Hot May Tuesday

Just a quick update as it’s all I’ve really got time for.

Jaid’s out of action for a few days with a recurring grit in the foot problem but the quacks are on to it as it were so I’m working my way around with a cane for a bit.
It’s Clare’s birthday today so we’re off out tonight for a Chinese with her parents.

We went to Bressingham last week for a day in the sun with those of the cast of Dad’s army who’re still able to talk and write, plus we went on a small gage steam train which Malone disliked so much he jumped off Indiana dog and the temple of bones style.

I’ve opened up a Springbank 1997 10 year old vintage which I’ll make notes on later on this week. I also cracked a few other older bottles but won’t blog about those as I’ve decided only to create whisky notes about those bottlings still available should you wish to find them.

The new Def Leppard cd “songs from the sparkle lounge” is out and getting regular spins on the stream as is the new White Snake cd “good to be bad”. I’m also impressed at the moment by the latest effort from Karine Polwart “this earthly spell”

I’ve been making tangible progress at losing a few pounds over the last week or two and keeping off the beer during the week and I’m walking much more and riding the exercise bike which is all jolly nice in an aren’t I good kind of way. I’ve still had a few beers or more than a few at the weekend and I enjoy a dram most week nights.

The real ales available near me in Ipswich are getting better with the Kingfisher offering two including Adnams Best and the Station Hotel serving a verry good pint of Spitfire plus Adnams. Even the Belsted Arms across the road should be adding an ale or two soon so I may pop in on Friday to check it out.

Long time!

It’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted a personal blog entry. Illness, a busy work schedule and general apathy towards blogging have all contributed collectively to this state of being. Never the less I was thinking over the Easter weekend that I’ve posted a blurb about my Easter for the last 3 years so I may as well make this a 4th year.

Dave and Emma came over for a most enjoyable Easter weekend which was full of the usual drinking fine malts, beer and eating especially on the Sunday when Clare Chris and I prepared a lovely chicken dinner.

I went to my first 40th birthday party which was a rather busy but chilled out time.

Sadly in other news Nigel is leaving the Rose and Crown basically because of lack of support from punters in west Ipswich. Sad but I’m sure he’ll bounce back from this and I wish the dood luck in what ever he does. This is the second good [pub to go down the crapper this year the other one was in Preston, well more pubs will have gone but I’m just on about those I would have chose to drink in.

Chris and I went to the Dove, Fat Cat and the Emperor last night before stopping in at the Rose for a few. I’ve never been in the Emperor before and I was impressed. Adnams Bitter and Broadside, Young’s and a mild were on hand pump and they had a real ale in a bottle festival on plus some acoustic music for the Easter weekend. I found some of the acts really good especially a lad called Paul Steven Wood http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=147178925 his Album What’s Expected of Me, was yesterday’s unexpected purchase.

I’ve taken the rest of this week off work and we’re off to the Woolpack tonight for a Malaysian fish curry prepared by the mighty kitchen Dave. The rest of the week looks rather full and it should be interesting. More later.

Christmas Prep3, Plans and Beers

Clare and I had a Chinese last night and I’ve just finished rapping presents. The last day or so have been reasonably quiet but I did make it down to the Rose and Crown beer festival and enjoyed the following. Earl Soham Jolabrug 5.0%
The name is Icelandic and the beer is based on an old recipe from that country. Top form, golden with intense bittering hop finish. Lovely.

Crouch Vale Santa’s Revenge 5.0%
Good hoppy ale in the brewer’s style, sweet and lip smacking.

Brandon Grumpy Bastard 7.0
A spicy little number served cloudy. Full of nutmeg and other seasonable tastes.

St. Jude’s Woolsey’s Winter Warmer 6.5%
One hell of a stout with sweet honey overtones, the surprise of the festival so far and a smashing beer.

We have visitors this afternoon and are staying in to watch tv tonight. It’s more tv on Monday along with a trip to Il Punto restaurant for a good old nosh-up. We’re then going back to the Rose to welcome in Christmas day with a beer.

Year Roundup

2007 is now tottering in to senility and it’s embers are ebbing so we await it’s last orgasm in the form of Christmas and newyears celibrations with much enthusiasm in our Ipswich household.

This year has been a good one for me in every way. Work is interesting me still and throing up many and varied challenges, gps technology moves on swiftly and the Streem has been a huge success. We will find more developments and new products next year with Humanware and I remain excited by our technology. Work invariably puts me in to contact with some amazing and also eccentric people but that’s the beauty of being on the road. Two of the best were a flamboyant Welsh actor and musician in London and a man in Chesterfield who introduced me to chunky peanut butter kit kats.

My usb keydrive is filling up with aps like portable winamp, CDEX the cd ripper and audio file converter and that always useful screenreading tool NVDA. Facebook has been compelling and both Clare and I have found old friends by joining.

I’ve had my picture in the local newspaper and also the Humanware newsletter, so well published ay?

I visited my first whisky distillery and it was in England, went to Bruichladdich on Islay for the most amazing holiday I’ve ever had and have sipped whisky in warehouses with good people. Dave and I were a tad Merry and blocked the Port Charlotte hotel staircase with drams in our hands. I’ll also take from Islay the beauty of sipping Bruichladdich 12 at 1 AM sitting on a rock outside the distillery with Dave and Philip two dear friends. The pompous bugger Dave and I also now own a cask of Bruichladdich spirit quietly maturing for our enjoyment many years from now.

The Ipswich move was challenging at first but now I’ve made friends in the town and found 3 regular pubs, two locals in the Rose and Crown and the Dove plus been on the tour of my town’s brewery.

