Claws!

The drone began its descent. The humans were at the other end of the marquee standing around consulting each other as they did daily. It plummeted down then just before impact the engines gave a high burst of speed to stabilise the unit. As the ground was uneven; the drone used its counterbalance to send itself into the marquee. Once it had landed, a small aerial shot out and bathed the metal in a blue glow. The metal instantly crept to life. It slowly crept towards the wood; then when all the units were in position they made their attack. The wood, having been damp for many days, splintered easily and the claws began to chew up the floor. As the wood began to tear, the noise suddenly attracted the attention of one of the humans.

‘Rogue metal!’

‘What? Where?’

One by one, they began to walk away. They had no hope of stopping them.

Siren's Craft Brew Vermont Tea Party at the Inn on the Green. Acocks Green

I’d heard some good things about the Inn on the Green at Acocks Green. The landlord had been to see us a few times on some social trips; and he’d buy us all a round without question. When Birmingham CAMRA made it their Pub of the Year, I thought that it’s got to be worth a look. So when I heard that he was running a beer festival, it was the perfect excuse. Getting to Acocks Green is no easy feat. You can catch a bus from Selly Oak or if like me you don’t know how often they run or where they go; you can catch a train into the heart of Birmingham and catch a second train out again from Moor Street. The pub itself is built on the former village green with a roundabout in front of it and lots of zebra crossings to make it extra confusing. After negotiating a route, I ventured inside. There’s a long bar which runs parallel to the entrance and the seating is open plan which is split around two corners. There’s also a second room which hosts the beer festival. It’s suffered the test of time so the décor isn’t perfect; but the beers are in excellent condition and Brendon goes well out of his way to source new and unusual beers. The locals are very friendly too. I’ve been back several times.  

The Teacher in the Making

Deep in rural Yorkshire, I’m shown the secret of my friend’s success; an old, worn bible for those who want to teach. It’s like the Holy Grail of old, and it’s even yellowed like the colour of parchment over time. It’s clearly a hand down of knowledge from someone with experience; teaching you about confidence in the classroom and psychology to get the kids to behave; even though the introduction denies this. Otherwise what modern day use for it is there other than to be referred to as a historical work?  But is it enough to hold weight in today’s modern world? And more importantly, will the modern curriculum allow people to use these techniques? The author’s time in teaching was clearly before the internet era when teachers were strict and were to be feared rather than to assist in life decisions. Kids are growing up faster and are constantly being distracted. And my friend’s recently been let go from his post as voluntary teaching assistant. Has he been too soft?

Lockdown #scavenger6

With the team captured, there wasn’t much that Kit could do. Lee was being held at a prison in Virginia, while Kat was clamped down in Virginia and Kit was under armed guard in Nevada. A rescue mission seemed necessary but it broke all of Kat’s protocols to do so. The only thing that she could do was to wait until something happened. For weeks, she scanned for news reports so that her actions could be justified; but none came. As the end of the year approached, Kat decided to do what everyone was doing; review the year.

She‘d been looking at some news reports of a newly elected Senator. Since she’d discovered that all cyborg conversions could covertly blend into crowds of people with a simple headset; she’d been scanning footage of all broadcasts to spot the headset’s design. It had to be unique to the cyborg unit and a perfect match, and it also had to be well hidden. She’d been checking out the senator’s profile. All his pictures were taken parallel to the camera; and even his identity ones had his head turned just enough to hide his ears. But this particular broadcast was filming him on a street corner in front of a new store that he’d been asked to open. In the background, a school bus had turned into the adjacent street, and as it passed Kat freezed the image and magnified the reflection on the bus’s mirrors. Gotcha.

Where to boss?

The inner workings of the Leeds-Bradford Airport is a mystery. I’m told by my friend that it’s mostly used for private flights; though he did manage to fly to Amsterdam a few years ago. From this I had visions of people taking flying lessons and VIPs using the site for their private jets to get up and down the country. I’ve driven past it a few times and even had to make a U-turn in the car park as I’ve made a wrong turn. It’s got traditional barbed wire fencing, and from a distance the terminal doesn’t look particularly big; and neither do the planes. There’s a great viewing area behind the main road, and many people like to park up in their cars and watch the planes come in. Some even have timetables and only get out of their cars when they see a plane of interest. But the planes that use it must be of commercial size as a quick internet search shows that there are many world-wide destinations available. Perhaps my friend needs to plug in and explore his local area more.

McHughs, Belfast

McHughs is one of the oldest establishments in Belfast. It’s lately been renovated from a former brothel and has been expanded into the adjacent building. There’s lots of snugs here and hideaway spaces which reflects the pub’s history, but the bar area is very open. It kind of felt like Cheers! only no-one knew our names. We had a pint of Whitewater; another beer that you could get anywhere else in Belfast. We sat on the comfy plush leather sofas near the entrance to the basement bar. It was a modernised area with TVs screening football results. Unfortunately, nothing was on that night. It’s one of the drawbacks of visiting a city in the mid-week. Everywhere is just so quiet and there’s no nightlife whatsoever. It’s hard to imagine that anyone cares about the history of the place. Even the bar staff looked bored. It just needed something else to attract people all week long. 

A Wet Wednesday

On the following morning, it continued to hail down. I wasn’t in the best of moods to trek into Otley for a true Yorkshire experience as it was hammering it down and we also had to take paddy out for a walk. This was a two hour walk around the fields, and we eventually entered a cemetery and tried to spot the angels in the graveyard. We didn’t walk over to the neighbouring tarn, but we did get a great view of the aeroplanes taking off at the adjacent airport. There was also a horse in the fields which occasionally escapes onto the road in search of food. I really didn’t want to cross the Chevin as it was still tipping it down, but I wasn’t getting much of a choice, and I couldn’t think of any local alternatives to do. I should have suggested Kirkstall Abbey; there’s a conspiracy to keep me away from the place. And so it was that we prepared ourselves for another long walk in the rain over to Otley.

Bar Brawl #dreamdiary16

I'm at one of my favourite local bars. They've had a refurbishment and the bar is now parallel to the door; there's also higher tables which serve as benches. They have three new beers on; a martini beer at 6% which is somehow a porter; a 2% golden beer; and a peach beer at 4.3%. They've also started to accept vouchers to compete with other outlets. I order a peach beer and give them an expired voucher which they accept. While they pour my drink I go and say hello to my friends. When I turn back to the bar there are two glasses of orange stuff on the bar and a barmaid is pouring a third one out of a decanter. I take a sip and find that it's just juice; the barmaid points to a glass behind the bar and explains that that one is mine. She gives me my change and I work out that she's charged me £3.49. She has some trouble topping it up so I end up with a giant novelty sized glass and a half pint glass to top it up.  When she's finished, she hands me the glass which she's placed in a rectangular cooler that comes on a tray; the cooler produces a lot of steam and sparks as I place it on the table. The guy at the neighbouring table has his back to us but is leaning against ours and gets a head full of steam as I place it down. Naturally he's interested as to what it is and explain that it's peach beer and he's welcome to try some. He then downs the whole glass. I'm not happy that he's finished my whole drink and make a lunge for him. 

Ilkley Moor

No visit would have been complete without a trip to the promised moor. The summit is not much taller than Beamsley Beacon; though the car really did struggle to climb the hill. It’s a miracle as to how the town avoids flooding. It was desolate and completely silent owing to the recent downpour that we had just trudged through. A bunch of rocks masked a huge wall surrounding the path; and it could have easily been a film set for the Ringwraiths of Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings. It’s the stuff of legends, as the tale goes that a giant split the rocks and separated the cow from the calf as he fled from his angry wife. There were paths climbing up either side to the top; which was the start of the moor itself; which is full of becks and streams, and on a sunny day it’s a great place to go for a marvellous view of the town. It’s a shame that we didn’t our walk here; but you can’t pick the weather when you choose to set out into the great outdoors. 

