4j7BY18e5GP2ZMTkX5v__SQ2enLhUzlD_OhsRmPgvcyRKL8sGclxNe5A_qx_LZvy-NBPuAn8I6tLcQTNIvFnfcy281BcF7_DybC10oaa3HHxb8Z6mUgIUs5WIOqs/s1600/Rushall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzn-gs1Mc-B9ldVjq4j7BY18e5GP2ZMTkX5v__SQ2enLhUzlD_OhsRmPgvcyRKL8sGclxNe5A_qx_LZvy-NBPuAn8I6tLcQTNIvFnfcy281BcF7_DybC10oaa3HHxb8Z6mUgIUs5WIOqs/s320/Rushall.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
</span><div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;"> Anyway, back to the
Poppies throng, there are a couple of boozers near the ground, both within easy
walking distance, firstly the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WAL/2087/manor-arms-rushall"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Manor Arms</span></a>
which has 6 ales available, Banks’s ales and any of the plethora of ales that
come out of the Marston’s portfolio, Hobgoblin, Ringwood, Wychwood, Jennings
etc. could be available. Just along the canal-side is the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/WAL/4122/boathouse-rushall"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Boathouse</span></a>, a
couple of ales here, it looks more like a family pub. There is a clubhouse, not
sure if they have any ale available.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 11px;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; margin: 0px;">Where will we go on
the way home?</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-68087337023439906232016-09-04T18:24:00.000+01:002016-09-04T18:24:27.090+01:00COCK INN LEEKY
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Here we go again, it’s FA cup
day, hopefully the first of many. What a difference 5 days can make, on Monday
we were bathed in bright warm sunshine, today it’s persisting down, damp and
not at all warm. We are going up north to Leek, and today we are without our
usual chauffeur Parker, he is otherwise engaged. Today we are being conveyed to
our destination in the retro rocket propelled Pharpmobile, the only vehicle in
the country that has both internal and external combustion engines. The driver’s
seat has a special chamber beneath it which is directly connected to the fuel
tank. It was just before 11:00pm when we drifted out of town, travelling
through a constant shroud of grey mist and car spray, not a pleasant journey.
As we left the A14 and joined the M6, Pharp turned on his satnav and asked
which way are we going. Citra pointed to the horse bolting up the M1. Pharp the
Navigator is renowned for knowing every short cut in the country which just
happen to be a bit longer than first expected. It’s no coincidence that Pharp’s
favourite band Supertrump were playing on the radio ‘Take the long way home’, don’t
worry we will. After a couple of hours of virtually continuous downpours, the
fear of the game being called off descended upon us. We are now so conditioned
that any amount of rain, let alone the deluge we were driving through brings out
this fear. But as we enter outskirts of Leek, there is a cessation in the persistence.
Not exactly clear skies but just enough to bring forth some hope. It wasn’t
long before we were parked up in the town centre, we were on the roof of
Wilkos. Walking down to the street level we went down the steepest pedestrian
slope possible, Eddie the Eagle went flying passed us on a practice run.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__VCCO7kyvi6xIksOIc1kF__gnTqviZ9abbePDkdAk6W7A7rTlFfT8xbaj2ZAi57I9WkxN7kDFmqkgXNXSZw4C1XerMyzXRf52SOtmqo4j7j13QMy8A-Lm0HajA0QL2zz4xTuieGQkQU/s1600/Cock+inn+bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi__VCCO7kyvi6xIksOIc1kF__gnTqviZ9abbePDkdAk6W7A7rTlFfT8xbaj2ZAi57I9WkxN7kDFmqkgXNXSZw4C1XerMyzXRf52SOtmqo4j7j13QMy8A-Lm0HajA0QL2zz4xTuieGQkQU/s320/Cock+inn+bar.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Leek is blessed with an
inordinate number of pubs, with only a couple of hundred yards to walk to get
to the first one. Through an alley from the car park and we were on the main
street and there before us was two pubs, the Cock Inn on the left and directly
across the road was the Roebuck. First port of call was the Cock Inn a Joules
pub. A nice typical town centre, quite smart with a long restaurant area towards
the rear. Cumfy leather chairs and wooden stools around the tables, all very
nice. 5 hand-pumps graced the wooden panelled bar, 2 guest ales, Draught Bass
and Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild, plus 3 ales from Joules Brewery, Pale Ale,
Slumbering Monk and a new seasonal ale No1 Stone Ale. Joules are now based in
Market Drayton but they were originally in Stone, so this ale is brewed to celebrate
their heritage. Pharp went for this, beautifully clear with a good head, this
is brewed with 2 New Zealand hops so will be quite bitter. Fuggles and Citra
went for an old favourite Joules Pale Ale, it had a slight haze but tasted fine
with a good head, an easy drinking ale coming in at 4.1%. In the bar snaffling
down the extremely good value for money food was Petit Chemise on his way home
from a camping break in Wales. In tow was Chemise’s better half Petit Pantalon,
wearing a replica Poppies shirt, marvellous, clearly well trained. Pantalon was
duly introduced to the PRATS, it was clearly perceptible that when it came to
Pharp’s turn, a grimace slowly spread across her face, you could see her step
backwards. Pharp’s infamy preceded him, was he walking backwards? There were a
couple of Scottish chaps sitting in the corner chatting away in their broad
accents. It was difficult to understand what they were talking about, it was
either football or duck walking, something to do with the Waddled Cup. Time to
walk across the road to the Tudor looking Roebuck. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSULSgv3NfXqnW9nCyOhLGWUT3vIH9rjqLV3RZtl0Az9YhWN9eOqhrgR40J0vVBgQr6_a4pf_qHyo1THTbd1j9byxXFFxiuDYIq7O2uTKhJLX5s21s7cMgTCUEpNotKeqsMGDXUpRSqcQ/s1600/Roebuck+bar+list.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSULSgv3NfXqnW9nCyOhLGWUT3vIH9rjqLV3RZtl0Az9YhWN9eOqhrgR40J0vVBgQr6_a4pf_qHyo1THTbd1j9byxXFFxiuDYIq7O2uTKhJLX5s21s7cMgTCUEpNotKeqsMGDXUpRSqcQ/s320/Roebuck+bar+list.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
This pub is owned by Titanic
Brewery and just to prove the point the bar was adorned with 10 hand-pumps with
8 of their own ales available, plus a couple of their craft beers. Another nice
pub with food forming a large part of their business. With so many ales to
choose from it difficult to know where to start so Pharp went for Steerage, a
3.8% easy drinking golden session ale. Quite refreshing with a good balance of
malt and hops. Citra and Fuggles settled for Iceberg, a pale zesty ale coming
in at 4.1%, very much up Citra’s street. Both ales were in excellent condition
perfectly clear with good tight heads. Only time for one ale as time was moving
fast. On our way back to the car park we spotted the Leeky Tap tucked away in the
corner, bah humbug! not enough time we had to get to the ground.<br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Harrison park is a very nice
ground, the pitch looked perfectly flat and green, apparently it’s had £100K
spent on it. Nice high stand, the game always looks better when looking down
onto the pitch, there’s covered terracing on three sides. All around are
adverts for EsterChem just to annoy the chemical works across the road, they
make Formates, Acetates, Agitates and Irritates.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">The game, well it was just
what you hope for in a cup tie. End to end stuff, the Poppies were moving the
ball around well but Leek also had their moments, it was one each at half-time.