I’ve been to the GBBF festival in Olympia, sunk pints of 10% Paradox stout matured in Caol Ila barrels on a barmy hot day at the splendid Peterborough beer festival, been in a crowd of stoners at the anarchic Cambridge Strawberry Fair and was pleasantly surprised that Young’s Special London Ale is still a cracking glass full of hoppyness. A weekend full of happiness was spent at William’s mansions for his house warming in April. It was also my pleasure this year to eat a Cornish Pasty in Cornwall.

Unhappily I sampled Bob’s Burger Van in Ipswich and had the shits, Michael Jackson the beer and whisky scribbler passed away and my bottle of Glendronach is getting emptier by the week. Oh, whisky prices are also going up and up.

Dream Theater released a really strong album in a year which was rather quiet for new music. Symphony X’s Paradise Lost album was brilliant and the always reliable Kate Rusby can make you laugh or cry depending on the track. My head was turned by the UK progressive band Threshold and they made a good show this year with a solid album.

I saw Cara Dillon, Kate Rusby, Symphony X and Dream Theater live and all were superb. I also witnessed my first evensong in Cambridge at the beautiful King’s College Chapel. We saw Jenny Éclair and have one more comedy night to go before the end of the year in Colchester. Other events included Dad's Army the Lost Episodes in South end, the annual Hancock weekend in Bournemouth and getting pissed with the actress Su Pollard in Dovercourt.

Jaid has found a new owner when she retires, I’ll never forget my 30th birthday weekend, Clare was wonderful and having Seann and my friends over made it one to remember. Unfortunately Clare lost her voice on her birthday and Ipswich was on a brain drain that particular weekend.

We spent time in the market town of March in the fenlands and had friends from Ireland over for a really top few days in July.

At home we’ve just been buying things for the house, Clare got a huuuge TV and Malone is quieting down and has turned into a marvelous guide dog.

Next year will throw up new challenges including a new guide dog for me, the worry of house buying, should I or shouldn’t I? tentative plans to spend a weekend on Islay and in late January a trip over to the magnificent city of Dublin.

Kate in Norwich and a few pubs

Yet another exciting few days. SATURDAY went with a splat literally as the train taking Chris Pete and myself to Norwich for a days pub exploration hit a plump breasted pheasant. This triggered the emergency stop on the train so we were left standing for 20 minutes or so as the crew reset the train and scraped away our feathery friend. bits of the unfortunate creature were visible and clinging on the train's front when we finally clambered off in Norwich which is a shame since we fancied it for the pot.

Many pubs were visited but I didn't keep a record of the places or the ales.

I last remember talking to a bunch of Lithuanian gents in the rose and crown around 4 on Sunday in the AM. I also remember that the St Jude's St Mary's Stout was very good indeed.
Jaid and I popped into the office today to finalize one or two bits before the end of the year and all was uneventful until I returned back to Liverpool street underground after the work was complete. COMMON sense tells me that we should have known that getting off a train when alert announcements were telling us not to really was not a good idea but Jaid and I along with a friendly out of work actress called Lee did just this. She kindly helped us through the crowds and to platform 10 so I got on the train to Ipswich in the end.

Clare and I went to a gig yesterday and it is one not to be forgotten for a long time. She gave me tickets to watch Kate Rusby's Christmas tour in Norwich's Theatre Royal as part of this years Christmas box. Kate is a folk singer from Barnsley with a spellbinding voice and it turned out a sharp and witty stage persona.

The set consisted of tracks from her more recent albums along with Christmas songs performed in the style of a traditional south YORKSHIRE pub Carole session. It's no exaggeration to state that we were both blown away by the beauty of the songs and her band supported by a brass section topped it all off and put us in the jolly mood of the season.

Clare took us to the restaurant at the theatre for a meal of Norfolk chicken and some really yummy puddings. This was washed down with a bottle of Adnams Explorer for me and a coke for Clare. Now it’s a case of meals and partying for the next few weeks. Shame I’ve got a bit of a cold but with Clare’s soup I’ know that a quick revitalization must be on the way.

Il Punto and Taxis

I've never been in the doc before but today I was in the offices of Ipswich
borough Council with legal beagles and Councilers who were arbitrating a
complaint I made against a taxi driver who wouldn't take Jaid and I despite
the fact he has dogs himself. The guy was not certificated against carrying
assistance animals so he was clearly breaking the law. I won't go in to it
now but I hope he gets a long ban from taxi driving and a message is sent
out to drivers in Ipswich.

Moving on to docks of another sort Clare and I went out last night to the x
gunboat Il Punto a lovely restaurant in Ipswich which floats in the estuary.
A little history of the place from the web.

Brief History of the Boat
Built by Acieries de Bruges, Bruges as gunboat ss Argus
Launched 1899, commissioned 1900 for the department of the Belgium State
May 1940 Requisitioned by "Corps de Marine" (Belgian Navy)- sunk, raised and
repaired by the Germans
11 December 1945 Returns to owners in Antwerp and back in service as
FLANDRIA VII
1952/53 Fitted out as a Red Cross hospital ship and renamed FLORENCE
NIGHTINGALE (Dutch Flag)
In the early Seventies Fitted out as a party boat and operated as such for
18 years
November 1990 Handed over to Contship Ltd and subsequently crossed to
Harwich and moored in Ipswich Docks. Transformed into an Italian restaurant
named Il Punto.
March 1994 Taken over by Mr Regis Crepy (owner of the Great House, Lavenham
and Maison Bleue, Bury St Edmunds) and changed to a French Brasserie.
Today Il Punto is an award winning restaurant, open Tuesday to Saturday,
serving French food in a fantastic atmosphere, with Al Fresco eating on our
patio deck in fine weather.

The steaks were sensational along with the rest of our meal. A must eat in
Ipswich if cash is available.

We returned home to listen to some music and I had a Lagavulin 16 and then a
Bruichladdich 18. Clare and I have been with each other now 4 years and it
was lovely to celebrate our getting together.