Skinner's Lushington at the Crown Hotel, Liverpool

This was one of the oldest pubs in Liverpool, and it’s very close to the central station. We chose to eat here as it had a good value menu and we’d been eating most of our other pub meals at Wetherspoons. Its original owners proudly proclaimed that Walkers Ales had infiltrated the city. It’s now owned by M&B who seem to run it just for appearances sake; but they have done a good job of keeping the pub in a good condition. The bar only had three beers but they were kept well and I opted for a pint of Skinners Lushington to accompany my pie, which was well filled and came with lots of sauce for my chips. The downstairs area was well furnished with ornate plasterwork in the ceiling, while wood panelling hid away the outside world. The pub was very quiet considering that the city was holding a national beer conference. It was a shame that we were on a schedule to visit more pubs; and we missed the opportunity to see the marble fireplace and the rear and upstairs rooms.

Beamsley Beacon

Our walk headed south back towards Ilkley, but not before climbing a mound up to Beamsley Beacon. This hill is the highest point in the Lower Wharfdale area, at 1299 feet. You can certainly get a good view of the rolling hills and surrounding villages; and it proves once and for all that Yorkshire is indeed God’s country. This would have been a great stop for a picnic; but it was also less sheltered and meant that the rest of the walk would have had an anti-climax. After pausing for photographs our descent involved a lot of rocky steps, and my friend’s vertigo started to kick in which meant that we started to lag behind. Once we’d reached the bottom we began to walk back round the hill, but the heavens opened and we got hailed upon. Luckily, I’d packed some waterproof trousers which I was able to slide on top of my jeans. Once we’d returned to the field on lower ground we met up with a farmer who was herding some sheep, and our numbers helped him to move them in the right direction. But by the time we’d reached the road we elected to remain on solid ground rather than help him through the final field; and we soon reached the pub for some shelter.  

Who threw the dog out #dreamdiary15

There’s a dog in my back garden. It’s an Old English Sheep Dog, it’s just over the size of a puppy; and it’s very fluffy. But it’s also bleeding; it only has one leg. It’s quite strange as to how it ended up in our back garden as the fence is high with a footpath leading to some bungalows on the other side; but the people who live in these bungalows aren’t exactly elderly these days. But who do we call? The dog is in a lot of pain so not being dog owners we dial 999 in an attempt to get emergency assistance. I then figure that as it’s early in the morning it’s still before office hours, and by googling and calling the local vet up the road I get the out-of-hours emergency vet. I then realise that someone must pay for this dog’s care, and the expense may have been intentionally thrust upon us as the previous owners might not have been able to afford it. I also remember that all dongs must be chipped nowadays, so tracking the previous owners should be very easy before I need to consider a poster campaign.

Roosters California Common at the Cow & Calf, Ilkley

High up on the southbound road out of Ilkley is the Cow & Calf. This pub has stunning views of the Ilkley Moors which is a perfect respite for walkers returning from their expedition. The pub itself has a very strange shaped car park, perhaps because of the steepness of the hill; and there’s an overflow area with a marquee for outdoor events. There’s even upstairs living quarters which can be rented out. The pub itself isn’t the most attractive buildings; it looks like it’s been converted from an old farmhouse, but inside it’s very cosy and the seats just want to make you curl up. It’s named after the rocks nearby and the beer is kept very well. Unfortunately I was driving so I was only able to have a half of the Roosters; which was very crisp and full of flavour. The other beers do tempt me back for a second visit.  

Accessible Odeon

In a cinema far far away, in a time not so long ago, we managed to find time to watch the new Star Wars movie. It was at the Birmingham Odeon; a city that we've not had the best of experiences when it comes to watching movies. And today was no exception, the wheelchair lift was out of order. It was also quite pricey, a ticket costs over £10. We had to be shown round to the back of the building so that we could use their back-up ramp through the fire exit. On the plus side, the entrance was at the back of the building, which meant that we got to sit in the premium seats (perhaps this was why it was so expensive but it wasn't made clear) as these were the seats closest to the wheelchair space. But on the negative side, I could not get comfortable no matter how hard I tried. Whether it was because I'd done a fair bit of sitting down that day I wasn't sure. I just found it odd as id been doing a lot of walking and pushing as well. But it was convenient to come out of the cinema to find our guide waiting for us, and he'd even managed to get the car park barrier unlocked so we didn't have to negotiate the cobbly patch of hill on the side. 

Boundary Stones

As we explored the moors, we passed a lot of gravestones with the initials L.N on them. When I saw the first one I thought it might have been a graveyard for my friend Lee Naylor, then realised that there weren't any numbers on them. Maybe he'd reserved the plot; in any case he wasn't impressed when I showed the photograph to him. During our walk we passed half a dozen or so of these stones; and I didn't have a clue what they were for. They're not to mark the distance or the route as surely they'd have numbers marked on them or directional arrows carved on their sides. Perhaps it was to mark the way to London; in which case I wonder how long it took for someone who followed these signs to get there? But after some extensive googling, I've now discovered that they're actually boundary stones which separate the borders between the parishes of Langbar and Nesfield. Sorry Lee. 

Train Tripping #dreamdiary 14

I'm delivering a package in Birmingham. I've had to take a train to get here, which is odd as I drive a van which is parked fifteen miles away and the delivery is out of my jurisdiction. But for some reason (perhaps there's a major traffic jam), I'm delivering to Birmingham Road in Birmingham rather than Birmingham Road in anywhere else. I complete the delivery and now have to get the next train back. I know that I have to get to platform eleven but I can only see signs for platforms one through nine. The entrance to the platforms are all tunnels with stairs leading down them with a tiled red ceramic border surrounding each semi-circle. And there are people out to get me. Wherever I walk, there's always people lounging around who are trying to trip me up as I pass. Eventually, I work out that I have to go down to the platforms and re-ascend onto a different concourse to reach my platform, but there's still plenty of people hanging about on the concourse who are trying to stick their ankles in front of me as I pass. 

Menwith Hill

The moor itself was a large plain which offered very little shelter from the elements. Even the sheep had disappeared. But we were committed to climbing the hill.  For some reason, the group had named it the lollipop walk; perhaps because the route may have been in the shape of a lollipop; or maybe because the walk may have been a long one. But as we trenched through the moors negotiating a path avoiding puddles and sunken grass, we were given lollipops to keep us going. On our most northern point, we stopped for a view of Menwith Hill, a military base for the Royal Air Force and communications station for the United States. Martin told me that a friend of his worked there as a cleaner, and had to bring his passport every time he had to enter the American side. We headed east to complete the next part of our circle; then came across a bricked wall which we were able to lean against and take shelter for our picnic break. We also bought some of the group’s raffle tickets. 

Guess who's back #scavenger5

‘Mr Rutman, an urgent situation has occurred and I must ask you to accompany me under Section Seven of the Security Act. After your briefing you will be required to fulfil some of your former duties in a temporary capacity and certain restrictions would remain in place.’

‘Is that so? Under whose authority?’

‘Under the United Kingdom’s Government authority.’

‘And the United Kingdom’s Government would enforce these restrictions?’

‘That is correct.’

‘Then I must decline.’

‘Under Section Seven of the Security Act, you do not have the right to decline, as you are fully aware. We have evidence to prove that you understand this. We do not usually recall former employees back into the fold; but this situation is quite urgent.’

‘Is it?’

‘It is.’

‘Then would you please enlighten me as to why you require my assistance and what these restrictions would be?’