The second half was just as intense, at two each the Poppies missed a penalty
to win the game in extra-time. But no cup tie is without drama, step up the
penalty villain to blast home a Poppies winner in the 93rd minute. General
jubilation amongst the Poppies supporters, the Leek supporters decided to give
the ref a bit of stick. Marvellous!</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJnwbrVThcLFWCv0RlwtXe5CNiI8Xh2oBqhTldkwZFF4SQXeA-u576BmOyUlhADSghZJ6DhW0_Q6DtUSE_it4KmriLLYeirFCOy0AAqAROm-GTJ8fnTyJYDV2J3_iVkPoXvww2f6B5GY/s1600/The+Artisan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJnwbrVThcLFWCv0RlwtXe5CNiI8Xh2oBqhTldkwZFF4SQXeA-u576BmOyUlhADSghZJ6DhW0_Q6DtUSE_it4KmriLLYeirFCOy0AAqAROm-GTJ8fnTyJYDV2J3_iVkPoXvww2f6B5GY/s320/The+Artisan.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">Time for home, we decided to
go for pot luck and made our way to Ashbourne. So with the trusty I-phone looking
for pubs on the Whatpub app we plumped for a new pub the Artisan. We eventually
managed to get parked up in the town square which is surrounded by pubs, tea
rooms and chip shops. It was just a short walk to the Artisan, this pub only
opened in June this year and is housed in a former hairdressing salon. Quite an
old building, the bar area was quite small no more than half a dozen tables. All
the furniture looked as if it had been knocked up from recycled wooden planks
with some wrought iron legs thrown in for good effect. There were 4 hand-pump
on the even smaller bar area. The cat in the back yard had bandages all around
it’s head, someone obviously trying to prove a point. The bar staff we wearing
radio-active blue polo shirts with hair colour to match. On offer was St
Austell brewery’s Cornish ale, Dark Star’s Dark Star ale, Bristol Beer factory’s
Milk Stout and Hanlons Yellow Hammer. Pharp went for the Milk Stout, as you
would expect in a stout, chocolatey sweetness and coffee bitterness coming in
at 4.5%. Very clear, rich and dark brown with a very tight head, it looked delicious.
Fuggles and Citra enjoyed the delightful Hanlons Yellow Hammer, a lovely 4.2%
golden ale packed with zesty bitterness. In the bar was a small group that were
dining on what looked like a delightful platter of crusty bread, a selection of
cheeses and some home-made scotch eggs, with a few olives and pickles thrown in
for good measure. Mmmm, it looked most convivial, should we have one? Maybe
next time we’re up this way. With no seats available down stairs we climbed the
rickety stairs to the lounge, another small room with some more home-made tables
and benches on a very uneven floor, clearly a very old building. In the corner
was a group of young chaps and chappesses, talking and laughing very loudly and
having a jolly good hoot, back to university in a few weeks I suspect, OK yah?