Cara Made the Weekend!

What a weekend. I’ve been more than lucky over the last few and had some smashing times, this one just gone was no exception.

It started with a visit to Catherine in Colchester and we had a giggle and did some catching up. We have also planned to go to the Colchester comedy zone at the art centre on the 28th of December.

On arrival back to Ipswich Clare and I had a bit of a kip then went to the Rose and Crown around half 9 for some top do beers. Carlo Extra, Danish Dynamite from Stonehenge, Umbel Magna from Nethergate plus a very good cask of Gipswic Bitter from Ipswich’s St Jude’s brewery. These were helped down with handmade crumbley cheese and Road Kill’s home made oat bread. Clare felt a bit sick near the end of the evening so we made tracks home.

Saturday involved a camera beer tasting and training sesh in the Fat cat. Dave from the Essex branch conducted this well and the 5 hours were enlightening in many ways. In actual fact vary little beer was consumed but the various chemical analysis and anecdotes about breweries and beer helped my understanding of the creature. The winter Warmer this year is very good and though the sample I had was a little young I can confidently say that they have made up for last years poor show.

I then went over to the Rose and had a few pints of the St Jude’s before heading home.

Clare and I went to have dinner with June and James on Sunday and everything was cooked sensationally Melon with a port and ginger glaze, roast venison with all the trimmings and a boozy home made tiramisu for pud. Yummy. The dogs played and after the huge dinner everyone had a little kip.

James then took us to the railway station and we clambered aboard the Norwich train which would take us to the cara Dillon gig. It was in the Norwich Arts Centre a lovely venue created from a closed down church. This venue boasted a reasonable bar with Bateman’s XXB, Archers Arctic Blonde and Woolf Golden Jackal on hand pump. I naturally tried each of these before and in the gig. We also made it to the Ten Bells a GK pub across the road from the church and I dispatched a good pint of Abbot Ale.

Marina Florance the support act was ok. Simple but catchy pop/country songs and a powerful voice were her hallmarks. She sounded to me a little dollyish but in a good way with less warble and a London accent. She tried her best with a quiet crowd and I think drew people over in the end. Her album is called Somewhere Down the Line and I may pick it up eventually.

Cara Dillon was nothing more than enchanting. Her emotional voice and charming stories had the audience enthralled. Man, the girl even sounds sexy when she talks, amazing. She brought Clare to tears at one point and it was a moving and relaxing gig. I won’t forget it that’s for sure.

Our Hawk cab took us home and after a long and eventful weekend we crashed out as did the dogs.

This week is a packed one with all kinds of stuff going on with work. My parents are over in Ipswich next weekend and I’m in Yorkshire tonight.

Quick weekend roundup

I had a legendry weekend last. The beer in the form of mild stout and
porter made it's mark as also did fine malts and bourbon. The house didn't
suffer too much at all considering the number of people staying with us.
Food and band were excellent on Saturday night and Dave was enthusiastic to
the max. I thought he was going to burn the pub down or at least people's
hair at one point when he got out his cigarette lighting implement for the
ballads. It was fantastic having people come over from Epsom Yorkshire and
Worcester plus my new found friends in Ipswich. The pub was rather full and
Dave hammered out a few tunes on the piano once the band had finished.

My most unusual gift was a brace of rabbits. They still have fur on but
we're going to cook the bastards in a few weeks for Sunday dinner with
celery, onions carrots and such other veggie that would compliment them.

I'm now on my way back from a demo in Warwickshire and will probably stop in
at dirty dicks in London for the first pint of Young's winter warmer of
2007.

Update

I didn’t get in to have the winter warmer as I was tired but made my way home to Ipswich and then to the Rose and Crown for a pint or two of Victoria Bitter and one of Harwich Town redoubt Stout. Road Kill came in with some booty from his French trip for me, then it was home for a curry and watching tv with Clare.

Dublin to Ipswich

Satterday started with a thick head for me but brushing this aside I enjoyed the last day of our show at the NCBI training centre. The people visiting were happy and the banter between suppliers good.

I left around 2 PM in glorious sunshine and took a taxi to the airport. True to form the jet was delayed again but after a few hours waiting and poodling around airports I was back in Ipswich and heading off to the Rose and Crown with Clare for a pizza and a few good pints of damson stout and hobgoblin.

The atmosphere in the pub was lovely until just before 11 when two BNP national front old types from east London came in stirring up trouble. First it was banging on about gay people, as some of you know the pub used to be a gay bar, then the leering bullies were playing the race card. This didn’t go down well with Nigel and I so I had them talking as he called the police who escorted them from the premises. Evil bastards!

I’m now about to get sorted out and pick up my dog from James. Then it’s a roast pork dinner this afternoon cooked by Steve.

Brief Encounter

In an earlier post I talked about the distillery trip on which Clare Chris and I went last Saturday in Norfolk. Between arriving back in Norwich and enjoying a few libations around the fine city we stopped off at Wymondham’s railway station out of curiosity and hunger. I have read a little about the place but nothing prepared me for the box of delights within the station buildings.

The station though once derelict was purchased by local piano repair man David Turner who was utterly charming and welcomed in the dogs and ourselves. He renovated the buildings which now contain a restaurant called Brief Encounter Refreshment Rooms selling freshly home made food, a piano workshop, jewelry shop, railway museum and lots of artifacts and art work relating to the golden age of the station and local railways. It was like stepping back in time with the jazz playing and such attention to service at good prices.

Chris and I selected a sumptuous steak and kidney pudding with thick rich gravy and Clare went for a beef and ale pie. We washed down our feast with Humpty Dumpty’s brief encounter ale one I’m sure is based on a wheated recipe with is spicy yeasty flavors.