‘You know I can’t do that here.’

‘Then we are at a stalemate.’

‘Being uncooperative will only incur further penalties of your current civil liberties and I’

‘EVERYONE ON THE GROUND NOW!’ 

Langbar Moor

Our plan today was to tour the Ilkley Moors, and after getting stuck in some traffic behind some bin men, my brain recalled that we should have taken the second exit off a roundabout and I managed to get turned around, and we arrived in plenty of time. After parking at the back of a cinema, we headed over to the bus station to meet our fellow walkers. There was an upmarket independent coffee shop next door so I managed to get a caffeine boost before we started. People began to arrive and introduce themselves and we had to register our details for the walk. And then we began heading north, which was further away from the moors, until we crossed a river into a municipal park, past an outdoor pool and into the woods. It was then that my friend found out that we weren't touring the moors; we were actually heading for Langbar Moor. 

Titanic Plum Porter at the Dispensary, Liverpool

This is one of the smallest pubs in Liverpool, and it’s also one of the earliest that I remember visiting on a previous journey where the pub concentrated heavily on beers from Derbyshire and I drank Dr. Morton’s Snake Oil. On this visit, the rugby was being shown on a small screen mounted in a corner of a pub, but I managed to join a small group of friends who had managed to commandeer some seats. The reason why they were rooted to their seats was because they were major fans of a plum porter beer from a West Midlands Brewery. This beer is very sweet and moreish; but it’s a bit too sickly to drink more than one pint. I thought it was great to see a local beer entrenched this far north. This pub also has an excellent room for people-watching. The pub is decorated with wood panelling throughout with a Victorian-styled bar and ornate mirrors.

The Manual: What Women Want and How to Give it to Them by W. Anton

The Manual: What Women Want and How to Give It to Them by W. Anton
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

It’s one of those subjects that you don’t really talk about. Indeed, the friend who gave me this book actually sealed it up in an envelope stating ‘open when alone’ just in case I got embarrassed. But once you’ve read this guide, you realise that there’s no hidden secrets and the techniques used now haven’t differed from the methods back then. Anton’s guide simply points out the obvious. There’s no diagrams, no cheesy pick-up lines and few step-by-step instructions (imagine if you had to take the book with you and consult it regularly). Instead, he looks at the history of men and women and how their relationships have begun to change over time, while examining attitudes and stereotypes of the dating game. Of course, the key to any of this is confidence and not to waste any opportunity; all the while by holding your head up shamelessly and not being afraid to try.

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The Little One #scavenger4

‘There’s no chance in hell you’ll get through undetected. The base’s got more scanners than Goonhilly. Frankly, there’ll be the first site to make first contact with the equipment that they’ve got.’

‘But the site’s got basic security. There’s just a chain fence on the perimeter for crying out loud.’

‘Yes, but the instant they see an attack they’ll just pull the trigger.’

‘But I have the element of surprise here. I’ll be able to disarm their communications before they have the chance to launch.’

‘It’s a slim window of opportunity. POTUS has declared a negative.’

‘So we just sit here and wait for the world to end?’

‘We all have our orders.’

‘Screw the orders’.

Lee cocked his gun and headed outside. The tanker was still parked at the gas station. Quickly, he slid himself around to the passenger door and hoisted himself inside. He shuffled over to the driver’s side, and as soon as the door opened he punched the driver in the head.

An attempt at camping

I’ve been invited to a walking festival with my friend up in Leeds. I'm a bit rushed for time as I need to help set up the local beer festival; and by the time I've organised my kit for both walking and drinking; I'm actually leaving town during the early school rush. So, after getting stuck on the M1 and not being able to get in touch with a local camping site, I grudgingly accept an offer to stay at my friend’s house rather than struggle to put up a tent in the rain. I’m a bit disappointed as I’ve brought a whole camp kitchen with me. I had to struggle to close the boot. So after reaching his house and setting up camp in his sister’s old bedroom, I’m treated to a tour of his allotment before we decide to go and get some food. The kebab shop is quite quiet as everyone’s in the pub watching England lose in the Euros. I go for a regular mixed kebab in a naan; thinking that a Yorkshire large will be very large indeed; while my friend opts for an extra-large vegetarian pizza. hmmm 

The British Library

I’ve been receiving letter from the British Library asking for copies of our magazine, Pint Taken (you can check it out at www.pinttaken.org.uk but we’ve got a lot of work to do in terms of updating it). At first we were quite flattered that they would want a copy, and I was about to write back and say that’s no problem so long as they supply us with stamped addressed envelopes. Then after further reading I discovered that this is law and that it’s required to be archived as part of the legal deposits act. Other people have shown me letters from similar institutions also demanding copies of our publication for their archives. It means that we become part of our nation’s heritage, and that researchers can borrow our material free of charge. Luckily, we don’t charge for our magazine but it does seem a bit of a tax when it comes to posting copies to them. It seems that the British Library has never changed their ways…

Hanger Time

One of the things that annoyed me the most at this year’s Bromsgrove Beer Festival was the amount of short notice that we had to pack everything away. It’s been a busy weekend for us all; we know there’s still a very big job to do; and we decide that if we all meet at ten we can start packing away and have everything ready to be loaded onto our transport back to our storage area. But this year there was a bit of a problem. As I got back from a cooked breakfast at the local Wetherspoons, I saw that the marquee company had already arrived and had begun to strip down the outer of the marquee. This meant that we had to pack up our stuff while they were moving around and find room to store it so that we would be out of each other’s way. Apparently this had been agreed beforehand, but the person who’d liaised with the marquee company hadn’t liaised with anyone else. This was especially annoying as we’d had a bit of a party the evening before; and had we known that the marquee company were coming early; we could have given us a better head start.

Left in the Snow #dreamdiary13

It’s snowing and it’s cold, and it’s a very bright morning. I’m standing on the pavement on the hill where I grew up. The road is clear but the pavement is covered in snow and bits of dirt where the road’s been cleared. Halfway up the hill stands my friend waiting for a lift to work in his scarf, hat and duffel coat. I ask him why he’s standing in that particular spot as it’s not outside his or my house or even at the bottom, and explain that it would be easier for him to wait at the bottom in case his ride is having trouble climbing the hill. Later, I walk into my neighbour’s house to try and find some answers as to where everyone is and I walk right into their empty kitchen before hearing a rattle in the garage. I head towards the garage but there’s only rats roaming about. 

E.U Beauty at the Rocklands Social Club, Redditch

Supporting Europe is stating that we’re prepared to let things stay the same. Their objectives state that we’re stronger together; and the free movement of people between neighbouring countries allows easier access to trade and the free market without being penalised for importing and exporting goods. It also allows member countries to take up jobs in other countries and gain benefits; even if the two separate countries are used to a different way of life. But it’s hard to see the benefits of being a member when you can clearly see that you’re better off on your own than having to work alongside other countries that are still under development. Voting to leave means that we won’t have to pay for projects to subsidise other countries. Our own government has more freedom to decide on our workers’ rights; and France has just introduced legislation that won’t affect UK workers so what’s the point?

Otter Bright at the Globe, Liverpool

This was another cosy local’s pub in the heart of the city, right next to a major shopping centre. It’s a blend of old-meets-new from the outside, with just a small bricked frontage nestled in between two shops. Its flowers and lanterns on its frontage makes it welcoming yet out of place at the same time. Inside is a wall of local history as newspaper cuttings and commemorations of local characters adorn the walls; and plenty of people are doing their best to get their own story recorded.  It’s owned by Punch Taverns which may explain why the pub has survived for as long as it has, but it also has an historically important interior. As well as hosting the first Merseyside branch meeting of the Campaign for Real Ale in 1974; the building itself dates back to the late Victorian era and is noted for its sloping floor which drops four feet from the front of the building to the back. The Cask Marque certificate was easy to locate but our time was once again cut short as we still had one more pub to visit before our catching our return train home. 