All in all, a very nice pub, well worth another visit one day.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-bidi-font-size: 11.0pt;">That was it, we’d had enough
for one day, time for home. An excellent day out, a good game of footy and some
decent pubs, what else could we ask for. We have started on the FA cup road today,
where will it take us this season.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-90575493941694850842016-09-01T20:28:00.001+01:002016-09-01T20:28:34.556+01:00GOING FOR A LEEK OR THREE
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It’s FA cup time again, so far
this season goals have been hard to come by, will the Poppies add to their
record breaking goal tally? This season we start our hopefully long campaign in
Staffordshire taking on former Conference side Leek Town, although they were
only in it for two seasons 97-98/98-99. We won 3 and drew one, hopefully we can
keep that trend going.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=leek&lat=53.1058&lng=-2.02422&r=10&t=t&p=1&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leek
town centre</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> has a loads of decent pubs, just like last season at Market
Drayton we will get the opportunity to sample some Joules ales in the </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Martin/Documents/PRATS/2016-17/Leek/Cock%20Inn"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cock Inn</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMM_AvOxDN8yFK7aVPrgrrWxTzRNBZvh2ihLbowe22fOYJWheLSsfbckoRz8wQVMwaYvAAMWZJRHEHFF4hfw7gnmQsUoZl3a7IU9WHKSJe19lpWOXDIqgJQ5coeSkE0IwpGamBOtwAF8/s1600/Cock+inn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmMM_AvOxDN8yFK7aVPrgrrWxTzRNBZvh2ihLbowe22fOYJWheLSsfbckoRz8wQVMwaYvAAMWZJRHEHFF4hfw7gnmQsUoZl3a7IU9WHKSJe19lpWOXDIqgJQ5coeSkE0IwpGamBOtwAF8/s200/Cock+inn.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">just
along the road about 20 yards away is the Titanic brewery owned </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/POT/1465/roebuck-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Roebuck</span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, </span></u><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">loads of ales here. A pub crawl is on the cards
with far too many good pubs to go in them all, maybe we could try the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/STM/18/cobblers-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cobblers</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, 6 ales
available here. Leek have a micro-pub the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/STM/19/leeky-tap-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leeky Tap</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, it only
opened a few weeks back with 5 ales available all served on gravity. If you
fancy a taste of Belgium then the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/POT/2727/den-engel-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Den Engel</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxjL7o1NvI87WZXtnGMMR9blNGWOyuK3uc3_m0uBEpJn5K7yxLVZnKJayMayfSRyVrkDC1qpjpL4ea4C09z5Ux8sqVStEF1WF2PUVMLBK_CAzxNsR2vMm98jn5sQ1E2ZF2c4GlGTDhug/s1600/Leeky+Tap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNxjL7o1NvI87WZXtnGMMR9blNGWOyuK3uc3_m0uBEpJn5K7yxLVZnKJayMayfSRyVrkDC1qpjpL4ea4C09z5Ux8sqVStEF1WF2PUVMLBK_CAzxNsR2vMm98jn5sQ1E2ZF2c4GlGTDhug/s200/Leeky+Tap.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Leeky Tap Micro-pub</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">might be
the place for you. Owned by Titanic Brewery you will get a couple of good old
English ales, but they also have over 100 bottled beers and 10 foreign ales on
tap for you to choose from. There’s more, no town centre with this many pubs
could get away without having a </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/POT/1464/red-lion-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Red Lion</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">, owned by
Hydes Brewery. Then we could try some ales from the Whim Brewery so it’s off to
</span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/POT/2728/wilkes-head-leek"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wilkes Head</span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.
All these pubs are within a 6-minute walk and we’ve walked past a few. How many
the PRATS will frequent is difficult to know, maybe half a pint in each. Maybe
some before and some after the game. The good news is that the footy ground is
only a 15 minute walk from the town centre, the bad news is the weather forecast.
The rains of Ranchipur have followed us up the M6 from Latimer Park, bring your
Pacamac you’ll need it.</span> <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-41301716482422797532016-08-30T13:27:00.000+01:002016-08-30T13:47:39.370+01:00WALKED THE WALKS<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A lovely August bank holiday Monday, the weather was set
fair, a pleasantly warm afternoon was in store. It was just after 11:00am when
Parker arrived, already on board was Citra and Poppy Parker, the chauffeur’s
young’un. Poppy doesn’t say much, unless she becomes peckish, then you have a
job to satisfy her avaricious appetite. Unfed, Poppy can deliver a low oscillating
whine accompanied by the glare from hell, turning most unsuspecting souls to
quivering wrecks, fortunately Parker can return a similar glare.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We collected Pharp and made our way via the flatlands to Nelson’s
County. It would seem the butchers from this part of the country produce rather
competitive snorkers. As we approached King’s Lynn we were greeted by a considerably
long slow queue of traffic making their way to the Adrian Flux Stadium to watch
Big Banger racing. That old racing sage Lincs Links passed Curly Cumberland on
the line, Curly was ok on the bends but struggled on the straight. </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriDm6-4YkMq-Lseb6at0IhslsotaNlHnOCOSmQdesw3HZHa9QZg4dHRFEG7YfZFC1Xy2Aw_tofxU3f3xhXGj_4YtVWdsd9xOfm_9F1n52cWq5Dghna-WAOdp1-JPbxQrF8Qj7oF03Plg/s1600/Live+and+Let+Live.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhriDm6-4YkMq-Lseb6at0IhslsotaNlHnOCOSmQdesw3HZHa9QZg4dHRFEG7YfZFC1Xy2Aw_tofxU3f3xhXGj_4YtVWdsd9xOfm_9F1n52cWq5Dghna-WAOdp1-JPbxQrF8Qj7oF03Plg/s320/Live+and+Let+Live.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We arrived
at the </span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/KLN/566/live-let-live-kings-lynn"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Live
and Let Live</span></a></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> around 1:15pm, the Weebles had already settled in,
Marshall, Petit Chemise, Cardiac and Wort had made the trip. This is a decent
back street pub, a couple of rooms, we were in the Snug. The landlady was beavering
away just as she was on Boxing day last season. This is a pub for the locals, I
suspect most of the regulars live quite close by. We ordered some ales, 5 ales
and 2 ciders were available. Citra and Fuggles went for Wolf Brewery’s Edith
Cavell, a 3.7% pale ale, quite thirst quenching, we couldn’t quite put our