Talking of Brief Encounters, the restaurant at the station is somewhat of a shrine to Noel Coward's 1946 romantic film "Brief Encounter".

The floral displays outside the station are apparently beautiful in the summer and the experience is one Clare and I will revisit soon. What a find and it added to a lovely day.

Brief Encounter

In an earlier post I talked about the distillery trip on which Clare Chris and I went last Saturday in Norfolk. Between arriving back in Norwich and enjoying a few libations around the fine city we stopped off at Wymondham’s railway station out of curiosity and hunger. I have read a little about the place but nothing prepared me for the box of delights within the station buildings.

The station though once derelict was purchased by local piano repair man David Turner who was utterly charming and welcomed in the dogs and ourselves. He renovated the buildings which now contain a restaurant called Brief Encounter Refreshment Rooms selling freshly home made food, a piano workshop, jewelry shop, railway museum and lots of artifacts and art work relating to the golden age of the station and local railways. It was like stepping back in time with the jazz playing and such attention to service at good prices.

Chris and I selected a sumptuous steak and kidney pudding with thick rich gravy and Clare went for a beef and ale pie. We washed down our feast with Humpty Dumpty’s brief encounter ale one I’m sure is based on a wheated recipe with is spicy yeasty flavors.

Talking of Brief Encounters, the restaurant at the station is somewhat of a shrine to Noel Coward's 1946 romantic film "Brief Encounter".

The floral displays outside the station are apparently beautiful in the summer and the experience is one Clare and I will revisit soon. What a find and it added to a lovely day.

Holiday Plans and More

Because of Donna’s excit from humanware and an injury resulting from the London triathlon a week or two ago I’m in the northeast and Scotland this week. This will be sad because it’s a full week away from home and I can do little about it but nice to get together with family and friends.

Dave W has let the cat out of the bag on his blog and yes, we’re off to do the Bruichladdich academy of single malt along with Philip from Preston in two weeks or so. We will also be on the island for the first night of the Islay jazz festival. We’ll take in other distilleries as well as bruichladdich and podcast on both blogs if we get the chance. This is something I’ve wanted to do for over 5 years and I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity.

Next weekend finds two beer festivals, one in the dove and the other is the Peterborough beer festival which will be fun.

Clare Chris and I had a little crawl around Norwich on Saturday after going to Thetford and I went to Ipswich Steve’s birthday celebration at a rather good restaurant that evening then back to the Rose and crown for beer and then to mine for more ale and whisky. Sunday was spent recovering and finishing the last Harry potter book. It’s now time for me to pack the last of my stuff and get the 6:18 train to brum.

All Kinds of Aircraft

Clare and I had a quiet weekend with Friday night just taken up with music listening and Clare watching TV. We also had a curry and I had some Summer Lightning which went down all too well.

The sun was blazing on Saturday but we spent most of the day inside setting up the exercise bike with Colin and generally cleaning up and debating the merits of buying a bbq. This was decided against as we really don’t have the space out the back though we do have a rather big flat. We went out for three hours or so on Saturday evening to have a chat with Ami and Robin in the Dove and they had a particularly good stout on from Grantham. We were back at home just after 8 and decided to have a little nap. Unfortunately my nap turned in to a long sleep and I awoke at 2 AM the next day but still managed another 5 hours snooze so it must have really been lacking.

Sunday was a smashing day for in the afternoon Clare and I went out to the Greyhound for a cracking slab of roast beef and some Adnams ales. We then met up with her mum and Colin and drove over near Wycombe Market to the Debach air field open day.

Debach airfield was the home of 493rd BG(H) - Helton's Hellcats – USAAF, a team of long-range fighter craft who would go out and defend bombers as they flew to German targets in WWII. We missed the fly-over by Spitfires and Lancaster’s but enjoyed looking around at the Challenger tank and other 1940s military and civilian vehicles. The displays on Home Front life were also of interest and we had a really pleasant afternoon.

Talking of Aircraft, I fly out to do some Training in Dublin on Thursday and Friday and Clare suggested we make a weekend of this. We’re going to be staying with Derry and Martha over the few days and hope for a quiet time with plenty of food and drink. We know to expect food because the Taste of Dublin festival is on over the weekend and it looks rather interesting with all kinds of local food and drinks to be tried. I should also try and take in the Guinness museum this time if we can make space for it.

Mish Mash of Stuff

Clare and I took the train from Bournemouth to Sheffield then changed for Goldthorpe last bank holiday Monday to spend a few hours with my family as it was my dad’s 65th birthday. He had sadly forgotten to get ale in but we would have plenty to drink later.

We took a minibus to the Electric Theatre Chinese restaurant in Mexborough and had a smashing meal and lots of wine and beer and a bottle of verry good champagne.

On arriving home I had some Ardbeg 10 with my dad then I fell in then out of bed landing on Clare. Luckily she’s ok and though shaken probably won’t be permanently scarred by the incident.

Tuesday was the start of a new chapter for my career at Humanware as we now have a new member of staff covering my job in the north of England, North Wales and Scotland along with Northern Ireland and the Isle of Mann. She’s called Donna and Dads birthday and she was to shadow me for the week and hopefully learn a thing or two about the way in which I work with customers and the equipment we sell.

I love the travel in my job but sometimes it can get a little much. Its been the wersed kept secret for a long time now but Donna’s aboard and I’m sure will get to know many of our customers in the above areas. I’d also like to thank everyone in the North over the last few years who I’ve demmoed to ETC and I’m sure Donna will ably fill my shoos in your area and aid in our expansion plus and more importantly help in increasing the quality of service our customers expect. I’m also glad we have another VI person on the team as I think its important that the users of the products get demos from people who actually understand and may be able to empathise a little more with sight loss than a fully sighted person.

