tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-61559875680027472202024-03-05T14:44:04.833-08:00Ye Olde Inn Seekers...Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-87366056350454395922022-09-21T11:32:00.000-07:002022-09-21T11:32:20.784-07:00The Four Crosses, Cannock, summary<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPP8t9Y4C3Vwinz1HKZe3gl1sE4gxD7H5H-GWWh-yLJrHltOO8GhENkzDsXkA7G7MHsaqHq2R2bpOxtdqqiFf_OphQnMceumms0PdvfYm6NDkxYU-rSKn98Is99kik_Kjh5a2bta0cRk40ulZkErlRKQ99D8gi-bVPD4NP3I-nghWBBTDofw2QWkS/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="70" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPP8t9Y4C3Vwinz1HKZe3gl1sE4gxD7H5H-GWWh-yLJrHltOO8GhENkzDsXkA7G7MHsaqHq2R2bpOxtdqqiFf_OphQnMceumms0PdvfYm6NDkxYU-rSKn98Is99kik_Kjh5a2bta0cRk40ulZkErlRKQ99D8gi-bVPD4NP3I-nghWBBTDofw2QWkS/s1600/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" width="70" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span> </span><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> So, lots of interesting stuff at The Four Crosses, a big place with a huge car park and lots of rooms. It could be a goldmine, but it will take a massive investment which is unlikely to happen in the current economic climate and it's a shame. I'd love to see it restored to it's former glory. I'm not even sure that the building is still there. You can see it on Google Earth but who knows how old the pictures are on there. But, let's hope someone sees the potential and takes it on. It would be a crime if it were left to crumble.</i></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span><span> Normally, if a place is closed we would take a couple of beers and toast the place outside, taking a picture to commemorate the event but we were able to go one better here as we'd been let inside. We'd taken a bottle or two and were able to take this picture behind the bar.</span><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN8xflhfPTHN31Olis_R6i1OJ6RrRWiTQ38djhGSVp-PeOG0YlzGmrkP-MKACNeMxseTKnc2RyuNpsB5vQ93ZtjOaqekerR_x3ZiCl_RL0kJmvbSP4obkLQ5lDls_ZPXopoElOLNCOHLWINzwhU1SQBiGZsFG5lwjBQxK-5qg0FHk7yZqM-y9HEOm/s3264/IMG_20151125_101702.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVN8xflhfPTHN31Olis_R6i1OJ6RrRWiTQ38djhGSVp-PeOG0YlzGmrkP-MKACNeMxseTKnc2RyuNpsB5vQ93ZtjOaqekerR_x3ZiCl_RL0kJmvbSP4obkLQ5lDls_ZPXopoElOLNCOHLWINzwhU1SQBiGZsFG5lwjBQxK-5qg0FHk7yZqM-y9HEOm/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_101702.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> Please excuse the miserable face, it's natural. Our thanks to the manager (who's name we can't remember) from the Brewery (which we can't remember) for getting us in and to Alan, the caretaker who turned out to be a decent chap in the end (he even gave me a glass as a souvenir of our visit).</span><br /></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><br /></span></span></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Cheers!</span><br /></span></span></i></span></span></div><p></p>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-58212971701300190422022-09-21T04:56:00.001-07:002022-09-21T04:56:33.185-07:00The Four Crosses, Cannock, part 2.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPP8t9Y4C3Vwinz1HKZe3gl1sE4gxD7H5H-GWWh-yLJrHltOO8GhENkzDsXkA7G7MHsaqHq2R2bpOxtdqqiFf_OphQnMceumms0PdvfYm6NDkxYU-rSKn98Is99kik_Kjh5a2bta0cRk40ulZkErlRKQ99D8gi-bVPD4NP3I-nghWBBTDofw2QWkS/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="70" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiPP8t9Y4C3Vwinz1HKZe3gl1sE4gxD7H5H-GWWh-yLJrHltOO8GhENkzDsXkA7G7MHsaqHq2R2bpOxtdqqiFf_OphQnMceumms0PdvfYm6NDkxYU-rSKn98Is99kik_Kjh5a2bta0cRk40ulZkErlRKQ99D8gi-bVPD4NP3I-nghWBBTDofw2QWkS/s1600/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" width="70" /><span></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i> Before we travelled to Cannock we had done a bit of research on the Four Crosses and discovered that it had a reputation for being haunted. In fact, I believe it had featured on TVs Most Haunted programme, although it's something I've never seen, and I think they used to hold some sort of ghost watch thing there. We asked Alan and he said that the cellar was the place to see (though he'd never seen a ghost himself), so that's where we headed next.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRF50GSTObavAoVHJ4JxOCmVbtv5EVpQ4FJmub-zQePOWvkhYr5gkdabLie11vNi0t87WmH4jKA-k4i2RAlHf6xUm-p9hZQNrDEWHhTLwLv4ehZWEhFk7U1eEpNrhqi9Ryu07nk7PRJ2tGfIaTHIMwGN--dZWnksep4Vy3gf2X_LxhCzhAEpPAJwF/s3264/IMG_20151125_100247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsRF50GSTObavAoVHJ4JxOCmVbtv5EVpQ4FJmub-zQePOWvkhYr5gkdabLie11vNi0t87WmH4jKA-k4i2RAlHf6xUm-p9hZQNrDEWHhTLwLv4ehZWEhFk7U1eEpNrhqi9Ryu07nk7PRJ2tGfIaTHIMwGN--dZWnksep4Vy3gf2X_LxhCzhAEpPAJwF/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPSZNa_ZPmWQAhyTNLaAp2sBkkaUaHHKGTZ60sd78Qhk29EOj4YbhrZr_BUJ0geTaSqMDWKA8rOBcsnEkqXOg9N5x4acb9agalImY2mrfoCSQTYen5Oa8pfteFGBiSAiYMHTm-WI29i1c8xhUIsa_8z9UZdCUDvrDPJ5mjN8eeelzLt3QUKQuHx5_/s3264/IMG_20151125_100242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJPSZNa_ZPmWQAhyTNLaAp2sBkkaUaHHKGTZ60sd78Qhk29EOj4YbhrZr_BUJ0geTaSqMDWKA8rOBcsnEkqXOg9N5x4acb9agalImY2mrfoCSQTYen5Oa8pfteFGBiSAiYMHTm-WI29i1c8xhUIsa_8z9UZdCUDvrDPJ5mjN8eeelzLt3QUKQuHx5_/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100242.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><span> </span><span> As you can see, not much down here,</span><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB9mFl-s7JJi-8XSVua0uFAi_n6U1RUraYiJG7iIs9mnas7xLS8NEbDP3uXzVT0cqsixfbTHO_alCNoXYTB9BUEyldNDt0y6EtMhD0ercdQbw52B5YVff6bFnmyBycQGpVhoQxOHQSR5TwxWr4ZMcNuuPkbAA9uzxGBVoKoiWezlgDjQR4-N3XhV6/s3264/IMG_20151125_100327.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivB9mFl-s7JJi-8XSVua0uFAi_n6U1RUraYiJG7iIs9mnas7xLS8NEbDP3uXzVT0cqsixfbTHO_alCNoXYTB9BUEyldNDt0y6EtMhD0ercdQbw52B5YVff6bFnmyBycQGpVhoQxOHQSR5TwxWr4ZMcNuuPkbAA9uzxGBVoKoiWezlgDjQR4-N3XhV6/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100327.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> And very low ceilings, I'm only 5 feet 5 inches tall (that's 1.65 metres to you young uns). But then in one corner we found this,</span><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhGefNE_8XLaM8lCwLxWZ2qGBB_3KhnmAgk9Qzim1M4Fp2yv2YXaW5OLeKgSpBHqTHQIU2Qx0LVx51pNuEtx_jU6SF8ucs7NN7O3XaC3GooA-RwaCBtFAwId5Jpc1_Dekibrbi_uy3_jxm72JaUpBJYgm7kw39yVDLJvWXRH_wHKol1o01SOw9vSZ/s3264/IMG_20151125_100126.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEhGefNE_8XLaM8lCwLxWZ2qGBB_3KhnmAgk9Qzim1M4Fp2yv2YXaW5OLeKgSpBHqTHQIU2Qx0LVx51pNuEtx_jU6SF8ucs7NN7O3XaC3GooA-RwaCBtFAwId5Jpc1_Dekibrbi_uy3_jxm72JaUpBJYgm7kw39yVDLJvWXRH_wHKol1o01SOw9vSZ/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100126.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOXirfeXvp7oVdX3i3GGUu635PQqgVAZ8rLnmoL-u21gk8lLW4vMyVHQSWWKcrqHzsYQ2xU1X8cY-nPFrpb7V7PQoHz-AXWFcPG9VkuBraBW6UW455lve8rV0A-JSh_U2uPpv60kEYuAz8eXlttRkDRmDyiZGAk9TC87t7Y9fsuQW_hB6vaClBvej/s3264/IMG_20151125_100517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkOXirfeXvp7oVdX3i3GGUu635PQqgVAZ8rLnmoL-u21gk8lLW4vMyVHQSWWKcrqHzsYQ2xU1X8cY-nPFrpb7V7PQoHz-AXWFcPG9VkuBraBW6UW455lve8rV0A-JSh_U2uPpv60kEYuAz8eXlttRkDRmDyiZGAk9TC87t7Y9fsuQW_hB6vaClBvej/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100517.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERKtktIPdZN_lPi-YdhgNyZhZFqA3GlSMcRlayach5qDCfj-XcmGuqWfonWWV6WFcz65NWEijEfPwxdRFVs5514Som8uWCepq0ZpoHDOTuIsz-dE9NbR-h4uzu7Y0u7cY2aEsdKL_n15swVr5DyYLY5i33-dxxwzND-HBmFBt2LDIjaC68EHcN9ul/s3264/IMG_20151125_100505.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiERKtktIPdZN_lPi-YdhgNyZhZFqA3GlSMcRlayach5qDCfj-XcmGuqWfonWWV6WFcz65NWEijEfPwxdRFVs5514Som8uWCepq0ZpoHDOTuIsz-dE9NbR-h4uzu7Y0u7cY2aEsdKL_n15swVr5DyYLY5i33-dxxwzND-HBmFBt2LDIjaC68EHcN9ul/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_100505.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> Now I don't believe in all this tosh but if I did, I'm not sure how confident I'd be of success using a Ouija board that somebody made out of an old pub table and a felt tipped pen. Just sayin'.</span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span> </span><span> Jonathan Swift (1667 - 1745), Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, visited The Four Crosses and was so taken aback by the landlord's wife's foul temper that he </span></span></span></span></i></span><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>allegedly scratched a rhyme on a windowpane which read,</i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>"Why hang four crosses at the door</span><br /></i></span></span></div><span style="font-size: large;"><i> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Hang out thy wife, thou needs no more"</span></i></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i>which is supposed to be still there, but we couldn't find it.</i></span></div></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span><span> Back outside though, we did find a couple of interesting things carved into the timbers. One was, presumably, the date the pub, or at least that part of it, was built.</span><br /></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYVCjd5glbEJmKF946RI5CHqb7os81nPPF6OlcNo4I8-nrw1Z4JVoOimknoaC1-aYW0U-beP2opturh7IkZC1rpXPFITxHNFUt23tIRLfBA75VbDOxLDtzkJu3kruDhoo5HcmfCd5tjoXFWWGzANpjic_uEoEtCZGXsbkz1tsX3SDpxGKumkCaJ44/s3264/IMG_20151125_094440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAYVCjd5glbEJmKF946RI5CHqb7os81nPPF6OlcNo4I8-nrw1Z4JVoOimknoaC1-aYW0U-beP2opturh7IkZC1rpXPFITxHNFUt23tIRLfBA75VbDOxLDtzkJu3kruDhoo5HcmfCd5tjoXFWWGzANpjic_uEoEtCZGXsbkz1tsX3SDpxGKumkCaJ44/w480-h640/IMG_20151125_094440.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> And the other was part of a poem by Thomas More, In Mortis Diem Omnibus Incertum (The day of death which is known by no one)</span><br /></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqgkyYlQd1rB3lKjzXsxrnRppdkmGvKaqfuEPO4R9e6iy9v4SKTgnvq9dM4Eb1v8OVKDTkyInNjgduCudgeh6O9oM4Ntg7SGCB9dAynYqQDpfNeSonKbvJM1BUEuPSupstsp-bvM5G4hw-UvLPGLqFBrqYoOqWDj2AiRCLntourdT9trCYGR20I-8/s3264/IMG_20151125_094432.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqgkyYlQd1rB3lKjzXsxrnRppdkmGvKaqfuEPO4R9e6iy9v4SKTgnvq9dM4Eb1v8OVKDTkyInNjgduCudgeh6O9oM4Ntg7SGCB9dAynYqQDpfNeSonKbvJM1BUEuPSupstsp-bvM5G4hw-UvLPGLqFBrqYoOqWDj2AiRCLntourdT9trCYGR20I-8/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_094432.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> It reads,</span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span> <span> </span><span> </span> FLERES, SI SCIRES UNUM TUA TEMPORA MENSEM</span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span> RIDES, CUM MON SIT FORTISAN UNA DIES</span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> which translates as</span></span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> You would weep if you knew that your time was one month,</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> You laugh when perhaps there might not be one day left to you.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i> or in modern language,</i></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>If you knew that you only had one month to live, you would weep, but you don't know. So you laugh, yet you might have less than a day left.</i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span><span> Cheerful bugger, wasn't he?</span><br /></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Cheers!</span><br /></span></i></span></div>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-60670454505711577862022-09-20T14:34:00.000-07:002022-09-20T14:34:12.407-07:00The Four Crosses, Cannock, part 1.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDTJk57plZWw8ohE7HMPoUyTGj28ruftyqaJoir59DH_oZahW52CyN5KV6-1j4e0tW3ee3QpzNeaIrDGhw-x54SMaCc0u_pnSmdH3w5IWlf3oGHl0zRcg2Dgx8FAWwOQSma5P__sBmeGlnjgRlpZ3OhhC5rSAgVzGm1gvLeKSlZKCLMfPkEUNbOOW/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="70" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDTJk57plZWw8ohE7HMPoUyTGj28ruftyqaJoir59DH_oZahW52CyN5KV6-1j4e0tW3ee3QpzNeaIrDGhw-x54SMaCc0u_pnSmdH3w5IWlf3oGHl0zRcg2Dgx8FAWwOQSma5P__sBmeGlnjgRlpZ3OhhC5rSAgVzGm1gvLeKSlZKCLMfPkEUNbOOW/s1600/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" width="70" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span>On the 25th November 2015 we went to Cannock to visit The Four Crosses which became an important coaching house in the latter part of it's history. But to get there we had a bit of a journey ourselves.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> The Four Crosses is closed and has been for a while so we were expecting to just go and have a beer outside and take a couple of pictures. But my son, Clint, found a phone number for the pub and gave it a ring. The phone was answered by a chap called Alan who confirmed that, yes, the pub was closed, he had been installed there as a caretaker and was doubtful as to whether it would open again. My son then explained what we were doing and asked, politely, if there was a chance that we could call in for ten minutes, have a quick look round and take a couple of pictures. It was a resounding no. He was under strict instruction not to let any one in or even discuss the place in detail. So, that was that.</span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span> </span><span> Except, it wasn't. My son then decided to rind the brewery that owned the pub (unfortunately, neither of us can remember which brewery it was). He eventually found the manager that was dealing with it and explained to him, then asked, politely again, if there was any chance we could go and have a look round and take some pictures. </span><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span> </span><span> The answer came straightaway, "Of course, no problem. when do you want to go? I'll tell Alan to expect you and let you have the run of the place" Result!</span><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> So, here we are on our way!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQBBOWDzjBPkq0XxGYTjjhbOFKLmP2OWv-Z1KRtap2BqogsrUwf7s1oWb2GTPuzr4yoyE78B42sbrTCLpgMnvqN6r7BA-5uNvK8rd8p-myc35CGasrWqJcMWgjtQXGU-1tFZOhavYM8IcqYEVHSihHoxKgS48H1dJACIVywUr87uqIBKYTkhS5DJ/s1280/FB_IMG_1448448611828.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhQBBOWDzjBPkq0XxGYTjjhbOFKLmP2OWv-Z1KRtap2BqogsrUwf7s1oWb2GTPuzr4yoyE78B42sbrTCLpgMnvqN6r7BA-5uNvK8rd8p-myc35CGasrWqJcMWgjtQXGU-1tFZOhavYM8IcqYEVHSihHoxKgS48H1dJACIVywUr87uqIBKYTkhS5DJ/w640-h480/FB_IMG_1448448611828.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> And here I am outside the front of the pub.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-YrkA548BgiZXHbrMesNvGFs-3ZgFPwC8BZanAUDpImh2UYwr3mzV7J4S_laSYty6kUrUSICU-t27YUnBxk5zRGuecKqkRndFQXEGvIAl1vUO561CtgWD-mz_uiP0mT4-kKPPU0ObUTQBp8C9guvVL642wVbc1BMb6hLcCI4uHZyxm21EjPa_uRC/s3264/IMG_20151125_094304.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-YrkA548BgiZXHbrMesNvGFs-3ZgFPwC8BZanAUDpImh2UYwr3mzV7J4S_laSYty6kUrUSICU-t27YUnBxk5zRGuecKqkRndFQXEGvIAl1vUO561CtgWD-mz_uiP0mT4-kKPPU0ObUTQBp8C9guvVL642wVbc1BMb6hLcCI4uHZyxm21EjPa_uRC/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_094304.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> It's a big old place and with lots of interesting architecture (not that either of us profess to know anything about architecture, it just looks good). We made our way round the back and found the way in.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkRVznlMOE_wECPZSKZp6aN1hpaB1LIKWrebbXz-K-V-oSTxa4RhB0aD9-cK2_VyuUdUbuxQ19DiBb7V-0BbDfRr4W0kER7LBYwHy8PAAvP5mpSmzC4eDxGKjDnuZElDQOjBEsxTPstw_FzbI3Z7db20bYtSGv7VCYGj3nRb-3-WszUwFwQw13_O/s3264/IMG_20151125_094109.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XkRVznlMOE_wECPZSKZp6aN1hpaB1LIKWrebbXz-K-V-oSTxa4RhB0aD9-cK2_VyuUdUbuxQ19DiBb7V-0BbDfRr4W0kER7LBYwHy8PAAvP5mpSmzC4eDxGKjDnuZElDQOjBEsxTPstw_FzbI3Z7db20bYtSGv7VCYGj3nRb-3-WszUwFwQw13_O/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_094109.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> No, not that, this,</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkcXrTwQ2ncx22f5Yr6vSosG0IAfQUkqUKt0EiMrL06WRWZGzOWj5CCDCxHm5yhPNezeKTWfjeDGr-iwCMimrU4uNTJstx-H_lL3W4gjiBP3GGmxrl3-f7O7gXEW9f1sGtxvrU0R2cTzOkFDgMkYjdxYoxixvpclAUq9OQ649xepQgcK0IS5UISXt/s3264/IMG_20151125_094120.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGkcXrTwQ2ncx22f5Yr6vSosG0IAfQUkqUKt0EiMrL06WRWZGzOWj5CCDCxHm5yhPNezeKTWfjeDGr-iwCMimrU4uNTJstx-H_lL3W4gjiBP3GGmxrl3-f7O7gXEW9f1sGtxvrU0R2cTzOkFDgMkYjdxYoxixvpclAUq9OQ649xepQgcK0IS5UISXt/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_094120.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> Anyway, we knocked on the door a couple of times and, after a short wait, a guy opened the door. This was Alan, and we both got the distinct impression that he wasn't best pleased that we'd gone over his head and he now had to put up with us.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> But, Hey ho!!!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> After a while he warmed up a bit and he told us that since the place closed there'd been several people interested but it never went anywhere. One company wanted to turn it into a hotel (it has quite a lot of bedrooms) but one of the biggest obstacles was the fact that the doors to the bedrooms were not fire rated and, because it's a listed building, they wouldn't be able to change the doors ( I don't know the rules for listed building works, but you would think there would be a way round that, a compromise, maybe. Better to make changes than let it rot).</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Here's a few pictures of the inside,</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8h_QAkPLrroukOKQb9vwiFMpRF8794oNTFkWqL1ZNe-I3ZqmvtAGzBQEKzludGUswUSP15Cl-pTUch8at9M4p9UriA6aQucpjQ7-UTxuuxMHSJOwyR6STh5silo5Fm2WsRSKYM4X_zIMCZimRQTqqrbspaMaXtlxJzjqfze0GoT69cF9mJRJKkGA/s3264/IMG_20151125_095157.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj8h_QAkPLrroukOKQb9vwiFMpRF8794oNTFkWqL1ZNe-I3ZqmvtAGzBQEKzludGUswUSP15Cl-pTUch8at9M4p9UriA6aQucpjQ7-UTxuuxMHSJOwyR6STh5silo5Fm2WsRSKYM4X_zIMCZimRQTqqrbspaMaXtlxJzjqfze0GoT69cF9mJRJKkGA/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_095157.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vT73VXB-3mDYDmjEwkSu-y0MAKuor3zRqJNJSD9GIcitep7cxtB64Nu1fKDeaeEv11qcwGfG-vF58jAsiBRK_7Dq339G2vPG9k_pBNDsyz0V6ICwKxg5n9ExN4q7RdwGxVoZxawJjFl2uASU-e9uWSryutWB8yf79pI0j8yS1cCttEoiP-wfrk1B/s3264/IMG_20151125_095221.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_vT73VXB-3mDYDmjEwkSu-y0MAKuor3zRqJNJSD9GIcitep7cxtB64Nu1fKDeaeEv11qcwGfG-vF58jAsiBRK_7Dq339G2vPG9k_pBNDsyz0V6ICwKxg5n9ExN4q7RdwGxVoZxawJjFl2uASU-e9uWSryutWB8yf79pI0j8yS1cCttEoiP-wfrk1B/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_095221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZFlOlQDylCGoAD91rOs4LfsXhGwVoWlPBdAYHIaf6QkREMShTEtU72pCBzn2xBx-pPUh1NBx3Eog8Yy-xZJss2wQgNa7p_zH8hm_KiiESAc7lonJzEkZ64XrCO_Ch6S6vDouUizTPWpLdKXnsQNaWOYIBb4X9XZZlK394i2jhBfiR_8G0vCkgz0e/s3264/IMG_20151125_095655.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIZFlOlQDylCGoAD91rOs4LfsXhGwVoWlPBdAYHIaf6QkREMShTEtU72pCBzn2xBx-pPUh1NBx3Eog8Yy-xZJss2wQgNa7p_zH8hm_KiiESAc7lonJzEkZ64XrCO_Ch6S6vDouUizTPWpLdKXnsQNaWOYIBb4X9XZZlK394i2jhBfiR_8G0vCkgz0e/w640-h480/IMG_20151125_095655.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xP0Lj3UWJ9y-PY6x__Qs7alSyPBpNdr5mbeQT7rS_w1T9uSVXSwlzi9-grs2RJYY8Y6Vf6u2tJzhL_Y45TiHjU1BHVkhLTnKrj6qdKohugMgXpS2nI7MIm9Y-5I8afcwHY8VSpnClyn7lwEyo-tR8G9gfRO03f7Um1uzN6j6HEWC6Cjjsn-a4RKL/s3264/IMG_20151125_094949.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xP0Lj3UWJ9y-PY6x__Qs7alSyPBpNdr5mbeQT7rS_w1T9uSVXSwlzi9-grs2RJYY8Y6Vf6u2tJzhL_Y45TiHjU1BHVkhLTnKrj6qdKohugMgXpS2nI7MIm9Y-5I8afcwHY8VSpnClyn7lwEyo-tR8G9gfRO03f7Um1uzN6j6HEWC6Cjjsn-a4RKL/w480-h640/IMG_20151125_094949.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> As you can see, nice fireplaces, lots of oak beams and all the furniture still in place. There's also a few interesting things on the walls too.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b1bTUZdzR6aQNhdxISqb8VHLc-7oKs6v5frTQaEPsAzjUVhjAZ-JlF59Pm2jD8MMzcHpb1f2kDy9kFogl1jN0HLGh9HSHz0cyabv4IEpTXb9Sv93PGwGgjK-Jm78tWJPALuPd3mxNgPe2Fywpt5FoPQc4fH2yY4b9wgie8IfxrQiTf5XcCPUg1CA/s3264/IMG_20151125_100015.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b1bTUZdzR6aQNhdxISqb8VHLc-7oKs6v5frTQaEPsAzjUVhjAZ-JlF59Pm2jD8MMzcHpb1f2kDy9kFogl1jN0HLGh9HSHz0cyabv4IEpTXb9Sv93PGwGgjK-Jm78tWJPALuPd3mxNgPe2Fywpt5FoPQc4fH2yY4b9wgie8IfxrQiTf5XcCPUg1CA/w480-h640/IMG_20151125_100015.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> This is a picture of what was supposed to be a military uniform found in a trunk in the attic in the 1950s. The jacket is made of velvet and the trousers are buckskin. It was made for a boy and dates to the 1850s. It's now in a museum.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbClfAw6nsO6RBkf5i4CS1T8D4dN5z34PYADo_AobxaJNcuxeSPyLpdYDjAbR-0Y02gQzIrzCbepbI36SBEyMCLQ76r33DTLo7sDArLKwjnCF-NX79irwqqVQRZTp6EJiTW7VRVYyax6EtBhwF0FryLZu72zEghIvC-mhTkXMcGJHjrXzxVgGzfFK_/s3264/IMG_20151125_100813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbClfAw6nsO6RBkf5i4CS1T8D4dN5z34PYADo_AobxaJNcuxeSPyLpdYDjAbR-0Y02gQzIrzCbepbI36SBEyMCLQ76r33DTLo7sDArLKwjnCF-NX79irwqqVQRZTp6EJiTW7VRVYyax6EtBhwF0FryLZu72zEghIvC-mhTkXMcGJHjrXzxVgGzfFK_/w480-h640/IMG_20151125_100813.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><span><span> </span><span> This one tells the history of some of the other inns on Watling Street, most of which no longer exist.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> Well, it's getting late and I've probably done enough for tonight. It also seems quite tiring doing it on your own or maybe that's just my age. Anyway, I'll attack it again tomorrow but for now,</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Cheers!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><p></p>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-44739219442950363352022-09-20T09:03:00.002-07:002022-09-20T09:41:29.001-07:00The Bear Esher, Summary<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDTJk57plZWw8ohE7HMPoUyTGj28ruftyqaJoir59DH_oZahW52CyN5KV6-1j4e0tW3ee3QpzNeaIrDGhw-x54SMaCc0u_pnSmdH3w5IWlf3oGHl0zRcg2Dgx8FAWwOQSma5P__sBmeGlnjgRlpZ3OhhC5rSAgVzGm1gvLeKSlZKCLMfPkEUNbOOW/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="70" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisDTJk57plZWw8ohE7HMPoUyTGj28ruftyqaJoir59DH_oZahW52CyN5KV6-1j4e0tW3ee3QpzNeaIrDGhw-x54SMaCc0u_pnSmdH3w5IWlf3oGHl0zRcg2Dgx8FAWwOQSma5P__sBmeGlnjgRlpZ3OhhC5rSAgVzGm1gvLeKSlZKCLMfPkEUNbOOW/s16000/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>So, the evening didn't go quite as planned which means the only information I can supply has been gleaned from the tinterweb.</i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span> </span><span> The Bear is an 18th centurycoaching inn and a Grade II listed building, It was a staging post for the London to Portsmouth coaches and the local posting house and was reportedly used by Lord Nelson. It was originally called The Bear and Ragged Staff and was built on the site of the Earl of Warwicks hunting lodge. It was also called the Brown Bear during it's coaching days. His crest included a bear. There has supposedly been a pub here since 1460. In the dining room there are a pair of huge jack-boots. These were, allegedly worn by the post boy who drove the fugitive French king, Louis Phillippe to Claremont during the revolution of 1848. It is also said that a section of the French Royal household put up at the Bear.</span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span> </span><span> And that's all the history I can give you. The only thing left to say is that it's a very good pub with very nice staff. I just wish we'd gone on a week night when it might have been less busy or that we were more disciplined with our alcohol intake!</span><br /></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span> </span><span> Nevertheless, it's a great pub and I would recommend it to anyone. That's all I have I'm afraid so until next time,</span><br /></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i><span><span><span><span> </span><span> Cheers!</span><br /></span></span></span></i></span></div><p></p>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-49458988477087771712022-09-20T08:19:00.000-07:002022-09-20T08:19:21.617-07:00The Bear, Esher, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>The Bear is just across the road from the pub we were in and is an imposing looking place situated right in the middle of town. I, being a Numpty, accidentally deleted some of my photos so I've borrowed one I found on-line (apologies to anyone who has copyright - I will remove it on request).</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy-nwMI9O8XLgP8WFxIAr3pdmrzUkuGYwKU9PpQ1ZMDLCAyiVAKAp85sP9ZvHeIXLcpmgC6E1uv3zhKnTAVkgE4h1s-mdR37CNGMs19gYiVOYOFWPBAUXp27IO8G9lCSOM1lZfmwLHFA/s1600/the+bear+2.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvy-nwMI9O8XLgP8WFxIAr3pdmrzUkuGYwKU9PpQ1ZMDLCAyiVAKAp85sP9ZvHeIXLcpmgC6E1uv3zhKnTAVkgE4h1s-mdR37CNGMs19gYiVOYOFWPBAUXp27IO8G9lCSOM1lZfmwLHFA/s640/the+bear+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The Bear</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> We went in through the front door and I realised we'd probably spent too much time in The Albert. The Bear was rammed. And if we thought The Albert was cliquey, this didn't look as if it was going to be any better. It was full of twenty-somethings who looked like they all worked in the city and were letting their hair down. Lots of champagne and fancy dress for some reason! I couldn't see us getting many stories out of them (and it turned out I was right).</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> I'd been in touch with the manager, Chris, and told him we were coming. He'd said to make ourselves known when we arrived so, we made our way to the bar, ordered a beer, and asked the young girl there if we could speak to Chris. She said he was very busy and I explained that he was sort of expecting us so off she went. A minute later she returned with a young man who said "Can I help you"? I said "Are you Chris"? He said "No". He was Chris's assistant. I thought "this is going well". So I explained again that Chris was expecting us and we'd really like to speak to him. He said he'd go and see if he was free but that he might not have time to speak to us as he was really busy, and off he went. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i> I was seriously considering going back to The Albert.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Bear seemed OK, but definitely a lost cause as far as local stories go. It was a drinkers pub, but not a community pub. Everyone was there with their own mates, and had no intention on mixing and a mingling. Its a Friday night pub. Plenty of hustle and bustle, decent atmosphere, just lacking in a little....spirit? I dunno, but I imagine next Friday night there'll be a whole new set of faces...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Chris Turned up, Looked like my old boss, which was a good and bad thing... (Good, as, with my old boss, We started off fine, but bad, because things with my old boss soon turned sour, hopefully, the same wont happen with Chris)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;">Yep Here was Chris............and he didn't have a clue who we were..........for a second or two. He asked if he could help with a bewildered look on his face until I explained who we were and why we were there. Then the penny dropped and he changed instantly! He couldn't have been more welcoming. He explained though that, as it was a Saturday night and it was a big eating place, he hadn't got a lot of time right then but, once the place had died dowm a bit (if it ever did) he'd come and have a chat. He did say that it was a nice change for people to turn up just to see the pub and not ask for anything. We'd only been there 5 minutes and I wouldn't dream of asking for free stuff! After I've spent all night and a fair bit of cash I might ask for a glass or something as a souvenir but not as soon as I walk in. Apparently some ask for freebies before they get there, cheeky feckers!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"> Anyway he asked the girl to get a couple of beers and handed them over saying to enjoy the night and he'd see us later. So, although we'd already got a pint, the barmaid turned up with two Brooklyn lagers, 5.1% and it was bloody lovely! I seem to remember we drank it all night. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> So. we walked around the pub and had a good look but the place was absolutely packed with young people who were very loud and very boisterous. everyone seemed to be having a party. Which meant it was very awkward trying to take pictures and, sadly, in the end, we didn't get any decent ones of the inside of the building.