finger on the taste, vanilla was one suggestion, in the end we decided that as
the ale was named after a famous nurse the taste was medicinal like. It was
nice and clear with a very tight head which clung on to the glass right down to
the bottom. Pharp went for Wolf Brewery’s Sheep in Wolf’s Clothing, a 3.7%
mild. Not as much malt aroma as expected but with a slightly hoppy finish. A rich
brown colour, perfectly clear and once again a very tight head. Parker had a
pint of Oldershaw Brewery’s Newton’s Drop. A very nice 4.1% chestnut ale, loads
of caramel flavours with a decent bitterness at the end. As expected the head
was very tight and the ale was delightfully crystal clear. They certainly know
how to look after their ales here.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Blasting out from the pubs jukebox was an antipodean
entertainer of ill repute, he wears thick rimmed glasses, has a beard and likes
blowing his didgeridoo, recognise him yet? It was an odd tune about '</span></span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;">the
fascinating witches who put the scintillating stiches in the britches of the
boys who put the powder on the noses on the faces of the ladies of the harem of
the court of King Catactacus, who just happened to be passing by'</span><b><span style="color: black;">.</span></b></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></i><span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Or words to that effect. I haven’t got he foggiest idea
what that means or who on earth put it on the juke box, let alone put money in
to listen to it. Live and let Live I suppose.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Poppies supporters bus
had arrived and just before 2:00pm a load crammed into the pub, mostly into the
very snug Snug bar. Business must have been appreciated because within 20
minutes a bowl of piping hot sausage rolls appeared on the bar</span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">. Unbeknown
to the very industrious landlady; standing at the bar was Kettering’s snappiest
dresser, the swarthy, bottle bottom bespectacled, Eli. Eli’s attire put’s an
entirely different interpretation to ‘the fifty shades of grey’. It doesn’t
matter what colour shirt he is wearing; it will look grey. Eli is also a human food
hoover. If there is any food about, whether freshly produced or leftover from
some event, no matter what it is, Eli will snaffled it down. We had another
round of ales, mostly the same as before although Fuggles went for the Newton’s
Drop, this was followed up by a half pint of Grainstore Brewery’s 1050, this is
regarded by some ale aficionados as tasting just like the famous original
Ruddles County. Marshal has other ‘quite loud’ opinions. Nevertheless it is a
delightful mahogany coloured ale a whopping 5.0%. There were a few locals in
the bar now, there was one curious moment when one of the locals arrived on his
bike. So as to deter the would be bike tea leaf he chained it against
conveniently positioned drain pipe, he then hung his shopping onto the handle
bars and walked into the pub, doh!</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was it, time to stroll down to the Walks home of King’s
Lynn Town FC, they didn’t use the Town in their name until an acute shortage of
spondulicks forced out of business back in 2009. They have bounced back well
since they reformed in 2010, the stadium is probably one of the best in this
league, always a pleasure to attend. One of their sponsors in Woodforde
Brewery, with Wherry available in the clubhouse, nice. They also have a
supporter who shouts considerably loud. He stands behind the goal unleashing a
long bellow, literally bending over backwards in an effort to launch his voice
to the other end of the ground. He doesn’t seem to care who is standing around
him, he carries on unperturbed whether it be home or away supporters. Well
actually not many home supporters stand that close, they know what’s coming. The
game, well the Linnets had the best of the first half going in at half-time one
up as a result of a super volley. On many other occasions the ball may well
have ended up somewhere near Snettisham, this time it almost took the back of
the net out. The second half was a different story, a few substitutions and a
very influential former Poppy going off injured swung the flow of the game our
way. It was clear during the final half hour the game was only going to go one
way, the Poppies ended up winning 2-1. Apparently the Linnets haven’t triumphed
over the Poppies since 1971, marvellous. Time for home</span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EOkaPA2QKo2k0L09WZRpRrzDdEWh9Y4LUgYySEfBPa0qWl8akdtZ-y4Nxr_M4bgRKyrMO3zv8jXXp-nA2vmMVrYvLcgB4pTDmbL8zQzzJyt-3Oxzf3IXJ_BnEnGd0tF_ascggUsnSxw/s1600/Montagu2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3EOkaPA2QKo2k0L09WZRpRrzDdEWh9Y4LUgYySEfBPa0qWl8akdtZ-y4Nxr_M4bgRKyrMO3zv8jXXp-nA2vmMVrYvLcgB4pTDmbL8zQzzJyt-3Oxzf3IXJ_BnEnGd0tF_ascggUsnSxw/s320/Montagu2.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was around 6:10pm when we arrived in the delightful
typically English country village of Barnwell, former home of the Duke and
Duchess of Gloucester, although they still own the Manor they’ve now buggered
off to Kensington Palace. The Montagu Arms, the Montagu’s were a bit chummy
with Henry the Eighth. A nice pub, flagstone floors, sandstone walls and low
ceilings, considering the association with Henry I’m surprised there wasn’t a ‘Mind
Your Head’ sign. They had 4 ales on hand-pump. Adnams Southwold bitter which
Parker went for, a typical English session ale coming in at 3.7%. Brewed using
Fuggles hops and East Anglian Pale Ale malt barley, quite pleasant but the ale
lost its head very quickly. Citra and Fuggles went for 4T’s Pale Ale, 3.7% of
very little to be honest, not much flavour at all, quite disappointing, it was
also quite flat, the head melted away within minutes. It was clear, if you were
gagging you would be grateful, but not today. Pharp got up and made his way to
the latrines, whilst we were quietly sitting in the Montagu it became quite evident
that Pharp had not unleashed the insidious vapours from the bowels of
Armageddon. They’re called the bowels of Armageddon because that’s what people
holler when they see Pharp approaching. You can clearly hear “Armageddon” but
then all you see is a plume of dust spiralling away in the distance, we never
get to hear the “out of here” bit. So why was Pharp dormant, the conclusion we
came to was that Poppy Parker’s presence had either nullified the gas
production or Pharp was working overtime clenching his buttocks, either way
none of us wanted to be around when he released the tension on his left
buttock. Most of us regretted not going to the latrines before Pharp, fortunately,
Citra managed to sneak in just before him. Why was Pharp walking with his shoes
pointing in opposite directions, was this clear evidence of the clenched