101 uses for a Marquee

Deep in darkest Worcestershire, a marquee is erected on a field of its most prestigious sports clubs. It’s tall, it’s long, and its design looks like an aeroplane hanger. Plastic chairs are stacked in a corner, and in the centre people are busy at work constructing a huge rack for something else to rest upon. But what should it be used for? Is it to host a meeting of super villains who store their weapons deep beneath the earth? The tent acts to hide their activities and allows them to trade their secrets with other super villains and discuss tactics and sync diaries. There's seminars on how best to destroy your foe; the most secret manufacturers are showcasing their latest weapons; all while food and drink is being served in a humane environment. The caterers are sworn to secrecy. Or perhaps they’re disposed of afterwards. Or maybe people could be camping there? That is the original purpose of a tent.  It could also be used for weddings, shows, banquets or even a beer festival.

Goodbye Mr. Norton

I’m finally getting rid of Norton. Why pay for a virus checker when there’s a benefit that offers the same service for free, and that this new service is recommended by a major on-line security service which is industry-regulated (until the Americans recommended that they were subject to fraud this morning). And even that story is misleading; if you dig deeper than the banner on the BBC news you’ll discover that it’s more to do with international investors rather than British mortgages. But I don’t trust the Americans or the banner on the news. They’re the first in line to exaggerate things which is why every news story is dissected as soon as it arrives onto our screens, and also Mr. Norton hasn’t been the best at responding to my software issues. So I’m looking forward to uninstalling in the next week, and I’m hoping that some of my programs will run a lot faster. The only downside is that I have to make up a password tracker.

Silhill Gold Star at Encore, Stratford upon Avon

This was a surprising find for a corner pub known for its live music on one of the busiest corners of Stratford. In the summer, the licensee does a great job of attracting customers with a large floral window-box display above the pub’s first floor. Inside, the pub was quite quiet as we came in; there were just a few locals chatting to the Australian barman on duty. Luckily, he’d heard about our ale trail so grabbing a scan wasn’t a problem. But what I couldn’t see was how they could fit a live band in the pub every Saturday evening. The beer was in good form and had a nice sweet taste similar to mead but without its strength, but it was too strong for my drinking buddy. Our main problem was time as we only had an hour or so left of drinking time before we had to catch our bus home.

The Business Calendar

Why on earth do businesses follow a different calendar to everyone else? We hear terms like financial quarter in the financial year ending FYE 2017 with periods and week numbers when all we are doing is describing what happened last month. When I’m doing company paperwork, I have to carry a little sheet around with all the weeks and months labelled. It might be great if you’re an international company who deals with a lot of different time zones and have to plan around other people’s holidays; but having a numerical system just to avoid a language barrier also fails because what might be week fifty-two in one company might be week forty-four in another. Some base it around the financial tax year; while others base it on trade to work out when their busiest periods will be. It all creates a code to hide their activities from their competitors which is probably the main reason why they do it; but it also dehumanises the whole thing when it comes to administration. So why not just use the same calendar as everyone else and re-name the month entirely as a new project? Operation orange sounds much more exciting to describe your end of year sale rather than week 53. 

Screw E.U at the Rocklands Social Club, Redditch

I always thought that German Chancellor Angela Merkel was somehow in charge of the European Union. Whenever the amount of money that the United Kingdom contributes to the EU (around 35 million a day since you ask), she’s always on the news concerned where the hole is going to come from? But what does the EU actually do? It’s actually a group of world leaders, and the absurd laws that they create are enforced on us by others through its constitution that all member countries vote upon. But despite that fact that we’re forking out much more than other countries and we’re not getting our fair share of what we want. And no-one’s actually heard of the six people who are actually in charge. When we act, we tend to side along a particular nation rather than a consensus agreement across the whole of the EU. But surely it should be an all or none approach? If the whole of Europe isn’t prepared to work as a team; then what is the pint of dragging everyone else along?  

Doctor Strange

It’s getting hard to keep up with the Marvel universe since so many films have been brought out. I’m also losing track of what order to watch them in, alongside all the TV spin-offs. But luckily, Doctor Strange is an origin story so you don’t have to worry too much about what has happened before. Benedict Cumberbatch plays one of his typical high-profile selfish characters; and it’s quite hard to sympathise with him until he starts battling true villains. But the film is worth seeing in 3D for its special effects; the buildings fold in on themselves beautifully just like Inception, only with an easier to follow plot.  I did doze off briefly during the final boss battle; but my main worry is whether Marvel have created a character that’s just too powerful to encounter. It’s going to be interesting to see how Thanos will be involved, and we’ll learn this next year with the Thor and Guardians of the Galaxy sequels. It’s also going to make us mortals just feel more and more worthless as the plots fade away from reality. 

Small Dog Cider

Now that I’m a part of the pub media world, I’m amazed at how little information is being passed along to help increase each business’s publicity. For instance, while at Kidderminster Beer Festival, I discovered a new cider producer called Small Dog Fury. But according to their website, they’ve been making cider in Worcestershire since 2010! How can a business promote itself if it’s not prepared to get involved with its local community? Or even help visitors to its website by giving us a bit more information about the apples they use or whereabouts they produce? It certainly hasn’t reached the south side of Worcestershire. Their customer comments section is their only testimonials, but we have no idea who these customers are or where the cider has been on sale. I didn’t get the chance to try any since I had a limited amount of time to try the festival beers before battling the train home. I’d already decided to take a risk and go for the very last one.

Banks's Amsterdam Blonde at the North Western, Liverpool

We had the good fortune to visit this venue three times over the course of our stay; twice for beer and once for a very rushed but perfectly cooked breakfast. Located inside the train station it’s a popular venue; but Wetherspoons have done a grand job of transforming it from its former name of the Head of Steam. It has a series of grand halls and lounges; each with wood panelled paintings and comfortable seating. You could also walk through into two additional rooms with similar seating. There’s also a second bar for special events; which hosted an extended range of ales during our visit. We actually popped in as soon as we got off the train for a quick half to refresh ourselves. Our final visit was a very quick rush as it was to sink a half in before our final trip home, but the beer was certainly in great condition. 

Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake

Gormenghast by Mervyn Peake
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This is a story where evil is lurking around every corner in what seems to be a society shouldered with tradition which has torn apart basic human interaction. Peake’s characters all seem to be very feeble in an individual light which is quite comical in some respects and they only seem to be able to function as a collective. Every minute detail has to be described; albeit in a poetic form, especially when it comes to outside scenes bathed in light. Peake’s narrative makes it difficult to place his scenes in perspective when he attempts to describe his characters’ past exploits. For the large part of the tale, absolutely nothing happens. At the end of the book Peake seems to spell out the obvious developments of his protagonist, but he seems to have abandoned all his other characters. I just hope that these characters are also carried into the third book since the reader has spent so much time on them.

View all my reviews

The Reflections Game

Let’s play a game. Find a mirror or a reflective surface. Now put your hand out in front of you. Now, staring only at your reflection, raise and lower each finger above your hand in turn from left to right. You may find that it’s harder than it looks and that it’s extremely difficult to get it right first time, especially with your weaker hand. You might even find it difficult by looking at your hand rather than your reflection. It certainly took me a while, and I got a few of my fingers mixed up in the process. It’s an excellent game that I invented while on a train up to Brum, and it’s a must-do if you play a musical instrument. Mastering this game is an excellent to home in your keyboard skills, reflexes, and it’s extremely handy if you type a lot. But if you get it right, you’ll be able to type or play blindfolded.