</span><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span> </span><span> There was absolutely not one seat to be had inside so we retreated to the patio, which was very large with lots of tables and chairs, but they were all occupied. We found a corner to stand in and spent the next hour and a half or so talking amongst ourselves and doing one of my favourite things, people watching. </span><br /></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span> </span><span> Then a table became vacant and we rushed to get it at the same time as a couple made a beeline for it, and that's how we met Andy and Carol. They were a nice couple and were on their own. we thought this was the chance we were waiting for to get some local gossip about the pub!</span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKIe9zskCtY8GoOEqU8-jMwYqHNcV_PKo7wijXUqHWjsToXBc6hH7kSpQ7CTzivvcJf_lRg0_VY1YLwhGXNNClSZrop344Ai7QMqOSADhHw9s9nf5vF-ndK31CVfM6SAyeJI6X_RigYf6SmCdE97_9tu_OsOpAB1RngFRl9QLIe52-gR9NrLVGPNy/s1280/received_2222257011270902.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKIe9zskCtY8GoOEqU8-jMwYqHNcV_PKo7wijXUqHWjsToXBc6hH7kSpQ7CTzivvcJf_lRg0_VY1YLwhGXNNClSZrop344Ai7QMqOSADhHw9s9nf5vF-ndK31CVfM6SAyeJI6X_RigYf6SmCdE97_9tu_OsOpAB1RngFRl9QLIe52-gR9NrLVGPNy/w640-h480/received_2222257011270902.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Carol, Clint and Andy</i></span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span> </span><span> Wrong. They didn't live in Esher and were visiting friends or family and couldn't tell us anything about The Bear. It turned out though that Andy lived in London and one of his local watering holes is one of the pubs that we have yet to visit, The London Apprentice, Isleworth (just hope it's still open when we get to it) so, hopefully, we'll get to meet him and his good lady again.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> In all this time the beer had been flowing thick and fast and I, for one, was starting to slur my words a bit. And I'd got the munchies. I was starving. Can't remember how long it was since we'd eaten but the lack of food and the abundance of alcohol was having a very detrimental effect on my ability to think. And talk. And stand up straight. We had definitely spent too much time in the Albert.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> So, after a brief discussion we decided to get a chinese and call it a night. This was a shame because it meant that we didn't get a chance to talk to Chris, the manager. But I felt it was the right thing to do as I wasn't really capable of holding a serious conversation with anyone. I could talk bollocks, as we all can when we've had a fewl but that wasn't why we were there. I felt really bad about it afterwards, because Chris seemed genuinely interested once he realised who we were and why we were there and I hope we didn't offend him with our disappearing act, especially as he'd been so welcoming. We tried to find him to explain why we were leaving but the place was still bouncing and he was nowhere to be found. So we got our food took it back to the hotel and slept the sleep of the drunkard.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> Well, I think that's enough for now. As I said, sorry it's all me but if my son thinks I've missed something or remembered it wrong I'm sure he'll add a bit.</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><span><span> </span><span> More soon. Cheers!</span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: times, times new roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span><span><span><span><span><span><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></i></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-45895440343877672832022-09-19T12:47:00.001-07:002022-09-19T12:47:49.384-07:00If anyone's still listening?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsre1-IeV-7kEHnNZlRgmqOJd2JyMQdQM6OLzkD-m0MDnqDhK1HpqIsGNOTjit9GI1hBt3yViyP7LZHRHQA8Bx6JkAO8kdl9-VoawXSdLeIFI8GEfHEK4cBlmPdU662Qzvz0kMXMSdmZMw37wsBzGJnJXxtVc3-g67kpQHV1CXGVK_ZODT36Fbn6f/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="86" data-original-width="70" height="86" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsre1-IeV-7kEHnNZlRgmqOJd2JyMQdQM6OLzkD-m0MDnqDhK1HpqIsGNOTjit9GI1hBt3yViyP7LZHRHQA8Bx6JkAO8kdl9-VoawXSdLeIFI8GEfHEK4cBlmPdU662Qzvz0kMXMSdmZMw37wsBzGJnJXxtVc3-g67kpQHV1CXGVK_ZODT36Fbn6f/s1600/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" width="70" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;">Well, I suppose I owe you an explanation. We haven't written anything for over four years and we have 5 pubs to write about, plus, we haven't finished the write up about The Bear, Esher.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>This is partly because we got idle or complacent about keeping the blog up to date. We were still visiting pubs but were indisciplined about keeping up with the write ups.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>But the other part of it is that my darling wife was taken seriously ill in April 2018. So ill that I had to give up work to care for her. This meant that Ye Olde Innseekers got put on hold.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Well, after four difficult years, in May of this year, my wife finally lost her battle and passed away. It's been a difficult time for both of us.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>But, life goes on, as they say, and we feel ready to take up the quest again. Hopefully, it will help us both, occupying our minds with something.</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>So, over the next few weeks, I'm going to try and catch up with the blog and bring it up to date. Unfortunately, because the visits were 4 or 5 years ago, some of the details are a bit fuzzy, but I/we will do my/our best. I worded it like that because a lot of the blog will probably be written by me alone, because there is a lot to do and my son, Clint, is extremely busy with work and family commitments so can't always make the time to come here and do it. </span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>Whereas, I have plenty of time, so it looks like the lions share will be down to me. I apologise, in advance, if this means it's not as entertaining as it might be ( my son thinks he's the funny one) but time is short as we hope to be visiting TWO pubs in the near future and I want to get as much done before then,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span>That's all from me for now, more soon,</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-size: large;"><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> Cheers</span><br /></span></i></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsre1-IeV-7kEHnNZlRgmqOJd2JyMQdQM6OLzkD-m0MDnqDhK1HpqIsGNOTjit9GI1hBt3yViyP7LZHRHQA8Bx6JkAO8kdl9-VoawXSdLeIFI8GEfHEK4cBlmPdU662Qzvz0kMXMSdmZMw37wsBzGJnJXxtVc3-g67kpQHV1CXGVK_ZODT36Fbn6f/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsre1-IeV-7kEHnNZlRgmqOJd2JyMQdQM6OLzkD-m0MDnqDhK1HpqIsGNOTjit9GI1hBt3yViyP7LZHRHQA8Bx6JkAO8kdl9-VoawXSdLeIFI8GEfHEK4cBlmPdU662Qzvz0kMXMSdmZMw37wsBzGJnJXxtVc3-g67kpQHV1CXGVK_ZODT36Fbn6f/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsre1-IeV-7kEHnNZlRgmqOJd2JyMQdQM6OLzkD-m0MDnqDhK1HpqIsGNOTjit9GI1hBt3yViyP7LZHRHQA8Bx6JkAO8kdl9-VoawXSdLeIFI8GEfHEK4cBlmPdU662Qzvz0kMXMSdmZMw37wsBzGJnJXxtVc3-g67kpQHV1CXGVK_ZODT36Fbn6f/s86/stevie%20g%20The%20blog%20pic.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-26914561005939128992015-11-16T16:22:00.000-08:002015-11-23T11:39:06.854-08:00The Bear, Esher. Part 1<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Well, here we go at last. Sorry it's been so long but had another hip replacement and had problems getting access to our blog (had to wipe my laptop cos it was running like a bag of shite and afterwards Blogger said I had no blogs??) Still, all sorted now (fingers crossed).</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> So, It's been a while since our last trip and I just hope we can remember what happened. We set off mid-morning for the M42, M40 and M25. Wasn't really looking forward to the drive as all three motorways can be a nightmare, but we had a fairly trouble free journey which was made all the better by the numerous classic Minis we passed on the way. There were some really beautiful cars. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> As we approached the bottom of the M40 we decided to stop at the services for some food. The only reason I mention this is that, near us, in the Midlands, the services are pretty bog standard with a MacDonalds and a Costa Coffee or a KFC and a Starbucks and not much else. But Beaconsfield? Hell! I could live there!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> For anyone who hasn't been to a services round the capital, let me explain........It has a MacDonalds, KFC, Starbucks, M & S simply food, Greggs, Carvery Express, El Mexicana, Mint Leaves Indian Restaurant, Nandos, Patisserie Valerie (cakes), Francesca Ristorante, Chozen Noodle and a Wetherspoons!!!!! Happy Days! So we sat in the car park, filling our faces and watching a pair of red kites scare the shit out of every bird around.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I didn't notice the birds... I did notice the brand spanking Audi R8. The driver was a slim, 6 foot handsome bastard, with a tasty wife... probably had a small dick. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Minis were great, otherwise, an uneventful journey to the hotel in the picturesque setting of Junction 10 of the M25. Cheap and cheerful is how we roll! I gotta say, I do love a good hotel. Me and the Mrs stopped in a 5 star gig in Amsterdam, It had a plasma in the bath! (not in the bathroom, actually built into the bath). It was well worth the money, but now with kids, and having to visit 40 places, £100 a night wasn't an option any more, so we book hotels as cheap as we can, and central Esher hotels were well expensive. As it turns out, our hotel was the wrong side of the motorway, so after we'd checked in, we went for a walk to see where we could cross the motorway and call a taxi to take us the rest of the way. We couldn't cross. With our tail between our legs, we went back to the hotel and asked the receptionist for a local taxi firm. The taxi turned up and we had to drive 5 miles back the way we came just to get across the pissing motorway. After an eternity, we arrived in central Esher. And we were charged £22! I suddenly had this feeling that this was going to be an expensive weekend. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Esher is very nice, but that's what money brings I suppose. and there appeared to be plenty of money. We took a little walk around to take in the sights. There wasn't a Poundland, Aldi, Lidl, or even a Tesco Express! How do these people survive? There were some art studios... Antiques shops... All the essentials. We stumbled upon Sandown Horse Racing.... Circuit? Track?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Course!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Cheers pops.... Maybe you should take over....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>There weren't many run of the mill cars either. Lots of Jags, big Audis, Porsches and a couple of Lambos. Very affluent area. I just hoped I'd bought enough money! It didn't help when we passed a beer and wine shop advertising craft beers. I was just about to go in when I noticed a bottle of Champagne in the window for £355. So I gave it a miss.</i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuoXN0_w7gKsgICkjYwbEOTkSXi6wPD4idlXK9udcTZex-XxaMQHSFFDGKA9pU_5vyjjwxtUH6jmt2KmmkwYyX8Gl-pdFPHRTkahJodFTB9rsYzbBH-5Zy5eYhv7zSvtW0smNdKC81U/s1600/IMG_20150516_182858.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8KuoXN0_w7gKsgICkjYwbEOTkSXi6wPD4idlXK9udcTZex-XxaMQHSFFDGKA9pU_5vyjjwxtUH6jmt2KmmkwYyX8Gl-pdFPHRTkahJodFTB9rsYzbBH-5Zy5eYhv7zSvtW0smNdKC81U/s640/IMG_20150516_182858.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nice Church</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZx8ReuaBi2o1vTWsVEdY3Y3ixrfrqyawjPa21ma5HFDGnX1bwvxgFf-qW1IWKkEHQlJAxuv34Cu2ax1v0XnCjnYtQHcr3YsHLNh5o6e7RuaE1WQsdkJckYcaT8_QyYw_ZC7_yhhKNoA/s1600/IMG_20150516_184957+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqZx8ReuaBi2o1vTWsVEdY3Y3ixrfrqyawjPa21ma5HFDGnX1bwvxgFf-qW1IWKkEHQlJAxuv34Cu2ax1v0XnCjnYtQHcr3YsHLNh5o6e7RuaE1WQsdkJckYcaT8_QyYw_ZC7_yhhKNoA/s640/IMG_20150516_184957+%25281%2529.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With strange graves</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqi-9T3dxxaSOctRkU74uhajjrAtEtvLb3Q3QHXueHQbRr0nnnScoQjOmoFxF_40OvwJSlr_o02QkM-QDdnfhjIhbxLU80vtkfRSBLiaB1ihteF1GATx8L8pQY_ATQ_kMN0Miem_1FT8/s1600/IMG_20150516_184944.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLqi-9T3dxxaSOctRkU74uhajjrAtEtvLb3Q3QHXueHQbRr0nnnScoQjOmoFxF_40OvwJSlr_o02QkM-QDdnfhjIhbxLU80vtkfRSBLiaB1ihteF1GATx8L8pQY_ATQ_kMN0Miem_1FT8/s640/IMG_20150516_184944.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">They are called Hogsback graves and are probably pushing 1000 years old</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> After the walk round (nice place with some very nice buildings) we decided it was time for some refreshment so called in The Albert Arms which has a nice rooftop terrace, perfect for a summers day like today. Unfortunately, there was a wedding reception and the terrace was closed to the public. Hey Ho! So we stood at the bar and ordered a couple of pints. £10. Could have been worse I suppose. So we stood there people watching and after about 10 minutes Clint turned to me and said "Do you know, I don't think I could talk to anyone in here. Do you?" "Maybe one" I replied, "this guy sat behind me". He was almost my age and sat on his own at a high table with bar stools. So I went over and asked if he minded if I sat down. </i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">So.. There I was... Stood at this bar, Wearing my Star Wars T-shirt, and there was a lot of toffs in Eton style suits, A Michael Winner wannabe, with Donald Trump's Love Child screeching in her american drawl. To say I felt out of place was an understatement. I did not have a good feeling about this place at all, so I did the one thing I knew how...<br /><br />I ran to Daddy.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dad was talking to a normal bloke! We had literally found the last bastion of the working man in Esher. We chatted about Footy, work, and he told us about his adventures as a travelling salesman. We had to end it on an awkward note, as he was a Palace fan and the Mighty Foxes had just kicked there ass over the weekend, Oh well, Its the price of success I suppose. About this time I had to go water the horse and the conveniences were also upmarket.</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks_I-m53rmbkyOQN4drktuBb23GAY71OoaGJ1dbzMhULgw36NQo7FSxqCIyNN0iRsIE3-1RiQ5ayz1Zlm5wj3EWr2DTeSLg9BTvJqMu90bk55Qg5QePEKiqVTwf7bIZejf1Ob8aOVYNo/s1600/IMG_20150516_201015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiks_I-m53rmbkyOQN4drktuBb23GAY71OoaGJ1dbzMhULgw36NQo7FSxqCIyNN0iRsIE3-1RiQ5ayz1Zlm5wj3EWr2DTeSLg9BTvJqMu90bk55Qg5QePEKiqVTwf7bIZejf1Ob8aOVYNo/s640/IMG_20150516_201015.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Splashback to protect your shoes and troos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Dave said he'd moved into Esher in the last few weeks. He also said it was the worst mistake he'd ever made because, like us, he didn't think they were the kind of people he could mix with, which is why he was sat alone. He was glad he hadn't sold his old house cos he was gonna move back and rent out the one in Esher. This isn't to say they were bad people. Just not our kind of people. Maybe I'm too working class. Anyway we said farewell to Dave and headed to the main event, The Bear.</i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, that's all for now. More soon. Cheers!!</i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">PS... If you look at and read this PLEASE PLEASE leave a comment, even if it's "What a load o' shite". Thanks</span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-43151347206520918632015-07-28T17:36:00.000-07:002015-07-29T06:25:30.960-07:00The Kings Head, Shrewsbury, Summary and Not Seeking this week...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, we proper fucked this week up...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As I type this, sat opposite the old man in our local, Ye Olde Cock in Cider (have a look here at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/yeoldecockincider">https://www.facebook.com/yeoldecockincider</a> )</span><span style="font-size: large;">, we are both off for a week, as we had made some grandiose plans to tour the south west of England, with the purpose of knocking off a few pubs on the list...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> But due to our impeccable ability to fuck up a good c.... anyway, lets just say, if you need a piss up in a brewery, don't ask me, Pops, or the national health to help organize it.... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yeah, proper pissed off about what happened and how it happened, and I'm gonna whinge about it, but we really ought to finish off our bit about the Kings Head first. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> We finished last time with the band wrapping up and the pub crowd thinning out. We'd had a reasonable night (even with my miserable fizzog) but hadn't really had the chat with the locals as we like to.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> While we'd still got a full pint and there were still people in, I went out the back for a fag and got talking to a lad in his early twenties. The conversation turned to why we were there and he was really interested, and he also new quite a bit of local history. So I took him back inside and introduced him to Clint.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I got a shaky selfie with the lead singer of The Endings, (I love meeting bands after gigs. Me and pops went to see a blues band in Notts, and the support group, a metal band, blew the fucking roof off! I went to say hello after they finished their set, only to find the lead singer was a gamer like me, {after he recognized my Videogame t-shirt} and he seemed genuinely impressed that we were happy with them) then </span><span style="font-size: large;">Dad appeared with some young lad in tow,</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and this lad proved to be quite the font on local knowledge....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"DAD!!! what did that lad tell us?" </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Buggered if I can remember! It had been a long day and we had a good chat but I don't recall him telling us anything we hadn't already heard, but it was nice to meet a young man who had a genuine interest in local history.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Anyway, we also had another chat with the landlord and he was a bit more forthcoming this time, although, again, he didn't really tell us anything we didn't know. But it was a nice end to the night and I cheekily asked the landlord for a memento of the evening, and I talked him into giving me an optic bracket. Which sits behind me on the shelf of Ye Olde Cock in Cider with a bottle of (nearly empty) Jack Daniels in it. Happy Days!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I remember now! He was a nice bloke.... And that's all I remember... (sorry random nice bloke in Shrewsbury) . Anyway, with Pete, Medieval Graffiti, Dinnertime Drunk Dad, Miserable "wanttoslaphismiserablechops" night-time Dad, foot-tapping bands, and random bouncy head-butting the ceiling Irish jig music fans, it was another stellar YOIS night out...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Oh, something I do remember, random Shrewsbury nice guy told me that part of the 1980's version of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol" was filmed in Shrewsbury, and arguably the most famous part of the story was when Ebeneezer visits his own grave, and the film crew got permission to engrave Ebeneezer Scrooges name into an unidentifiable gravestone in the churchyard of one of the many places of worship in Shrewsbury, that had lain there for decades and where it still resides to this day, and me not wanting to miss a photo op, went straight there the next day... </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHo49brNtTCI28SLRnHeLWiacx0ChVgu8yLnKXN_oMdNJD6bTsEIHwzJPFxLNgRS1ET2XgaNauVKmf6FgpTTveSV4vIWBOcZ4B1ZBpdYDrEYx6OcWSjGUduh9EpuPXsG9RQ769_TYpQ8/s1600/11004786_864399350292844_276799675_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJHo49brNtTCI28SLRnHeLWiacx0ChVgu8yLnKXN_oMdNJD6bTsEIHwzJPFxLNgRS1ET2XgaNauVKmf6FgpTTveSV4vIWBOcZ4B1ZBpdYDrEYx6OcWSjGUduh9EpuPXsG9RQ769_TYpQ8/s640/11004786_864399350292844_276799675_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Prettier side of House Gardner posing by the Scrooge Grave</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">All in all, it was a good trip and we highly recommend Shrewsbury.</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, back to why I'm pissed off. Me and my son had planned to have a week away, taking in Somerset, Devon and Cornwall doing three pubs on our list. We'd booked the time off work and booked some of the accommodation. The rest was going to be camping.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Two or three weeks before we were due to go (On the 27th of July) I had a letter from the hospital which said my hip replacement was going to be carried out on the 20th of July. I immediately rang Clint and told him I wouldn't be able to go on the trip. He suggested I cancel my op, but I said, if I'd gotta have three months off, I'd prefer to have the summer off than the autumn or winter.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> On the Monday morning I went to work and told the powers that be that I would be having my op in two weeks and all was good.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Until the site manager said " You wanna check to see if you're entitled to sick pay"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> To cut a long story short, I'm not.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Not until the middle of September. Cos I had three months off last year.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> So, I rang the hospital and cancelled the operation (I can't afford three months off on just statuary sick pay). I then rang my son, Clint, and said that I could go after all.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> He'd just got off the phone after cancelling the accommodation.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Bollocks.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Which is why we are sitting in Ye Olde Cock in Cider on a Tuesday night. Still, could be worse. We could be sat in the front room watching whatever shite is on the telly. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Couldn't we????</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Right.... time for a beer.... Cheers!!!</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-85331822255454767052015-06-26T15:24:00.001-07:002015-06-26T18:08:34.005-07:00The Kings Head, Shrewsbury, Part 3<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/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So... We left it where Dad, Pete and I had been out for a few beers at dinner, then the inevitable beer munchies kicked in, and I wanted to head back and freshen up, so we arranged to meet Pete later, said our farewells and headed into the nearest Kebab house, Dad got his snap first and headed straight back to the hotel. I, on the other hand, was dealing with the most inept twat whoever had the misfortune to man a till, and for reasons I can't remember, was waiting for ages, and didn't leave the chippy for about half an hour after pops,..... and the food were shit...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I eventually got back, got fed, watered and scrubbed up. It'd been about an hour back at the hotel, and our next rendezvous with Pete at the Pub was fast approaching, time to fetch pops...</div>
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was fecking starving, So I ordered myself a double cheeseburger and cheesy chips. I dunno what Clint ordered but the muppet behind the counter screwed it up and, whatever it was, he had to bin it and start again. I'd got mine and it was going cold so I left him to it. The hotel was only two minutes walk away so I hurried back, went up to my room, made myself comfy on the bed, put the telly on and set about my meal. Clint's right. It were shit! I reflected on the days events so far and thought about the coming evening, which I was really looking forward to. And a sense of well-being overcame me................</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, I splashed on the brut, Gave the Mrs and kids a kiss goodbye, and thought "I'll ring Pops, he can meet me in reception"</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Ring, Ring..... Ring, Ring.... Ring, Ring....</div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></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/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz..........</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">No answer... So time to bring out the big guns...</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"come on kids, lets go and get Grandad up!"</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I frog marched the kids down to his room, and knocked loudly, and the kids starting shouting for grandad, to the point people in adjacent rooms were checking to see what was going on, </div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Took the kids back to our room, tried ringing again, no answer, so there was nothing else for it....</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The receptionist was really helpful and understanding, and proceeded to phone the room phone for my Dad, for a good 5 minutes, during the wait, we were discussing the possibility of someone opening the door for me, (which they were not enthused about) but eventually... It arose!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The phones ringing. Bollocks. Time for work. zzzzz Phones still ringing. Suppose I'd better get up. zzzzz BLOODY PHONE!! Then it suddenly dawned on me where I was. Grabbed the phone and it was the hotel receptionist. I mumbled something and got out of bed. Quick wash, brush my teeth and dressed in about 5 minutes. Then headed out to meet my very irate son. I was only an hour late.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Now, Obviously, being related, I have witnessed my Dad in the mornings, and regardless of soberness, time, weather, or any other factor, Dad is one miserable bastard in the mornings. But normally, that's fine, as I'm not a morning person, and I could sort of ignore his persistent grumpiness due to my own disdain for the first hours. Today, however, was different. I was up, been awake all day, full belly, and ready for a night out. my miserable git of a Dad on the other hand... not so much...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">You see, I'm at an age where dinner-time drinking takes a toll and I wasn't now, as ready for a night out as my son was. I'm also at an age where I should've known better so I only have myself to blame. However, I wasn't "a miserable git" as my son so eloquently put it. Just wasn't really in the mood. But, Hey Ho! Off we went to the Kings Head to meet Pete..................if he was still there......</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Pete was there, waiting patiently. We grabbed a pint and grabbed a table. The pub was really beginning to fill up. The majority of the dining area was now occupied by the evening entertainment, an Irish folk band called "The Endings" It was real good toe tapping stuff. I was really enjoying the band, and I reverted to my "go-to" state of people-watching, and soon discovered the audience was far more entertaining than the band. Its hard to talk to each other, let alone locals, when a 5 piece band is in full swing with violins and guitars not 5 foot away, so chat was at a minimum. However... Dad assumed his default position of "bulldog chewing a wasp" face. I couldn't get anything out of the old git. I tell you how miserable he looked... a complete stranger walked up to him and shouted "cheer up mate!" into his face...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI2CXDVDgikxsxLXSWtQFc5Pq-NxX-aW8eu74aa5cCFEDLkmWyzeRk9H2ixd3iWAHT3nIfYyxMj3r2tdh1-H1ijy6RYXkRtsqNi2k1JC-wXEWNCkOgB8cDlth7t7puD4KOCXoUR5sCL_0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Yeah, he did. Cheeky bastard! Nobody believes me but I was feeling okay. Not in a great drinking mood, but watching the band and thinking my own thoughts. I have to admit though, the dinner time session had spoiled it for me. The trouble is, I've got a miserable face. And I can't help that. That's just the way I look. And I've spent 60 years developing this face, so I'm not changing it for him or any bugger else!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of watching the band, we did have a lighter moment. There was a little fella who appeared to know all the bands songs and sang along and danced to every one of them. Well, when I say dance, what I really mean is pogo. He bounced up and down the front of the stage to every song, singing into the back end of the mikes and thoroughly enjoying himself. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It wasn't until he twatted his head on a beam that I realised just how low the ceilings, and in particular the beams, were. The whole pub burst out laughing, even though he was obviously a local, and it got worse when, after rubbing his head, he stuck two fingers up at the ceiling.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, I wasn't particularly up for partying and was almost ready for calling it a night, The band had finished, but as it turned out, we weren't.... We had a bit of a surprise coming. but more on that next time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Til then, Cheers</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBCprteGN0Ygu4-1CmZdz6FzBmav-bpi2uskJEZ49EBclXo-8VPrwLiwPyg2KVo7CWPzVXPJDiToznfUcIICQHcpy4xX3xruMryH7fz5ZO2un-IS5bCZNTw5Vd-PvlpM7mYpGX7i0ycg/s1600/IMG_20150221_235055.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitBCprteGN0Ygu4-1CmZdz6FzBmav-bpi2uskJEZ49EBclXo-8VPrwLiwPyg2KVo7CWPzVXPJDiToznfUcIICQHcpy4xX3xruMryH7fz5ZO2un-IS5bCZNTw5Vd-PvlpM7mYpGX7i0ycg/s640/IMG_20150221_235055.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The "not miserable" half of YOIS selfie with the lead singer of The Endings</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-7517802845202369782015-04-23T12:48:00.002-07:002015-04-23T12:50:54.452-07:00The Kings Head Shrewsbury Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So... this is getting hard....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">The last few times we arranged a get together to type up some more blog, Dads new pub-shed has got in the way. We have been consistently drunk and merry, and the last thing on our mind has been to sit down and type. So please excuse me while I read the last post to refresh my memory...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">..............</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">OK, too long, didn't read...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But its all coming back to me now, (go Celine...) We had left the Kings Head with our personal Shrewsbury tour guide, Pete, who proceeded to give us a step by step guide to Shrewsbury, and I don't remember anything. Sorry Pete....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">We took a nice walk round and, risking sounding repetitive, I was taking in the sights, cos it really is a nice place to be. We stopped off at one of Pete old watering holes. A classic, untouched 70's decor, pure drinking hole, The Loggerheads. Had a quick pint while Pete and Dad explained to me why there was Turtle pictures everywhere... (didn't ever hear of a loggerhead turtle) We then moved on to the Lion Hotel, a massive place, where we were informed to check out the "Amazing Curved Staircase" </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAEUODoqz7EIvBUnGdF-FBY6kuZGfoVtq3otAhrsuf5SnqMfI9UMGmxv3hO4kBXn2JkNhGavCHuRvhwt-fBeWprq47ob-IIRuQ90t7LIVuVf2PzrDrTOV6K-jgEMa9NGDMcz4bhtaNF0/s1600/2743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAEUODoqz7EIvBUnGdF-FBY6kuZGfoVtq3otAhrsuf5SnqMfI9UMGmxv3hO4kBXn2JkNhGavCHuRvhwt-fBeWprq47ob-IIRuQ90t7LIVuVf2PzrDrTOV6K-jgEMa9NGDMcz4bhtaNF0/s1600/2743.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyQ2CotROAHTvJet8Ak_8JOn-5ScRx1jaW9cevqDFDN-G6fCJtT4D9MrMaunLw35Ttslb6b65xonNghHg7Y_JzkBDz8EsMwrqlbapPB1wwfxYpVUmIkuxEmIPU0HOeub2dv716FBIBp0/s1600/2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyQ2CotROAHTvJet8Ak_8JOn-5ScRx1jaW9cevqDFDN-G6fCJtT4D9MrMaunLw35Ttslb6b65xonNghHg7Y_JzkBDz8EsMwrqlbapPB1wwfxYpVUmIkuxEmIPU0HOeub2dv716FBIBp0/s1600/2742.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPyQ2CotROAHTvJet8Ak_8JOn-5ScRx1jaW9cevqDFDN-G6fCJtT4D9MrMaunLw35Ttslb6b65xonNghHg7Y_JzkBDz8EsMwrqlbapPB1wwfxYpVUmIkuxEmIPU0HOeub2dv716FBIBp0/s1600/2742.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Well... It was a staircase.... and curved.... I don't know what else to say... Apparently, A curved wooden staircase was quite the achievement back in the day, calling on the latest techniques and talents of the most accomplished chippies of the time. But it was anti-climatic...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">At the top of said stairs, there was a ballroom, with a Piano, where I knocked out a broken version of "With a little help of my Friends" (as if Ringo didn't break it enough) to an audience of one (dad) which put a smile on me face...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCavx8O8w2-QaPowlHPoJKchdw93yU0QKUhPu3nlhw-MnH1RKJwIpuxJhT1GbjUx07ii_MGUkGhJNugw1DXXF867FsQWEMbd2AGgR2GoWZIwGF-VCh3jIrDT8BlWP0guyTtjDPv7rcDfY/s1600/2745.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCavx8O8w2-QaPowlHPoJKchdw93yU0QKUhPu3nlhw-MnH1RKJwIpuxJhT1GbjUx07ii_MGUkGhJNugw1DXXF867FsQWEMbd2AGgR2GoWZIwGF-VCh3jIrDT8BlWP0guyTtjDPv7rcDfY/s1600/2745.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Back downstairs, Pops was talking to the receptionist, who said the place was in receivership and was soon to change hands, which is never a good thing, as it could mean some things are up for the chop. Anyway, its another nice place, although the bar was shit, and we sat at a lovely ornate carved bench, which looked awesome, but was horrible to sit on. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjl0-hhcJaP8BK0MLlKZXBKm2FiSNwffeVdu_xpuNwCimlu3qS1yuz5NU0I2xXbIsePK40urtiZHGF9Z4z9m0U2fJSBB9zcFIdAOzZD_fWqAjYZQKfzxPl4HE9HfbJCARUjBQN5FfAtE/s1600/2740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyjl0-hhcJaP8BK0MLlKZXBKm2FiSNwffeVdu_xpuNwCimlu3qS1yuz5NU0I2xXbIsePK40urtiZHGF9Z4z9m0U2fJSBB9zcFIdAOzZD_fWqAjYZQKfzxPl4HE9HfbJCARUjBQN5FfAtE/s1600/2740.JPG" height="360" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN9x1myXrMKehPpqVryIOCzhUy1Ug8f2M1oFHT9nLBeRjac0tsmrm6IjvINtARkKvg2qMpeENgk1BNIkxNd6-91Z3A1qS9aoasHGDIaiCo3wK253JLisnkxroqMWz9Iyq0wSC3EYmfk0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN9x1myXrMKehPpqVryIOCzhUy1Ug8f2M1oFHT9nLBeRjac0tsmrm6IjvINtARkKvg2qMpeENgk1BNIkxNd6-91Z3A1qS9aoasHGDIaiCo3wK253JLisnkxroqMWz9Iyq0wSC3EYmfk0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>What </i>I<i> should point out is, this pub (The Lion Hotel) is important to us (well me anyway). This list of pubs is (as you know if you've been following our blog) from an old set of cigarette cards. But this set is actually the second set of cards issued by W. D. and H. O. Wills in 1939, and since we started this odyssey I've acquired the first set as well (issued 1936) and, providing I live long enough and the finances allow, eventually I hope to do the first set too. Well, The Lion Hotel is on the first set of cards, so I'm glad we called in, as you never know when these places are going to disappear. We normally pave the way for our visits by ringing the landlord and trying to arrange to meet locals, etc., but we called in here just because it was there, so I haven't researched any history about the place. All being well we will come back to this one at some time in the future. It would be worth going back just to sit and read the paper in front of a roaring fire in the awesome fireplace!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNlZJUu1RQ-slaQBNyMKO3fy5FwuBX1rqTA2SFuDT2lOyG80uWGnYkurwMF9e4PY2Qqy2htRhDrQi28h61p4CXxWavMQwXknaH4S-FmfFZmhex3dRXQzujTW34uATCSAI3ZstLex_mxk/s1600/2741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNlZJUu1RQ-slaQBNyMKO3fy5FwuBX1rqTA2SFuDT2lOyG80uWGnYkurwMF9e4PY2Qqy2htRhDrQi28h61p4CXxWavMQwXknaH4S-FmfFZmhex3dRXQzujTW34uATCSAI3ZstLex_mxk/s1600/2741.JPG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway... we spent most of the day drinking at various other pubs around Shrewsbury town, each one had its own little character and tale to tell. The main part of the day so far, was the drinking, which played a major part on the rest of the days activities....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yeah, it did. And not in a good way. Anyway, that's all for now. We'll post again soon, Cheers!! </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-86313321060301135392015-03-05T14:56:00.002-08:002015-03-05T14:56:54.513-08:00The Kings Head Shrewsbury, Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #741b47; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday 22nd February</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So, yesterday we went to Shrewsbury. Me, my son Clint, his wife Sue and their two lovely children Joseph and Chloe squeezed into Clint's Subaru and headed for the A5. It's been around 15 years since I travelled that way and, bloody hell, ain't the roads changed? Didn't recognise much at Cannock, but we eventually made it onto the M54. All plain sailing now, I thought. Wrong! Around Telford there was about 7 miles of roadworks, down to 40 miles an hour all the way and average speed cameras to make sure you don't disobey!! But eventually we were approaching Shrewsbury and I started the GPS on my phone to direct us the best way to our hotel. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> I thought there was something wrong with it because it said 7 miles to go, estimated time 16 minutes. Surely that couldn't be right? Then, when we got into town my phone said 1 mile to go, estimated time 7 minutes. That had got to be wrong. And it was. It took nearly FIFTEEN minutes to travel that last mile. Shrewsbury's a nightmare to get into, but it's worth it. It's a lovely town with narrow winding streets and fantastic old buildings including 11 (I think) churches within the confines of the river loop which can't be much more than a square mile.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><em></em><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> At last we pulled into the multistorey car park right behind our hotel. It wasn't even 12 o'clock yet and we couldn't check in til 2 so we just poked our noses in and had a quick butchers at the place (It was a Premier Inn and I know they all look the same but it was a first for me). I asked the receptionist about the town, where the oldest part was etc., and she started telling me where all the churches were! I quickly explained that I do most of my worshiping at the altar of Marston, Thompson and Evershed and which was the quickest way to the pub?</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> So after consulting a free map, courtesy of Premier Inns, we headed out the door. Then we walked about 200 yards and there we were!! </i></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1UGOr01u3OR4bL2Hp4s7h_zSJZkxmc_3QGR_9jNuzCe6L4QPJ7-aZCdCTlOCc23h8Fd4_3WLGmJPIhxThTt6keu2kZZTWVH2tEGXGT0OLWKptHWAmNHlzrp644hR0TBZm3-u-63OSc0/s1600/me+and+clint+outside+kings+head.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio1UGOr01u3OR4bL2Hp4s7h_zSJZkxmc_3QGR_9jNuzCe6L4QPJ7-aZCdCTlOCc23h8Fd4_3WLGmJPIhxThTt6keu2kZZTWVH2tEGXGT0OLWKptHWAmNHlzrp644hR0TBZm3-u-63OSc0/s1600/me+and+clint+outside+kings+head.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: large;">Me and Clint outside The Kings Head</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Mind you, for any one who suffers from vertigo, be warned....</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F86fdMN8mBOrN2CQPiY-T8kb1aNqUb70RUJp60RY1fxUamKZK9gSIEP7Ogy8U3dsYjqpzc_KUl08ZmEpXHfnd9hkI9Q2HUsR8ebOiT8VXj-6Kk6xMWxMBne8WEpxp893KthPqn5chUg/s1600/Shrewsbury_KingsHead_2007-150x150.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0F86fdMN8mBOrN2CQPiY-T8kb1aNqUb70RUJp60RY1fxUamKZK9gSIEP7Ogy8U3dsYjqpzc_KUl08ZmEpXHfnd9hkI9Q2HUsR8ebOiT8VXj-6Kk6xMWxMBne8WEpxp893KthPqn5chUg/s1600/Shrewsbury_KingsHead_2007-150x150.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><i> It looks like it's falling into the street!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Dad's right, Shrewsbury is very picturesque, everywhere you turn there's a photo op. I'd done a bit of research about Shrewsbury and found out it was the birthplace and residence of Charles Darwin (for those who don't know, he was the author of The Origin of Species, which details the theory of evolution). Dunno why, as I'm not very clever, but I was chuffed to bits about this, (I do love watching The Big Bang Theory, if that counts) and I found out there is a honking great statue of him in the town centre, so was looking forward to getting a photo there. Unfortunately, when I got there some insurance company had a massive garish red marquee in front of the statue, with an Aston Martin DB5 parked there too. Loads of folk were taking pictures of the car, but ignoring one of the greatest contributors to modern science......makes me sad....</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
The Olde Worlde buildings are ace, owing much of their existence to the adjacent buildings, cos without them, they'd fall over. Everything is on a mad angle, and it really makes you wonder how they are still standing...</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> After an hour or so in the pub the kids were getting bored so I went for a quick walk around the town centre with my missus and kids, and its a genuinely nice place to be. I recommend a visit. After a while we went back to the hotel and settled the kids in the room.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWg1zBVWH15dbr6qd3uXUuIVOeQzTnupOjM3_DwCK2zwox2RvwDi-DXWSPTAzVi2pv4qZWTay4Zi-8NNM0yVIsyWZEeCTfPoVvHGGqcJtkY4Bxh1aICXbCyS9JtpO2e6Jz9oOBGZExbS0/s1600/stevie+g+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> <i style="text-align: justify;"> So, after the obligatory photo outside, in we went. It wasn't quite what I expected inside, not as olde worlde as outside, but still nice. I went to the bar to get drinks while Clint settled Sue and the kids. I started chatting to the barman and asked if the licensee was in. He was and would be down shortly so I started "grilling" the bar staff. Unfortunately, I didn't write any of the bar staffs names down and now I can't bloody remember them (apologies to the bar staff, maybe I'm going senile, or maybe you shouldn't have served me so much falling down water).</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Dave, the licensee, made an appearance and we had a little chat but he was obviously very busy and didn't say much more than to read the stuff on the walls, but we did have another chat later that night.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> Anyway, I knew that the pub had moved but I didn't know it had moved twice. The original pub had been a guard house on the Welsh Bridge but at some point was moved onto the street where it is now, called Mardol, but further up the street on the opposite side of the road. On the site where the pub is now used to be a chapel or a house belonging to a deeply religious family, but this building was destroyed by fire in the late 1300s. The present pub was built in 1404 on the site of the old chapel/home as a single storey building with two more storeys being added at a later date and was originally called the Last as it was the last pub in the town before you crossed the bridge and headed for Wales. </i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> In 1987 the pub was completely refurbished and workmen were removing an old chimney breast when, behind it they found an even older chimney breast with this on it, </span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNOm7eh4pu6nToca_9CJ01HlY4C3e02QYyElXcwuhuid-JgfW96bCWAUY5MOVz2ba02Xxm21Ny7Nxu-zo4PKYD5dPexOX4Gf3MZSs1GweZ8rCGzQBUFeyhNuSx5xRxQDJ6ll3g_udg9U/s1600/11020445_864398860292893_1169807636_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNOm7eh4pu6nToca_9CJ01HlY4C3e02QYyElXcwuhuid-JgfW96bCWAUY5MOVz2ba02Xxm21Ny7Nxu-zo4PKYD5dPexOX4Gf3MZSs1GweZ8rCGzQBUFeyhNuSx5xRxQDJ6ll3g_udg9U/s1600/11020445_864398860292893_1169807636_n.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> <i> This wall painting appears to show The Last Supper and The Annunciation and is thought to date from the late 14th to early 15th centuries.</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"> I was so engrossed in stuff I was being told, I hadn't noticed that an hour had passed and the kids were getting restless. Clint decided they were going for a walk and to get some food and just as they were leaving Pete Brown arrived. Pete is a Facebook friend who we've never met but follows our blog and had decided to come and meet us as he had family in the area and was visiting.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Having only ever spoke on facebook we made our proper introductions, then I got Pete a drink and replenished my own. Then we parked ourselves at a table in the corner and Pete had a look through the famed set of cigarette cards. Having worked all over the country over the years, he knew quite a lot of the pubs and had drank in several of them.</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> After half an hour or so another guest arrived. Dave Brown (no relation to Pete), a member of Shrewsbury civic society, had agreed to meet us to give us a bit more of the history of the pub and here he was with his wife. Introductions all round and I got the pair of them a drink (and replenished my own, again), then they joined us at our table.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> Dave's passion is the history of pubs and in particular the pub's signs and any like minded people in the area would be most welcome to contact the Civic Society in Shrewsbury to join with Dave in helping to preserve this important part of our heritage.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> Dave was a mine of information and had a lot of old books regarding the hostelries of Shrewsbury (for some strange reason he didn't want to let me have them. Said he wanted to keep them???) and he told me some interesting stuff about The Kings Head (for instance, it was Dave that told me about the pub moving twice). </i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> The best stories for me though were the two concerning the naming of the pub and the alley that runs down the side of it, known as The Kings Head Passage.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ2hVRbHd_4mQ9LgxfmV3ab-7i8EHRHWltkWRjb6YmyERTyBaZYbFCrps2RD5iWfeiYhGmcc0-BP7GsI3oQNsmeANS4axsDHFDATfusi8Wokroq-OSibG6gLRr-OYhNHkPsLck64K0io/s1600/KH+passage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZJ2hVRbHd_4mQ9LgxfmV3ab-7i8EHRHWltkWRjb6YmyERTyBaZYbFCrps2RD5iWfeiYhGmcc0-BP7GsI3oQNsmeANS4axsDHFDATfusi8Wokroq-OSibG6gLRr-OYhNHkPsLck64K0io/s1600/KH+passage.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></span></a></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i><i><span style="font-size: large;"> In 1485 Harri Tudur arrived at the Welsh bridge with an army 5000 strong, wishing to enter Shrewsbury. The Sheriff of Shropshire, Thomas Mytton, stood on the bridge and refused him entry saying that "only over my body will you enter". By morning, persuaded by either the townsfolk or the size of Harri Tudurs' army, Mr Mytton had changed his mind but did not want to appear weak, so he lay on the bridge, face up, and Harri Tudur stepped over him. This way neither man would lose face.</span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Harri Tudur later proceeded to Bosworth field in Leicestershire where he defeated Richard III and he became better known as Henry VII and so his picture adorns the Kings Head sign to this day.</span></i></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i><i></i>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j2aQY14BCZE6JQAaY9nUZ2dYDEVnuuBM-naJ7c1betjACpT4nob1e-5WpGwejsd4tpRGXAANQ4KQKkcleN91vnv7ccUqTmKdV5rW-ZeeHpwYcbZs9pqmtjhqLiBxjx5AMKucRQl34I4/s1600/MH6129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0j2aQY14BCZE6JQAaY9nUZ2dYDEVnuuBM-naJ7c1betjACpT4nob1e-5WpGwejsd4tpRGXAANQ4KQKkcleN91vnv7ccUqTmKdV5rW-ZeeHpwYcbZs9pqmtjhqLiBxjx5AMKucRQl34I4/s1600/MH6129.jpg" height="286" width="400" /></a></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> The other story is a little more involved.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> The crusades were over for most and the city of Jerusalem was won. People flocked to Jerusalem on pilgrimage but the Moslems still controlled Palestine and the roads were dangerous for the pilgrims. A few of the crusaders saw what was happening and banded together to form a group of warrior monks to protect the travellers. They were given quarters on Mount Moriah, thought to once be the stables of the Temple of Solomon. And so they called themselves the Knights Templar.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> The order grew and became more powerful and influential outside their quarters....... but inside they were working too, digging down beneath the Holy Temple searching the catacombs below. There had been rumours about holy relics buried beneath for years and they, indeed, found six sacred treasures there including the head of King Solomon, so holy that it was perfectly preserved, the skin still soft and the hair silky.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> But Jerusalem was still a dangerous place and a meeting of the Knights was held to arrange safe passage of the relics to Christian lands,.... but where? They discussed and argued all day but could not reach an agreement. Eventually they retired for the night and would carry on their deliberations the next day.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> That night one of the Knights dreamed that he woke to find his room bathed in light and a silvery figure standing by his bed.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> "Bring them to me" the ghostly figure cried and the Knight woke up.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> The next day he told the rest of the order about his dream. " Of course" cried one. "St Alkmund, the temple protector! He has six churches back in England. We will take one relic to each of his churches and he will guard them".</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Six of the best, handpicked, Knights travelled for many days until they reached the shores of England when they travelled into the heart of the country. One by one the nights peeled off to their destinations until there was just one left, heading for Shrewsbury. This night was carrying King Solomon's Head.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> The night entered the town a couple of hours after dark. He was tired, hungry and dirty so went to an inn for sleep, food and a bath. He would go to St Alkmunds in the morning, clean and refreshed. However, during his meal he heard many disturbing things and called the innkeeper for more information. He was told of many strange happenings, a black bull rampaging through the town, bowling over people on their way to church, bricks and roof tiles falling on people for no apparent reason, strange, inhuman laughter at night. " It's as if the Devil himself were walking the streets" said the innkeeper.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> What was the Knight going to do? Shrewsbury didn't sound much like a place suitable for the safekeeping of a holy relic. But if he didn't leave it at the church, what would he do with it? After much tossing and turning that night, he finally fell asleep. But he didn't have the good nights sleep he was hoping for.</span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> In the middle of the night he woke to find his room bathed in a soft silver glow.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> It appeared to be coming from the bag containing King Solomon's head. The Knight cautiously climbed out of bed and crept over to the bag. He pulled out the head and the eyes snapped open and focused on the knight.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> The knight almost dropped the head! His eyes widened and he gulped a deep breath. Then the mouth of the head opened and began to speak.</span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> "This is where I am destined to be. What better place could I be than here to protect the town from the Devil? For I believe the Devil himself is loose in Shrewsbury, but he is not difficult to beat. He's as vain as a peacock, as greedy as an alchemist and stupid enough to believe that he's clever. You must challenge him to a competition tomorrow...............a riddle competition!</span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "B..b..but I'm no good at riddles" stuttered the knight.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Ah, but I am" said the head.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> And so they made their plans. The knight spent the next day wandering the streets of Shrewsbury, dreading the coming of night. Eventually the sun began to sink in the west. The knight plucked up his courage and found a dark, deserted alleyway. He took a deep breath and addressed the darkness.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Lord Lucifer, I challenge you to a battle of wits!"</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> "Oh really? said a voice. The knight turned to find himself face to face with a tall elegant man twirling the end of his moustache between thumb and forefinger and looking him over with coal-black soul-less eyes.</i></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> "Er..yes. I challenge you to a riddle dual. If I win, you will have to leave Shrewsbury forever, but if you win, you can have m..m..my soul."<br /><br /> The Devil's eyes gleamed at the mention of the knight's soul. The Devil never could resist a gamble.<br /><br /> "Very well, I will go first", said the Devil and his eyes glittered.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"What man loves more than life,<br />Fears more than death or mortal strife.<br />The poor possess, the rich require.<br />A contented man desires<br />The miser spends, the spendthrift saves<br />And all men carry to their graves."</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> The knight fell to the ground, his head in his hands and the Devil smiled. But the knight pulled the bag containing King Solomon's head close to him and whispered into it.<br /><br /> "Tell me the answer."<br /><br /> "Don't you know it?"<br /><br /> "No, tell me the answer."<br /><br /> "But it's easy."<br /><br /><b> "TELL ME THE ANSWER!"</b><br /><br /> The head relented. The knight stood up, faced the Devil and said,<br /><br /> "The answer is nothing."<br /><br /> "Very well", said the Devil, "it looks as though we have a competition on our hands!"<br /><br /> It was the knight's turn to ask a riddle:</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="center">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i>"He'll speak to you from beyond the grave<br />Innocent souls of Shrewsbury to save<br />Saintly and wise, but not canonised<br />He will guard the river gate<br />Drawing the Devil into stalemate"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div align="justify">
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> The Devil thought about it. He thought a bit longer. His complexion slowly grew even redder than usual. Steam began to escape in wisps from his ears and his eyes began to bulge until he at last turned to the knight.<br /><br /> "There Is No Such Person!"<br /><br /> "Oh, but there is", smiled the knight as he brought King Solomon's head out of the bag.<br /><br /> Solomon's eyes snapped open and bored into those of the Devil's.<br /><br /> The Devil began to howl as a wind sprang into life, swirling around the Devil, matching his howls and bearing him up, up into the air until at last his howls disappeared into the distance. The knight and King Solomon watched as the Devil was borne over the river, into Wales and at last faded out of view between the Welsh mountains - and that's where some say that he remained. The knight dug down into the ground near the river, facing towards the Welsh Bridge. He gently lifted the head into the hole, facing towards the river and Wales and packed the soil over the top.<br /><br />Since that time the passage overhead has been called the King's Head Passage and the Inn followed suit. The road that led into town from the Welsh bridge was named Mardol, which means the Devil's Limit, for as long as Solomon's head rests in Shrewsbury, keeping his watch and guarding the gate, the Devil will never again be able to cross the bridge or enter into Shrewsbury.</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Now that's what you call a story. Again my thanks to Dave Brown and to Mythstories Museum who enlarged on what Dave told me. Their Shut Stories web page is well worth a look (a shut being an alley or passage in the town).</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><i> Well, sadly Dave and his wife had to leave as they had other commitments and, also sadly, just as Clint got back having settled his wife and children in the hotel. So Clint, Pete Brown and myself decided to take a short tour of the town of Shrewsbury, no doubt we would try other establishments on the way. Ho Hum!!</i></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> Sorry if it seems like I'm hogging the blog, but </span>unfortunately<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Clint missed most of this. However he will be putting in his sixpenn'orth.</span></span></i><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZDexvliY8WklJVuMjyNnGQ2pc3gclGLLq02mJJM2OnMQoMGPn9N8uP3_-5khmpjQghFv0kIvsFjP_tmu-MsIwj0sTs9Lv6REUrlN6MBk9eYB5SsQfzvqXycTZ5siI5Xat-HU0v96yHIs/s1600/clint+The+blog+pic.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></i> After booking in, I went back to me Dad, who I found in full swing with a bunch of folk. One bloke was the member of the local civic society, accompanied by his partner. Also, Pete Brown, a Facebook friend who had been true to his word and showed up to join us for a beer. My deodorant must've been off that day, 'cos as I walked in, the civic society people left -_-.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Turns out, Shrewsbury is Pete's old stomping ground, and he took us for our own personal (and free) tour of Shrewsbury. And we got to see the sights, hear some tales, and drink at some of Shrewsbury's finest. More on the sights later on....Cheers!!</span></div>