buttock affect?</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteoAVpu5t9u-7ATziBB-hfZ0ZXFNqpEUoHSfh0VH_-7Yl5KHAeZtcv6Vt_MCcMkmUc4GvChFkpy5Yox5hA3vQ4SmMoEgq1WU3NpLlIT2BO6wo58OvZjkEchRuoppLc2z6vJ3FNeNkZ0E/s1600/Ale+board+Montagu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiteoAVpu5t9u-7ATziBB-hfZ0ZXFNqpEUoHSfh0VH_-7Yl5KHAeZtcv6Vt_MCcMkmUc4GvChFkpy5Yox5hA3vQ4SmMoEgq1WU3NpLlIT2BO6wo58OvZjkEchRuoppLc2z6vJ3FNeNkZ0E/s320/Ale+board+Montagu.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Citra and Fuggles had one more pint and went for the
locally brewed, not even a mile away, Digfields Ales Fool’s Nook. A quite tasty
pale ale coming in at 3.8%. refreshing with a citrusy finish but once again the
head disappeared straight away. A shame really, a very nice pub with a great
location on the village green, adjacent to an old stone bridge crossing a babbling
brook, but the ales fell short of perfection, which was in complete contrast to
the Live and Let Live. What is concerning is that this pub clearly like to
serve a good selection of decent ales as the ‘ALES COMING SOON’ board suggested. </span></span><span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Fuggles may have to bring Lady Fuggles out for a visit just to check and hope
this was a one off. The Wednesday £10 steak night looks good.</span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">That was it, a good day out, we won a game, had some ales
all bathed in warm sunshine. Next up we go to Leek up in Staffordshire for our
first and hopefully not our last encounter in the FA cup this season. There are
quite a few excellent pubs in Leek town centre all part of the Locale scheme,
Titanic, Joules and Whim breweries all have pubs in the town centre. Lovely, in
fact marvellous.</span></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-84438530398066572252016-08-28T10:09:00.000+01:002016-08-28T10:20:15.011+01:00OUSE FOR AN ALE<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s bank holiday Monday, one of the great
footy days when the Mighty Red (grinding to a halt) machine play in a local
derby, fantastic. Today the Poppies have a nice local game away at King’s Lynn …..screeeeeetch,
hang on a minute, King’s Lynn? That’s a 134-mile round trip, what’s local about
that? Unbelievably there are 9 other clubs in our league closer to Gods chosen
town than King’s ‘bloody’ Lynn. We could have gone to St Ives, Cambridge City
or even Biggleswade, OK maybe not BIggleswade, there are limits to our suffering.
I guess we are one of the closest clubs to King’s Lynn, a settlement that
endured the scorn of stone age NIMBY’s no self- respecting Neanderthal wanted
the hermits of Norfolk anywhere near them. Norfolk is the birthplace a couple
of famous people, Horatio Nelson inventor of the famous wrestling hold and perhaps
the greatest vocalist and songwriter ever to set foot on this planet;<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd9En-uuh7d6sZAiyfpVMJMppVPB0ZcrN268jBHdhnXoDWN78zXVuXTG83Mc6tdzElCcAQuU-hkeryRlxes1A_kagZ0vzlzZVG4MTPwFSbg4XQ9CToI3I9L6O7d6ET9IjsinZVGdioXI/s1600/Singing+Postman+entertaining+the+hermits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDd9En-uuh7d6sZAiyfpVMJMppVPB0ZcrN268jBHdhnXoDWN78zXVuXTG83Mc6tdzElCcAQuU-hkeryRlxes1A_kagZ0vzlzZVG4MTPwFSbg4XQ9CToI3I9L6O7d6ET9IjsinZVGdioXI/s200/Singing+Postman+entertaining+the+hermits.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singing Postman entertaining the hermits</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Alan
Smethurst, otherwise known as the Singing Postman. His classic </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqmXLkJ8Bwk"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">"Hev Yew Gotta
Loight Boy"</span></span></a><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">from 1964 is often
performed annually during the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall. </span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Still we must make the best of what’s before
us, to be fair there are a few </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/search?q=PE30+5PB&lat=52.7496&lng=0.407359&r=10&t=pc&p=1&features=Pub%2COpen%2CRealAle"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">decent boozers in close
proximity to the Walks</span></span></a><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">. </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But it’s very difficult
to see passed the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/KLN/566/live-let-live-kings-lynn"><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Live & Let Live</span></span></a><u><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "calibri";">,</span></u><span style="color: #5b9bd5; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">just
5 minutes’ walk away with a good choice of ales.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Will the Poppies turn up? So far this season we
have been very inconsistent, considering the number of players we have from
last season we expected a steady start. Far from it.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6-futLKAELtPsSpEnnrklypuUcU40LYZa143GRiELMYzsKd6tF7xfVsodVTxGlKDfHIieiBFQCucilXmo6alx_6osZ1cX3pTPZEupfGkLIJ3ReygStYdPXSo2h7JY1ZN9dQAWE10T3M/s1600/Palmerston%252520ArmsSDC10474_opt%252520%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ6-futLKAELtPsSpEnnrklypuUcU40LYZa143GRiELMYzsKd6tF7xfVsodVTxGlKDfHIieiBFQCucilXmo6alx_6osZ1cX3pTPZEupfGkLIJ3ReygStYdPXSo2h7JY1ZN9dQAWE10T3M/s200/Palmerston%252520ArmsSDC10474_opt%252520%25282%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Palmerston's cellar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">On the way home we have some great pubs to choose
from, there's plenty of Elgoods pubs in Wisbech, but we have their ales in our
clubhouse so we’ll give it a miss. Peterborough offers a great choice, Citra
will be hankering for some Oakham ales brewed locally, the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/PET/249/palmerston-arms-peterborough"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Palmerston
Arms</span></a> on the Oundle Rd is a great boozer with all 14 ales served straight
from the barrel. But we may by-pass all these and make our way to the delightful
Barnwell village pub the <a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/PET/7/montagu-arms-barnwell"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Montagu Arms</span></a>. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfnGGJu-kw1Ij5G7plY1z2Jc6aDyseHVoZsNzqXVW38IfY8oqxYKtiSmfWt1-aWlIuVvQN87wju4deSU5LVcSHXp1m_ELedI9LOxVojLGsaBYVcR1w0PVFoTxr2l1Ne7pi5T6nuidKFQ/s1600/Montagu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggfnGGJu-kw1Ij5G7plY1z2Jc6aDyseHVoZsNzqXVW38IfY8oqxYKtiSmfWt1-aWlIuVvQN87wju4deSU5LVcSHXp1m_ELedI9LOxVojLGsaBYVcR1w0PVFoTxr2l1Ne7pi5T6nuidKFQ/s200/Montagu.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They
usually have 4 ales with at least one brewed locally.</span> <br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hopefully a good bank holiday day out, the ales
will be OK, not sure about the footy.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-48755050656373814272016-08-21T16:37:00.001+01:002016-08-21T16:44:54.088+01:00PUFF'S MAGIC<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Just after 10:00am
and we are on our way to Basingstoke, we picked up Pharp then made our way down
the usual route. Every season we seem to have a well-trodden path to away games.