Wells's Eagle IPA at Cox's Yard, Stratford upon Avon

On our post-pub tour of Stratford upon Avon’s beer festival, our first stop was Cox’s Yard. It was formerly known as the Lazy Cow but a new generation of owners have restored it to its former state as a live entertainment venue as well as a pub with a superb timber patio. It’s a perfect tourist spot opposite the river, while a barn allows for private dining and other functions. It’s the ultimate stop venue; but it’s a shame that it’s so full of tourists. The bar staff seemed to be foreign and seemed to be wearing sportswear which I thought gave no respect to the venue at all. They were also totally ignorant about the Cask Marque Ale trail, and the beers themselves were pricey. It wasn’t a bad beer and it was a novelty to have a London beer in the middle of Stratford, but I hope that’s not just there to fulfil someone’s portfolio of a British beer.

Autumn Statement

CAMRA members across the country have been campaigning hard to help keep local pubs open and limit further rises in the price of a pint. Since 2013, the government’s Beer Duty Escalator has been scrapped which has resulted in three successive cuts in beer duty and a further freeze on beer duty earlier this year. However, business rates are continuing to be a burden for our pubs and beer duty is still as much as 52p on a pint. Beer and pubs support over 900,000 jobs in the United Kingdom, and our pubs also act as community facilities for many areas in our country.

More action is needed to ensure that pubs and our brewing industry continues to thrive and deliver for consumers. A further freeze on beer duty with a view to a further cut in the 2017 budget would help keep the price of a pint down and address the high levels of Beer Duty paid by UK consumers. And an introduction of a new class of business rate relief for pubs would help to recognise the role that pubs play in local communities and help balance the level of rates paid by pubs and other business sectors. In preparation for Chancellor Philip Hammond’s first Autumn Statement in November, CAMRA members across the country have written to their MP, urging them to send a strong message to the Chancellor to back our pubs and to show support for our brewing industry.

A Children's Chinese

It’s difficult to keep small children entertained when you take them out to an adult restaurant. It’s important to keep them happy and involved so that they feel part of the occasion; even though everything is miles too big for them. For example, after my youngest niece finished her baby food, our waitress kept her entertained by feeding her pieces of watermelon which she absolutely loved. But bigger children who lose their cuteness aren’t that easily amused; especially if they’ve just managed to fall off their chair. Not everyone has an area for them to run around and explore or to make new friends; particularly if it’s dark or wet or in a confined space. Inevitably the video game device comes out so that they can detach themselves from our world and enter their own. But this discourages them from joining in with the group and devolves their contribution to the gathering. So, it’s important to involve them while you meet and eat.

Prescott Grand Prix at the Roscoe Head, Liverpool

There was quite a buzz as we entered this small community local hidden just around the corner from a huge strip of chain pubs, and you might say it’s a small fish in a big pond. The pub company had previously closed this pub (as they do), and there was a considerable campaign to get the pub open again. It’s famed for having a long listing in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide, and the whole design of the pub is for quiet conversation. William Roscoe himself was a campaigner against the slave trade, so this would have been a perfect pub for him to meet people and devise his strategies. I always thought that the roscoe was a type of fish. After being served our halves in the bar, we have a wander around three rooms nodding a hello for the locals before piling into a fourth room by the window. We were soon joined by other CAMRA members who happily joined us, and at least one of the rooms then became available for noon-locals!

Festival Update

Regrettably, the 2017 Redditch Winter Ale Festival has had to be cancelled. The Redditch &

Bromsgrove CAMRA festival team were unable to secure the space and access required at the Rocklands Social Club for a 2017 event, and are now considering a new home for 2018. Branch Chairman Gez Quinn said: ‘I’m aware that many members enjoy this festival, but cancellation was unavoidable.’ The branch also organises the Bromsgrove Beer and Cider Festival in June & July and invites any members who would like to be involved in the planning and preparation of future festivals to get in touch. 

After three successful years in Derby, CAMRA’s National Winter Ale Festival is setting up in its new home in Norwich, which will be held at the city’s St. Andrews and Blackfriars Hall from 21 – 25 February 2017. It’s a beautiful venue with sixteenth century picturesque paintings of city sheriffs, mayors and city benefactors which forms part of the civic portrait collection. As well as old ales, strong milds, stouts, porters and barley wines, there will also be a selection of cider and perry alongside a bottled beer bar.  Many local pubs will also be holding a fringe-style event in the run-up to the festival for those who would like to prolong their stay. Tickets are only available on the door (no advance tickets) and a range of local entertainment will be performing on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings. The festival will also host CAMRA’s Champion Winter of Beer competition. For more details, visit www.nwaf.org.uk. 

Winter Editoriale

Is it to be a white Christmas this year? We’ve had two frosts in November so there’s a very good chance that we could all be building snowmen in the pub’s beer garden (if you do, please send us a pic!). Now that the cold is settling in, it’s more tempting than ever to stay at home in the warm with a bottle or two. But this is the season that our pubs need the most support. It’s also the time of year that brewers do their best to create beers that warm our cockles with a rich, dark taste. Beers such as Backyard’s Bad Santa and Wye Valley’s Three Wyse Men have sweet flavours to match the festive season, not to mention Bathams’s XXX. It’s Christmas pudding in a glass.

But while our pubs do very well over the festive celebrations, it’s the New Year aftermath that hits them hardest, as it’s the time that people find their kitchens stocked up with bottled beer that they got for Christmas. Others are somewhat more resilient with their new year resolutions. The ‘Dryanuary’ effect can be devastating to some pubs, so please make the effort to support your local this winter and perhaps encourage your licensee to stock a guest ale to turn this season into ‘Tryanuary’. Or why not take the Tryanuary challenge and discover a different beer or visit a different pub each day?

Either way, we hope you enjoy yourselves. From all at Pint Taken, we wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Hoppy New Beer!

Bowled Over

Two licensees were ‘bowled over’ when Redditch and Bromsgrove CAMRA called in to present their Autumn Pub of the Season Award. Paul Thompson and Angela Brookes who run the Bowling Green in Stoke Works, nestled between Bromsgrove and Droitwich, have behind the bar for over sixteen years. Paul has recognised the growth in cask beer and has added two guest beers to accommodate this; while cellerman Angela has been working extremely hard to accredit the pub with a Cask Marque certificate to ensure that the beer is of the highest quality. Presenting the award, Branch Chairman Gez Quinn said that there’s a lot of competition in the branch area so Paul and Angela have done well to merit this award. The pub is a short walk from the Worcester and Birmingham Canal and has a bar, lounge, and snug, and of course, a bowling green. The Bowling Green also hosts monthly classic car meetings and home cooked food is also available.

Frog Island Shoemaker at the Swan, Liverpool

Hidden amongst a backstreet row of Liverpool’s shops is the Swan. Its blue front and tiles makes it stand out from the other buildings, though its metal shutter used protect the frontage when it’s closed doesn’t exactly give the game away as to what kind of area it’s in. It’s a small locals’ pub which is popular with rockers who aren’t exactly welcoming to visitors, but it does have eight real ales on in great condition. There is also a beautiful mural on the staircase which leads into the toilets. There’s also an upstairs bar with a second jukebox, as well as bottled Belgium beers and whiskies. The jukebox was a bit heavy metal for my liking, and on a longer trip I might have offered my own playlist; but it was just a whistle-stop tour for a quick half as we wanted to squeeze in a couple of other venues before our return train home.   