</div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: inherit; font-size: medium; text-align: start;"></span></i></div>
</div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i></i></span>
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-52341857787351417232014-09-10T11:00:00.002-07:002014-09-10T11:01:28.939-07:00Ye Olde White Horse, Spalding. Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Well, It's been a while since our last post and I'll explain why later. But first, our final thoughts on Ye Olde White Horse.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> It was fantastic!! What a refreshing change to find a pub, and a busy pub at that, which isn't full of one-armed bandits, quiz machines, televisions and a jukebox, and no piped music. There are no gimmicks,.... just people,.... talking,.... without shouting,.... over crappy music.... or the telly,.... It's brilliant! Why aren't there more pubs like this? Proper traditional pubs? It's the first Sam Smiths house I've been in but it certainly won't be the last (I've found out that there's one about 6 or 7 miles away, I'm gonna try it out and see how it compares).</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>On top of that the people were great too. Everyone we met was nice and seemed genuinely interested in what we were doing. I wish it was my local. I wouldn't have to be trying to build my own in the garden.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Couldn't agree more, brilliant pub, brilliant atmosphere, and if it was our local, I'd defo want to go pub more often. Problem is, if I'm brutally honest, 3 of my locals are good drinking pubs (one has the now obligatory dining room, but it is separate from the bar) and I don't go that often. Thing is, the minute we entered the pub, it felt welcoming. It was a good place to be. a real highlight in our ongoing adventure. This, of course, is testament to the staff and patrons of Ye Olde White Horse. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here's hoping our next pub is just as good....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So, our thanks to Sam, Martin, Terri, Squeak and all the people we met. We had a great time and, with the visit to Stamford on the way there, it was one of the best trips we've made so far.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now, I've recently found out that I have to go into hospital for a hip replacement (been struggling a bit and this little project has kinda took a back seat). Not sure when. I'm waiting for a date. We hope to pull another trip in before the surgery but then I'll be laid up for a couple of months so please bear with us. We did get one of the locals at Spalding, Ray, to pick our next pub to visit but whether we will get to that one next, we're not sure (because of it's location, we plan on camping, so we are at the mercy of the good old British summer). If we have to, we can go to one really local to us (about 30 miles) but we were saving that one for when we are skint!! As soon as we decide, we'll let you know.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, more from us soon, Cheers</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Postscript</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I was on the verge, almost, of publishing this episode of our blog when I received an e-mail from a reader, Dale Ingram. Dale is an architectural historian who specialises in pubs and she discovered a book, entitled;</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">NOTICES</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">OF</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">REMARKABLE EVENTS</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
CURIOUS FACTS,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">WITH</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
VARIOUS AND INTERESTING SCRAPS,</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">CONNECTED WITH</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
THE HISTORY</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">AND</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;">ANTIQUITIES OF SPALDING,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">IN THE COUNTY OF LINCOLN,</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> AND THE PLACES ADJACENT</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u> </u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><u><br /></u></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">COLLECTED AND TREASURED IN MEMORY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">BY</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>"OLD ROBIN HARMSTONE"</b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Now, there's a mouthful. I wouldn't have thought this got checked out of the library very often, nobody could remember the bloody title!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, today you can read this book (for free) on Googlebooks and on page 33 you will find the following passage:-</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">In the Abbey-yard formerly stood a large brewery, occupied by Mr. George Burrell, on ground where a large granary is erected, and where the Hearse and Mourning Coach stands; near to it stood a public house, called the Elephant and Castle, kept by Mr. Bennett; but both have been pulled down long since.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>I know there still is a place called Abbey Yard but I'd be very surprised if it's the same place. This book was published in 1846 and if the Elephant and Castle was "pulled down long since" that would mean possibly late 1700s or early 1800s, which would tie in nicely with the transportation to the colonies of the unfortunate woman in the story. And, can anyone tell me what the "Hearse and Mourning Coach" was? Was it another (oddly named) pub? If not, what could it have been?</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hi, still me. I thought I'd better expand on our "excuses" for not posting for ages. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Well, I've had my operation. Got a nice new shiny hip (still bloody painful yet). </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>My date came through quicker than I expected so we didn't have time to arrange anything before my op. We then planned to go somewhere about a month ago but, as I couldn't drive for 6 weeks, we were depending on someone else to drive (as we were taking two cars to accommodate all the family) but they had to pull out at the last moment. So we had to cancel that. On top of that my son was made redundant from his job, so he faced some uncertainty, but he's sorted out now with an even better position, so as soon as we can make arrangements we will get moving again. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Hope I'm not boring you but I didn't want you to think we were losing interest.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>So, hopefully we'll have some news soon, Cheers!!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-49587233856734682422014-04-11T14:27:00.000-07:002014-05-28T12:11:50.178-07:00Ye Olde White Horse, Spalding, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>So the evening wore on, the company was excellent and the refreshment likewise. Squeak (who's really named Peter) (I remembered to ask) ( I also asked why they called him Squeak and he told me but see below) knew loads about the pub. He told us about the bricks coming from the old prison (or the ruins of the abbey, or was that the bridge? Buggered if I can remember.) and who built it, and all the time the Organic Pure Brewed Lager was flowing. So much so that I have a confession to make. I can hardly remember anything he bloody told me!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Normally on these visits we find a prominent table and park ourselves. This way we can talk to most of the punters, write down what they tell us (in my own shorthand which, on this occasion, even I can't understand), keep an eye on the doors for interesting looking people coming in and be close to the bar for eavesdropping and refreshing our glasses (eavesdropping because it's surprising how many people, once they know why you're there, start reminiscing with their mates or telling stories to each other. We've picked up a couple of gems in this way).</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>But on this occasion we met Squeak.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip50fag9GKKp6xw5esfS8eaHp4Z6fk0H5tDyR8IQOHkmyZrkSxalG6vMyK-voMGCixcnb5crpbk78tcJiEjd2PV81bMa1_wkCodstJWArQ0v-fEC_YyBag2geV70noQmjiNWM5ie-IkKU/s1600/IMG_20140308_195958.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip50fag9GKKp6xw5esfS8eaHp4Z6fk0H5tDyR8IQOHkmyZrkSxalG6vMyK-voMGCixcnb5crpbk78tcJiEjd2PV81bMa1_wkCodstJWArQ0v-fEC_YyBag2geV70noQmjiNWM5ie-IkKU/s1600/IMG_20140308_195958.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Me and the legend that is Squeak</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i> And Squeak was glued to a bar stool. He was sat there when we arrived and was still sat there when we left, in fact, I don't even remember him getting up for a piss!! When we first started talking to him I was holding my little briefcase thingy with one hand and trying to write down what he said with the other and trying to grab a drink whenever I got chance. I must have looked a right muppet so after 10 minutes of this I thought "bugger this for a game of soldiers", abandoned the notes and just enjoyed listening to the old fella talk.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">All throughout the evening we were mingling with the locals and staff, this was a cracking pub. The barmaid, Terri, showed me an old, bookworm riddled leaflet called "Bayards Leap". It depicted the story of Bayard the horse, a local tale of a knight on his trusted steed, Bayard, who vanquished a local witch by rearing up and landing with such force, he sent the witch flying, and the remaining hoof prints have been cast in concrete in the town. Don't know when this Witch was around though, maybe the Friday night before we got there?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaH-qBftva9obY74PVOmibPHUuQgIKk3klC4CRJeV5r-OqQpSImiFpCoCYFT_jK-zs7sy61jZQH5rrVK3BQo0fHlwTnvh1dhGvM2QUxSRz0JnOwcXuVSBA5-UrlEHYh0kEjdI5L75JOE/s1600/IMG_20140308_180733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaH-qBftva9obY74PVOmibPHUuQgIKk3klC4CRJeV5r-OqQpSImiFpCoCYFT_jK-zs7sy61jZQH5rrVK3BQo0fHlwTnvh1dhGvM2QUxSRz0JnOwcXuVSBA5-UrlEHYh0kEjdI5L75JOE/s1600/IMG_20140308_180733.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8GdTW2zuSV_XV_W7Gh1h28rMJRDVabd8u_rnXalwJr4wK0gKnffBzxmiBWfmCIA6gWLLy-0le605mAy5skVDKiQxEMOPUJTZK9vnDPh8fuV-Y6ahSiqdkJ8aadlE6c_Ujuc4_sA4XC8/s1600/IMG_20140308_180821.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX8GdTW2zuSV_XV_W7Gh1h28rMJRDVabd8u_rnXalwJr4wK0gKnffBzxmiBWfmCIA6gWLLy-0le605mAy5skVDKiQxEMOPUJTZK9vnDPh8fuV-Y6ahSiqdkJ8aadlE6c_Ujuc4_sA4XC8/s1600/IMG_20140308_180821.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Bayard's worm-ridden leap!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a few beers, (which I need to talk about in great length) I met quite a colorful gent who showed me his trick wallet, where you place a note in the wallet, close it and open it, and its miraculously tucked itself in with the rest of the notes</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> (</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I believe he knew I was intoxicated, and obviously saw me as easy prey)</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">. You probably have to see it to know what I'm on about, but just Google "magic wallet". Due to my level of inebriation, this clearly put a befuddled look on my face, and it bought much merriment to the whole pub....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Gits....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now I need to talk about the brewery. I had never heard of Samuel Smith breweries. I have heard of John Smiths, largely due to me watching too many action films on telly and coming across an ad or two for John Smiths ale. So I was surprised to hear about Samuel Smith being related to John Smith. Squeak did tell me a marvelous tale of a bitter rivalry between feuding brothers, to which I imagined the left Twix and right Twix factories, but alas, the truth is nowhere near as glamorous. John Smith gifted his first brewery to his nephew, Samuel. End of. (Bloody internet, took the mystery out of that tale! Always a bit of a downer that, in the old days, someone in yer local, like Squeak, would tell you a great tale like that, and you would all lap it up... now, we check Wikipedia...) So this was my first "Sam Smith" pint. and it was lovely. I looked for Stella, but didn't find it. Couldn't see Carlsberg, or Carling, or John Smiths for that matter...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">There was no branded beer at all. Nothing. Zip. I asked Terri about it, and she told me that you can have any drink that you can get at any other pub. You just get the Sam Smith version. The Organic Lager me and pops were supping.... Sam Stella. My missus would've ordered a Bacardi and Coke (double)......... well have a Sam Smith White Rum!...... with Sam Smith Cola... and it didn't stop there. Every Beer, Lager, Spirit, Soft drink, Cordial, even packet of crisps, was a Samuel Smith replacement (can I say copy?) It might have been the organic hops running through my system, but it blew my mind! enough to get some pics at least! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK3JQGknPnmJSCePHllUWW22_tx8BND_i8ZrnJZr4F-zrb7N2it7Wcln5BqsWf3CgoT-Y59vud0vtf1-amCYH_GDIVHFz48U1NyfQLBfFMBlaz_0rrPZSZ1H9SOJ8Hs7JJ5ocGO387Go/s1600/IMG_20140308_192725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGK3JQGknPnmJSCePHllUWW22_tx8BND_i8ZrnJZr4F-zrb7N2it7Wcln5BqsWf3CgoT-Y59vud0vtf1-amCYH_GDIVHFz48U1NyfQLBfFMBlaz_0rrPZSZ1H9SOJ8Hs7JJ5ocGO387Go/s1600/IMG_20140308_192725.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Some Sammy Smith Spirits....</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-dL3PpNDK3EzpdtLNgHxuVoijJlgT-KCwqkzN2_uR2274a3A6ZPUpJmvOJDhJ3hcIg2BJXH_WY8TXNYOqb4iT1SMlKHbK1A4_FeuXRjVD-DTJ1sUHtvSfT0EgWtNLp4TfvP9YG9craU/s1600/IMG_20140308_195925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF-dL3PpNDK3EzpdtLNgHxuVoijJlgT-KCwqkzN2_uR2274a3A6ZPUpJmvOJDhJ3hcIg2BJXH_WY8TXNYOqb4iT1SMlKHbK1A4_FeuXRjVD-DTJ1sUHtvSfT0EgWtNLp4TfvP9YG9craU/s1600/IMG_20140308_195925.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">And Some Sammy Smith Snacks...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>
</i></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yeah, it was a bit strange at first, this insistence that everything must have his own name on it, but then again, It's his pub chain, he can do whatever the hell he likes........and good luck to him!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Throughout the night we chatted to lots of people, Ray, Julie, the guy with the magic wallet, a couple of young fellas outside while I was having a smoke, four retired couples sat round one table in the lounge and loads more. The trouble is, we were having such a good time I forgot to take pictures of most of them and didn't get their names either! (Damn that Samuel Smiths Organic Pure Brewed Lager!!).</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGFl9J7ujDKMf-tJpu50ft6dPrr0doWOuRR-hO1esdUJJ80Rj-gSpf1pyziwImGKUzMOQoZ-wvJdJy3YpR2nRJ5-f-zJIFZq4FON1UeeCdqNlXxMZIvfmWgWiS673SYpyFQvcD-DQdbY/s1600/IMG_20140308_200032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBGFl9J7ujDKMf-tJpu50ft6dPrr0doWOuRR-hO1esdUJJ80Rj-gSpf1pyziwImGKUzMOQoZ-wvJdJy3YpR2nRJ5-f-zJIFZq4FON1UeeCdqNlXxMZIvfmWgWiS673SYpyFQvcD-DQdbY/s1600/IMG_20140308_200032.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Ray (one picture we did get)</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>But the main point is everyone we spoke to was friendly and seemed interested. No-one seemed put out when we barged into their evening and all were ready to chat</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>Later in the evening we were joined by a couple of friends of our own, Tom and Tracey who had traveled down from their home in Lincoln just to take part in our little project. This didn't help our sobriety much as they turned up around 9 o'clock and were ready to party and we'd been drinking since 5. And we just had to keep up with them didn't we? (Well, it would have been rude not to!)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayFcFLqMkLzUdWinQ1-F1G9QApAaP107tPQe3PaQsnclOMKgufGuGlDjTtQHCx3jMb4K3X8BiPshPRJNKgB9QST514eZPO2J3geaBOlTWtbuX1jsXFEZKad6qEHtxdd09pGelr96f2VA/s1600/IMG_20140308_215946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhayFcFLqMkLzUdWinQ1-F1G9QApAaP107tPQe3PaQsnclOMKgufGuGlDjTtQHCx3jMb4K3X8BiPshPRJNKgB9QST514eZPO2J3geaBOlTWtbuX1jsXFEZKad6qEHtxdd09pGelr96f2VA/s1600/IMG_20140308_215946.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Tracey, Tom, Terri, me and Clint</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Eventually it got to the point where Clint and I (well, me really) had had enough to drink and were getting the munchies so we bade farewell to Sam, Terri, Squeak (who on several occasions tried to get me to part with the cigarette card with The White Horse on it) and everyone else and set off to look for a kebab house or other such establishment. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And so our visit to Ye Olde White Horse, Spalding came to an end. More next time, Cheers.</i></span></div>
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"></span>
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-17989531263367945252014-03-23T13:08:00.002-07:002014-03-23T13:08:13.573-07:00Ye Olde White Horse Spalding Diversion<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sunday 23rd March 2014</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>When we first posted that we were going to Spalding a guy messaged us on Facebook and suggested that, as we were in that neck of the woods, we should also visit Stamford where there is a medieval banqueting house that was converted into a brewery.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We had a look on tinterweb and found out it was called All Saints Brewery and is part of the Samuel Smiths group. Well, as we were going to a Sam Smiths pub we thought why not?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It said on the web page that there were guided tours that visitors could take so I rang them to see if there were any tours on the day we were going. I spoke to the landlord, a guy called Mark,<span style="color: red;"> </span>and he told me that, unfortunately, there were no tours available that day but if we cared to book another day we would be welcome. I explained that this was the only day we would be in the area and explained about our trips. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">A few days later he messaged me on Facebook and said he'd read our blog, that he now understood and that if we called in he would try to spare us a little of his time. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now we had to go.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> Stamford itself is an
absolutely beautiful town, with every building being built from stone, giving
the whole town a uniqueness that makes it stand out. Every street, shop, pub,
and church (and there’s a lot of churches) all come together to make a truly
memorable visit. Upon our arrival we had a quick look around the town while walking to the pub. Loads of photo
ops. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> <i>So, this is the detour I mentioned in our post about Ye Olde White Horse. We arrived in Stamford about half past two and struggled to find a parking space (the one drawback to this fine town) and were on the point of giving it a miss until we stumbled on a car park down a little side street. From here it was about a five or ten minute walk to All Saints and, as the whole town is built in old Lincolnshire limestone, it is very picturesque.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUxi0OJoj-H-KR_oPilU44dLIpPXxpguQvbmJIfytmc4EBQmtimwvPqWOCzFy9zrLqskUJPSMySlNwUTz2asv0Kh01VyMDknP9oc_P4ZxyYUKAksIy-rEdogyymus81wee2K-BdhCyFs/s1600/IMG_20140308_150331.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrUxi0OJoj-H-KR_oPilU44dLIpPXxpguQvbmJIfytmc4EBQmtimwvPqWOCzFy9zrLqskUJPSMySlNwUTz2asv0Kh01VyMDknP9oc_P4ZxyYUKAksIy-rEdogyymus81wee2K-BdhCyFs/s1600/IMG_20140308_150331.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR2dN9MT3t8UQc52bQVKysxHuNKIvPpAbNtTZjkFpucuuY2GxFUWDsUkFDwq5J1Jc2eY6EvH2aJlrxKR0NcGCtHT5zAFiulXY3FIeaJ2c0hS3jJv4qYmWLdzpNDGFecFxmdBKc3LHJVY/s1600/IMG_20140308_150016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUR2dN9MT3t8UQc52bQVKysxHuNKIvPpAbNtTZjkFpucuuY2GxFUWDsUkFDwq5J1Jc2eY6EvH2aJlrxKR0NcGCtHT5zAFiulXY3FIeaJ2c0hS3jJv4qYmWLdzpNDGFecFxmdBKc3LHJVY/s1600/IMG_20140308_150016.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBdOqtq5IXn2YKUQduOANVwSbNaQfcZvgRcAaQHxFMjbQU8EUxwutCJikhgigAsRRpxe8h6oXTCTDAThyphenhyphenI21DNF41EOaBe0OFXsHa2whOmdRux2Tqihek5N6645Ry4WdCsbb3gzjN46o/s1600/IMG_20140308_150547.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBdOqtq5IXn2YKUQduOANVwSbNaQfcZvgRcAaQHxFMjbQU8EUxwutCJikhgigAsRRpxe8h6oXTCTDAThyphenhyphenI21DNF41EOaBe0OFXsHa2whOmdRux2Tqihek5N6645Ry4WdCsbb3gzjN46o/s1600/IMG_20140308_150547.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Then we arrived at our destination.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vfqlO_9nNmALAx2NMd2W8ndJbuj1My3nCxXZdGAq7EnqlazTzkI6OSQ_LRp4EUjbfit18vYbZO33Eg8GsoNcAt92hvgMzK0rhu2UTPJZGYRGTkGsraCoTzCUxMWCZ2zSDvSdjITapiA/s1600/IMG_20140308_150347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6vfqlO_9nNmALAx2NMd2W8ndJbuj1My3nCxXZdGAq7EnqlazTzkI6OSQ_LRp4EUjbfit18vYbZO33Eg8GsoNcAt92hvgMzK0rhu2UTPJZGYRGTkGsraCoTzCUxMWCZ2zSDvSdjITapiA/s1600/IMG_20140308_150347.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGaDn0IDjtQl8nDBlcfzlRiha5PVyRiXOJ8DjjmCmw9QlYAdrWBjYdd-tN26EB5J71oBzc0dfIDfPLyAr2QVBYr2nKKm2cOcucYmd-zhpx4mDf3OAp2uZFvOJyrXwixJyMnA6UbC_qBM/s1600/IMG_20140308_150436.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGaDn0IDjtQl8nDBlcfzlRiha5PVyRiXOJ8DjjmCmw9QlYAdrWBjYdd-tN26EB5J71oBzc0dfIDfPLyAr2QVBYr2nKKm2cOcucYmd-zhpx4mDf3OAp2uZFvOJyrXwixJyMnA6UbC_qBM/s1600/IMG_20140308_150436.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Me outside (as usual)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After dads pathetic attempt at finding somewhere to park we eventually arrived at the pub/brewery. Yes, there is a pub too. The front of the building , which used to be a dwelling has been converted into a very handsome drinking and eating establishment called the Melbourne Brothers pub. We had a bit of a look round outside and then went in.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o94OEgScDG3o0L4dQlz5Hy8fs4lQwII_LeDTCISz_W2aJdECTuhXEhG4_sVWYt4fWw3NwU8ffF7Cap9yKUwa8ciyCz6k6Pej544VLlLB2AYmzzzXr_5x3An-OdR2pyXBfimGKJC1O2k/s1600/IMG_20140308_150503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o94OEgScDG3o0L4dQlz5Hy8fs4lQwII_LeDTCISz_W2aJdECTuhXEhG4_sVWYt4fWw3NwU8ffF7Cap9yKUwa8ciyCz6k6Pej544VLlLB2AYmzzzXr_5x3An-OdR2pyXBfimGKJC1O2k/s1600/IMG_20140308_150503.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The brewery is round the back of the pub, up a driveway which was access for horses back in the day. An old well was turned into a beer garden feature, all looked mint. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLiYdJhB13Yr5eCp0FtRU9m36j93rzz_Y_0Xtf6C6WuK0L-7agxlJFbC5WTFyU8t7_3IU0mNF-rvaRZzK821ohJERxjBsd0EoM_k7sPCkw7AsIyVnFtHPGs4PG18vLI13EDe9uMTMp5c/s1600/IMG_20140308_150621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilLiYdJhB13Yr5eCp0FtRU9m36j93rzz_Y_0Xtf6C6WuK0L-7agxlJFbC5WTFyU8t7_3IU0mNF-rvaRZzK821ohJERxjBsd0EoM_k7sPCkw7AsIyVnFtHPGs4PG18vLI13EDe9uMTMp5c/s1600/IMG_20140308_150621.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Why do you always have to take pictures that make me look like a berk?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It's a natural talent of mine......and yours. Anyway, we found our way into the bar and Dad ordered a drink. He had half a pint of Samuel Smiths Pure Brewed Organic Lager which he said was great (his head didn't think it so great Sunday morning after he over-indulged later that night). <i>(WE over-indulged!! You weren't too bright yourself the next day). </i>Yeah, whatever. As I said, he had a lager but I decided to try one of the beers they brew on the premises. They make four beers, all fruit flavours. Strawberry, Raspberry, Cherry and Apricot. I had a strawberry. It was okay as it goes but i wouldn't have another.<span style="color: red;"> </span>Dad thought it was shite. <i>(Not nasty, just think beer should taste of beer).</i> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtkYj9st5v3oW4fUS6IwrbC9LqhNFBYs3EthFq-s-TboYFqCmBpbffq2vy3PmopnxBNVJgzxdl7OsRsk_-LGHkZr-JTe9xPYMUTVcfDzWEs7VQi-DOs02xghSOtRk259t3Uua_OEfrPY/s1600/IMG_20140308_151050.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtkYj9st5v3oW4fUS6IwrbC9LqhNFBYs3EthFq-s-TboYFqCmBpbffq2vy3PmopnxBNVJgzxdl7OsRsk_-LGHkZr-JTe9xPYMUTVcfDzWEs7VQi-DOs02xghSOtRk259t3Uua_OEfrPY/s1600/IMG_20140308_151050.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I asked the guy behind the bar if the landlord was about and he pointed out the landlady.<span style="color: red;"> </span>I introduced myself and she said she would see if her husband, Mark, had time to see us and off she went. We had a look round inside and it's very interesting, all different levels and stairs everywhere. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-1U787va2Flzep11iCw-ickdLtVn7qmRtxo51nHVrunwB-nTT8Odz6mnLH47nWlvj3tTl8iVuv94rx8Royx75XN7K2-ktWrbUwZ0LnHuasLP426K0Elr96HpYOKhOpIda7Fe4cLBtY/s1600/IMG_20140308_150716.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimO-1U787va2Flzep11iCw-ickdLtVn7qmRtxo51nHVrunwB-nTT8Odz6mnLH47nWlvj3tTl8iVuv94rx8Royx75XN7K2-ktWrbUwZ0LnHuasLP426K0Elr96HpYOKhOpIda7Fe4cLBtY/s1600/IMG_20140308_150716.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum6LnaiUs1eXVMshkIDEuy_t8dS2ZATN9DhKd7vimyuAL7aL8nCGmuBxSO-6ytr8e8L2J6oo9yGMMJHg92HGZZw5tJnQ_llxTN8EvbHJLbpf2lv4f6FJCQGYX1tp8dXHVizHAXW2Xt50/s1600/IMG_20140308_150752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhum6LnaiUs1eXVMshkIDEuy_t8dS2ZATN9DhKd7vimyuAL7aL8nCGmuBxSO-6ytr8e8L2J6oo9yGMMJHg92HGZZw5tJnQ_llxTN8EvbHJLbpf2lv4f6FJCQGYX1tp8dXHVizHAXW2Xt50/s1600/IMG_20140308_150752.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIl8L95Je_cahtMgLwnHxjveDNzja2Rl_pHsrf3I6NR9Ns4_J3rS5Jl5fBfvW8m3-3cfjjsdfk1CylZIQh2YZXjvU5QHyKPuH2oF10_T-waTkCcUX91bBENwRE92EAU4D9aNwCDYPS_g/s1600/IMG_20140308_150808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYIl8L95Je_cahtMgLwnHxjveDNzja2Rl_pHsrf3I6NR9Ns4_J3rS5Jl5fBfvW8m3-3cfjjsdfk1CylZIQh2YZXjvU5QHyKPuH2oF10_T-waTkCcUX91bBENwRE92EAU4D9aNwCDYPS_g/s1600/IMG_20140308_150808.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I'd love one of these for my pub</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a few minutes Mark turned up. The pub seemed pretty busy and he'd obviously been working in the kitchen but it appeared he'd dropped everything just to come and talk to us! Brilliant!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQRnoU3JNn0ktX1RyFND3nE_TjjZQIVV9Q992lodCtd1YmY1pkAHP2ja5_VxLm3ma4g9CJ-KTVlH2uw4ZVPynYbhmT70xQ8m1eguUpg1fxpg9oFFhHqc7aDfQAKrCat923fe20XON8YE/s1600/IMG_20140308_151651.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQRnoU3JNn0ktX1RyFND3nE_TjjZQIVV9Q992lodCtd1YmY1pkAHP2ja5_VxLm3ma4g9CJ-KTVlH2uw4ZVPynYbhmT70xQ8m1eguUpg1fxpg9oFFhHqc7aDfQAKrCat923fe20XON8YE/s1600/IMG_20140308_151651.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Me and Mark</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mark knew everything! What a font of pub knowledge this guy was. And he was a nice bloke to boot! He told us all about the history of the
pub, how it was originally built as a dwelling in the 15<sup>th</sup> century with the brewery being built in 1825 although it would seem that there has been some brewing on the site for several hundred years. He also told us about a tunnel that led to the adjacent All Saints Church, just
across the road. The tunnel was used as an escape route by the monks of the church in the event of any trouble.