For years it was the M6, a couple of seasons back we seemed to be crawling
around the M25 every second week. Now it’s the A34, but not for so long this
time around. We stopped off in Newbury for our pre-match imbibing. We had
expected a bit of holiday traffic, but nothing really, a good steady run down.
Easy parking and we were supping in the King Charles Tavern just after midday.
On the entrance to the pub is proudly displayed ‘West Berkshire CAMRA Pub of
the Year 2016’ lovely. A very nice smart pub, two rooms, one with comfy leather
sofas and another with scrubbed wooden tables and chairs. The menu says ‘Fusion
food’, probably got a nuclear powered oven or something similar. Not unlike
Pharp’s complex internal system, it might not work in quite the same way but
the end result is the same. The mushroom cloud bap looks good. </span><br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUp7ueJhN_SFF_z9s-8C1LoBLCikRTJsauYeXfntUDWppVBu-k3tWe3E8N2usr_yLTayG_vRz1JuhiDim96E-S1lUJsWrPZWYy3ZtG25OT-QjgaroaOPODkUrNw-_W40uGcTkTGbYSDI/s1600/IMG_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUp7ueJhN_SFF_z9s-8C1LoBLCikRTJsauYeXfntUDWppVBu-k3tWe3E8N2usr_yLTayG_vRz1JuhiDim96E-S1lUJsWrPZWYy3ZtG25OT-QjgaroaOPODkUrNw-_W40uGcTkTGbYSDI/s320/IMG_1469.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;">Wells Bombardier and Wickwar Falling Star missing off this list</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There was a good
range of ales, 8 in total. Fuggles and Citra started with Roosters Californian
Common, 4.2% a delightfully refreshing ale. Golden coloured, the head was quite
loose and fell away quickly although what was left clung to the glass. The ale
is described as a ‘West coast amber ale fermented with lager yeast’. It was
malty and fruity with a decent enough bitterness, very nice indeed. Pharp and
Parker went for West Berkshire Brewery’s Good Old Boy, this is probably WBB’s
flagship ale, at 4% it’s an easy drinking ale. This ale has won quite a few
prizes in its time. Amber in colour, well balanced, it held its head better, we
drank this ale during our trip to Hungerford last season. Next up Fuggles went
for Wickwar Brewery’s Falling Star, a lovely golden ale coming in at 4.2%,
quite zesty with some citrusy fruits on the palette. Citra decided to stay on
the Californian Common whilst Pharp went for St Peter’s brewery Ruby Red, this
had a good nose full of dark bitter chocolate aromas and the richness stayed
with it in the taste. Beautifully clear red ale and surprising refreshing and
rich, easy drinking. That was it for pre-match supping, across the road from
the KCT was a delightful looking bakery shop with an array of crusty bread and
other delights on show in the window. Pharp went and purchased a huge Lardy
cake, we prayed he wouldn’t tuck into it early, he had a quick munch but
thankfully not too much, the internal combustion developed from this could be
somewhat thunderous.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B6oiEHZttsHL6NFAwR9YX0I2PTthFgpY0PXp1mntihsWGUz14pIp1lIx02moxT_Pa8uBYKYRE8NfG40N-y9iGdA8XB9rom7GgMFB95SgJYr-TSafTWF5hxLrRGXW4sl4pgoBTu7W718/s1600/IMG_1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4B6oiEHZttsHL6NFAwR9YX0I2PTthFgpY0PXp1mntihsWGUz14pIp1lIx02moxT_Pa8uBYKYRE8NfG40N-y9iGdA8XB9rom7GgMFB95SgJYr-TSafTWF5hxLrRGXW4sl4pgoBTu7W718/s320/IMG_1478.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, whist the
PRATS were here the Weebles got closer to the final destination and popped into
the White Hart in the village of Charter Alley. A lovely country pub which now
appears to have its own brewery, although it is very difficult to find out any
information. On the pub clip is says ‘Secret Brewing Co. Golden Light. Unfortunately,
we didn’t get any tasting notes from the </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvowWYgvHoE1VDUtWG6dXQez3-Txb2fC57WEkwsnJOib7Rc98bMZIW7EQHJDQs5EQPs_MGsqVcJBR4FeAga-vFPShAgOQ9KyR7UaQkO04rCOZ4v7-tdDhbpTAisNl3L9Xl_FGq-bFblII/s1600/IMG_1479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvowWYgvHoE1VDUtWG6dXQez3-Txb2fC57WEkwsnJOib7Rc98bMZIW7EQHJDQs5EQPs_MGsqVcJBR4FeAga-vFPShAgOQ9KyR7UaQkO04rCOZ4v7-tdDhbpTAisNl3L9Xl_FGq-bFblII/s320/IMG_1479.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weebles, they then moved onto the
Plough in Little London, another nice country pubs with some ales drawn
straight from the barrel, there is also a brewery in this village but sadly
none available today.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The match,
unfortunately the team coach never arrived at the Camrose stadium home of the Dragons, but
fortunately we did have a team of dragon slayers with us so they played
instead. Well when we say dragon slayers we actually mean ‘dragonfly’ slayers.