Wychwood Gold at the Talbot Inn, Chaddesley Corbett

This half-timbered inn is decorated in the style of a medieval merchant’s house and dates back to 1600. It has a separate restaurant to cater for visitors to the village with a serving bar, while the main bar is rather snug with little seating for the locals. It’s run by an eccentric family whose son needs a little bit of work on maths when it comes to serving behind the bar, as some of our members were short-changed. Upstairs is a beautiful function room with timber beams lining the celling, but the ambience of it is ruined by the approach because of the licensee leaving their possessions in view in the staircase and the proximity of the kitchen next door. The beer was in good condition, but after such a long meeting it was a refreshing change to pop over the road to the Swan for a pint of Bathams before beginning the journey home. 

Quest for the Station #dreamdiary12

I’m on my lunch break and I must meet someone in Wolverhampton. The strange thing is that I’ve only got an hour to get to and from Stratford upon Avon where my work day must resume and it’s a meeting, so I will be noticeably missed. I reach the bar for my rendezvous but the person that I’m due to meet isn’t there. I’ve then got to begin my return journey by heading back to the rail station. Instead of going for the urban route I decide to walk as the crow flies for a faster journey, and walk through a suburban housing estate. It’s a long wide open road with many cul-de-sacs running from it, and there’s a few bus stops along the way so there’s a good chance of getting a lift into town. I fish in my pockets but I only have a single ticket; but I have some coins with me. The first two buses that go past seem to be rented vehicles for the elderly, and as I approach another bus stop, one pulls in right in front of me. I make a dash for it and wave my ticket but it sets off; evidently another elderly only bus. I cross the road and suddenly I hear a train announcer. I look around and see a small corridor with a staircase in between a row of shops. I climb the steps and at the top is a tunnel which looks like it leads into the station, but I would need to crawl through. Do I follow it? 

Penpont Creation at Alestones, Tardebigge

A new micropub has arrived in the Redditch & Bromsgrove CAMRA branch area! Alestones opened in late October and can be found nestled at the back of Tardebigge Court. Licensee Adrian Stone has had many years of experience in the pub trade, and his new venture showcases up to four real ales as well as a selection of ciders, wine and a perry, all in an exclusive emporium of all things beer! There’s a rear snug for small get-togethers, and hearty pub snacks are usually available. A wide range of breweries have been spotted on the bar such as Mad Dog from Penperlleni and Penpont from Cornwall, alongside well-known favourites like Weatheroak Hill and Wye Valley. Opening hours are Thu 5-9, Fri 3-9, Sat 12-9 and Sun 12-3. Tardebigge Court can be found on Hewell Lane near the Tardebigge pub, and buses 42 and 43 from Redditch and Bromsgrove stop right outside on a daily half hour basis. For the latest information, search for Alestones on Facebook.

George Wright Spring Ale at the Lion Tavern, Liverpool

From the outside, this just looks like another corner pub but as you enter the stained-glass windows and wood carvings instantly makes this establishment stand out from the crowd. This beautiful pub was packed to the brim with CAMRA members; and the poor bar staff didn't know which way to turn on their island bar. There were people peering over every corn r and through every hatchway, as people tried to taste as many of the seven ales on sale as possible. The pork pies were also attractive, and those that bought one were guaranteed a seat at the bar as others made space for them to eat them! I managed to find a perch on a high stool near the window while I waited for the others to arrive, and the beers that I tried were in excellent condition. It's a shame that this pub is currently closed over a rent dispute with the owners. 

What would Shakespeare think of Stratford today?

It's an early spring day and it’s the only day that I am allowed out of my tomb. It's a shame that they chose to bury me in my home town. I spent most of my life trying to get away from my countryside roots so the fact that they chose to bury me there is my damnation for all eternity. Last year I boarded one of the motor coaches but its occupants spoke in a tongue that I could not understand. There were many screams and flashes when I asked ‘Wherefore art thou going?’ followed by a stampede to the exit. So this year I am just going to follow one of these people in the hope that one of them mentions leaving for London or asks for directions. And these people are everywhere. They wander all about the church where I am buried, they wander all over my birth house as well as my wife’s house. But during the night the streets are deserted apart from the ones near the theatre where they still perform my plays. Ah, London, how I miss you?

Goodbye to Graham and Stu

A sad but fond farewell was given to licensees Graham Leonard and Stuart Wilcox in November, who have been running the Old Cock Inn for six years. This historic pub owned by Marstons is over 300 years old and is Droitwich’s oldest licensed premises. During their tenancy, the pair have organised a huge variety of events to keep customers entertained; including live music, comedians, drag acts as well as the town’s Friar Fest; a large street market festival promoting food, drink, live music and stalls to promote the local community. The Old Cock Inn earned a place in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide in 2014, and was awarded the Redditch & Bromsgrove CAMRA Pub of the Season in Spring 2015 to recognise their efforts in serving the community. The bar was packed out with locals during the boys’ last night behind the bar; with real ale selling out very early and all other supplies running very low. As we went to press we were told that the pub was being transformed into a bar and restaurant, and that Redditch & Bromsgrove CAMRA have applied to Wychavon District Council to get this historic pub listed as an asset of community value. We wish Graham and Stuart the very best in their futures. 

Lee's Supernova at the Gardeners Arms, Droitwich

Some people make great efforts to bring exotic wines from around the world to our tables. Others enjoy champagne. But here at the Gardener’s Arms, the licensees have gone all out to bring you a supernova range of beers. As well as the four beers inside the pub, an outdoor bar has been created to showcase a further range of beers from all over the country. There’s also plans to fit this into a minibar for shelter during the winter and so that the beers can be locked away and stored. The beers are selected not just because of their names; but because of their pump clips as well which offers a range for everyone. The licensee is encouraging the beer tickers to swing by and set up camp here, but the trouble is that I’ve tried many of these beers in others places! But the main pull is that they’re not normally seen in our little area of the world.  

Young's Best Bitter at the Vernon Arms, Liverpool

It was time to catch up with the others who were doing a tour of Dale Street. Had I known it was that far I would have abandoned my plans, but with a bit of determination I followed the blue dot on my phone past the streams of football fans. The strange thing was that there didn’t seem to be any signs of night life until I hit Dale Street itself. I wandered into the Vernon Arms to find a crowd watching a noisy band with many locals enjoying the atmosphere. It was a fight to get to the bar, but once I’d been served by a disgruntled barmaid I found a post to lean on and enjoy the music. It was nice to see a live band but it ruined the full potential of the pub and we weren’t able to look into any of the other rooms. The frosted glass windows gave the pub an individual look but once inside it felt like I could have been anywhere.

Track Record at the Rising Sun, Redditch

Tony was ready. He’d been training for weeks with his local club for this event, and he was finally ready to make his professional debut on the track. He’d given up on many nights out with his friends in the evenings and he’d put all his family aside to give him more time to train. And now he had to compete against seven other candidates to set his record and earn the right to represent his country. But who were these other people? He’d never seen them before or had a chance to Google their names and find out their personal bests. He knew that tonight he could not afford to hold anything back. All his efforts must go into the next ninety seconds to ensure that he would give his best performance ever. And as the moon began to emerge from behind the clouds, he got the call to make his way towards the track. 

Red Star Weissbeer at the Blackburne Pub & Eatery, Liverpool

The call for food now needed my attention so I wandered over to the Blackburne with Graham in search of a hearty meal. This was a Good Beer Guide pub and we knew some of the people who were staying here and they had recommended the food. As soon as we walked in, we saw crowds from other branches who had full tables and had just commenced munching, but we were soon shown to a conspicuous table in the dining area which was away from the bar and a bit too posh for my liking. The menu was pricey so we both decided to go for fish and chips knowing that we'd get a good northern-sized portion, but there was a fair wait for it to arrive. However, it wasn't particularly special, and the actual fish was only slightly bigger than a supermarket fillet and and it looked towards that too. We politely put it down to a busy pub that was just posh and headed out to catch up with the rest of our gang.  