Our first demo was in Wakefield then we separated with me heading up to Newcastle for a few hours then us both meeting up in Ipswich later that night.

Wednesday was mainly spent trekker training with Donna but on Thursday we went over to London and then to Crowborough to demo the BrailleNote and do an interview for a Talking newspaper.

After a hard days working on the Thursday we went out for a good Italian meal and also had a beer in the Dove which was to be my last in the pub as a smoking establishment. When I went in after work on Friday evening the pub had gone none smoking and it was heaving full.

For some reason I agreed with Chris to accompany him to the yearly strawberry fare in Cambridge and the happenings of that Saturday will form my next blog entry.

Clare's Birthday Weekend

Clare’s birthday weekend was the stuff of which legends are made, a superb example of hard whisky lots of mild and much story telling sprinkled with a little anguish as a result of the birthday girl losing her voice on the Friday night and shoddy taxi service from the up to now reliable Hawk Express.

After dumping my bags at home on Friday night I helped tidy a little before our guests arrived. In order to protect them lets just assume the pseudonyms of “pompous sod” and “Scatty Blonde” Because of scheduling commitments and late trains Clare’s dad arrived before they and kindly cooked a huge pile of fajita mix of which we were to partake later.

The girls not been able to wait we started on this just before PS arrived but left plenty for his capacious apatite. When he did actually turn up he did the nosh justice and even then demolished half a spicy pizza and some pasties and sausage roles. The young lad demolished around 2l of German beer and a quart of whisky to make his drunkenness complete and his requirement for much sleep was evident at 5:30 the next day as the birds were starting to chatter. Oh at around 3:30 AM He also got the erge for drunken running through old Ipswich town in the pursuit of a packet of fags which he couldn’t’ obtain in our neighbourhood at that time.

On the Saturday I awoke a little late but we all showered and then made our way birthday cake in hot pursuit to the Dove for a quick stop off which lasted approximately 8 hours. The banter was good, the chilli and beef in ale excellent and the beer impeccable. SB wasn’t impressed with her fruit wines but did like the Trekker and lots of vodka, an unusual combination but it suited her on that occasion.

After all that chatting it was time for the birthday girls wish to be granted as in a croaky voice she earlyer that day had demanded Eurovision on the TV so we slipped off to the back room to pretend not to enjoy this yearly freak fest.

Wersle and Chris turned up baring gifts and cards we all chatted and mingled happily until a Labrador of unknown ownership went for Jaid 3 times. I was forced to tell the bar staff who ejected the animal with owner as it was basically out of control when seeing jaid.

Eurovision over Chris Wersle and I went to Akbar’s and had them bring round a feast of a meal to the pub and Karen provided plates ETC for this spicy banquet. It was then time for cake, presents and champagne provided by the PS and some goodbyes and a last pint or two before getting our very late taxi home for: yep more beer and whisky, talking or in the birthday girls case croaking and squeaking before we buggered off to bed after listening to Mr Thackeray.

We missed our dinner in the greyhound on Sunday not as a result of sleeping in but because of shite service from Hawk and had to buy the birthday steak pie in the wetherspoons. Another example of at first shite service but this did improve, it had too. As SB commented ‘Ipswich is on a brain drain today’ we then dropped off PS at the train station for his journey back to the midlands.

The birthday evening was spent chatting eating crisps and other rubbish all topped off with a chocolate bun or two.

I was working with a nice bloke from Ipswich social services on Monday first thing and then went to talk with Action for Blind Norfolk/Suffolk branch and the young members of Ipswich blind society in the afternoon. Unfortunately the birthday girls cold had kicked in though her voice was returning so after work it was off to bed with her and hotel booking for me.

Today finds me travelling down to Kent.

Another Week Over

Clare and I spent last weekend in the northeast with various friends and had a wonderful time. Highlights were the best fish and chips I’ve ever tasted in Seaton Sluice and all Marg and Andy’s kindness. We had a wonderful Saturday and Sunday with them enjoying lounging around and eating Andy’s smashing food. I think the dogs also had a good time playing and Jaid loved her free run with Tex and Angus.
We said goodbye and took the train down to Doncaster on Monday and as per usual the staff at Newcastle were most unhelpful before our departure. My intention was to travel back to Ipswich on the Tuesday but we changed these plans at the last minute and I took an extra day at work meaning I’ve only had a two day week because of the bank holiday. I also wanted to spend some time with Seann to discuss the probable sale of some property.

Work took me to Liverpool yesterday to finish off some training and I stayed in Preston at the Ashwood last night. I’d had a few pints of Cains in the big city so rather than go out I went to bed on arrival at my hotel. I’m in Blackburn and York today.

Clare and I have guests this weekend as its her birthday so I’l report on that next week.

House Warming in Worcester

Chris popped over on Friday night for some German beer and a natter. We also gave the bottle of W L Weller bourbon a hammering along with some other whiskeys including a 38 year old grain and a splendid 35 year old blend. We also had some very moderate fish and chips with Clare and it was lucky she woke me on the Saturday.

work on the Saturday was to take me to central London for a most enjoyable stint with Clare at the Blind Piano Tuners association annual conference.

After a busy and hectic few hours we jumped in a cab and drove over to Paddington and then on to Worcester and Dave’s newly purchased property.

The party was busy to say the least with around 17 people in his one bedroom flat. Around 50 cans of Guinness were demolished along with over 3 bottles of wine and many cans of Carlsberg export and some bottles of Cobra. It was really good catching up with old friends and everyone appeared to have a good time. I was up for whisky at the end of the night but mine host was slumbering on the floor so this really didn’t appear such a workable plan such was the noise of snoring reverberating the room from other sprawled out carcases.