Once in the building, they would use a hidden door in the fireplace (now the access to the ladies toilets) to access a cellar, and
there they would stay until safe. What’s really interesting is that the cellar
has a window angled up to the spire of the church, so anyone in the church can
signal the hidden monks in the cellar when the coast was clear. Genius.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaNWsDdIqt6kEE_BETfVduLmpUaJ45KwB_vQM39Uz7CNY90z6jDpToCdAKdLVbl5vgN-SvXGdF-pNbIGgrvEWCrr5J8Wc7cYRLQzTvDCUQz1ujWepIdMsX8TvosFlPUmmh_hSqdcMRsE/s1600/IMG_20140308_153342.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaNWsDdIqt6kEE_BETfVduLmpUaJ45KwB_vQM39Uz7CNY90z6jDpToCdAKdLVbl5vgN-SvXGdF-pNbIGgrvEWCrr5J8Wc7cYRLQzTvDCUQz1ujWepIdMsX8TvosFlPUmmh_hSqdcMRsE/s1600/IMG_20140308_153342.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xpKaS7Po7Y0eytWSuKln1PHZIx2lfjc2Nagd16cSb22wd8gJtOgLpO738qaNIjwK8EMpYtM7pvZPb10s99hrXa6S3o-S-OAXFZEkNnF6gLSJmU24I-KSuNFfUctcWOJyWZ7MqO4l4_w/s1600/IMG_20140308_153513.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xpKaS7Po7Y0eytWSuKln1PHZIx2lfjc2Nagd16cSb22wd8gJtOgLpO738qaNIjwK8EMpYtM7pvZPb10s99hrXa6S3o-S-OAXFZEkNnF6gLSJmU24I-KSuNFfUctcWOJyWZ7MqO4l4_w/s1600/IMG_20140308_153513.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RoVQmFszC8oqnzXTicNd4HNN9T3-FxUtVlmbe7lsUAeznwKz2pTUSB99lkMOFgSjeAsqNCTAUWYogOhodR7ijgxnjqyUa6if11ZhYQOKiz7m6yTHfp2okDcVrgRCtgOmL3GVh1bRjTM/s1600/IMG_20140308_153500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_RoVQmFszC8oqnzXTicNd4HNN9T3-FxUtVlmbe7lsUAeznwKz2pTUSB99lkMOFgSjeAsqNCTAUWYogOhodR7ijgxnjqyUa6if11ZhYQOKiz7m6yTHfp2okDcVrgRCtgOmL3GVh1bRjTM/s1600/IMG_20140308_153500.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> It was hard to get a decent picture so I had to do it like this.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Mark also told us about the brewery, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">how they still use the original steam engine and h</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ow most of the brewery is as it was originally installed. He told us about the recent acquisition of the pub by the latest brewery, Samuel Smiths. He told us about the dates of the original fireplace, and the dates of the extended fireplace. When I say he knew everything, he knew everything! And what really amazed me is that he’s only been landlord there for 2 years! As me dad said though, if you love what you do, it’s easy to remember. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">It was a great place and was well worth a visit, if you’re ever near Spalding; make the time to visit Stamford. Unfortunately we had to cut short our time there and head for Spalding, but we could’ve stayed for the rest of the day…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yes, as Clint said we could have stayed all day and had a session but it was time to move on. However we highly recommend going to Stamford and if you fancy a tour of the brewery you can find details here <a href="http://www.stamford-lincs.co.uk/st/site/placesofinterest/f/48/m/all_saints_brewery.html">http://www.stamford- lincs.co.uk/st/site/placesofinterest/f/48/m/all_saints_brewery.html</a> We shall definitely try to get back there and make a day of it. Cheers for now.</span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-70042704572194974252014-03-22T15:12:00.000-07:002014-03-22T15:12:35.847-07:00Ye Olde White Horse, Spalding, Part 1<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">21st March 2014</span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We're back in business! After 8 months we are visiting pubs again. And this one looked promising.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>I'd rang the pub and spoke to the landlady, Sam and she seemed very helpful and quite interested. I'd also contacted the local paper, The Spalding Guardian, hoping they could put me in touch with a local history society or historian but had had no reply. Still, we were travelling with loads of expectation especially as we were making a bit of a detour on the way there (more on that later).</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>We got to our hotel in Spalding about 4ish and, after checking in with the 70s throwback manager (three piece suit, kipper tie and "pancho" moustache), decided to have a pint seeing as they sold Stella. I'm glad Clint paid 'cos it was like gnats piss. We then went to our rooms and got ready for the big night (we hoped).</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_irP5cxQCc2w4vauS2K3RfqgJy1NWU0LfCDi6s4-9Y0NAtCTqYLjy2a8NZZwWroZFE6VUCU1fehVKpvQshniw4YxhP_WpSuEuCD-hlwja7vW6qb_VHXMXjMB6BQESamc0dkfAd8dzds/s1600/IMG_20140308_163347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz_irP5cxQCc2w4vauS2K3RfqgJy1NWU0LfCDi6s4-9Y0NAtCTqYLjy2a8NZZwWroZFE6VUCU1fehVKpvQshniw4YxhP_WpSuEuCD-hlwja7vW6qb_VHXMXjMB6BQESamc0dkfAd8dzds/s1600/IMG_20140308_163347.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">My GNATS PISS STELLA face</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">When we eventually arrived we checked in at our hotel which had the creepiest manager ever, laughing at the most trivial things we said, which made me uncomfortable. Maybe he felt the need to be over-friendly due to his position, but i think we all just want people to be genuine.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">After a quick splash o' Brut we headed off for Ye Olde White Horse which, according to Google, was across the canal and down a bit. About a 10 or 15 minute walk which gave us a chance to see a bit of Spalding on the water......... and it's very nice though there are some exceedingly small front doors on the buildings. Anyone know why? Anyway, I got some nice pictures and enjoyed the walk.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGw8mYwesIQ6k57MKUrFLJQcD-pRNaIbedV7sDEXIo0YqSTGptGjd9z7XpA7HgNukJjNOm51vmA0puF_LJTYhPF48_ig6mMVC8m4vdxshlgtSjFgqRCYUy8obzlhlqK_JJ4BMjTF3Qlc/s1600/IMG_20140308_171515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJGw8mYwesIQ6k57MKUrFLJQcD-pRNaIbedV7sDEXIo0YqSTGptGjd9z7XpA7HgNukJjNOm51vmA0puF_LJTYhPF48_ig6mMVC8m4vdxshlgtSjFgqRCYUy8obzlhlqK_JJ4BMjTF3Qlc/s1600/IMG_20140308_171515.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Even Dad'd have to duck and he's only 5' 5"</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XBcmm24iAx4ul8nzB6FMey4ef-BOZzFzIfNWUoQmWu17hpNI5RdnMP-Dx30g5OeheiOSFbn_eCrvanXjlDl7CXMlpW-hMIfkNcgz2HwGG41SM2TgBZ7E6AgoywftlLMNR-W1Lvzb2Jg/s1600/IMG_20140308_172245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3XBcmm24iAx4ul8nzB6FMey4ef-BOZzFzIfNWUoQmWu17hpNI5RdnMP-Dx30g5OeheiOSFbn_eCrvanXjlDl7CXMlpW-hMIfkNcgz2HwGG41SM2TgBZ7E6AgoywftlLMNR-W1Lvzb2Jg/s1600/IMG_20140308_172245.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBr6uY2u9hke5VGWJRBdiriU5enLNhvK-gNHZ4tnH2IFswLrsMJ1iDT-kvMjZb0e5cnPpTS19nvs36-Wb_3mp66GOs4y41WH1FIBNYbci681UFRZFEZQbshBsPfZfvZJiM_UsxBfbdj4/s1600/IMG_20140308_172501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdBr6uY2u9hke5VGWJRBdiriU5enLNhvK-gNHZ4tnH2IFswLrsMJ1iDT-kvMjZb0e5cnPpTS19nvs36-Wb_3mp66GOs4y41WH1FIBNYbci681UFRZFEZQbshBsPfZfvZJiM_UsxBfbdj4/s1600/IMG_20140308_172501.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Dinner?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEjQ1Ea6fWdDJhBTwM_UJ2RvtS99SiHtOG8q_3WDGo4uq5Gws9h-bLEogQKvpWVbK0M4HlzlMtP1_DycUDO9hv3QIR5qhRnTldbpYsa_MMDFEWzQXexg_s7gEjSoF_o0PrhiyQQNk5KgpiE/s1600/IMG_20140308_171915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ1Ea6fWdDJhBTwM_UJ2RvtS99SiHtOG8q_3WDGo4uq5Gws9h-bLEogQKvpWVbK0M4HlzlMtP1_DycUDO9hv3QIR5qhRnTldbpYsa_MMDFEWzQXexg_s7gEjSoF_o0PrhiyQQNk5KgpiE/s1600/IMG_20140308_171915.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure enough, down a bit and across a bridge and there it was, Ye Olde White Horse.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fFfT3OC82w1XoPaeq8HC84almxUDh-VgJN0k3DHh-oUs5qdbznmiX3QoJvkpTJu-tOWEGgoW4TxkP4YMlD7K7N3Ypm3dP2G-4Hhiz8DQx0Re_pYmGaSFmwxYJ9drIeGqT_O0yJasRRA/s1600/IMG_20140308_172738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4fFfT3OC82w1XoPaeq8HC84almxUDh-VgJN0k3DHh-oUs5qdbznmiX3QoJvkpTJu-tOWEGgoW4TxkP4YMlD7K7N3Ypm3dP2G-4Hhiz8DQx0Re_pYmGaSFmwxYJ9drIeGqT_O0yJasRRA/s1600/IMG_20140308_172738.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We'd arrived!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>It's a very pretty building. I mean, who doesn't like a thatched roof?</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Fire insurance companies?</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>All right, smart arse! We took a couple of pictures and crossed the threshold.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9OkhTqTVmqhgqx059wuXLIqsuOKWVmEPW7hZAeppHhtr8e_1hKN3Ysvz3UwWROxmsWalFq4ZyY4NVpYaJseu5WU3x6e-X8VJ8Cu2I61kwRT0AW3ruvg1ZuZSgaBn_mz1wIXLdj4CDwQ/s1600/IMG_20140308_172915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz9OkhTqTVmqhgqx059wuXLIqsuOKWVmEPW7hZAeppHhtr8e_1hKN3Ysvz3UwWROxmsWalFq4ZyY4NVpYaJseu5WU3x6e-X8VJ8Cu2I61kwRT0AW3ruvg1ZuZSgaBn_mz1wIXLdj4CDwQ/s1600/IMG_20140308_172915.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Usual pic of me outside the pub</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>There were quite a few people in, which is good to see at 5 o'clock, and I made my way further in as the bar area was pretty well occupied. You go up a couple of steps and there is more bar and here there was room to get in and as we approached the bar a woman behind said " Hi, we saw you were on your way. We saw the picture you posted on Facebook!"</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>This was brilliant!! They'd been interested enough to watch our Facebook page and were expecting us. The lady I was talking to was Sam, the landlady and we were quickly joined by Terri, her barmaid. Terri wanted to see the cigarette cards straight away so after I'd ordered a beer I handed them over and then Sam took me on a quick tour of the pub and Clint went off with Terri into the main bar area.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujWi7K5JzJg9MQsrq4QXqskt7u49u1xUE9pevkLL2vk5hvNnKoKhjABSL_TzlguWVyOxsdZ4mwb2qv-zwF4p4pfDDZ-_6eIK4D89y09o228i-MdCZgpfVQjUMnWihg-kXqKff1ZreZDY/s1600/IMG_20140308_200252.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujWi7K5JzJg9MQsrq4QXqskt7u49u1xUE9pevkLL2vk5hvNnKoKhjABSL_TzlguWVyOxsdZ4mwb2qv-zwF4p4pfDDZ-_6eIK4D89y09o228i-MdCZgpfVQjUMnWihg-kXqKff1ZreZDY/s1600/IMG_20140308_200252.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clint, Terri, Sam and yours truly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i>Sam showed me where the original pub ended and the new bit began and showed me all the old photos on the wall and the history behind them as we walked through the lounge and back to the bar where we came in. There we found Clint talking to Terri and an older guy who was sat on a bar stool in the corner. Clint introduced him to me as "Squeak"!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We were off to a flyer! Not only did this seem like a good
watering hole, but also, when Dad had contacted them, they were genuinely
interested! To the point they had read the blog and recognised us! Well… dad
anyway... The landlady was called Sam, and although she had a pub full of
paying customers, she immediately took dad on a tour around the pub, and left
me at the bar… but after a couple of minutes, the barmaid, Terri, came over for
a chat. Sam had told her about our tour, and she wanted to see the cards. She
showed them around the pub and before long I was stood next to an old boy
discussing the pub. They called him Squeak, I forgot to ask why, and I forgot
to ask his real name. But if I’m honest, whatever his real name was, I will
forever call him Squeak. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTolycNTRGkl91IQz_2ZgzG8cplxQUr5t-oylAV8-4BsauuZi2bpwTlVLzQPHh6_wnrQM9koXZ35VW3IFRCZpLDz4GE81dhARGb9ziQDmPyjtq9y_Q6BG2V73k40oJuHQ8FlQLDP_Ru1g/s1600/IMG_20140308_195935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTolycNTRGkl91IQz_2ZgzG8cplxQUr5t-oylAV8-4BsauuZi2bpwTlVLzQPHh6_wnrQM9koXZ35VW3IFRCZpLDz4GE81dhARGb9ziQDmPyjtq9y_Q6BG2V73k40oJuHQ8FlQLDP_Ru1g/s1600/IMG_20140308_195935.jpg" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Terri</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So I took root next to Squeak, and Dad came back and we
stood talking for the rest of the night. Squeak had lots of old knowledge about
Spalding, as he had lived there all his life. He told us a tale about a young
woman who was listed as “stolen” from a pub in Spalding and shipped to Australia in
the 1800’s, and the pub in question was called The Elephant and Castle. The
twist in the tale is that no one</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"> can </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">remember, or </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">find any reference to, the
Elephant and Castle ever being in Spalding. We had a little Google search on me
Google phone (which I am beginning to fall out with!) but came up empty handed. I've had another quick look online since, but with no joy. Any info from anyone
out there would be much appreciated, as I’m sure we could get it back to
Squeak…</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">So, as we chatted to Squeak, we had another beer, and another beer,,,,,,,,,,,,,and another beer,,,,,,,,,,,,,ad infinitum. Because it was bloody lovely! It was Samuel Smiths Pure Brewed Organic Lager and I would recommend it to anyone (although I perhaps wouldn't recommend drinking as much as we did).</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAaFew1wetOuUg4CppkQ-scb-pNh5ZTJiDWVcS6d3HsuhAerj8lByZaSKyuwLk0tcQKsPP6a_5HelRDA3mvYgEDYOIB7Tt0_bUUTczuPzKU-e0sPx4uXEdmuCp7F_Obgkuc22UMLEC8Y/s1600/sam+smiths+lager.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRAaFew1wetOuUg4CppkQ-scb-pNh5ZTJiDWVcS6d3HsuhAerj8lByZaSKyuwLk0tcQKsPP6a_5HelRDA3mvYgEDYOIB7Tt0_bUUTczuPzKU-e0sPx4uXEdmuCp7F_Obgkuc22UMLEC8Y/s1600/sam+smiths+lager.jpg" height="490" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well, that's enough for now. Part 2 coming soon, Cheers!!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-3449987411459747532014-02-15T16:29:00.000-08:002014-02-15T16:29:14.369-08:00The Ostrich, Colnbrook, Summary<span style="color: #a64d79; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">15th February 2014</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: magenta; font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Well, we're back. Sorry it's been a while but we've had some family illness and this project has been on the back-burner for a while but, hopefully, everything is back to normal and we can carry on.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">All in all the visit to The Ostrich was pretty crap. Apart from the fact that we had a pretty bad time in Slough, the pub itself was disappointing. Though full of history, some of which is still pretty evident, we didn't get to speak to any locals because there weren't any, the landlord wasn't there and what the current owners have done to the place is just short of criminal. It could have been a new build made to look old, a themed pub (my pet hate).</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Can I also add my apologies. As anyone with kids will know, Christmas with young kids can be an expensive time, and county hopping in search of the perfect pub has to take a back seat... Mind you, my lad had some AWESOME Lego for me to build! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">As this epic quest has been on hold, I gotta admit I'm struggling to remember much about the place... the stand out moments are the brilliant rock pub in Slough, and Slough itself, unfortunately, for the wrong reasons...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">A couple of things I do remember... the area was nice, as was the exterior, and although there was some dodgy design choices on the exterior which left a lot to be desired, (the giant glass doors in the archway) I do understand that we do have to move with the times, and any place can only survive if they have paying customers, and if such designs pull in the punters... so be it.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The interior on the other hand... ruined by the stainless steel canteen/bar, not welcoming, not appealing, as though some spotty kid from head office has had a look in his book and bought something from the ikea catalogue and bought the cheapest...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The biggest memory of The Ostrich was disappointment... not with the pub, but the atmosphere. Saturday night and this place was dead, aside from the 2 toffs and 3 "emos" sat outside. We do these pub visits with the intention of meeting the locals, hearing some classic pub folklore, and hopefully make some new friends. Not a chance here. This was compounded by the fact that the previous night we'd stumbled across pub nirvana and had a great night. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Sorry Ostrich... but Emu is more interesting than you....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">So much for the Ostrich. Now for our next visit!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"> On March 8th we are going to <span style="color: red;">Ye Olde White Horse </span>in <span style="color: red;">Spalding.</span> I've spoken to the landlady, Sam, and she seems quite interested and says there are some interesting old fellas that we can talk to so hopefully we will have a better experience there. If anyone reading this blog lives in the area, please come on down and have a beer and a chat with us, see you there, Cheers!!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a>(you don't think I'm showing my age when I mentioned Emu, do you Dad?)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(No...........well i hope not or they'll think i'm feckin Methuselah)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcFtecoiPe9nRHQEknbck2GaN7EmsaAmT_943-TarVYjUCvKPxLyeXarUjaIObKZK82zhSZmF8VcMvWkCbz49F93YPDcn_pg3PnEZhml6eWop2FmtIHG71YKfEkYOy-2WlLDVjUL0qTs/s1600/at+the+ostrich.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcFtecoiPe9nRHQEknbck2GaN7EmsaAmT_943-TarVYjUCvKPxLyeXarUjaIObKZK82zhSZmF8VcMvWkCbz49F93YPDcn_pg3PnEZhml6eWop2FmtIHG71YKfEkYOy-2WlLDVjUL0qTs/s1600/at+the+ostrich.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-67920729529261448252013-08-10T16:35:00.000-07:002013-08-10T16:35:07.146-07:00Ye Olde Ostrich, Colnbrook part 2<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> So, here we are at Ye Olde Ostrich in Colnbrook. The Ostrich (which maybe derived from Hospice, Hospice meaning a place of refuge or rest for travellers) was first built in 1106 and the present building in around 1500 (it is thought to be the 3rd oldest inn in the country). It is reputedly haunted and has been featured in the Most Haunted television programme. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> The Ostrich's biggest claim to fame (or infamy) is the story of Mr Jarman who was landlord during the 17th century. The Ostrich was one of several coaching inns in Colnbrook at the time (in 1577 there were 10 such establishments) and Mr Jarman would entice the most affluent customers with high quality food, ales and wine, then offer them the best room in the house at reasonable rates. But, unbeknownst to the poor unsuspecting client, the best room was directly over the kitchen and Jarman had installed a kind of trap door mechanism in which, once the retaining pins were removed, the floor and bed swung down and the sleeping customer slipped out of the bottom of the bed straight into a boiling vat.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oVrz7aSscKiKPB0jM4By82dedutSdu8mTo_yJ2-c89FIHgx0YH2-6wLsQ2qXSqSnOKd0mg1-sL0t5n_yKQCvY1ee8FCMbH4jEUIbPSz1tShPowfBMK43OQyG82Fov4FKluYyQGJtstY/s1600/tipping-bed-in-the-ostrich-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="352" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_oVrz7aSscKiKPB0jM4By82dedutSdu8mTo_yJ2-c89FIHgx0YH2-6wLsQ2qXSqSnOKd0mg1-sL0t5n_yKQCvY1ee8FCMbH4jEUIbPSz1tShPowfBMK43OQyG82Fov4FKluYyQGJtstY/s400/tipping-bed-in-the-ostrich-2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Impression of Jarmans trapdoor bed</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Jarman and his wife would then sell the victims belongings after pocketing his monies and dispose of the body in the river Colne.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> But Jarman was found out after murdering a wealthy clothier, Thomas of Reading, just by not disposing of the poor fellows horse. During investigations Jarman confessed and he and his wife were tried, convicted and sentenced to hang. Whilst in prison waiting for the sentence to be carried out, Jarman allegedly confessed to a fellow prisoner that he had disposed of at least 60 travellers in this way. This may have been just prison bragging but he was certainly responsible for several deaths. It has been suggested that this was the basis for the story of Sweeney Todd.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"> Interesting as this story is, it could all be a load of rubbish! Thomas Delaney, a writer of the period, notes that there was a murder at the time but at a pub called the Crane and there is nothing to link it to the Ostrich apart from both being the names of birds. Also, a government return from 1577 names a Mr Jarman as an innkeeper in Colnbrooke but at an inn on the other side of High Street.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Unfortunately, all this history doesn't rub off on its current modern day setting. I took some pictures, as I always do, and this one picture stood out to me more than any...</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1IgBSSvAfR-4eFvjlsGPEuxYYd6tRuoKYs4Hupz-5XK2-uyc-iJooXJucnWet0-HivYUSRqRC2HDuVyWJ0jNXdy6ZUhyZipmoUDnNPohRAFD1uEPDIimL4uXStzId3skZx1i893Fwoc/s1600/bar.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh1IgBSSvAfR-4eFvjlsGPEuxYYd6tRuoKYs4Hupz-5XK2-uyc-iJooXJucnWet0-HivYUSRqRC2HDuVyWJ0jNXdy6ZUhyZipmoUDnNPohRAFD1uEPDIimL4uXStzId3skZx1i893Fwoc/s640/bar.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Did I hear someone say "American Diner"? </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">And if you were wondering...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwHwT1uMBSHcgnaKZrXVnMUURWFe52IMyMlUEwgIT0bjwGekFMH2KO0spuDFNMvotl0gNbo8VDCEa5Z52KZTjH2S7lm76MD9KpskkhDGEClSZBJqFo_LT4JVs5e8jDXs7-pGjeF8-_e4/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTwHwT1uMBSHcgnaKZrXVnMUURWFe52IMyMlUEwgIT0bjwGekFMH2KO0spuDFNMvotl0gNbo8VDCEa5Z52KZTjH2S7lm76MD9KpskkhDGEClSZBJqFo_LT4JVs5e8jDXs7-pGjeF8-_e4/s640/photo3.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Yep! That's a Stainless Steel bar... like a canteen... Or a Diner!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I mean for Christs sake, How much history was in that bar? and some corporate twat decided to "modern" it up, WHY? If I wanted my beer on a stainless steel bar, I'd go to.... I don't know where I'd go actually. Surely this is unheard of? Am I not well-versed enough in "THE ENGLISH PUB™" that I've not come across this before? Please comment below and let me know.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>They also had double glass doors, front and back, across what used to be the carriage entrance. We didn't take a picture 'cos we didn't think you could stand it!!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say that I didn't like it, and there is a couple of other things I didn't like, For example, again, all available indoor space was assigned for dining tables, and I didn't feel welcome. Outside there was a bunch of young 'uns keeping themselves to themselves, and a couple of unbelievably stereotypical toffs, who look like they where stopping for a Pimms on the way back from the Regatta, in their blazers with whatever crest emblazoned on the breast pocket, even wearing straw boaters! Inside had one family in the other room eating a meal, and that was it... No locals, No warm welcome, Nothing.... What time does The Rising Sun shut again?</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I did like a few things...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiw8SjZIoHvtUDeGmQfncx0EhBZO6wG5XQaAj2Vb80we_guroAEecQCNDYg3UIefPKwRJaRL6xW4HTXhQqmSSpzEdIj1dCBKQLi3kJXn_Er2zGajNZyvNy51rdBvrWRhH_91-VNd4N-c/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgiw8SjZIoHvtUDeGmQfncx0EhBZO6wG5XQaAj2Vb80we_guroAEecQCNDYg3UIefPKwRJaRL6xW4HTXhQqmSSpzEdIj1dCBKQLi3kJXn_Er2zGajNZyvNy51rdBvrWRhH_91-VNd4N-c/s320/photo2.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">They got their own Beer! Excitedly, I asked the barmaid for more info on the Ostrich Lager, Who Brewed it? Was it brewed on the premises? Errr... No. Its was a re-labelled major beer company... from Scotland... Still, tasted nice...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Too be honest, it was a bit disappointing. It was about 9 o'clock on a Friday night and there was nobody in! There were about 9 or 10 sat outside enjoying the evening sun and, as Clint said, one family having a meal inside. No locals, no old fellas to talk to with lots of stories and the landlord wasn't there nor his "guide". The assistant manager, Sarah, was nice but very young and, although she showed me round the pub didn't really seem very forthcoming. The pub itself (apart from the plastic bar) is great. All old beams and leaning all over the place.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyeQ4_bX1oaKW7d4LuGaOsxfrq9CVVuY33NQXXbmCXRUVaTeSpbSLrFFM4AMooT9pU00O246ezHmHG6ZHr8Ca3DUN9VPCR1n-yMdbnDAYjXkOsAiNiVlpihtHLMqyl2tcCe-EwPnM3c4/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQyeQ4_bX1oaKW7d4LuGaOsxfrq9CVVuY33NQXXbmCXRUVaTeSpbSLrFFM4AMooT9pU00O246ezHmHG6ZHr8Ca3DUN9VPCR1n-yMdbnDAYjXkOsAiNiVlpihtHLMqyl2tcCe-EwPnM3c4/s640/photo6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEi0QVH-21VfBcwV1pPP0zN1RwV7sfLkHeTCrcw9_RZjUY-f5qU7gUgkGBa9hHxHVAyLvOU1wJJnIcqq4de1cgHVB4Ry1nX-Ll30dVFQfj6IUAkhfaImTwTqR9UiWiHcgxOR-1snugj_wck/s1600/photo19.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0QVH-21VfBcwV1pPP0zN1RwV7sfLkHeTCrcw9_RZjUY-f5qU7gUgkGBa9hHxHVAyLvOU1wJJnIcqq4de1cgHVB4Ry1nX-Ll30dVFQfj6IUAkhfaImTwTqR9UiWiHcgxOR-1snugj_wck/s640/photo19.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>As promised after our last pub I thought I'd try a local brew so I had a pint of Kings Gold (4.2%) from Sussex brewer J W King. It was not unpleasant but seemed a little bland with no bite. I wouldn't have another.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, If you get past the Canteen/Bar, The pub has some great old features, all of which will be best shown as pics, not by my below par education trying to describe them. But I do wanna comment on these pics, My favourite of our quest so far...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uYuwygV5ImKNTqqPQemTtuRr_atBmhIUTNk7BGFClga5R7RhZRpm3przGSPumijplAyK418S_0_oFcRjDX-N5zZImIryLsmJSvVgTWCBzAR9lvL4SPvdSM3kSbB23QvUmqR7-L3cJyo/s1600/photo9.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/AVvXsEh0uYuwygV5ImKNTqqPQemTtuRr_atBmhIUTNk7BGFClga5R7RhZRpm3przGSPumijplAyK418S_0_oFcRjDX-N5zZImIryLsmJSvVgTWCBzAR9lvL4SPvdSM3kSbB23QvUmqR7-L3cJyo/s320/photo9.JPG" width="239" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z5_Tw2tfSn4ny3z6tDnSInaik2FyYEP29hFttk-53Zjo6p3Ymx_Ux_YAYyssXe4G7W2RFsw8py3fBEZD9d3gJGGPK2hyz3NbuAsAzA7JoU88aIsGTlQyk6D6sSPrdDs-YmoQXjxOsZs/s1600/photo10.