Little Crosby Sittin' on the Dock at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

Jim sighed. The sun was setting and he hadn't caught a thing. It had been a beautiful day and he would loved to have spent it swimming in the sea or climbing on the rocks with the other lads, but his instructions from Captain Blue were clear: 'As soon as the Celeste comes into view, run to the Navigation and let 'ol Peterson know.' He wasn't entirely sure, but he thought that an ambush would be likely. He had heard that the expedition had found a chest of Spanish galleons on a desert island while pausing to take on water; though how rumour had come to spread in the pub he wasn't sure. Normally he'd alert the authorities that something was afoot but Captain Blue had promised to pay for his bed and board in full if he'd help him out this afternoon, which was more than the government could offer. And so, he'd spent the entire day pretending to fish while staring out across the horizon. 

Woeful Wagamama

I've always liked the sound of Wagamama. It's a Japanese noodle restaurant and it sounds very quirky. But when I actually got round to visiting, I found out that it just serves overpriced and disappointing food. The staff were very friendly and we made sure that their green tea really was free, and the food arrived quite quickly but confusingly as it was brought my different waiters and no-one could remember the name or number of the dish that they'd ordered. My dumplings were smaller and spongier than I thought they would be. Perhaps because they were fried and not steamed. For my main I had ramen noodles with everything in it. The meat was very nice but the noodles looked like they'd come out of a packet of super noodles and the rest was just a large bowl of soup. I'd even been given a bamboo label to slurp the stuff out of my large bowl. I also had a slice of cheesecake which was very refreshing but was also very tiny. I don't think I'll be going back in a while. 

Great Newsome Brewery Holderness Dark at the Clove Hitch, Liverpool

The Clove Hitch is one of Liverpool's trendier bars. It's set in an old homely Townhouse which instantly sets it apart from a pub, and its primary function is an upmarket cafe that serves food. Drinkers are made very welcome and aren’t forced into purchasing a meal. A small flight of steps leads to a hallway leading to dining rooms either side, and the rear room hosted a bar led by a very friendly and welcoming server who was happy to chat to us. Meanwhile, downstairs is a large basement bar complete with its own bottled beer cellar which allows off-licence sales. It was a shame that I left my suitcase in the railway station's locker room. The bar caters for everyone and sells a large variety of Belgium and craft beers, but the mild that I sampled was one of the best beers that I had on this trip; dark and smooth while not completely overpowering.

Boring Bill

The Horrible Histories’ rendition of the life of William Shakespeare was a huge disappointment. It portrays the idea that Shakespeare simply got lucky and was in the right place at the right time to get his plays performed and save the day at the same time rather than pay tribute to Shakespeare’s genius. The plot becomes even more unrealistic when King Philip II arrives in a landing party of just four men and overpowers a whole squad of soldiers and later kidnaps Shakespeare’s wife. There's no attempt to educate the viewer (much unlike the TV series which has a puppeted rat which acts as a narrator) and the action is just too slow and drawn out. Confusion reigns when the actors double up as other characters as they’re clearly underdeveloped, and the whole thing just seems to be a group of actors who enjoy dressing up in period dress have been given permission to remain in costume for a little bit longer. 

Orkney Three Sisters at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

It’s great to see that beers from remote areas such as the islands of Orkney are making their way into the cities. But you’d think, after travelling over five hundred miles, you’d have thought they’d have put a bit more effort into their pump clip design to show how far the cask has travelled to make it stand out and more saleable at the bar. It’s just another random beer with bold lettering. Who were the three sisters? How does the drinker know that this beer is a re-designed ‘shilling-styled’ beer or even the people serving it? I never knew that eighty shilling was a beer style until today, or that the traditional Scottish brewers brewed their beers categorically different to the rest of the planet. So how about some facts to educate the drinker to make it more attractive; rather than just slapping it on and hope that it sells? 

An Early McDonalds #mcdonaldsmutterings2

Just when you think the world is quiet, it gets quite busy. I got up very early in the morning in the hope of slipping away quietly, and decided that the easiest thing to do would be to grab breakfast from McDonalds by the train station as there was a good chance of it being very quiet before 7am. What I forgot about was the fact that it was early Saturday morning and many of the Friday night revellers were still hanging around. Some had even attempted to spend the night there, but luckily the staff were on hand to move these vagabonds onto the street. There was a large family at the till who were clearly having problems deciding what to order, but even though this branch of McDonalds looked old, they still had some kiosks installed. But what should have been a quick wait took over ten minutes. People who had ordered after me were clearly receiving their orders before me. In didn't mind when it was just coffees but when people started to receive breakfasts before me I naturally started to feel a bit annoyed. My number had disappeared from the screen and I was just about to start complaining when I got served by a lovely young girl. I wonder what time they start in the mornings?

Goddards Fuggle-De-Dum at the Philharmonic Dining Rooms, Liverpool

The Philharmonic Dining Rooms is the pub of all pubs. We walked past it a few times during our stay in Liverpool, and in most cases the crowds were spilling out onto the road outside. It was only on Sunday that we managed to venture in, and it’s easy to see the attraction. It’s built like a castle with balconies and a golden and black painted ornate gate acts as a door. Inside, a circular bar is set into a tiled lobby, which is perfect for those who want to prop up the bar. Surrounding this are private wooden-panelled rooms set for the more intimate; with a larger room for the public at the end. But the grand finale is the dining room itself; a huge ten-foot room with chandeliers; wood carvings and decorated in gold as if you were in Buckingham Palace itself. There’s also a buzz about the men’s toilets; as the urinals are circular in nature and are decorated in marble. It’s a shame that the beer selection is tied; this pub really needs to break free for it to earn its true potential. 

Lock-Up

I'm locked out! Not out of my hotel room, not out of my house or not even out of my car! I can see my car through the railings but I just can't get to it because it’s locked in the car park. It's great that it’s kept safe and secure and that I don't have to pay any parking, but it's kind of put a halt on my early start to head up north. In an attempt of common sense I've tried to call the security firm that manages the site but unfortunately my phone’s ran out of juice. Foolishly, the only wire that can charge my phone is in the car; I'd somehow took the charger but not the cable. So I’m sat outside with no other option than to sit in a bus shelter and wait for opening time, but how long that will be is anyone’s guess. And a bunch of guys wandering around asking for directions have said that I’m all right.

Liverpool Organic Ale at the Hole in Ye Wall, Liverpool

This pub was our last venue on our Dale Street tour, and it was rumoured to be the oldest pub in the city. It’s also fascinating to see that this pub has survived considering the venue next door is also a pub which occupies the street corner. Surely at some point it might have made sense to merge the two businesses, even if the pub’s interior prevented knocking the building through. Inside, cosy would be the best adjective to describe the interior of this pub. There’s just a small room at the front and a corridor with a few bar stools. The bar continues into a larger area with an ornate snug which we shared with a group from Poland before our singing helped them to make a gracious and friendly exit. The pub is named because it’s on the site of an old graveyard so the beer is kept upstairs for hygiene reasons and is fed through a wall rather than from a line from the cellar.

On the Trams

I quite enjoyed my commute back into Birmingham last night. A friend had asked me to walk back with her as she didn't fancy walking through the underpass system on her own, and we had quite an entertaining journey. We had a drunk to watch in front of us who was slowly wobbling to and fro across the pavement and was getting closer and closer to the road. We then turned a corner and headed up the hill towards the station and at one point we’d lost him when he wandered into an indoor car park. I had half expected a car to appear roaring up towards the pavement, but luckily he had other things on his mind and we heard a trickling as we wandered past the entrance. But it was great to catch up with my friend on our short journey, and we managed to talk about Scotland as well as beer which was fun too. 