Everyone rose on Sunday remarkably well and though one of our number had vanished in to the night Dell Dave Clare and I made our way to the Plough for Sunday dinner and a pint or two. It was lovely with the cathedral bells wringing and the food was splendid. The pudding really topped it all off as it was homemade and swimming in custard.

Dell departed and then the afternoon took a decidedly European flavour as we strolled along to Worcester racecourse to enjoy the beer and hotdogs at the German festival taking place over that weekend. Apparently most of the people behind the counters were Greek, the band Indian and the bar staff from Liverpool but never the less we drank ate and revelled in the music for a good two hours or more. The same fest will visit Northampton this weekend and it would kill a good bit of Saturday or Sunday so it could be one to try.

My apatite for European beer not yet satiated we went via McDonalds to the Austrian pub in Worcester. I enjoyed a pilsner and a dunkle beer and then we walked home.

I have work in Worcester today and then its London on Tuesday.

QuickUpdate

Its a long story but a new pair of shews buggered up my right foot last Tuesday to the extent that lots of skin is missing from the back of the foot and I can’t walk in shoos for any distance. In fact I’ve had to take a day off work such was the soreness of walking. It appears as though I was sold two different shoos, one wide fitting and one normal with the result that the wide fitting one rubbed on my heal. The problem was that I didn’t have anymore shoos since Malone wrecked the pair I was using and I chucked my old Kickers away last week.

With the UK pound so strong against the US dollar I purchased the full Monty Python 16 dvd box set of Flying Circus including the live DVD of Hollywood bole along with a string quartet tribute to Dream Theatre for only £44 including shipping. I may get charged customs on that but even so its still an amazing bargain. from Amazon for

My parents came over for the weekend and the usual orgy of food and ale was inevitable. I demolished 10L of warsteiner beer with my dad over two nights and was feeling it on Monday as I set off to Hammersmith for some Trekker training.

The job completed Clare and I headed off to the Dove for the St George’s day party.

On a distressing note a close friend of Clare’s passed away yesterday which is immensely sad. Hey mate, at least the pane is gone now and we had a JD for ya. RIP.

I’m on my way to Nottingham at the moment for a demo and then staying over in Worcester tonight as I’ve work in the city tomorrow.

bank holiday

Clare and I are off to meet up with Chris this afternoon at the railway station and then walk in to town. The plan is to hit the Greyhound for lunch, pass by the dove for a swift one and then go to the garden at the back of the fat cat for a few ales.

I’m in a top mood today. Life’s good.

Happy Easter

We’ve had a restful day. For some reason we couldn’t sleep so both up early and prepped a beautiful dish with beef and ale. It was cooked in the slow cooker so after the preparations were complete we had a bagel, Clare’s speciality and for me a cup of tea and then went up to bed to pass the time until the food was cooked. The Easter bunny visited us both which was nice and then we both had a kip.

Later we opened a bottle of amontillado sherry as a pre dinner drink and then had the food with a bottle of Australian bubbles. I’ll post our recipe tomorrow in case anyone’s interested. Still plenty of sherry left though so it should go down nice with some cheese on Monday.

The late afternoon was lazily spent with us both on the couch listening to music before the dogs were fed and I grabbed a dram of redbreast whiskey.

What a relaxing day.

More of the same

It appears as though my blog has mutated in to a bunch of weekly katchups that are a little samey, but hell its my life if you know what I mean.

Last Friday I arrived in before 9 and had a drink or two in the dove before returning home and watching the Lennon documentary with Clare. Rather interesting I thought but I don’t know what he saw in Yoko.

Emma Dale and Holly came around on Saturday afternoon and we spent a pleasant hour and a half chatting before they gave me a lift to tesco to pickup one or two bits for the night ahead. Chris wersal and glennis came over and Clare cooked a proper mean Chili and garlic bread. Everyone brought ales and wine so we had such a selection to go through and though we all partook of way too much I still have rather a lot left. What did for me though was the Western’s Organic Cider. Purchased from tesco this is in a wine box and tastes more like real cider than anything I’ve ever had from a shop before.

After a quiet Sunday we went out on Monday evening to a pub quiz in the Woolpack which was enjoyable and we put up a reasonable showing. Our aim was to eat a nice meal in town but because of all the chatter we didn’t leave until late so were left with the unfortunate proposition of Bobs burger van. Absolutely horrible. Never risk it. Honestly, I don’t like to tell you what it did to us but we’ll be returning no more.

The cab driver kindly explained to us on the way home that we should have gone to Perry’s van on Tower Street but we weren’t to know.

I went over to Worcester on Wednesday afternoon as I had work in Hereford the next day and my train from Ipswich wouldn’t have allowed me to get in to the city on time for the start of work. Suffice to say that Dave and I went out for a few drinks and then ended up in a curry house. The Plough has turned into a real gem with smashing staff food and a good selection of ales. Its just so friendly. The Dragon on the other hand appears to have slid a little bit now that Richard and G have moved over to Richards new pub in Sheffield. Its still by any standards a corking pub but not the same though Steff keeps things on a good kilter.

Wednesday’s training went well and I visited my two favorite brewery owned pubs in the city and picked up a rake of bottled stout in the Barrels which I delivered back to Williams villa.

Once more the sun was out to greet us on Thursday and we spent most of the day outdoors with Trekker and really had a lovely day. I then returned to Worcester and popped in to the plough and the dragon before making my way back to Dave’s. we supped brews and ordered the best takeaway curry I’ve ever ad. Ok, I did have a tandori mixed grill but the snap was done to a turn and presentation impeccable. Mints, hot towels, napkins plastic plates and even a rose which I should have brought back for Clare. It sounds a bit tacky but it was like bringing the restaurant home with that quality of food and my own drink, even though it was tea.