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8z5_Tw2tfSn4ny3z6tDnSInaik2FyYEP29hFttk-53Zjo6p3Ymx_Ux_YAYyssXe4G7W2RFsw8py3fBEZD9d3gJGGPK2hyz3NbuAsAzA7JoU88aIsGTlQyk6D6sSPrdDs-YmoQXjxOsZs/s320/photo10.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">SHORT ARSE!!!!! HAHAHA</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>And I was stretching! Still,</i> y<i>ou don't get diamonds the size of house bricks!</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">It was a shame the place was empty, 'cos after our little tour, and a quick read of the local history leaflet, there wasn't a great deal left to do... a lot like our first pub visit, Ye Olde Boars Head, but the difference there was that we were stuck there. Here, we had had two pints of Ostrich piss and a car sat outside... It was inevitable really, with no one to talk to, no one in the bar to ambush for a chat, all photos taken, we'd had enough, and headed back to sunny Slough. This had proved to be generic eatery number 2, and no one was hungry... </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, we'll post the rest of the pictures next time, but for now, San Miguel awaits...</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cheers!!!</i></span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-25315894229000364452013-08-02T13:03:00.000-07:002013-08-09T13:47:39.491-07:00Ye Olde Ostrich part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDw78ntlNScNZnHQc0rs7rFyDDKZLePhNMEHktWdwTGycfuw7GWZgmdJzRWpaDf_UOJhoy2YOmIEU0pkk-vSapVJfkEMeQyq-U-WCucDTaVtRY75f0Rj1IrnwO8cDPHbZJfN7AD3YygY/s1600/from+phone+057.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLDw78ntlNScNZnHQc0rs7rFyDDKZLePhNMEHktWdwTGycfuw7GWZgmdJzRWpaDf_UOJhoy2YOmIEU0pkk-vSapVJfkEMeQyq-U-WCucDTaVtRY75f0Rj1IrnwO8cDPHbZJfN7AD3YygY/s640/from+phone+057.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">Happy Birthday to my son Joseph, Who was 5 on the 4th of July, and due to his obsession with Lego, the next Olde inn was decided for us...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As a birthday treat for Joseph, my wife and I planned a trip for us all to take him to Legoland in Windsor. So, to kill 2 birds an all that, we looked on our Ye Olde Innseekers map and found that we had a pub in the local area, Ye Olde Ostrich, in Colnbrook, not more than 5 miles from Legoland. As we are about 120 miles from Windsor, we booked a cheap Travelodge at neighbouring Slough, as it was a damn sight cheaper than Windsor. My Dad and I added on another day to the trip so we may visit the Ostrich, and I got permission off the Mrs to have a night in the pub while she stayed in a strange hotel...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">So, Excitedly, we picked Joseph up from school and hit the road, made good time, had a pleasant evening in the hotel eating a take away Chinese, rose early, went to Legoland, Grandad and Grandma came along, and Joseph absolutely loved every second of it... it was a perfect family day... </span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwJBh6mFcnizNpnJJDvZIUhDOvlvxewp_DJ_baE6W8-mhKy3eEistkflgcF1LVq2MxhD_ibF7rKAUb3DLuzn5T_RCCmg47gBfXrjoTOEuX_bbKpc0Jp8Prchcp8fWdSkgLQY7gJs6t3k/s1600/joe+lego.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzwJBh6mFcnizNpnJJDvZIUhDOvlvxewp_DJ_baE6W8-mhKy3eEistkflgcF1LVq2MxhD_ibF7rKAUb3DLuzn5T_RCCmg47gBfXrjoTOEuX_bbKpc0Jp8Prchcp8fWdSkgLQY7gJs6t3k/s640/joe+lego.JPG" width="476" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Joseph and Chloe Shopping for a new Darth Vader....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And then we had to go back to Slough...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>I'd really been looking forward to this! Two weeks off work with a trip to see Mrs Browns Boys, a day out at Legoland with the grandchildren, a night out to see Kings of Leon and a weekend away at one of the pubs on our list. Well, the first three went well.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>After a long day at Legoland we got back to the Travelodge looking forward to a rest and a quiet night. Me and my good lady were chilling in our room when my son turned up and he was a bit pissed off to say the least. Some dickheads in the room opposite his decided they were going to set off the fire extinguisher in the corridor and while trying to do so they banged the extinguisher against the door of my sons room, frightening the kids who were in bed and on the verge of going to sleep. After a strong verbal warning from the hotel manager they quietened down and eventually me and my son decided to go for a pint at a pub I'd spotted just around the corner.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>This pub, the Rising Sun, didn't look very appealing as we approached it. Painted completely black (and from the look of it, a long time ago) it looked pretty foreboding.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> (I should point out here that I've tried to find a picture of The Rising Sun on-line but all the photos I've found show it with white windows and a big blue name sign across the front of the pub and it all looks very nice. This isn't quite how I remember it, but maybe my memory's playing tricks on me)(or it could be the quantity of Stella consumed).</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, just as we crossed the threshold of the pub, not quite knowing what to expect.....................A ROCK BAND KICKED UP!! It was an open mic night and over the next three hours or so we were treated to some excellent blues and rock guitarists. We played a couple of games of pool and, when one of the locals put some money on the table, we ended up playing doubles, me and my son against Artur, a Polish guy and another fella who's name escapes me but he looked like he could have been Mo Farahs' granddad They were both nice blokes and we had an excellent time. The landlady, Teresa, even gave me a bar towel for my collection. If you find yourself in Slough and you fancy a pint, try The Rising Sun. It's a proper pub!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Legoland is on the outskirts of Windsor, and that is a beautiful place, the castle, the parks, the fountains for paddling in, the clean shopping centre strewn with all the top designer shops (not that I give a Shit about shopping, but it is a reflection of the area, generally, I think an area is better with armani shops than cash convertors...) </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But we were stopping in Slough... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Slough is a Shithole.... please, don't visit, just believe me, If you're taking your family to Legoland, pay the extra and stay in Windsor, and drive AROUND Slough. The place has gangs of youths wandering up and down the town centre, throwing stuff at shop windows going completely unchecked, free to do whatever they like. I'll tell you how bad Slough is, look at this extract from Slough.gov </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">"Writers have supposed the name to be derived from a 'slough', 'mire' or 'morass'. These are usually places where the soil is soaked all the time and generally muddy. Indeed a number of references are made in local writings about a 'miry place'"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.03125px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: start;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 20.03125px;">Basically, the place was named after a hole of shit....</span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">If you know anyone who works for the Thames Valley Police, they have got a proper easy job, cos they certainly ain't doing any friggin' police work down there...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Actually, I'm being unfair... we had a crap stay in Slough, to the point where I was worried about my kids safety, But me and Dad stumbled upon, quite possibly, our perfect pub. Dad and I love rock music, and, as Dad mentioned, we ended up in The Rising Sun at their open mic night, and we sat there watching all the local musicians turn up and just, jam... We made some good friends playing pool, listened to some excellent music and didn't trip over someone eating a mixed grill. Generally, pubbing perfection....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So, Friday we went a ride into Windsor, a very nice place with parks, fountains you can play in and, of course, the Castle, where you can't even walk on the grass??? We spent a couple of hours playing in the park with the children then an hour or so in the fountains, had a nice meal in one of the cafes and a walk around the shops and up to the castle.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>But soon it was time to head back to Slough and get ready for our trip to Ye Olde Ostrich in Colnbrook. So we went back to the hotel to chill out for an hour or two before the nights excitement! After some discussion the ladies decided, sadly, that they weren't bothered about going and would stop in the hotel while me and Clint went. Clint ,Sue and the grandchildren said they were going up into town to get some food before we went out. Me and Aud weren't particularly hungry as we'd had an excellent feed in Windsor in the afternoon so we stayed in the room waiting for them to get back. Then we were reminded where we were..........</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Without going into too much detail, what should've been a nice family meal at Pizza Hut, turned into a violent evening between the staff at pizza hut and some local gang, to the point where I was worried for the Mrs and Kids safety. Thames valley police are, and I choose my words carefully, Fucking useless, and to get my family home safe without having to drag them through a bunch of angry teens, I had to call my Dad to come and fetch us. Thanks a lot Thames Valley Police!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Anyway, to the task at hand! We had had a nice long day in Windsor, and a terrible evening in Slough, I was both knackered and very reluctant to leave Sue and the Kids in the hotel. Sue assured me she was fine and they were all tired and would probably be asleep soon anyway. So I went round to Dads room, and immediately I could tell he wasn't up for it either, it had been a long day, but I suspect it was more that he wanted to head back to the Rising Sun...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Clint's half right. I would have liked to go to the Rising Sun as I knew there was a rock band on again and we had had a good time there but I was still looking forward to going to The Ostrich. So eventually off we went to Colnbrook. I drove as it's only 5 minutes or so and we would leave the car there and get a taxi back, picking the car up in the morning.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I just want to add something here, as I was the passenger in said car, I left the menial task of chauffeur to Dad, and I did what every modern man does, and checked my facebook... One of the sponsored pages was British Airways, (weirdly) and there was a story about BA taking receipt of their first Airbus A380, the worlds largest passenger jet, at Heathrow that day. I jokingly mentioned to Pop that we should keep an eye out for it as Colnbrook is only a couple of miles from the airport. As we pulled into the pub car park, we got out of the car and at that moment, a Singapore Airlines Airbus A380 was passing over, and I gotta say, someone sold his soul to the devil, 'c</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">os its magic that keeps that beast in the air, its HUGE! As it was taking off, it looked like it was skimming, not climbing through the air. It looked like it was struggling to make it! Its a hell of thing to watch, truly, the pinnacle of engineering... </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"> <i>Anyway, back to the pub. The Ostrich was reputedly founded in 1106 and was originally called the Hospice but the name has "morphed" into it's present form. As we pulled into the car park Clint took a picture and, I must admit, the place looked pretty good.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceuSR-UIYN6rd-kSPDhS6ZuzD9B-ng5t_w7LcTBze2x3tYnOIBd0LaOqBL5Hht1IQ2OKlRHVBd79zFqa-p38wuRNfs93DTMq7I-nH6xdJkLxGMYCrdp8yDtVCkgfYBoXFf3V9is1lWZg/s1600/back+of+pub.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhceuSR-UIYN6rd-kSPDhS6ZuzD9B-ng5t_w7LcTBze2x3tYnOIBd0LaOqBL5Hht1IQ2OKlRHVBd79zFqa-p38wuRNfs93DTMq7I-nH6xdJkLxGMYCrdp8yDtVCkgfYBoXFf3V9is1lWZg/s640/back+of+pub.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>The place looks very olde worlde from the outside but once you got inside it looked even better but with a couple of notable exceptions.</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6-Q8CixVtwjjEwyxiC08F1797avC8VvMnLFyPOJbxeGm9uzDHPpok90WkJsjcitpTdk7YxanaoaIF1H2_7pACL4MaBdbLY-x_ha125XAvutHAvhgsISBl1iwV7Jhm4bxpudTW8E7ZS8/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht6-Q8CixVtwjjEwyxiC08F1797avC8VvMnLFyPOJbxeGm9uzDHPpok90WkJsjcitpTdk7YxanaoaIF1H2_7pACL4MaBdbLY-x_ha125XAvutHAvhgsISBl1iwV7Jhm4bxpudTW8E7ZS8/s640/photo5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>A few days before we went I had e-mailed the landlord to remind him we were coming and I had a mail back from him in which he explained that he was sorry but he wouldn't be there and the pub "guide" also wouldn't be there due to serious illness and that he couldn't guarantee that there would be many regulars there for us to talk to but that his deputy manageress would be there and knew we were coming.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> That didn't bode well.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>That's all for now. More very soon. Cheers!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
</div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-73299213940773451762013-06-23T13:57:00.001-07:002013-06-23T13:57:06.967-07:00Pics and Stuff<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Just thought I'd add a few thoughts and pics we might not have used. There aren't many of the Bears Head, Middleton 'cos I accidentally deleted the ones that we hadn't already used in the blog (I think?). Anyway, I'm posting them all again here and if you've seen them already.................Hey Ho!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> One major failing on our part is not reviewing the ales in the establishments we visit. There are reasons for this. Firstly, we are lager drinkers, not connoisseurs of cask ales although I do like to try them. Secondly, it wasn't high on our list of things to do. We just wanted to go to all the pubs. However, I know t</span><span style="font-size: large;">hat for a lot of people the quality of the product outweig</span><span style="font-size: large;">hs the attractions of the establishment. And thirdly, we tend to drink too much anyway on these little excursions and if we tried every ale we came across we'd forget most of what we were there for.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Still, in future I will endeavor to try at least one "proper" beer in every pub we visit and give my <u>honest</u> opinion, such as it is. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> I did try half a pint of Langton Brewerys' Hop On which was very good, sweet and nutty. And on our way to The Boars Head in Middleton we stopped off at The Gardeners Arms and had half of Joseph Holts' Crystal Extra Cold lager which was exc</span><span style="font-size: large;">ellent! I wish I could get that in my neck of the woods.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> One thing that makes me smile is that everywhere we go at least one person ( and normally several) asks us why? Why are we doing this? Our stock answer is................ Why Not? </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> How many of you have been out in a group perhaps at the pub or a barbecue and, after quaffing many libations, someone will come out with some lunatic</span><span style="font-size: large;"> idea of entering the London marathon or going skydiving or doing the three peaks challenge? Everyone is well up for it and you decide you'll talk about it next Friday night and then you sober up the next day and forget all about it. And nobody ever does anything</span><span style="font-size: large;"> MAD.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Well, that's what happened to us, only when <u>we</u> sobered up we decided to do it!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>Pictures from The Bears Head</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<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/AVvXsEja072CnzfOdlg6nrQp-IqzzS3nO7470Ki8PNTywyf1ZwkwNPFioiX50if5FkERUn_T3BFY_aBrM8kaGcRKyLvU28cah_oDclZPVQF1nmpashugJDWLuhC5mAWGdiVg6dF0My7kOMC6tz8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja072CnzfOdlg6nrQp-IqzzS3nO7470Ki8PNTywyf1ZwkwNPFioiX50if5FkERUn_T3BFY_aBrM8kaGcRKyLvU28cah_oDclZPVQF1nmpashugJDWLuhC5mAWGdiVg6dF0My7kOMC6tz8/s640/photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Bears Head</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<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/AVvXsEjzEA1eQbUjv3S9lCZttowga8Nv3mer4P-bZOJpzO-Fx_-OSgAdnAbzzEZatOg4LwTwP0rmSaTKwGRLL4hbpHDFhq2MTEUXt2WEa8rQgQ7Bdxj8OrB9jNWvQht-Kk0n0jcmWIKwmR-61Xo/s1600/Me+at+Bears+Haead.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzEA1eQbUjv3S9lCZttowga8Nv3mer4P-bZOJpzO-Fx_-OSgAdnAbzzEZatOg4LwTwP0rmSaTKwGRLL4hbpHDFhq2MTEUXt2WEa8rQgQ7Bdxj8OrB9jNWvQht-Kk0n0jcmWIKwmR-61Xo/s640/Me+at+Bears+Haead.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Me, 2 minutes after arriving</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja072CnzfOdlg6nrQp-IqzzS3nO7470Ki8PNTywyf1ZwkwNPFioiX50if5FkERUn_T3BFY_aBrM8kaGcRKyLvU28cah_oDclZPVQF1nmpashugJDWLuhC5mAWGdiVg6dF0My7kOMC6tz8/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE2H1FIx8jEC_AmlIkdcsGoeWIfV6j4N5iaFMQUQIoq97u7ulfY3CVamQ0XnR0thomBkg0QN4-fSLCbZgXEpuaxOBaDZlfCXRt1kCoxYIrhKP_EOemzQNWM98cf-mTFkMadKygoMvXzA/s1600/Clint+at+Bears+Head.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirE2H1FIx8jEC_AmlIkdcsGoeWIfV6j4N5iaFMQUQIoq97u7ulfY3CVamQ0XnR0thomBkg0QN4-fSLCbZgXEpuaxOBaDZlfCXRt1kCoxYIrhKP_EOemzQNWM98cf-mTFkMadKygoMvXzA/s640/Clint+at+Bears+Head.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">With copycat son</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<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/AVvXsEiSunoth0vrwFh3aCQc_PV-TQmXDJVhRqCNX1yYD5xmz4ddHRUPIOT8568t8Lfmelsfh3z41oAn42V7QwPeyXYjZPHMZq-UrjFSuZxyNQRFZiaHkwlpCbdxnFwghyphenhyphenlpu0Pf3kP-B7A34lM/s1600/Church.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSunoth0vrwFh3aCQc_PV-TQmXDJVhRqCNX1yYD5xmz4ddHRUPIOT8568t8Lfmelsfh3z41oAn42V7QwPeyXYjZPHMZq-UrjFSuZxyNQRFZiaHkwlpCbdxnFwghyphenhyphenlpu0Pf3kP-B7A34lM/s640/Church.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brereton Church</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6sRH3cmISWTrg4pRWlpmh4PcTRxKN8AruGD-Ibyvu4Tp_dhJPSSAHEfCAcDhC8BPSiWQvm-NIzHoINONb327giBW-BBcxvke_gMqJ4vXapbe6Mu407M_gQ-9QaVAb0G3tVH1gylZ8Sg/s1600/Brereton+hall+gatehouse.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK6sRH3cmISWTrg4pRWlpmh4PcTRxKN8AruGD-Ibyvu4Tp_dhJPSSAHEfCAcDhC8BPSiWQvm-NIzHoINONb327giBW-BBcxvke_gMqJ4vXapbe6Mu407M_gQ-9QaVAb0G3tVH1gylZ8Sg/s640/Brereton+hall+gatehouse.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Gatehouse leading to Brereton Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlSBSBjRM3L8otyqB54Y1rzyCAB1voaaJOYhkiwXTNgzF59Z6ZCL6NoiIk8kue5k2clv4EpzPoZ4MeVpasus_mEyBM7Fb-3VQbuuBwB3K7cV-FqtSLDOKvvO22-QB1JZuUn3KIqEQCJk/s1600/Brereton20Aerial20View.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="522" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlSBSBjRM3L8otyqB54Y1rzyCAB1voaaJOYhkiwXTNgzF59Z6ZCL6NoiIk8kue5k2clv4EpzPoZ4MeVpasus_mEyBM7Fb-3VQbuuBwB3K7cV-FqtSLDOKvvO22-QB1JZuUn3KIqEQCJk/s640/Brereton20Aerial20View.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brereton Hall</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCbwLsehiLzSnbtfSFvKDUW1VuO13ody14vIfGrEiksXyfvcTGNTY2hjEWqzEoMAQDUwG9OngPOeXpewKz30F5IO_xgPibo9AbvHEW6Y5SugZWkc2FKR0VF1o2aVj74q_mEiGD1L3y7g/s1600/Totem+Pole+close+up.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBCbwLsehiLzSnbtfSFvKDUW1VuO13ody14vIfGrEiksXyfvcTGNTY2hjEWqzEoMAQDUwG9OngPOeXpewKz30F5IO_xgPibo9AbvHEW6Y5SugZWkc2FKR0VF1o2aVj74q_mEiGD1L3y7g/s640/Totem+Pole+close+up.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Brereton Totem Pole</span><br />
<br />
<b style="font-size: xx-large;">Pictures from The Three Swans</b><br />
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> There are too many here to put captions on at the moment. I'll do it when I have more time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xfyDkdEv5D1MnMBJOM1t_V7ZcFLlwZ4gXFvtEmDbr4eV-FfwffFGGuRbDGazEB5gMf5OlstqvcTmxADEQZdqLUDRbT3JzK06AKWEUYArk_Oa33YoWJHHHz1D_o2mUBL38j5if4hXtqo/s1600/photo8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xfyDkdEv5D1MnMBJOM1t_V7ZcFLlwZ4gXFvtEmDbr4eV-FfwffFGGuRbDGazEB5gMf5OlstqvcTmxADEQZdqLUDRbT3JzK06AKWEUYArk_Oa33YoWJHHHz1D_o2mUBL38j5if4hXtqo/s640/photo8.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDn5h7_rLTXy_pQ_uqrqIXm7N5pTuVnSY-Me4M5qU2vxa1GGG7N_E_cVusfsKSJQi99pXCGDvNILjnh_BTmN3N7BhcoxC_wvrJvKdgiT58FlIp2suERiRTF_kJv7awIzCTcaQSNrgCkc/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDn5h7_rLTXy_pQ_uqrqIXm7N5pTuVnSY-Me4M5qU2vxa1GGG7N_E_cVusfsKSJQi99pXCGDvNILjnh_BTmN3N7BhcoxC_wvrJvKdgiT58FlIp2suERiRTF_kJv7awIzCTcaQSNrgCkc/s640/photo5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ihZ1VimtuUqarseDNwSKmZvVZV78j5xrYTxzI3QA9TFywQCZbyz8BvfUIBpn8TYl8Ych3VtwaMEFgcFMV5kkQXq4z-xZPsYyW6ZJ4x4ptIdZ6iptmvnJNAInxmSt5i3fgR-1lkVpn0Y/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6ihZ1VimtuUqarseDNwSKmZvVZV78j5xrYTxzI3QA9TFywQCZbyz8BvfUIBpn8TYl8Ych3VtwaMEFgcFMV5kkQXq4z-xZPsYyW6ZJ4x4ptIdZ6iptmvnJNAInxmSt5i3fgR-1lkVpn0Y/s640/photo1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZG1sD1_siyiTUGnNbY3HtyS51g01ZeqUroE4Fnk3lRf_zt0lMnaVShOqLpw9nZUAngrJspOqQa3a02g6hbaK87YYdoSLRIZseJc6UtFMVTAa2mdij8R0pNrYEy9t3Z181ZxqPFvH6PM/s1600/from+phone+036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMZG1sD1_siyiTUGnNbY3HtyS51g01ZeqUroE4Fnk3lRf_zt0lMnaVShOqLpw9nZUAngrJspOqQa3a02g6hbaK87YYdoSLRIZseJc6UtFMVTAa2mdij8R0pNrYEy9t3Z181ZxqPFvH6PM/s640/from+phone+036.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNHfTp1kBKzWcwh3Y2hF0Kie-xnm38caqeNNzxOueUVeRfUPubojhfjduTkLhnPTaRzyO-jFoQ_YLFecCFiZKUbedBqV8Ntsm5rQcV02IlYJTvPiNLv-Wg4ukP1nuUb52fJDz0BG9U9w/s1600/from+phone+037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzNHfTp1kBKzWcwh3Y2hF0Kie-xnm38caqeNNzxOueUVeRfUPubojhfjduTkLhnPTaRzyO-jFoQ_YLFecCFiZKUbedBqV8Ntsm5rQcV02IlYJTvPiNLv-Wg4ukP1nuUb52fJDz0BG9U9w/s640/from+phone+037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: center;"></b></div>
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: left;">
<b style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;"></b></b></div>
<div style="display: inline !important; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNXmYoOOxRVXhH8Tm7Uc4fltvJVL6H8oZMwDvT7abzXhzZP1mZM8d2q1TgvTzT4c3BT_K7pW2_0sW1fIA9RlD4r73NmeFCR2JlwmY3XG-Df8-yyvhyphenhyphenmEFhAmhI-nHxtkHvi5J0hxQR7M/s1600/from+phone+039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUNXmYoOOxRVXhH8Tm7Uc4fltvJVL6H8oZMwDvT7abzXhzZP1mZM8d2q1TgvTzT4c3BT_K7pW2_0sW1fIA9RlD4r73NmeFCR2JlwmY3XG-Df8-yyvhyphenhyphenmEFhAmhI-nHxtkHvi5J0hxQR7M/s640/from+phone+039.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BpIshUNex0QSmEWqVcruuK7-v_kZAVZXLgeiMVFGafyxr6dFedSTkP7SD9_FR8eqBYPnj4TuP9dhtpo_wdhMsiUw7HWWmlZ3IXKOuGj_1SChc6HDswg4Fn5_LcSdRLHc-3_TVJscQY/s1600/from+phone+040.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc2BpIshUNex0QSmEWqVcruuK7-v_kZAVZXLgeiMVFGafyxr6dFedSTkP7SD9_FR8eqBYPnj4TuP9dhtpo_wdhMsiUw7HWWmlZ3IXKOuGj_1SChc6HDswg4Fn5_LcSdRLHc-3_TVJscQY/s640/from+phone+040.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie_ZMWQYf-GG6Zrfah5Fg8Cub2OoVuUj1n0PSqoTL92GxoCDPIkIDIP4YQXDoihg6s9ukjJKxs59w56sR_IduHjbbWKPN7ZWaRSwLHuH5WqSsYr-OcmVuBwvOyEIbKpmMwrVax-0kBLk/s1600/from+phone+044.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgie_ZMWQYf-GG6Zrfah5Fg8Cub2OoVuUj1n0PSqoTL92GxoCDPIkIDIP4YQXDoihg6s9ukjJKxs59w56sR_IduHjbbWKPN7ZWaRSwLHuH5WqSsYr-OcmVuBwvOyEIbKpmMwrVax-0kBLk/s640/from+phone+044.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIMkIILvWjG2BpV13xDX1J-tO2oKb-HA6iNgaqt2Va-4Ux38bf-Ft6FoWUqSeFT2sMDVbheNE-NtxboHjh7s9cmDtvkaoWE6vhitWffAQuQkyRNG8cfzVH1MkiEESFmb9O8EJ4i0Kpwg/s1600/from+phone+043.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPIMkIILvWjG2BpV13xDX1J-tO2oKb-HA6iNgaqt2Va-4Ux38bf-Ft6FoWUqSeFT2sMDVbheNE-NtxboHjh7s9cmDtvkaoWE6vhitWffAQuQkyRNG8cfzVH1MkiEESFmb9O8EJ4i0Kpwg/s640/from+phone+043.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY9EsL1zOFDvpubrLk83NBVpI9fqrumW6iZxDhUlPlumhFP_fcTWMNYMRMuR0FsvAwoRNkAjB8HW_9mEfPjXFtAzyezfAp-DEXwY5yIMtl42V-NguQEnG3cXvcK0z2kMlrZzpKnNfOmo/s1600/photo1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqY9EsL1zOFDvpubrLk83NBVpI9fqrumW6iZxDhUlPlumhFP_fcTWMNYMRMuR0FsvAwoRNkAjB8HW_9mEfPjXFtAzyezfAp-DEXwY5yIMtl42V-NguQEnG3cXvcK0z2kMlrZzpKnNfOmo/s640/photo1.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGkuo3Em2O_dy8hbr8152GBJDHitWHVIJLkH7ruyPNu_VAhzVApBmOC6EQZjMBu3eSRcsNVyPWT1tS6Uu9-q0DVPYJiVZDpVoSJsrEprvd0nsdj0kYwGGpVoVtTWFBScc9FemUxfg2FE/s1600/photo2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEGkuo3Em2O_dy8hbr8152GBJDHitWHVIJLkH7ruyPNu_VAhzVApBmOC6EQZjMBu3eSRcsNVyPWT1tS6Uu9-q0DVPYJiVZDpVoSJsrEprvd0nsdj0kYwGGpVoVtTWFBScc9FemUxfg2FE/s640/photo2.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_OJGu5EnDkfJb9L2AVcMPsoKmelSQwYufOHfvzqU-JCwAP_l6voameE5skUxPEO23Rjvq7MffpNgMGZS_KVl84b0dPANVJWlaY_k-zHgn9odMx79qcj57oau1BpV1uoYEj8xhVfWYx8/s1600/photo3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge_OJGu5EnDkfJb9L2AVcMPsoKmelSQwYufOHfvzqU-JCwAP_l6voameE5skUxPEO23Rjvq7MffpNgMGZS_KVl84b0dPANVJWlaY_k-zHgn9odMx79qcj57oau1BpV1uoYEj8xhVfWYx8/s640/photo3.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmltiSFauCWhtnk1HfNbIbRkzLiwY8nwxd6Fr3tg7FEP9bjriXh9E351TVyMVPCDLDrKM8Vui4LXIdzlWpRPXC_Ae_zRVJRLFf3MAH3DXV8qOojkhdXaEcgqaPTDmcjTKmd9Ds4Spzik/s1600/photo7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYmltiSFauCWhtnk1HfNbIbRkzLiwY8nwxd6Fr3tg7FEP9bjriXh9E351TVyMVPCDLDrKM8Vui4LXIdzlWpRPXC_Ae_zRVJRLFf3MAH3DXV8qOojkhdXaEcgqaPTDmcjTKmd9Ds4Spzik/s640/photo7.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJrzI9oUgJGtF5VHNm_n3yXfhpC9RVrIgpQQSntRaEDZUKZgjD9g_O_Mb_hCwHtD4eJXvLz-b7v05kbUaZ9E_gMfu9Kl6LeCDiYcmwU7s5fFT6m_ykcwxH_sYMFlcizRA0tDtQHjveSU/s1600/photo6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTJrzI9oUgJGtF5VHNm_n3yXfhpC9RVrIgpQQSntRaEDZUKZgjD9g_O_Mb_hCwHtD4eJXvLz-b7v05kbUaZ9E_gMfu9Kl6LeCDiYcmwU7s5fFT6m_ykcwxH_sYMFlcizRA0tDtQHjveSU/s640/photo6.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5efHhUpuw9Lk17QmiCGstiAhx7JjFktqcyAnXPN13ZiOgxQsF3EdUm5gwZnEwn2AFX-qRgun9RMaopXGiiWXV5YjVz62XH2jRGHUQH25bN6vEvS-XwmqsrrgEXXr9AXgjbhWsVcpEuQ/s1600/photo9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP5efHhUpuw9Lk17QmiCGstiAhx7JjFktqcyAnXPN13ZiOgxQsF3EdUm5gwZnEwn2AFX-qRgun9RMaopXGiiWXV5YjVz62XH2jRGHUQH25bN6vEvS-XwmqsrrgEXXr9AXgjbhWsVcpEuQ/s640/photo9.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqOCe9018jHRvqiRZdo_JTCs-Qc1heYrslh-XUC8C_H2w_L0SjaobmrY5TA1Qxe6zeRbB3VwUXS45Ew1-cyj08xERQt19cOSkQS0RZ1SscjSJB_HZjQI9ir6VzLTAvauHsmMyzYOfZyI/s1600/grammar_school+mark+harb+new.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="451" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibqOCe9018jHRvqiRZdo_JTCs-Qc1heYrslh-XUC8C_H2w_L0SjaobmrY5TA1Qxe6zeRbB3VwUXS45Ew1-cyj08xERQt19cOSkQS0RZ1SscjSJB_HZjQI9ir6VzLTAvauHsmMyzYOfZyI/s640/grammar_school+mark+harb+new.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