Black Edge Gold at the Caledonian, Liverpool

Feeling peckish, we decided to head over to the Caledonian as we'd heard good things about their food menu and how cheap it was. However, when we arrived we found out that food service had finished for the day and that they weren't serving evening meals. This was a great shame on their part as they could have made a mint from the whole weekend. Nevertheless, we were there for the beer too and we all got ourselves a quick half while we thought over our next move. The pub was reasonably busy because of the football and there was also live music planned for later in their upstairs room. And somehow another pub crawl had managed to catch up with us; this time it was a guided tour for the older CAMRA members who weren't able to use maps or modern technology to plan their way around. And there were loads of them. The queue at one point was out the door so in our best interest we decided to give them room and make our own way onwards. 

Birmingham Beer Festival

I've quite enjoyed Birmingham Beer Festival this year. As well as working behind the bar, I’ve also been entrusted to run the festival games stand and as well as the merchandise and membership stand. I seem to have regained the gift of salesman, encouraging people to have a go at rolling the barrel and parting with their cash to buy old t-shirts. I've volunteered in a novel number of ways and have hoped that I've earns my wages in beer more than some, as they are usually very generous when it comes to offering beer tokens. But there seems to be less sponsorship at these events, and you have to wonder how much money they need to make in order to break even. Are they overspending on volunteers; especially since this year the bottled beer stand was allowing tokens instead of cash. Fewer and fewer volunteers seemed to know what CAMRA’s policies were or what to do in some situations. And that's very worrying if they're not training their own volunteers. 

Burscough Mere Blonde at the Belvedere, Liverpool

After some photographs it was time to hit the pubs and we decided to make a beeline for the Belvedere. Here we established a base while we worked out what everyone was doing and where would be a good place to meet up later. The pub itself was extremely crowded and we just about got around the door to order a half and scan the Cask Marque certificate. Outside though there was plenty of room and a few benches were out outside in the small square that the pub was in for us to spill into. And we made it just in time as a ghost walk was just beginning by the local history society, and we even got a free performance by some of the actors who were just arriving and automatically thought that we were on their tour. After giving him a good audience we thought it best to move on before their real customers arrive to crowd out the square as well. 

Rock and Roll! #dreamdiary11

I'm at a rock concert! It's a great venue but it seems to be on the road of a council estate and I can’t actually see the band! It's a bricked structure and every corner or (church) seems to lead to someone’s front door. Nevertheless, the music carries on and the event is well stewarded despite being outside people's doorsteps and the music’s volume gets quieter as the evening heads into night. People are either standing in small groups drinking beer or, like me, they’ve overindulged and are swaying from side to side in time to the music. Some people have overdone it and have been left to sleep it off in a dark corner. But most people are appreciating the death rock. The air is cold yet the atmosphere is warm because of the number of people present, yet there's plenty of space for those who want it. And there seems to be no complaints from the neighbours. 

Burnsbrough Claro at the Augustus John, Liverpool

We’d had an exhaustive and intense during our mid-afternoon meeting. A lot of the information that the floor demanded wasn’t disclosed by the chair, which led to a lot of disruptions. The meeting then broke for workshops; but it wasn’t made clear that pre-registration was required, and the list displaying which workshop was happening in which room had been removed. Many of us had stormed out in frustration and headed for the nearest pub which just happened to be the Augustus John. This small student-led pub was ill-equipped for the storm of beer fans coming through its doors, and once again it was only due to our pensioner friends that we managed to secure some seats. There was a good scrum at the bar and some of the rebel rousers had even pushed their way through and got served before we did. This was all to the bewilderment of the locals who just wanted to sit down and eat pizza before enjoying the football coverage.  

Bogus Brittania

I'm in a Birmingham hotel! I managed to book it fairly cheap at the last minute, all to save myself a few minutes in being able to help out at the beer festival. When I checked in there was a small queue but the staff seemed to deal with each problem quite quickly and I got checked in in no time. I didn't even need to show any ID. Going up, I shared the lift with an American who'd suffered rail delays from Weston-Super-Mare. I couldn't help thinking about Faulty Towers. The corridor was a little run down but my room had a nice sturdy door. Inside the room was fairly well furnished, but I have a view of the wall of the opposite building and the air conditioning just seems to rumble and rumble. The bed is tiny and half the electrical sockets are for a different continent. I'm still debating whether to risk the breakfast buffet or go around the corner and have a traditional fry-up. 

Meet the Brewer: Weatheroak Hill

Weatheroak Hill Brewery was established in 2008 and brews on the site of the Coach & Horses pub which is a few miles outside of Alvechurch. The pub itself was once owned by the Cadbury family, and its past forty-five years has been down to the hard work of Phil and Sheila Meads and their family of three generations. Head brewer Rob Walker has a great passion for brewing.  He’s been a home brewer for nine years and has also brewed at Ambridge in Inkberrow and at the Black Tap’s one barrel plant in Redditch. Rob began brewing at Weatheroak Hill in February and produces seasonal specials alongside six core beers at the six-barrel plant. He uses a large variety of world-grown hops such as Cascade and Warrior to brew Dark Mild, Icknield Pale Ale, and Gold. One of Rob’s regular beers, Cofton Common (4.9%), is based on a lager recipe and uses an ale yeast at low temperature with Vienna malts and a German hop named Tettnang. He loves to experiment and has produced some fantastic seasonal specials including a Halloween-themed mild fused with rum and orange (Afraid of the Dark 4.2%) and a coffee-flavoured mild named Espresso Italiano. Weatheroak Hill’s Christmas beer will be a pale ale brewed with a New Zealand hop named Sticklebract. Rob brews weekly for the Coach & Horses and also brews for the free trade on request. Bottling has also begun at Weatheroak Hill and are on sale at the pub and Rob hopes to get them into local shops in time for Christmas. 

What the Camera Man Saw

Many weird and wonderful things have been spotted in the background of news reports. It’s well documented on YouTube; from sports fans longing to get a glimpse of fame during their celebrations to local yobs acting up in the background often with the reporter losing it as a result. Modern broadcasters are often able to blur out the background to create more focus on their reporters while protecting the public as they pass by; but if you look close enough you can still see the outline of people going about their daily lives. I once saw a highway maintenance van nearly run a couple as it made its oblivious way down a pedestrianised high street. The truck calmly carried on while the yonder woman held back the elderly man then stopped to comfort him. Once the man had been told what had happened, he shook his fist at the offending vehicle. Of course, the newsreader was oblivious to all this as she was facing the camera, but I wonder if it caught the attention of the cameraman. 

Decanter

A new shop specialising in beer, cider wines and spirits has opened on the High Street of Bromsgrove. Decanter Spirit opened in late September and stocks a range of bottled ales from local breweries such as Sadler’s, Teme Valley, Shakespeare and North Cotswold. The beer range is quite small, and not much is being done to market the shop other than a Facebook page. Being an independent business, you would think that they would have a website up and running so that people can view their stock list or product range; but there’s no such item currently available. The owner doesn’t seem to have any business sense and doesn’t greet customers as they enter the shop, so they may not be running for long. There’s a large selection of bottled ciders as well as specialised spirits such as rhubarb-flavoured vodka, a large variety of fruit-flavoured gin alongside whiskies, brandies and glassware. Decanter Spirit can be found opposite Loretta’s Bakehouse and next to the British Heart Foundation charity shop. I wish them well but they need to expand on their offering and perhaps offer evening party nights to tempt me back.