It took over 5 hours traveling on Friday but I arrived home and slept after eating the traditional good Friday fish and chips.

I treated myself to a Western Digital 160GB Passport hard drive. These just plug in to the usb port and are powered from the same. They’re also tiny. This will be fantastic for transporting large amounts of data with me. Also grabbed my parents a good kettle something they’ve been lacking for years.

I have to pop in to town now so will shoot off.

That was a good week that was

Last Friday took me over to Norwich for a Trekker demo then I finished the day working at home. I then received a call from, well, lets call him G saying he’d be late in to Ipswich. I decided to fortify myself with a large haddock and chips for with G around the stars were aligned for a heavy evening.

When I eventually met him in Ipswich station we took a taxi to the crowded fat cat. Of interest was the posh sounding bloke behind the bar and the range of imported beers not that large, but budvar and other German beers along with a range of 12 or so ales from the UK made a good showing. The ales were none too interesting though so after one pint for me and a huge Scotch egg for he we found ourselves in the Dove.

The beer selection was much improved really because of the range of beers on offer and by this I mean styles. Golden ale, porter, stout, old ale and bitters were all evident and supped by the both of us. We were then joined by some of my Ipswich drinking mates and had a cracking night.

We finished off by ordering a curry and getting a taxi home with the grub. More beers were sunk and the nosh consumed. I even remembered to bring Clare some beer back!

Saturdays’ breakfast was balti peanuts and a coffee beer picked up from the ale shop on Ipswich station and then G departed.

The rest of the day was nice and quiet as was the weekend really. Clare went out to a gig on Sunday night so I went in to town for a few hours but nothing else of note happened.

Tuesday found me making a quick journey up to Scotland for literally 6 or so hours for some Trekker dems and then Lucy and I drove down to a lovely little hotel near Workington as we were to toil in the area on the Wednesday. That could be my last time up in Scotland for work but more on that in a future post.

I was closer to home in Chelmsford on Thursday and then in London and the office for Friday. I had a teleconference with Lucia this afternoon which was as always with her pleasurable

We have friends coming over on Saturday evening and I’m probably going to go for a quick pint when I return to Ipswich at around 9:15 tonight. I couldn’t face the rush so took a taxi from ST Pancras to Liverpool Street, yep a copout but well, as Steve would say, ‘the dog was tired.’ Its true, I was walking between the stations and Jaid actually dragged me in to a cab as a lady was getting out. It wasn’t even at a rank. I guess after living in the south for over 3 years she’s twigged as to what they look like and enjoys riding rather than working across London. Anyway, we’re now a quarter through 2007 and spring will be springing soon, so time to be happy. Oh, and I've also sorted out my bloglines this week and have a stack of feeds of interest to a Yorkshire man in exile in East Anglia.

March and District Museum

Our trip to the March and District museum was most enjoyable yesterday and only a few minutes walk from our hotel.

We were shown around by a knowledgeable and patient guide called Charles who with much attention explained the history of the town through the many interesting exhibits on display. It would be not unfair to suggest that Charles himself was a fascinating gentleman coming from Droylsdan and working in the RAF fixing and maintaining bombers on the Cambridgeshire airfields during the second world war.

The museum is volunteer staffed and has charitable status for funding. I guess you could say it was quaint with people who obviously care about their past attempting to preserve a long gone history for others to enjoy and learn from. In any case the visit made an interesting and in many ways fascinating few hours entertainment.

Oliver Cromwell Hotel March

Clare and I arrived at the luxurious and homely Oliver Cromwell Hotel in the Fenland town of March yesterday afternoon for a weekend away. Our rooms are large and well appointed but three locked doors off our mane suite have me a little concerned that something mysterious is afoot.

Upon entrance we took advantage of the swimming pool, steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi but gave the gymnasium a miss maybe today or Sunday? then retired to the bar for a couple pints of real ales including brews from Abbeydale of Sheffield, Occam of Peterborough and Nethergate# from Essex. Clare also had a budvar and then we fed dogs ETC.

The grub in the hotel is fantastic and we each demolished a sumptuous 4 course meal and had a laugh with our waitresses. One cool thing, they were playing the female fronted goth metal band Within Temptation which I found just sensational as we ate. Not loud but just in the background and it worked rather well with Sharron Den Adels enchanting vocals complimenting the food.

It was then time for comic relief and a bit of kip. We intend to visit the March Museum today and also recover from our breakfast.

update 1

This should have uploaded last Friday but for some reason it didn’t. Backtracking to the last Friday of February I met up with Paul in Cambridge and we toured a few pubs together but I arrived home in time to help Clare prepare tea which was a bit ST David's day themed. Lamb steaks, pork and leaque sausage new potatoes and leaques. We do this on occasions like ST Patrick’s day, Chinese new-year ETC just for a bit of fun.

Saturday was a big day for me in a peculiar way. I've banked with Nat west for 29 years according to my mum and opening a new main current account with the Halifax was quite sad in some ways since I'd had the piggy banks and all from the Nat west over the years but the bate of a much better interest rate plus 100 quid for opening the account was just too strong.

The afternoon was spent with Robin and then in the Dove at which point we met up with Wersle and Glenda for drinks and a fantastic beef curry at home.

Work wise I was stationed in the north all week but ended on Friday working around the south coast. My parents were over last weekend which will necessitate a few meals out I would venture.

Top of the Puds

Not surprising. Everyone likes a pud don’t they? Memories of my granddads Yorkshires as a kid and at home with my parents the first time Clare came to stay with a huge pud swimming in onion gravy. I think that’s when Clare realised she had a crush on me!!