Pictures from The Boars Head Middleton</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F9CPC0h_goJ0LmWK2ZIYyrZjQxuOVrnAB9W495X8J0shfwXJmdfn6mKZhrhx9goq5LR7MDtYFBj01b_zdx97FEdGDm0l17mP5QvzI-fFe-_afXMw1tnM8yoMD_c-PKAPbM3d5amPupw/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F9CPC0h_goJ0LmWK2ZIYyrZjQxuOVrnAB9W495X8J0shfwXJmdfn6mKZhrhx9goq5LR7MDtYFBj01b_zdx97FEdGDm0l17mP5QvzI-fFe-_afXMw1tnM8yoMD_c-PKAPbM3d5amPupw/s640/IMG_0714.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSawl6Kq2j1d5nBBikq6lTgOmEAzHaQPDDtLvTIObKAmbNzNhBlFIl2zNJMKjt_gIYqFhO8axAOR7SYIDdI6U2SxDRk37Rg8tjiPMoxGwFREO-w1zSXVE4EoEJA8CWzrSd3hYIuwNsis/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSawl6Kq2j1d5nBBikq6lTgOmEAzHaQPDDtLvTIObKAmbNzNhBlFIl2zNJMKjt_gIYqFhO8axAOR7SYIDdI6U2SxDRk37Rg8tjiPMoxGwFREO-w1zSXVE4EoEJA8CWzrSd3hYIuwNsis/s200/IMG_0717.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-die2scN0cPco3lnI9jWr54M1fmwmIMGa5DqoygXCqgmfsFFCJVArGEhfqlmJuhGVTeINhpoxHEQh51c_wIZANAiF1cQhJXv0xagzA9vm3KldlABhdr17ljQ6focDOVrml7bOuwA9e4/s1600/Copy_of_Old_Boar%2527s_Head_from_St_Leonard%2527s_Sq.tif" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="345" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-die2scN0cPco3lnI9jWr54M1fmwmIMGa5DqoygXCqgmfsFFCJVArGEhfqlmJuhGVTeINhpoxHEQh51c_wIZANAiF1cQhJXv0xagzA9vm3KldlABhdr17ljQ6focDOVrml7bOuwA9e4/s200/Copy_of_Old_Boar%2527s_Head_from_St_Leonard%2527s_Sq.tif" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC0MUqEs0mgBD9rVGOU8HznlgbNbg7rtO96WjI3eTQi4JV7HkqDUcHGhd-Hi108MyHiM1Ed7i76ZMJBCkTW83agm2mxO8qgL7vBTwa-K76vARjEgpt775rautEpGzgsjepCly2OjQYdo/s1600/DSC_0035.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMC0MUqEs0mgBD9rVGOU8HznlgbNbg7rtO96WjI3eTQi4JV7HkqDUcHGhd-Hi108MyHiM1Ed7i76ZMJBCkTW83agm2mxO8qgL7vBTwa-K76vARjEgpt775rautEpGzgsjepCly2OjQYdo/s640/DSC_0035.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqiteacgHaxZnhgoWoQBHwKnTzVzzD9epG754Ni1L5-BmPTSvj6k716Qg5dtbZqzcaPAXC34IEm3RFloyIdibkc_E_JmgIxQMymr1npCxV3AxjrWCpJ1lyML7i9fwlJiSJCxFOvJKzks/s1600/Jackson+photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="441" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqiteacgHaxZnhgoWoQBHwKnTzVzzD9epG754Ni1L5-BmPTSvj6k716Qg5dtbZqzcaPAXC34IEm3RFloyIdibkc_E_JmgIxQMymr1npCxV3AxjrWCpJ1lyML7i9fwlJiSJCxFOvJKzks/s640/Jackson+photo.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGarQIhgULPtBWY9McEHkOcmNfBLKyD5jwWip1PsIMWGONDLzxWJ7OST3iP3fjbat4cRGR_Emdbmwfbo9gL-ii_2WES8cHCELO7XMTCMh6NIgFcZwUh1tGmdsNH5Dyqjx1TPaluEFBE/s1600/OBH_from_Wheeler%2527s_garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: 13px; font-weight: normal;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFnGarQIhgULPtBWY9McEHkOcmNfBLKyD5jwWip1PsIMWGONDLzxWJ7OST3iP3fjbat4cRGR_Emdbmwfbo9gL-ii_2WES8cHCELO7XMTCMh6NIgFcZwUh1tGmdsNH5Dyqjx1TPaluEFBE/s200/OBH_from_Wheeler%2527s_garden.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3rVh0kObhVDngNwCo6pKZDRFdxgN9GLN-2Hy-tfcUMKCxkXfuXQFb0-PEfiiq8dt_nm7ge52PNs9hlE8NK2Lx1xu5FsmLkFL8agnsubUqDtPT8KXPjeIn_dbuQ6uR6sbLsIicySEbM8/s1600/C_71_article_1460088_image_list_image_list_item_0_image-630503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="422" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp3rVh0kObhVDngNwCo6pKZDRFdxgN9GLN-2Hy-tfcUMKCxkXfuXQFb0-PEfiiq8dt_nm7ge52PNs9hlE8NK2Lx1xu5FsmLkFL8agnsubUqDtPT8KXPjeIn_dbuQ6uR6sbLsIicySEbM8/s640/C_71_article_1460088_image_list_image_list_item_0_image-630503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdhdQuwfL9YP3o3zA9o4acC4Jer54y8mfQmxE5Y30Hk4-SNSG6uVBBtzX9wMAwOPov0y5WNff2aq_Wf_Vp4y6d3Tld0fTrMbtZpS5qzde7RmzcxsK5DPI2iCeKPWUYS7-KJpx1lVxBPE/s1600/DSC_0036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpdhdQuwfL9YP3o3zA9o4acC4Jer54y8mfQmxE5Y30Hk4-SNSG6uVBBtzX9wMAwOPov0y5WNff2aq_Wf_Vp4y6d3Tld0fTrMbtZpS5qzde7RmzcxsK5DPI2iCeKPWUYS7-KJpx1lVxBPE/s640/DSC_0036.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPVeqLWpg0PWlISehQKincb5S2CyRhUkX_b7nxiLZKxsdShTU_YWb0UMsdyZacZqx62zoWOOHl-nveqZr_wx2MWjcXJlnfolltGgPxMuhzRkGNmHL3LB7wGCV5CEGueMeu9Xhvy2V1qI/s1600/DSC_0038.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfPVeqLWpg0PWlISehQKincb5S2CyRhUkX_b7nxiLZKxsdShTU_YWb0UMsdyZacZqx62zoWOOHl-nveqZr_wx2MWjcXJlnfolltGgPxMuhzRkGNmHL3LB7wGCV5CEGueMeu9Xhvy2V1qI/s640/DSC_0038.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4F9CPC0h_goJ0LmWK2ZIYyrZjQxuOVrnAB9W495X8J0shfwXJmdfn6mKZhrhx9goq5LR7MDtYFBj01b_zdx97FEdGDm0l17mP5QvzI-fFe-_afXMw1tnM8yoMD_c-PKAPbM3d5amPupw/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhEcwiulLNCISh8PVivjn44uE1o6bvl86Q73W4Cdfo1dNfB9BsHQ3siBfvaZQ6GSNnyfchIj4uh73qPCuAv5-qaCaIfnP4eWgOITcRecWNqXooSMjno5LLwIeILGFlAcZyfMUZITEmWo/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUhEcwiulLNCISh8PVivjn44uE1o6bvl86Q73W4Cdfo1dNfB9BsHQ3siBfvaZQ6GSNnyfchIj4uh73qPCuAv5-qaCaIfnP4eWgOITcRecWNqXooSMjno5LLwIeILGFlAcZyfMUZITEmWo/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYixm7DQlpmNQ54t6SCuBN4c2VVP4-HPswF-VzH_uU6lHUzxvWOPFS0T8zL5WpTn7ChDUHrmm4Uvu_p03jqni2SL7VnGTPunM94sXtbdhHN6JbKsVYpGrOjmhVTnNmHc8jMsLLzw6LBEc/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYixm7DQlpmNQ54t6SCuBN4c2VVP4-HPswF-VzH_uU6lHUzxvWOPFS0T8zL5WpTn7ChDUHrmm4Uvu_p03jqni2SL7VnGTPunM94sXtbdhHN6JbKsVYpGrOjmhVTnNmHc8jMsLLzw6LBEc/s640/IMG_0740.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbAXSTcWf16nrIMXk-aCs_HoVA_OzGe7fnpNhLfbkZpnREBjejcv4DwfyMnKnenOYbocpv6u5lml6s9XLkhu67rHpzgELpgKYVVaqqGUe8_60p279oz0GELzH8wJ0QACjdk6ER5t4RGg/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDbAXSTcWf16nrIMXk-aCs_HoVA_OzGe7fnpNhLfbkZpnREBjejcv4DwfyMnKnenOYbocpv6u5lml6s9XLkhu67rHpzgELpgKYVVaqqGUe8_60p279oz0GELzH8wJ0QACjdk6ER5t4RGg/s640/IMG_0715.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfpPyfjZUhzhOQhtPziyQXpBuuoi2cnQBpu602oFKOCX5sMS6VbzKZ2oacWnNvSW7-xanZuVhZTzT6f74Bgwsp-I5B1Am0DIiBTzpXlYqRivBR2eBULl2cgQcFeZg0NzurdxIHEL3nwQ/s1600/IMG_0718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAfpPyfjZUhzhOQhtPziyQXpBuuoi2cnQBpu602oFKOCX5sMS6VbzKZ2oacWnNvSW7-xanZuVhZTzT6f74Bgwsp-I5B1Am0DIiBTzpXlYqRivBR2eBULl2cgQcFeZg0NzurdxIHEL3nwQ/s640/IMG_0718.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQZtxQHGolLqbrFPf9YUktlpMLze4eQpJv9oOnjpw9CeUlUBa_jxTJz8556ujGY5TI0u7HyZ9JWJv6aV9UYVFoBjloJh9kFsT_vmTPiKvdWdvYdJNvJWadjjAtmoqReZ6fifsDchuYmE/s1600/IMG_0719.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQZtxQHGolLqbrFPf9YUktlpMLze4eQpJv9oOnjpw9CeUlUBa_jxTJz8556ujGY5TI0u7HyZ9JWJv6aV9UYVFoBjloJh9kFsT_vmTPiKvdWdvYdJNvJWadjjAtmoqReZ6fifsDchuYmE/s640/IMG_0719.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8srZGlMN7UUGOR22BV6dl_L7dTUpfv7WpO_INqOIH3KbH2cfY81aVkAp-zSU393hN14rNcT1pzo4Ircg23Va8tnMMLmqCeQjTDTOsMNHjOg990z2eRjqIR0saIT9hIepvKawkNh-42Q/s1600/IMG_0723.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik8srZGlMN7UUGOR22BV6dl_L7dTUpfv7WpO_INqOIH3KbH2cfY81aVkAp-zSU393hN14rNcT1pzo4Ircg23Va8tnMMLmqCeQjTDTOsMNHjOg990z2eRjqIR0saIT9hIepvKawkNh-42Q/s640/IMG_0723.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyH8Jc-b-0XvEc74nfo-7VlHap-NQ_Rr-okkeM6E_DZ8wb_9Ao3r6Yhomgzy_EZtCDc1uvSoWTlpn3itr7rthL694dqcufbG1xIrL69vMOi4J5gKbyGZWEENzPrZBfc-1-qXAb8dO2O4/s1600/IMG_0722.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiyH8Jc-b-0XvEc74nfo-7VlHap-NQ_Rr-okkeM6E_DZ8wb_9Ao3r6Yhomgzy_EZtCDc1uvSoWTlpn3itr7rthL694dqcufbG1xIrL69vMOi4J5gKbyGZWEENzPrZBfc-1-qXAb8dO2O4/s200/IMG_0722.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rc8fkBjHPfk0gu5nrVDaTmjYA5ggpg9dYwhuR1lQQ3Xh3Jk_tj6-ChtlwdJOzvPCfsuWsOs7OHbiN0n9u2JJirGqiHdMHTyFyCb7_5pprVTSkshNKxX1j270m78Z7E28FzXPNfIgeVg/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0rc8fkBjHPfk0gu5nrVDaTmjYA5ggpg9dYwhuR1lQQ3Xh3Jk_tj6-ChtlwdJOzvPCfsuWsOs7OHbiN0n9u2JJirGqiHdMHTyFyCb7_5pprVTSkshNKxX1j270m78Z7E28FzXPNfIgeVg/s640/IMG_0721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_1Tf7yCteOCBERAE69ShropdlXvxHyI-oM2htrPOwCYn0Gg6GX7O_lonpyofaDwf_7T8wpDMNOQbnl8SW5eT0dZnCXKFMO-MgeaCVxj5aZodBnaP4HZImCGgbxJn4xlFUq472W2kZEk/s1600/IMG_0720.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE_1Tf7yCteOCBERAE69ShropdlXvxHyI-oM2htrPOwCYn0Gg6GX7O_lonpyofaDwf_7T8wpDMNOQbnl8SW5eT0dZnCXKFMO-MgeaCVxj5aZodBnaP4HZImCGgbxJn4xlFUq472W2kZEk/s640/IMG_0720.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrijiW1FiGFlxEFFA6ydQFi430mwmRTThcRzgf2Hf8GK_avqhoNJOUVS6z2Iau5x3kXM7x653c3hLtuVrtL0bXPT_KDL9f8k-eRUwwdNE4qtODA8UGg0Wtv8CJsHRLN-sRCi0sUbPCKMY/s1600/IMG_0724.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrijiW1FiGFlxEFFA6ydQFi430mwmRTThcRzgf2Hf8GK_avqhoNJOUVS6z2Iau5x3kXM7x653c3hLtuVrtL0bXPT_KDL9f8k-eRUwwdNE4qtODA8UGg0Wtv8CJsHRLN-sRCi0sUbPCKMY/s640/IMG_0724.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bz-n71Mtu2IuIEfXZEcfVmSox3UeExKDPthLVkaRvvCdzm2ICZemhSBhSORTewsVzC57k7AU_gpCPcG5RFKI0Z_sk6pEZ38SSfusvrvGSnScg-s2gDT61Tr7FTmc1-E_j91WK79Nd0/s1600/IMG_0725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh0bz-n71Mtu2IuIEfXZEcfVmSox3UeExKDPthLVkaRvvCdzm2ICZemhSBhSORTewsVzC57k7AU_gpCPcG5RFKI0Z_sk6pEZ38SSfusvrvGSnScg-s2gDT61Tr7FTmc1-E_j91WK79Nd0/s640/IMG_0725.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsrMrPZYP2THPP1oF5fFN8WmAZPC1_7c7Z3rY3a34lH4kzkx5RY9nQ7kFWm1ArQQ_35t4dYwq2gkkkq29TvglVIUIjKi92LDDajOh_FYHxMaxmXvVjiN-ByyrkZ2G9xvhWbvhE6iLDQ/s1600/IMG_0727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgcsrMrPZYP2THPP1oF5fFN8WmAZPC1_7c7Z3rY3a34lH4kzkx5RY9nQ7kFWm1ArQQ_35t4dYwq2gkkkq29TvglVIUIjKi92LDDajOh_FYHxMaxmXvVjiN-ByyrkZ2G9xvhWbvhE6iLDQ/s640/IMG_0727.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrART76gXBkt132qxZYdqxnmVLDhu5pqkINhbmpn4_l1WKgmDa8T1PSIiyQLaqqJxEc42c1U0bKbjWlF71GhywSxPoe5aWujSnQmV55ySHAVLbjKRkQzJdSU_Y8IV1uWgV39dvo51GxaE/s1600/IMG_0728.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrART76gXBkt132qxZYdqxnmVLDhu5pqkINhbmpn4_l1WKgmDa8T1PSIiyQLaqqJxEc42c1U0bKbjWlF71GhywSxPoe5aWujSnQmV55ySHAVLbjKRkQzJdSU_Y8IV1uWgV39dvo51GxaE/s640/IMG_0728.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJTvQoVWAy2LHDg0Ta5eBpbBgE-OXCoHjZSVkkZ5PXsH7EtEc_00Al-oq950zVMDvml4GY1FQFJEzFPmv9nADYJoFdd599fd05QzuiyxRdskCo2Tr9CFEiL0VmdypwrO0AKdioRGNFeQ/s1600/IMG_0731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtJTvQoVWAy2LHDg0Ta5eBpbBgE-OXCoHjZSVkkZ5PXsH7EtEc_00Al-oq950zVMDvml4GY1FQFJEzFPmv9nADYJoFdd599fd05QzuiyxRdskCo2Tr9CFEiL0VmdypwrO0AKdioRGNFeQ/s640/IMG_0731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL029NxNCKJJLWYGZSiJ-EyMQigeF2276Q2BOyUjMN-AUr1YiKsEsW_9vMpEp9Mm7ZEsitfBTdiAXiVnwHkFLvdNsyqTOEzl9vw5KLhEd5XYXrjBD1La2iGg3fsyQ6z1IxdgwyWE3asE/s1600/IMG_0730.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxL029NxNCKJJLWYGZSiJ-EyMQigeF2276Q2BOyUjMN-AUr1YiKsEsW_9vMpEp9Mm7ZEsitfBTdiAXiVnwHkFLvdNsyqTOEzl9vw5KLhEd5XYXrjBD1La2iGg3fsyQ6z1IxdgwyWE3asE/s640/IMG_0730.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoSsIqfdnWH6jTixc3IP9JTTlCXg9MZP383feqgtrbF5NzoBSxoNn3NDFC027yVmBq6f57TBZ-DfMZGUlfLGrfSgFpgYfhLCH7pXD99QrBhBFDx-Dkrlnd2ca1FkgiF29E_kXg-KFM78/s1600/IMG_0729.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtoSsIqfdnWH6jTixc3IP9JTTlCXg9MZP383feqgtrbF5NzoBSxoNn3NDFC027yVmBq6f57TBZ-DfMZGUlfLGrfSgFpgYfhLCH7pXD99QrBhBFDx-Dkrlnd2ca1FkgiF29E_kXg-KFM78/s640/IMG_0729.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6n4RmV9YmYUKhqknautYsjM4MuXq46wDmPI-2yYbl4O2DgghTUhugiTvGYkrxpfFGTMpOLiRJ4YKCmklaWvxOc0s4RREXYAKqkjYARN-jDFiEb3T03uRHassqJfozj3lCRg4SFYCMoY/s1600/IMG_0733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6n4RmV9YmYUKhqknautYsjM4MuXq46wDmPI-2yYbl4O2DgghTUhugiTvGYkrxpfFGTMpOLiRJ4YKCmklaWvxOc0s4RREXYAKqkjYARN-jDFiEb3T03uRHassqJfozj3lCRg4SFYCMoY/s640/IMG_0733.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgmmEkfst_RyZUjNnc8uT8QoUz2noYPsCFQg-7eqwqTvYkkXeXxqpmfU6DqdxLq5-YQCE8ZEkNCq1XpzoDYXB4AYlUI-ona9xnxYdRb_JAdkwtJRPsqBUQEcuBlum6fh1MBhImO_fOPY/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmgmmEkfst_RyZUjNnc8uT8QoUz2noYPsCFQg-7eqwqTvYkkXeXxqpmfU6DqdxLq5-YQCE8ZEkNCq1XpzoDYXB4AYlUI-ona9xnxYdRb_JAdkwtJRPsqBUQEcuBlum6fh1MBhImO_fOPY/s200/IMG_0734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_gi-xS0E_MgaR3_BSFcCiEsTp1CG4qQ5hDgFPB_Z464IWbto95llpIh4CkL7UmlMxeUEK6cikVChfQp1t7NKBTwgC2iefh9o_iyO6EHxpV6NRIsad3Ax4dXbAptfX4-VLEbT8efLbPk/s1600/IMG_0735.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_gi-xS0E_MgaR3_BSFcCiEsTp1CG4qQ5hDgFPB_Z464IWbto95llpIh4CkL7UmlMxeUEK6cikVChfQp1t7NKBTwgC2iefh9o_iyO6EHxpV6NRIsad3Ax4dXbAptfX4-VLEbT8efLbPk/s640/IMG_0735.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC726A5mQjovir0yj0i9LnGN7uxi2jlBoHCqoXpumf-rO4_DOqKfZo4Ce8fn68P_hLctWe5i-9lf4BEHmXLqju_bgZnTkugejZmm9gpUhjAZzR1Z-g-vpvwTYo_snVSMxSMcFwW-Ack4/s1600/IMG_0736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcC726A5mQjovir0yj0i9LnGN7uxi2jlBoHCqoXpumf-rO4_DOqKfZo4Ce8fn68P_hLctWe5i-9lf4BEHmXLqju_bgZnTkugejZmm9gpUhjAZzR1Z-g-vpvwTYo_snVSMxSMcFwW-Ack4/s640/IMG_0736.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvriAkgqFFMCKnZF3jXR4NNC1Q2k4idtE8HCXkwylr5R4_SHt8WSAZIOSsE8fARGoXEmW5PhpGEJZfJk4yu4tRFBPwxnNl6U06-MYea7A9TUhDiOvTWR-AITYU3ukN6G-4FEOi_oWiO-E/s1600/IMG_0739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvriAkgqFFMCKnZF3jXR4NNC1Q2k4idtE8HCXkwylr5R4_SHt8WSAZIOSsE8fARGoXEmW5PhpGEJZfJk4yu4tRFBPwxnNl6U06-MYea7A9TUhDiOvTWR-AITYU3ukN6G-4FEOi_oWiO-E/s640/IMG_0739.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr540lTnVn13ts6M3HMmi1BdXDOAiVbw3vXUlqj9OaBjyReitK9ntqpVlwLVLHZeZsL3iA7L51i9EBJ-P5Lp_YqAmODCftHvdO22TsW4XTBcddALP0-mhwi39zEP7UhFy2xs3O2lRtmo/s1600/IMG_0738.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHr540lTnVn13ts6M3HMmi1BdXDOAiVbw3vXUlqj9OaBjyReitK9ntqpVlwLVLHZeZsL3iA7L51i9EBJ-P5Lp_YqAmODCftHvdO22TsW4XTBcddALP0-mhwi39zEP7UhFy2xs3O2lRtmo/s200/IMG_0738.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZcVD6P1C3hNz_z-tIcR5iS-hqMaPgCqwtnq79yXr75J-wJoIZQ_opLMpW1Z9xxklmKHjV9uUhbKlDxuTkwD4tVo_kqzjjEXqWXD4PBgz04Vw-dndh4QZCa7AIaeAk4uKzRN-gpoULKY/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgZcVD6P1C3hNz_z-tIcR5iS-hqMaPgCqwtnq79yXr75J-wJoIZQ_opLMpW1Z9xxklmKHjV9uUhbKlDxuTkwD4tVo_kqzjjEXqWXD4PBgz04Vw-dndh4QZCa7AIaeAk4uKzRN-gpoULKY/s640/IMG_0737.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9RIsIGVD2lY8DrHrLzVbqgIhdW0JL8Wgs-95Ftzq6jDxKVxwdM0oVY-iZqrvkYkaY4WfMjOvO8QE1sr29P7oSdaHgPIhlo0v1_9Dv7hOmJCL_aWJGwwrrheYONcyMFLunR9BQnc2l_Q/s1600/Long_St_from_Mellalieu_collection.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="342" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9RIsIGVD2lY8DrHrLzVbqgIhdW0JL8Wgs-95Ftzq6jDxKVxwdM0oVY-iZqrvkYkaY4WfMjOvO8QE1sr29P7oSdaHgPIhlo0v1_9Dv7hOmJCL_aWJGwwrrheYONcyMFLunR9BQnc2l_Q/s640/Long_St_from_Mellalieu_collection.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TCksrf9gxnym7JFxM6sOdypE-CNAKHkZZ2jsFh3tVFiHjJLzt3wwmAKB1S3b1T_HYkgMMKMcOh4lVvB6I3rKULiTQf1Xy23hPKx7K-RZS94OwbL52w5n8au7IsoRZ7EOe6m-iZln1Qw/s1600/bandstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3TCksrf9gxnym7JFxM6sOdypE-CNAKHkZZ2jsFh3tVFiHjJLzt3wwmAKB1S3b1T_HYkgMMKMcOh4lVvB6I3rKULiTQf1Xy23hPKx7K-RZS94OwbL52w5n8au7IsoRZ7EOe6m-iZln1Qw/s640/bandstand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymlxJXxcZNq9b9f6-3VZWwouptUTycIHph1UO12dfj2dpWIYi12K8cF8rSzSImEdUxB0-MGdcXSc4YwlyuAJ2AgP1QpNGk2blq38BwLokn31EWwe_M3ieP8tW7gqdDKhcja9EWshL3FA/s1600/from+phone+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjymlxJXxcZNq9b9f6-3VZWwouptUTycIHph1UO12dfj2dpWIYi12K8cF8rSzSImEdUxB0-MGdcXSc4YwlyuAJ2AgP1QpNGk2blq38BwLokn31EWwe_M3ieP8tW7gqdDKhcja9EWshL3FA/s640/from+phone+007.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjvXeHlOkVow-AX4k3FcyR0r_We2sJS1AND028LfeJQs_pdr90YxhLoZJRp_r1kj_X_PSCbe0kxon2Kp-KvHRnDxNaG62U9P0Q9bgMlYqaGAiyxkFYKJYDuXHBWhMXz-cnKqEoeS6r6w/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQjvXeHlOkVow-AX4k3FcyR0r_We2sJS1AND028LfeJQs_pdr90YxhLoZJRp_r1kj_X_PSCbe0kxon2Kp-KvHRnDxNaG62U9P0Q9bgMlYqaGAiyxkFYKJYDuXHBWhMXz-cnKqEoeS6r6w/s640/photo.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjKo6OVsDO5BeStvX7QA3BWuyq9y0l5Eb9h3h8yLOZ1CF8as1jo6kFO1EOFOSF0kKeBBNZTm6HNcXAPsyldmRLrAm1z4TAjxHVHrrn8IX28DNWac4vADFoABEyHA-yph3aVWuUW3n_dE/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKjKo6OVsDO5BeStvX7QA3BWuyq9y0l5Eb9h3h8yLOZ1CF8as1jo6kFO1EOFOSF0kKeBBNZTm6HNcXAPsyldmRLrAm1z4TAjxHVHrrn8IX28DNWac4vADFoABEyHA-yph3aVWuUW3n_dE/s640/photo5.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">It's occurred to me after looking at these photos, I'm gonna have to invest in a decent digital camera. Been using mobile phone and some of these pics are a bit ropey. Sorry about that. Will try to do better.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Don't forget we are going to The Ostrich in Colnbrook on July 5th. Hope to see you there................Cheers!</span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font-size: xx-large; font-weight: bold; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-44080609455909238572013-06-09T12:41:00.000-07:002013-06-09T12:41:17.212-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">This is what I meant about em all looking the same like McDonalds</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">From this:-</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkjI5N-oadzpUUJEjGUQ4DKbAn_k3AGzfVlmbYRXGLT79YgLaEzowDwBpw3FIihUPFnDt-0i3ugVn-WiCZenruU4SNCxLhwDgJASd8p6A3n6zUrj-zJWWBzooNkAocKG4wbfInr38WPI/s1600/old+spread+eagle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="356" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkjI5N-oadzpUUJEjGUQ4DKbAn_k3AGzfVlmbYRXGLT79YgLaEzowDwBpw3FIihUPFnDt-0i3ugVn-WiCZenruU4SNCxLhwDgJASd8p6A3n6zUrj-zJWWBzooNkAocKG4wbfInr38WPI/s640/old+spread+eagle.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">To this:-</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf_KknpTcpyed6Y6M2K9XrZBfq067FUMG8a5ldtno1l_BsNfQn8pYBXLnuUzYrKg3HtHYekOOEhbUhNEAK9oAMkA9CIboqWVuIYrhvhlc6lnsWOmEuh1EEqrrk4k-T3B-MGdglzA0D2g/s1600/new+spread+eagle.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZf_KknpTcpyed6Y6M2K9XrZBfq067FUMG8a5ldtno1l_BsNfQn8pYBXLnuUzYrKg3HtHYekOOEhbUhNEAK9oAMkA9CIboqWVuIYrhvhlc6lnsWOmEuh1EEqrrk4k-T3B-MGdglzA0D2g/s640/new+spread+eagle.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: large;">and this:-</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwZzaI_lnTT4UlMtu7jXSHokc8s3dUXH8lRLtK2Q_ssCGj0YHc9pmbNAY8nBEPxsMIYeEtKu4kD10riMFd4eMHM2gTFMz9Vjmw8VHIuvdYUF98uRija1GGyee4bKFMpMKoFXIVsK5IM8/s1600/old+crabmill.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwZzaI_lnTT4UlMtu7jXSHokc8s3dUXH8lRLtK2Q_ssCGj0YHc9pmbNAY8nBEPxsMIYeEtKu4kD10riMFd4eMHM2gTFMz9Vjmw8VHIuvdYUF98uRija1GGyee4bKFMpMKoFXIVsK5IM8/s640/old+crabmill.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">to this:-</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e2SDQz4VYBPU9Z_v0i44OwKpXqGtkUwdx5S3vD_HTuHT_OCX3XKcoIFK5wSE2lVakj911yuQ_SBPJXjxbvqtuYhvJ6NT5Ll9vxGFwUIh-2gJOgvda_Ep3EsEGsBXjn12YivCqA9aNOI/s1600/new+crabmill.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1e2SDQz4VYBPU9Z_v0i44OwKpXqGtkUwdx5S3vD_HTuHT_OCX3XKcoIFK5wSE2lVakj911yuQ_SBPJXjxbvqtuYhvJ6NT5Ll9vxGFwUIh-2gJOgvda_Ep3EsEGsBXjn12YivCqA9aNOI/s640/new+crabmill.jpeg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">It's just wrong.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-17050362764707811352013-06-08T16:32:00.001-07:002013-06-08T16:32:27.212-07:00CORPORATE VANDALISM<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">I wish I had a different photo to put on here today, an angry, pissed off face instead of my handsome smiling one. </span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">I was sent a link today to a news story that bloody infuriated me. Here's the link, <a href="http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2013-06-07/suffolk-brewery-accused-of-cultural-vandalism-after-scrapping-more-than-200-traditional-pub-signs/">http://www.itv.com/news/anglia/2013-06-07/suffolk-brewery-accused-of-cultural-vandalism-after-scrapping-more-than-200-traditional-pub-signs/</a> Please read this before you read the rest of this blog so that you know what I'm ranting about.</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, hopefully you've read the news report and you're annoyed about it too. Why do these people feel they <u>have</u> to change things? The pub sign is more than just a sign, it's part of a pubs' identity. They are works of art and also a history lesson.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The pub sign originated with the Roman invasion. In ancient Rome wine bars would hang vine branches outside their premises advertising their wares. When the Romans came to Britain there were very few vine branches to be had so they used the nearest thing to it, a bush. Hence The Bush, The Bull and Bush, the Ivy etc..<br />
<br />
It was centuries later that the first proper pubs were seen and these were operated by religious houses (see our posts about The Boars Head, Middleton) to feed and water knights and pilgrims on their way to the crusades .<br />
<br />
One famous such house is Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem in Nottingham which was established in 1189 and purports to be the oldest pub in England. The Turks Head, The Saracens and The Lamb and Flag are all associated with this period in history (The lamb representing Christ and the flag the crusaders).<br />
<br />
In the 16th century, after the dissolution of the monasteries, you might expect all religious association to cease, but it continued with The Mitre, The Ship (representing the ark) and The Anchor (the Christian faith).<br />
<br />
Heraldry also plays an important part. The Black, White, Red and Golden Lions have all featured on the royal coat of arms since the Norman Conquest. The Unicorn was in the Scottish coat of arms. The Red Dragon in the Welsh, The Rising Sun was in the coat of arms of Edward III etc., etc..<br />
<br />
In 1760, the Marquis of Granby commanded British cavalry at the battle of Warburg during the 7 years war. After the campaign he bought pubs for all his non-commissioned officers which bankrupted him and he died in 1770 leaving debts of £37000. Heaven knows how much that would be today. There are still lots of his pubs still operating.<br />
<br />
I could go on and on, The White Horse, The Black Horse, The White Hart, The Square and Compass, The Shoulder of Mutton. Look 'em up. They all have meanings.<br />
<br />
But now, thanks to Greene King, a lot of these famous old hostelries will be no more distinguishable that your local McDonalds. They'll all look the same and something special will be lost.<br />
<br />
My message to Greene King?<br />
<br />
<br />
WHY? IF IT AIN'T BROKE........... DON'T FIX IT!!!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
Yeah! What he said.....<br />
<br />
I really hope none of the pubs on our list are Greene King, I don't know what me dad will do...<br />
<br />
How many years do you get for GBH nowadays?</div>
</span>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-54900194916403015472013-05-07T14:39:00.002-07:002013-05-07T14:39:41.686-07:00Ye Olde Boars Head, Middleton, Summary<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Well, what a great place and what a great time we had! </i></span><i style="font-size: x-large;">We were given a very warm welcome by everyone involved and couldn't believe it when we made the front page of the local paper!</i><br />
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"> The Boars Head has changed almost beyond recognition from it's humble beginnings as three residential cottages, through it's time as the local sessions house, to the thriving pub it is today. It has moved with the times but lost none of it's Olde Worlde charm thanks to the present and past publicans and the brewery, J W Lees (and thanks to the locals because without their support the place couldn't carry on).</i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH1-QEBMZBy-SrDpFmVDS65Y3DqaiJ4H88WVKpAtE3y3XvHOjopvAKt5IjGG8XpMSXkbdex_p8h9rb6bMum0AUwX8R0ReiDgrPDtPvkKr7S09X9xU-cn2lAqsGyvexJEYu_4M_u2FPcM/s1600/OBH_from_Wheeler%2527s_garden.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyH1-QEBMZBy-SrDpFmVDS65Y3DqaiJ4H88WVKpAtE3y3XvHOjopvAKt5IjGG8XpMSXkbdex_p8h9rb6bMum0AUwX8R0ReiDgrPDtPvkKr7S09X9xU-cn2lAqsGyvexJEYu_4M_u2FPcM/s640/OBH_from_Wheeler%2527s_garden.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Ye Olde Boars Head as it used to be</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></i>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">I have to agree with dad, it's great to see a pub on our list retain that "olde worlde" aspect, and still be a thriving local watering hole, and not "generic corporate eatery No.1". I started to have some concerns after the first couple of inns on our list that we were gonna meet some soulless, faceless business pubs, but Ye Olde Boars Head has given us some good memories, happy hangovers, and high hopes for our quest. If you happen to be in or around Middleton, I can tell you a good place for a drink....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Yes, it's well worth a visit and, if you do call in, say hello to Leanne for us. And take a look around the area. If you stand up at St Leonards and look across the town, you can see a few old mills that evoke memories of Lowrys' paintings and if you stare long enough you can almost see the smoke belching out the chimneys and the flat capped workers making their way home (bloody hell Clint! I went all poetic then, pass a Stella quick!!!)</i></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;">SO! moving on.... Got to apologize. It's been a while since we updated this blog, but we have been discussing the quest at length, firstly, the next pub, which I'll leave for dads big reveal at the end, secondly, when?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">We got a few things on... and they are all reliant on when payday falls!, also, I was visited by the modern day Dick Turpin that is the M.o.T, (a paltry £328) My son has got his 5th birthday coming up, so provided there's no financial disasters, we plan on taking him to Legoland, Windsor, which ain't that far from Slough....</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>We had planned on going to a pub in Lincolnshire but we are having to shelve that one for a while, partly due to finances as my son said but also I'm having some work done at home (I'm taking up and relaying my patio and my kitchen's being replaced starting Thursday) and this leads us into July.</i></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>This is also going to be a busy (and expensive) month. On the 2nd my wife and I are going to see Mrs Browns' Boys, on the 4th we are all going to Legoland and stopping for a couple of days and then on the 9th me and Clint are going to see Kings Of Leon. And in the midst of all this, on Friday the 5th of July we are going to the fourth pub on our list, namely....................YE OLDE OSTRICH, COLNBROOK (near Slough). I hope we're not being premature with this announcement as I haven't contacted the landlord of the pub yet. He or she might tell us to piss off!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Finally, thanks again to Leanne, Geoff and Chris for making our visit to Middleton so memorable. It's raised the bar and means that future ventures and venues have a lot to live up to!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cheers!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DJMqyoAaOMjWiwW8nWrr8_S6oMTHEY70jbSimdl0ukgRHS-HbgSiRrlphdgLKvxfcz0rcsokabvn7x3w0zlL3uehC2JU1sp1VIQE-bCMeoQVrhom6ND1fCIDXlqZ1Zuq1uMNcyU02u8/s1600/IMG_0734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9DJMqyoAaOMjWiwW8nWrr8_S6oMTHEY70jbSimdl0ukgRHS-HbgSiRrlphdgLKvxfcz0rcsokabvn7x3w0zlL3uehC2JU1sp1VIQE-bCMeoQVrhom6ND1fCIDXlqZ1Zuq1uMNcyU02u8/s640/IMG_0734.