Unbeknown to us George had switched sides, he popped up for a couple of goals
in the first half. On loan from ‘Honah Lee by the Sea’ was the magical Puff; who
frolicked in the barmy breezes then flapped his wings a couple of times before
extinguished any flickering flames we may have had. It would seem the Little
Jackie paper is covering up the cracks with his sealing wax. We had a quite a
few crosses flash across the face of their goal, but just like the Autumn mist,
so did we.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Time for home, Pharp
fell asleep, but this didn’t stop the Lardy cake from working away and on
several occasions we were forced to wind down the windows accompanied by some
gasping expletives. This country has no chance of meeting the greenhouse gas
targets whilst Pharp is on this planet. According to the scientists, Pharp does
more damage than a 200 strong herd of Friesian cattle. The Chief Executive of
the Climate Change Committee said, “what chance have we got, I am in the
process of lobbying parliament to put a ban on mushy peas and now Lardy cakes”.
If only we could harness the energy, we wouldn’t need the French to build
Hinckley Point.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> As Fuggles was taking the better half out for
some pub snaffle, we returned straight back to our fair county and went to the
White Horse in the village of Old, this is where the Fuggles are dining. Joy of
joys they have 4 ales on hand-pump, so the PRATS all went for Hoggleys
Northamptonshire bitter. When this ale first came out a few years ago now,
Fuggles was interviewed by Anglia TV in the Alexandra Arms Kettering, it was
shown on the local Monday night news. Fame at last even if it was beer related.
This is a nice session ale, very refreshing 4% amber ale, easily drinkable and
thirst quenching on a warm summer’s day. Pharp, Parker and Citra went off home
whilst Fuggles continued. There were 2 Lacon Ales available, Affinity a
powerful 4.8% chestnut ale and Encore a more sensible 3.8% session pale amber
ale. Fuggles went for this, a very refreshing and easy drinking ale and in very
good condition. That’s what Fuggles stayed on for the rest of the snaffling
session.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A half decent day
out, the ales and pubs were superb, as was the snaffle. The footy, well nothing
more one can say but very disappointing indeed. At least the county cricket team
did well winning the Twenty20 trophy. Our next away trip will be to Kings Lynn
on bank holiday Monday, I hope we can get a few players back.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-92086750970933153802016-08-19T20:52:00.000+01:002016-08-19T20:52:31.855+01:00NORTH HANTS DRAGONS
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">This Saturday
the PRATS are off to North Hants, where we take on the Dragons of the concrete
jungle, Basingstoke. There are one or two pubs quite close to the ground but
not of any ‘real ale’ note. The </span><a href="file:///C:/Users/Martin/Documents/PRATS/2016-17/Basingstoke/Stag%20&%20Hounds"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Stag & Hounds</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"> is a Harvester pub, also close by is
the </span><a href="https://whatpub.com/pubs/HAN/190/beacon-basingstoke"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Beacon</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">, you should be able to get a low priced ale in this Greene
King pub. However, not for the PRATS, we are going to drop into Newbury. </span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpk1Om2WezztAAF_4Tnd4pcCie7VMWa1M5iA3cxPMecpGgWclzUTPDp6lDubwjRhlXe1FEg1avak0pfFnW0AQ6XgnS_3CUiKdVhtRkcVEhGg_dADL9Koeen_jW46CIJyO-6-oF4g6NcU/s1600/King+Charles+Newbury.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDpk1Om2WezztAAF_4Tnd4pcCie7VMWa1M5iA3cxPMecpGgWclzUTPDp6lDubwjRhlXe1FEg1avak0pfFnW0AQ6XgnS_3CUiKdVhtRkcVEhGg_dADL9Koeen_jW46CIJyO-6-oF4g6NcU/s320/King+Charles+Newbury.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
We
will ark up in one of the many car park then pop into the <a href="file:///C:/Users/Martin/Documents/PRATS/2016-17/Basingstoke/King-charles-Tavern"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">King
Charles Tavern</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">,
although this is a Greene King pub, they serve 4 of their own ales, which
included West Berkshire brewery plus 4 more. They do some decent snaffle for
the slightly esurient. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-_oi4APbmPFmKIDho1mGMFBWBvv6OvAuVBa_2JGqXYLBMkYNoQqrn5i2sB23hr5jBl6bHmNOVZRqdeC7DXBaf9pT4bYHTwn5aisWbQfG4B7pD7AJKnbbmvAlChfgGTCaEaukmbVoNvI/s1600/Cow+and+Cask.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-_oi4APbmPFmKIDho1mGMFBWBvv6OvAuVBa_2JGqXYLBMkYNoQqrn5i2sB23hr5jBl6bHmNOVZRqdeC7DXBaf9pT4bYHTwn5aisWbQfG4B7pD7AJKnbbmvAlChfgGTCaEaukmbVoNvI/s320/Cow+and+Cask.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Just a couple of hundred paces away is the micro pub </span><a href="http://www.cowandcask.co.uk/"><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;"><span style="color: #0563c1;">Cow
and Cask</span></span></a><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif;">It’s only half
an hour from Newbury to the Camrose Stadium, so a fairly easy driving day. It’s
been a while since we last played the Dragons and that was in that wonderful
season of ours in the Isthmian league, what a fantastic season that was. We
also played them in the FA trophy down there, so inspirational was that game,
the PRATS can’t recall the outcome. They were relegated from the Conference
South last season, but haven’t started the season as well as some expected.