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Clint Leanne and Steve in the Old Sessions Room</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</i></span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-9240155962707392572013-04-01T09:00:00.000-07:002013-04-14T12:18:31.634-07:00Ye Olde Boars Head, Middleton part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;">So, we had quite a chat with Leanne. She told us a little about Samuel Bamford, a local poet and reformer, and his connection with the pub. </span></i><span style="font-size: large;"><i> In 1817 he was imprisoned in the New Bailey Prison in Salford on suspicion of high treason (this was on account of his political activities). From there he was taken to London and examined before the Privy Council presided over by Lord Sidmouth. After promising to be of future good behaviour he was released and was then able to return to live in his cottage at Middleton with his wife Jemima.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>In August 1819, Bamford led a group from Middleton to St Peter's Fields, to attend a meeting pressing for parliamentary reform and the repeal of the Corn Laws, where they witnessed the Peterloo Massacre. Bamford was arrested and charged with treason. Although the evidence showed that neither he nor any of his group had been involved in the violence, he was nevertheless found guilty of inciting a riot and sentenced to a year in Lincoln gaol. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Bamford was the author of poetry, and his Passages in the Life of a Radical (1840 – 1844) is an authoritative history of the condition of the working classes in the years after the Battle of Waterloo.</i></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_tLW1KmHZa_gD8MzQhbXZE1BhrneaJR3b43hsOhB4_iA41jPMpZOuJqXZbuXgzeNJn1Ya6gMpUFXN_q6omOtz2ODb9YdcuhVTofT2TsKbnYHBtSJcGjMhNOaCm3ZZAfm_j9dy3Xcj48/s1600/DSC_0039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA_tLW1KmHZa_gD8MzQhbXZE1BhrneaJR3b43hsOhB4_iA41jPMpZOuJqXZbuXgzeNJn1Ya6gMpUFXN_q6omOtz2ODb9YdcuhVTofT2TsKbnYHBtSJcGjMhNOaCm3ZZAfm_j9dy3Xcj48/s640/DSC_0039.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Samuel Bamford pictured inside Ye Olde Boars Head</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sadly, Leanne had to go and get ready for her night out with her family and left us to our own devices. (Incidentally, I tried to read a couple of Mr Bamfords poems and found them unintelligible. Maybe it's my lack of education. Maybe they're crap. I don't know which.)</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>So we decided to go and pester a few of the locals in the bar. This is where Clint met Rod.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Leanne just walked me straight up to a bloke who was enjoying his drink with a friend, and barged in and exclaimed, "This is Clint, he's after a bit of local history, see ya later!"</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Needless to say, I felt on the spot, but clearly Leanne knew what she was doing, as she'd introduced me to quite possibly the ultimate font of local (and international) knowledge. Rod is a lovely elderly chap, but at first he didn't seem to have anything to say, but with a little coercing and few more sips of his ale, he had a few tales to tell. One of those tales I am gonna share with you now.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> As Rod was an older gent, he was now retired, but in his working years, he was some sort of travel agent, and he used to do his fair share of globe-trotting. He was on a visit to Australia, and one night he was out at the local watering hole, and he proceeded to get extremely drunk with two locals. After what he said was "A cracking night out", he thanked the the lads who he was drinking with, handed them his business card and then left. He had a few more days in Oz, then flew home. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> About 6 months later, he was sat at home when his phone rang. It was his mate Paddy (is there a Paddy in every local pub?) Paddy told Rod that two big blokes were in the pub looking for him, and that they sounded "funny". Rod thought he'd better go and check this out, so he made his way down to the pub, and there was the two gents he'd been drinking with in Oz! They were in B</span><span style="font-size: large;">lighty buying a boat on the south coast and, while in England, they made their way up to Middleton and asked for him at the travel agents he worked at. The staff there had, of course, refused to divulge any personal info, so they asked a local copper, who told them "Yeah! 'course I know Rod, he drinks in the Boars head!" So off to the pub they went, met up with Rod and they carried on their piss up! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"> Rod was a real nice bloke, and he was an infectious character, as the guys from Oz would tell you, I could have stood and talked to him all night, unfortunately he couldn't stop as his wife had had a tumble and broke her hip, and he was on his way to visit her. Fingers crossed that Mrs Rod was Ok...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Shortly after this I went outside for a fag and met another social leper (someone's gotta pay extra taxes, we're all in this together you know). We got talking and somehow the conversation got around to Rod and his exploits. This guy (sorry, but I've forgotten his name {cardinal sin for a blogger}) told me another story about the traveller. Once he was in New York at some big shindig and, after a few sherbets, was dared by one of his party to de-bag one of the other guests. So Rod crept up behind a guy, grabbed hold of his trousers and swiftly yanked 'em down, which all of Rods friends thought hilarious. It was only when the trouser-less man turned round that Rod realised it was Freddie Laker, the king of budget air fares!!! Not a particularly shrewd move for someone who works in the travel industry!</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sadly, by the time I'd finished my ciggy, Rod had left and I wasn't able to verify this tale with him, but I like to believe it's true.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>There was a couple of guys with Rod who we had a chat with and they told us that Brian Kidd and Paul Scholes, both ex Manchester United, used to drink in the Boars Head. "Paul Scholes only ever drank orange juice, you know" one said. "Did he?" I asked. "Did he fuck!" he replied.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>These gentlemen were obviously the early doors crowd and soon, they all left leaving me and my son alone to consider everything we'd heard. We thought we'd had a great start to our visit and even if we spoke to no-one else it had been worth the trip. We were chatting and I noticed a lady looking around the pub and thought she might be looking for us but after a couple of minutes came to the conclusion she was looking for friends who perhaps hadn't turned up yet. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>We were just discussing whether to go into the bar to try and engage some locals in conversation when a guy appeared at the doorway of the little room we were in. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>"Steve?" he enquired.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i> "Yes" I replied.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>"I'm Geoff Wellens." he said. "I'll just get a drink and I'll be with you.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
<i>We thought things were looking up. We weren't even sure whether he was going to turn up. After a couple of minutes he came back AND he had the lady who had been looking around the pub and her husband in tow. They'd turned up just to meet us after reading the piece in the paper! Things were just getting better and better!!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i>
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Geoff, if you recall, was dads contact for the Middleton archaeological Society, and due to his kind words and contacts, he was the reason we made the front page. So we were both pleased he made it along. He told us he had returned early from a break in the national forest to come and see us, which was nice, but then he said that the day before he came back, the Friday, he was with his grandson, who was playing football against Moira united, Mine and Dads local football team. So 24 hours earlier, we were less than half a mile of each other... Talk about a small world...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> The Lady accompanying him was a regular local of Ye Olde Boars Head, Maggie, and she had dragged along her unwilling fella, Mike. He was not unwilling to meet us, you understand, but he was not happy about drinking in the Boars as he thought it was too expensive, and would much rather head down Wetherspoons for the cheap beer. I'd like to add, that beer must be proper cheap in and around Manchester, as I thought that the prices were quite good. Anyway, Mike reminded me of Gorgeous George, built like a brick shit-house, but dead likeable. But as every married/co-habiting bloke knows, no matter what you want/don't want, what she says, goes! He couldn't have been that bothered, cos the first thing he did was buy us a drink...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Before long, Joanne, Maggie's niece, (I think..) joined us, along with her bloke, Aussie Dave! guess where he's from...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> So we all settled in for the night, and, unfortunately this is where my information ends, as I remember drinking with them all night, but not much else...</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkbWI3vrqXiFknv7CzETXxl3mBa-Klw8BD8IVMB04PmJznal4VeOlZLa4Q1bAZLeSTyTeXYr0vBSw05o67eFLbDXv-WY7dpX6a3QRe5u5E0TX1QyIKh0AGgX5YWX_CY1cOCsKVtgFBwU/s1600/IMG_0737.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIkbWI3vrqXiFknv7CzETXxl3mBa-Klw8BD8IVMB04PmJznal4VeOlZLa4Q1bAZLeSTyTeXYr0vBSw05o67eFLbDXv-WY7dpX6a3QRe5u5E0TX1QyIKh0AGgX5YWX_CY1cOCsKVtgFBwU/s640/IMG_0737.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">Mike (Gorgeous George), Maggie, Joanne, Aussie Dave and Geoff Wellens</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<br />
</span><br />
<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/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Sadly, a lot of my recollections are a bit blurry from this point, too. It seemed that everyone was in a race to buy the next round of drinks. The conversation became the normal thing in pubs, you know, putting the world to rights, talking bollocks, that sort of thing. At around 10 o'clock Geoff left and the rest of the crew decided they were going further into town (for cheaper beer) and asked us to join them, but, as we had been drinking since 4.30 we had to decline. It was time for pizza, a taxi and the hotel.</i></span><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
Next time we'll give our conclusions but for now, Cheers!</span></i></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-86623139591968864042013-03-12T15:25:00.000-07:002013-04-14T12:19:00.587-07:00Ye Olde Boars Head, Middleton, Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Anyway, this is me outside Ye Olde Boars Head in Middleton.</i></span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt4tEmRkeHWDviFhage_InJE_h-Hg1lVPKbtY5x_e6c9Ff3SC3OShuMNW9L1WbS5FhM_ZUGVBPPTf154zYck0htSyYNLtiI9gnDej0xa8YiZ8NW47WzrVh4CTddyEO5_xEPIZ9vdv_Rs/s1600/IMG_0717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEt4tEmRkeHWDviFhage_InJE_h-Hg1lVPKbtY5x_e6c9Ff3SC3OShuMNW9L1WbS5FhM_ZUGVBPPTf154zYck0htSyYNLtiI9gnDej0xa8YiZ8NW47WzrVh4CTddyEO5_xEPIZ9vdv_Rs/s640/IMG_0717.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>On arriving we entered and........bought a pint, of course. We had a bit of a nose round, getting a few strange looks as we examined all the old pictures on the walls and then the walls themselves. Then I asked the girl behind the bar if Leanne was around and after a few minutes she appeared. We made our introductions and we sat in one of the back rooms and had a chat. She told us a little about the pub and that, after my first call to her, she had gone straight to our blog and read it. This was promising after our previous dealings with managers. She then took us on a tour of the pub.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Turns out, not only were we lucky to have some time with the landlady, Leanne, but she also knew loads! She told us about how she was trying to get a bit of the history of the pub into a leaflet, and was hoping to do some tours. Surprisingly, it seems as though Middleton gets its fair share of our friends from across the pond. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Canadians?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Shurrup Dad...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, I had noticed walking through Middleton on the way to the pub was a strange experience, starting from our hotel, we passed some nice housing estates and it seemed like a nice place to live. Then as we got closer to the centre, we started to see some some strange juxtaposition. For example, as we were looking for the St Leonards Church sign, we passed a cracking little lively pub, next to the church on the hill, which was in huge grounds, surrounded by cobbled roads, and next to that, there was a park with a feature bandstand. All looked brilliant. But then turn around 180 degrees, and there were the ugliest, run down parts of the town, all boarded up industrial units, probably 100 years old. I got the feeling that with a little investment on these run down areas, Middleton would be a gem of the area, especially with all the nice people we had met. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXKyHPpmp_GWtMq91mylPX6Qg7FWJomunQHVCVRAtZjnGFQvKqyb-otJOqkzq9tHAlwD-rpmoedg4ML1Vdso6kRa2XW5DAR4ozN7zk61739hIh-x0fFPMqMX2U8bCkMB3xlqrvJdkqKo/s1600/C_71_article_1460088_image_list_image_list_item_0_image-630503.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoXKyHPpmp_GWtMq91mylPX6Qg7FWJomunQHVCVRAtZjnGFQvKqyb-otJOqkzq9tHAlwD-rpmoedg4ML1Vdso6kRa2XW5DAR4ozN7zk61739hIh-x0fFPMqMX2U8bCkMB3xlqrvJdkqKo/s640/C_71_article_1460088_image_list_image_list_item_0_image-630503.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i> </i>Middleton library</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxOTMbLYdmLMnKOla9-ZnnXCIrgjN_aWSoz1NK1zgIJBqZDUJuIdmgBYm1b9mmTr4dOMDp6zTciEgzMa7-qftyRsYHkFGqUOONbc2tYCtkltHP1TFerNidrLrM0IHt-Ql4x76bt6C3hw/s1600/bandstand.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCxOTMbLYdmLMnKOla9-ZnnXCIrgjN_aWSoz1NK1zgIJBqZDUJuIdmgBYm1b9mmTr4dOMDp6zTciEgzMa7-qftyRsYHkFGqUOONbc2tYCtkltHP1TFerNidrLrM0IHt-Ql4x76bt6C3hw/s640/bandstand.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Middleton Park and Bandstand</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></a><i>I did see these things but it didn't register quite so much with me. I was seeing everything through a red haze and was fighting for breath in the thin atmosphere. I was now suffering for my sedentary lifestyle at this altitude (Oh all right...all I'd done was walk a couple of miles but it was uphill for the first mile). </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The pub was originally three dwelling houses which were built around 1587 according to one source, but the date 1632 is cut into a stone lintel in the cellar. At some point the cottages were bought by the clergy from St Leonards church and the building was used as a courtroom. As you pass from the front lounge area into what was once outside but is now inside there is a trapdoor in the floor which leads down to a very small box-like room under the lounge. This is where the prisoners were kept while waiting to be bought before the magistrate. In the event the accused was found guilty and sentenced to death for his crime he was kept in this cell until he was taken to be hanged.......... at the church!!! </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Later an extension was added on one end to create a bigger court and this now serves as the pubs function room named the Sessions room in honour of it's history.</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfaStqYNO9NyOrSQiZqMG_2E_HjtBGWrcXJLxYRftEYRvQIldGlMIZow5QzwtYM0O9FVsa7Uao7MTMHBADYGJiKGX-4Rkv-6wUJLkkLuhzR762etZ6KL6Q3xfBD79MnGkxPXZ2kcdJ-A/s1600/IMG_0721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimfaStqYNO9NyOrSQiZqMG_2E_HjtBGWrcXJLxYRftEYRvQIldGlMIZow5QzwtYM0O9FVsa7Uao7MTMHBADYGJiKGX-4Rkv-6wUJLkkLuhzR762etZ6KL6Q3xfBD79MnGkxPXZ2kcdJ-A/s640/IMG_0721.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The Sessions Room</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>One of the many interesting features of this room is the pub sign hanging on what was once the outside wall. It was here that Clint asked Leanne how long she had been at the pub and that little story was interesting to us. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Her mother had worked at the pub as a young girl and met her father when he joined the pub football team. Years later Leanne went to work in Scotland and came home at Christmas to see her family. Her cousin was now running Ye Olde Boars Head and, being Christmas, was very busy. Leanne offered to help out behind the bar and has been there ever since and as manageress for the last 4 years. In a further twist, she employed a young man to work in the kitchen but they became very friendly and she had to sack him so that they could have a relationship as it would be frowned on by the brewery. They get married next year. How cools that?</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The visit was getting better and better. Excellent sights. Excellent people, Excellent tales, and we were only on the first pint. Next blog we'll write about the people and tales they tell. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This Blogger site gives us some excellent statistics, but the most interesting one is the audience. We have readers from all over the world, and truthfully, we would love to hear from you, So please, follow us on facebook, Search Ye Olde Innseekers, and come and chat to us online, tell us what you think, and hopefully, like our page.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway... got 1 beer left, so I'll open that and toast to the next blog....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Cheers!</div>
</span>Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6155987568002747220.post-24636355430440419902013-03-04T14:08:00.001-08:002013-08-09T13:40:04.278-07:00Ye Old Boars Head, Middleton, Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</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/AVvXsEi2gIhaahKuQCMReIQQuDsRifaYYHWTOQavdwGAVoSdbIRuUQmGbw4n0A9DWZMXyQQp74sloF2SFNEWFyow-kpfc5T7MJZUta16h8p0mAtVZqupoFsn7ZKZl_D9lCZThFDXMMPM7rXhB90/s1600/from+phone+056.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2gIhaahKuQCMReIQQuDsRifaYYHWTOQavdwGAVoSdbIRuUQmGbw4n0A9DWZMXyQQp74sloF2SFNEWFyow-kpfc5T7MJZUta16h8p0mAtVZqupoFsn7ZKZl_D9lCZThFDXMMPM7rXhB90/s640/from+phone+056.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">More Press than Aldi....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Well, this is gonna be hard to beat. We have had quite a poor show in the past, but Middleton and its community have more than made up for it. These blogs we've been publishing are about the cards, and the pubs we visit, but this time round, the time leading up to the visit is, to us at least, just as appealing. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Dad did the normal "pre-visit" check list. Contact the pub, search Google, look on facebook for any willing locals that would fancy meeting us for a beer, and maybe have a tale to tell us. Just so I don't miss any details (and he's sat right next to me) I'll let Dad tell you about the people we spoke to before our visit...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i> Firstly, I rang the pub and spoke to the manageress, Leanne. She turned out to be a diamond. She said she would pass the word around and try and get the locals interested. Then I found Middleton Archaeological Society (MAS) so I posted a message on their facebook page asking if anyone could help. I got a message back from a Peter Alexander (Thanks Peter) who asked the members of MAS for their help and suggested a Mr Geoff Wellens would be a good chap to talk to. I searched facebook and found ONE Geoff Wellens and messaged him on the off chance that HE was the Geoff I was looking for. Over a week went by and I thought it was a dead end. but then I got a message from him and, after a little confusion (he thought I was trying to flog him something), he said he would see what he could do to drum up some interest.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Then I got an e-mail from a Chris Jones who works for the Middleton & North Manchester Guardian, a weekly newspaper in the area. Geoff had contacted him and told him all about us. He asked me to mail him back with a contact number, which I did. He rang me the next day and asked me loads of questions about me, my son, why we were doing this and how our wives felt about it. </i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Then, a couple of days later I received a mail from Geoff saying that we were in the local paper and it was a good spread. Clint messaged me on facebook Wednesday posting me a link to this....</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgSCNJHL57DPG-LKMgOMn6NFmrxcv3HVm7NozovjjkSNDzaTyuqiwzFMdk7MBydcx3YBnB6LQe0yn6deylqcJ053lM9y3ZdF2fg7oPIIaF5Oq-l0v2HN2y0UKsC11JNkr8Icbtzeo4cY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIgSCNJHL57DPG-LKMgOMn6NFmrxcv3HVm7NozovjjkSNDzaTyuqiwzFMdk7MBydcx3YBnB6LQe0yn6deylqcJ053lM9y3ZdF2fg7oPIIaF5Oq-l0v2HN2y0UKsC11JNkr8Icbtzeo4cY/s640/photo.JPG" width="476" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">WE MADE THE FRONT PAGE!!!!! (bottom right)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>and inside on page 8.....</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bUS-4qvfSXChIXtOpthxN4zlI6pzUZP4VtA_TJMbIR7ZM2Ev20_lrdNCpaNmGZ75U33Q7wfV2uKkY9DbG7w2cdEARVM6aiasOYnO1GBh9Bok0sOxHBHTislm1VDlTCLoE4iUrV3BwrU/s1600/photo5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="476" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_bUS-4qvfSXChIXtOpthxN4zlI6pzUZP4VtA_TJMbIR7ZM2Ev20_lrdNCpaNmGZ75U33Q7wfV2uKkY9DbG7w2cdEARVM6aiasOYnO1GBh9Bok0sOxHBHTislm1VDlTCLoE4iUrV3BwrU/s640/photo5.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>and we got a bigger piece than Aldi's new store (page 11), and they're creating 15 new jobs! How mad's that??</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibQmUmLpwIWcW-zwapngRBM7A1aysXWuAmRj-0Q8GI9XU5x4iBUbiPf_6d2Dmmi2gm3L2mn9n9DPeS2Tdj-YK_fwk1DU2YzgRrgM2Id4S5Mb8VmmdiyBCI_P7FhEKEbcR37YMiiU2lJug/s1600/clint.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">As you can imagine, as soon as we saw this, we couldn't wait to get there. And this time, as I promised in the last blog, we were staying the night, so we could thoroughly enjoy the establishments board of fare. By the way, being on a budget, we booked a Travelodge just outside the town, and its a good job we aren't reviewing hotels, because this one was a right... </span><span style="font-size: large;">(<i>Careful Clint!</i>) sorry Dad.... anyway, it weren't the best.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hVvdHAeBkBVraeBT5VGKSbwFbN3HpWzYWlvNuXNhYyNBEzFYMa8makm6WZYRMnubdQzpqqSEhfngk_tiXm-MGCiUxWPDuYbxM5Ly03jz1CeDv7CW6GcdoPyYyjHbYZnPw7FYwNVaprw/s1600/IMG_0714.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3hVvdHAeBkBVraeBT5VGKSbwFbN3HpWzYWlvNuXNhYyNBEzFYMa8makm6WZYRMnubdQzpqqSEhfngk_tiXm-MGCiUxWPDuYbxM5Ly03jz1CeDv7CW6GcdoPyYyjHbYZnPw7FYwNVaprw/s640/IMG_0714.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Us en route...</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">While we were prepping for the trip, maybe Thursday night, We decided that, being as though, A, we were on a budget, and B, we like to take in the sights, that we would walk the 2 miles from the hotel from hell to Ye Olde Boars Head (<i>what a mistake! It looks flat on Google</i>). So, as all great explorers do, we Google mapped our route. And we noticed something VERY interesting....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Not sure if we mentioned it in this blog, but our surname is Gardner. And to be more specific, Dads full name is Stephen Leonard Gardner (<i>cheers Mum</i>) (lol). On our virtual tour of Google Middleton, we spotted, just around the corner from Ye Olde Boars Head....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZhysQMuRfpA-0u6B3FT1J1LssSxAjiOf9IW_z44pFpJC3v0KfPW5wvLG9b-CBF9-D492yXrnSvCg9AzGc2Gve9ZXxDOOBSlMFdaqqjYjtieo3GOPLkIc7fXQjlKYGctNJWNPrjfaNUw/s1600/IMG_0716.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZhysQMuRfpA-0u6B3FT1J1LssSxAjiOf9IW_z44pFpJC3v0KfPW5wvLG9b-CBF9-D492yXrnSvCg9AzGc2Gve9ZXxDOOBSlMFdaqqjYjtieo3GOPLkIc7fXQjlKYGctNJWNPrjfaNUw/s640/IMG_0716.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Which, was just around the corner from....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPIGohCYZbe13aUkeIMTJErrh_AsvxBWKAJN_U32dBujHRSbHAqzBXmDmxR4BOzuaVqPTN7XH-yTPmN0I5KVveOzOMdsq3LRU5Y8Yb768hZ5UF-jzjKZJFbPJI5dqybX0zgRn5_A-YsM/s1600/IMG_0740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWPIGohCYZbe13aUkeIMTJErrh_AsvxBWKAJN_U32dBujHRSbHAqzBXmDmxR4BOzuaVqPTN7XH-yTPmN0I5KVveOzOMdsq3LRU5Y8Yb768hZ5UF-jzjKZJFbPJI5dqybX0zgRn5_A-YsM/s640/IMG_0740.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">But to get to these, and Ye Olde Boars Head, we had to pass....</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6yhCiDsYK7d6Sr61iyvjcV9Qq6iLK9R8JakYkRzLQsEWUo9XebipouKTNGOqiqD-Ot1LvHxzLVQ-EBdVPtQz02ZhbKBxAA0JrF3zF3O0dgKUOM_ZkuzFcjiAzrD2nG9JJb5aSHdl3FA/s1600/IMG_0715.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu6yhCiDsYK7d6Sr61iyvjcV9Qq6iLK9R8JakYkRzLQsEWUo9XebipouKTNGOqiqD-Ot1LvHxzLVQ-EBdVPtQz02ZhbKBxAA0JrF3zF3O0dgKUOM_ZkuzFcjiAzrD2nG9JJb5aSHdl3FA/s640/IMG_0715.JPG" width="478" /></span></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Although, truth be told, we may not have just walked by that last one...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Vw-AQ3XmlE5OjssQotc6OhAQYc1xP6F-Q4tCtBpHwmVoQ72AEAebyxO3uLOXH39fORPWlO0T_mcdDFv_Jssm7gHnMeeFpY4kHF4k-lXMBZGEYWRN6B5ryOTzxlGYy0Nk9afddtsvFt4/s1600/stevie+g.jpg" /></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Eventually we made it to Ye Olde Boars Head and met the lovely Leanne, landlady for the past five years, who was very helpful and gave us a tour of the pub and our FIRST Ye Olde Innseekers FREE PINT!!!! (and our first interesting tale, about herself and her family) despite trying to get the function room ready for a 50th birthday party and herself ready for a family evening out. </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Next time we'll go into more detail and bring you more tales of the inn-expected (get it??)</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i>Cheers for now</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
Ye Old Innsekeershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01430184635755629823noreply@blogger.com0