Hopefully the Poppies can take advantage of their poor start. On the way home,
well Fuggles has to get home early as he’s going out with Mrs Fuggles, well
when we say home we mean dropping off at a pub. So the PRATS may well have to
pop into <a href="http://www.perfectpint.co.uk/pubs/the-piper-kettering"><span style="color: #0563c1;">The
Piper</span></a> in Kettering, it’s their annual beer festival. Fuggles and Citra took
on the responsibility of undertaking some research. We take these things
seriously, so we attended the Friday night session and can say without fear of contraception
that they have some decent ales available. We left early on Friday evening so
we could prepare ourselves for this weekend’s game. We really didn’t want to
leave so early.</span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1547410687260501753.post-68928061442398592622016-08-17T20:24:00.001+01:002016-08-17T20:33:17.524+01:00ITCH WELL AND TRULY SCRATCHED<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A delightful evening,
lovely sunshine just the right weather to watch the Poppies take on Redditch,
but not at the Valley. Instead of using our loyalty card at the Black Tap
brewery tap Redditch, we’re going to Bedworth, marvellous!</span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was just after
5:15pm when we left Kettering, just a short trip tonight with a stop off at the
Woodfarm Brewery tap. They had just 4 of their own ales on tonight, they
usually have 8 but I’m sure we will make do. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhTG9S1gxpR2PRKXZFwmZK5dEqpdmHVik5-aeEEGRtRBLrT9x87kZcfk4w00CkdIyrGU6HuSPoJtPv2zUGAJ8R6a-nNPvOESn4BBDnqwzfP0aWidApzBFuOfwD2YPMxN5b3giM417iIg/s1600/wood-farm-brewery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdhTG9S1gxpR2PRKXZFwmZK5dEqpdmHVik5-aeEEGRtRBLrT9x87kZcfk4w00CkdIyrGU6HuSPoJtPv2zUGAJ8R6a-nNPvOESn4BBDnqwzfP0aWidApzBFuOfwD2YPMxN5b3giM417iIg/s320/wood-farm-brewery.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">First up for Citra and Fuggles is
Webb Ellis, a pleasant hoppy pale session ale and in decent condition, 3.8%,
golden with a slight citrusy finish. The tight head held on to the bottom of the
glass. Parker went for a Scrum, a 4.0% russet ale, malty and full bodied also
in good condition. By now the Weebles have arrived and its good news, Petit
Chemise has had is pass signed. We feared that Chemise had hung up his shirt
and had become the founder member of the ex-PRATS club. Other Weebles included
Marshall and Betweenthesticks. Next up was a new ale from Woodfarm, with their
ales now under the </span><a href="http://www.kendricksbrewing.co.uk/"><span style="color: #0563c1; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Kendricks
Brewing</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> banner. Boadicea is a 4.2% golden ale, but this was not in good
nick. Citra wanted to take his back to the bar, but decided to persevere, but
gave up have way down. Just before we left the changed the barrel, no wonder it
smelt like something Boudicca had worn when she was revolting on a daily basis.
Now here’s a question, when I was a kid it was always pronounced Boadicea, when
did it change to Boudicca? I’m sure Michael Caine would say, “It’s not bloody
Boudicca, it’s Boadi bloody cea”. Struggling to down her ale, we decided it was
time to move onto Bedworth and a game of footy.</span><br />
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We haven’t done very
well against Redditch for a few years and with our start to the season being
quite sluggish to say the least we weren’t very confident. So when we were one
down after 15 minutes the outlook wasn’t looking good. Then at half-time our
manager had a huffy fit, unleashed a barrage of expletives in the direction of
the players and hey presto, we play very well and win three one. Not many Redditch
supporters made the trip, they were probably outnumbered by a factor of 5 to 1.</span></div>
<br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">So it was time to
make our journey home taking in the Wharf Inn at Welford to have a couple of celebratory
ales. As we pulled into the car park we could hear a rather loud jazz band strangling
a cat, it may well have been a clowder of cats. There, I bet you didn’t know
the collective noun for a group of cats, now you do. We hoped the beer wasn’t
as flat as the trumpet, thankfully it wasn’t. They had a good selection of ales,
but with Citra salivating for something from Oakham ales the Bishop’s Farewell
pump clip was drawing him in like a moth to a flame. Both Citra and Fuggles decided
to bash the Bishop down their throats, maybe I should rephrase that!!!. A
lovely citrusy pale ale coming in at 4.6%, always very refreshing and easy to
drink. Very dangerous thirst quencher on a hot summers day. Bishop’s Farewell
was brewed to celebrate the retirement of Bishop Bill Westwood, Bishop of
Peterborough. Some of the older farts amongst the PRATS more cultured readers
may remember him doing ‘thought for the day’ on Radio Four’s Today programme. Parker
went for Langton Brewery’s Traction, a typical ale for Parker, chestnut colour,
4.2% bitter. Both ales were in excellent condition. Pharp now arrived, the
trombonist from the Jazz band instantly saluted his hero. No one can perform the
‘Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy’ whilst supping a pint, quite like Pharp, probably the
world’s greatest Pharpsophonist. Pharp went for a pint of Marston’s Pedigree,
it looked in good condition, lovely and clear. Pedigree has always been a
decent ale, it’s been around for decades now first brewed in 1952, often blamed
for causing considerably loose bowel movements. Not the ale for Pharp really
but as it was close to the end of the day, the rest of the PRATS weren’t in the
firing line. Citra went to the bar to get himself and Fuggles another delicious
pint of Bishop’s. But a few moments later Citra returned with a face of
absolute disappointment, almost in tears. Bishop’s had sold out. He was sent
back to get whatever he wants. He came back with Tollgate Brewery’s Talaki IPA,
4.8% pale ale and with a name like that it’s almost certain to have a few new
world hops somewhere in the mash. It was very nice, a golden ale, quite bitter
at the end, that would be those new world hops kicking in. A decent ale to
finish the night off. All in all; a decent night out, some decent ales a good
result with a decent performance although I don’t think Redditch will be the
force this season as they were last. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Next up we go to
Basingstoke, we haven’t been there for a few years.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
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