“The Yorkshire pudding has been named the nation's favourite regional food.
It beats the Cornish pasty and the Melton Mowbray pork pie to come first in its category
at the Good Housekeeping food awards.
Lea & Perrins Worcestershire sauce was named the favourite store cupboard ingredient.
All entries were nominated by Good Housekeeping magazine readers.
Winners were picked by a judging panel which included editor Louise Chunn, M&S chief
executive Stuart Rose, restaurateur Prue Leith, Fergus Henderson of London's St John
restaurant, and television's Aggie MacKenzie.”

All Egged Up

I shall be taking Hancock’s advice on Monday and going to work on an egg. It was warming and nutritious on Thursday and as we all know, ‘vitality is egg shaped’

Just watch some of the above linked protein filled 1950s commercials featuring the oft misunderstood Tony Hancock to find out more and take a trip back in TV time. Also check out http://www.tonyhancock.org.uk Incidentally Clare is the web mistress of that page.

Cambridge Capers and Crawl

The plan was to arrive in at Cambridge for 1 in the afternoon of last Saturday but owing to the merriment of the evening before we actually got in just after 3. The wet whether hit us as we walked out the door in Ipswich and boarded the bus to the Train station. Unfortunately we just missed a Cambridge train so went to Keo’s delicatessen on the platform and purchased sandwiches organic fruit juices, homemade Scotch eggs and other delicacies. I selected homemade chicken curry and bhajis surprisingly and then washed it down with a bottle of Bishops Tipple a strong hoppy brew from Wadworth’s purchased from the Wine Buffer’s store next door. This repast was taken on Platform two of Ipswich Railway station after which we got on the train and for an hour said little but listened to music and \slept.

We walked with the aid of our 4 legged friends and the GPS to the Live and Let Live, Cambridge Camera pub of the year but it was shut until later that evening so we taxied to Paul and Tinas house to drink tea eat nearly out of date mince pies and dry out. Paul then took us on a mammoth crawl through Cambridge at which we walked around 4 miles and took in many good pubs the best of these was for me the St Radegund. This small boozer features beers from the local Milton brewery and the easy drinking sackcloth bitter was a delight.

We then hit the Champion of the Tems at which the landlord would I’m sure have asked me to leave if Paul were not around. I made my views known on Greene King ales and this didn’t go down too well.

The next stop was the Live and Let Live which was ok but not as good as I’d expected, and then on to the Kingston Arms, a large airy pub followed by the charming Cambridge Blue who’s beers were all in tiptop form.

The curry bug then hit and just after 11 we hit the Curry queen for a slap-up binge of spicy nosh. The owners were reluctant to let us in with the dogs but with some tact I tipped the balance in our favour and we will be welcome back any time along with the dogs. Well, they would welcome us back for £90 going in the till I guess.

The party was to continue back home with Clare hitting the whisky and me going for organic ale and ahem, some of Clare’s whisky. Paul put on a good show and we listened to Lemon Jelly and the snores of Steve.

Bacon was the first thing assailing my nostrils at half 1 on Sunday afternoon and the cooked breakfast Tina provided was sensational with bacon, snorkers, eggs, tomatoes, beans, toast and tea but the snorkers a speciality.

Not wanting to waist our time in Cambridge we went to King’s College Chapel for evensong. Now I’m not at all religious or a god botherer but the quire and building are world renown and provide the setting for the BBC carol service broadcast on radio each year. The chapel dates from the 1460s and is grand in scale with dimensions that put many cathedrals to shame. Basically funded by king Henry VI and the next few after him the structure is ornate and the windows world famous. For me it was a privilege to be able to touch the 550 year old organ casing and here the magnificent instrument and angelic quire. The acoustics of this place have to be listened to in order that one can take in the utter brilliance of the sound.

After the service we went to the Eagle pub and I endured more Greene King ale. Interestingly One of the back rooms has graffiti scrawled by WWII fliers in the soot of candles onto the ceiling. Watson and Crick discoverers of
DNA allegedly pronounced the 'eureka' here over a pint. If only the pub were that interesting these days. A wetherspoon like place with prices not to match and a Greene King monster pub.

We had planned to watch a jazz combo back in the St Radegund but owing to Tina’s beautiful roast lamb and much cheese, beer, wine and Gin plus good conversation and malt we gave it a miss and had a lovely night in.

So it was back to work on Monday and a big thanks to Steve Paul Tina and Clare.

Happy Beerday to the Dove

The birthday party of the Dove went with a bang. Clare Steve and I fought wind and pelting precipitation through the streets of old Ipswich town to attend this most prestigious of events with all three dogs. On entering at around half 7 the bar was nearly full but we obtained a table lest Steve and I were to partake of too much falling down water. I stuck to the Mighty Oak Mild most of the evening but took a quick detour over the hills to Thwaits land for a quick pint of the bitter which was lovely and probably better than anything I’ve ever tasted in Preston from that particular brewery.

Carl and one of the pianists from Jewel’s Holland’s band were doing a set of jazz standards in the back bar, so I went with Jaid to watch a little of the good performance.

Just after 12 we were all moved back against the walls as a troop of the regulars danced through the pub in Egyptian costume and rather good they were according to Clare who appeared to get her own little show at one point. History was made after this when Adi proposed to his partner in crime for more years than they care to think about Karen. What a fantastic moment and its good to know that Jaid will be going to live with people who aren’t living in sin!!

We all got home around 1 and after scrimmaging for food and ale went to bed for Cambridge loomed on Saturday.

Beery Weekend

Work took me to Norwich on Friday last so when all was done I took advantage of the situation to check out one or two of the best ale houses in norfolks principle city that is blessed with some outstanding pubs.

First was the Duke of Wellington which was like a gentler version of the Dragon in Worcester but with more ales and even some of the lovely German beers I used to drink in the Riser. This place was just so friendly and it owns the Woolf Brewery but doesn’t overly push its ales instead letting two or three sit along side an impressive range of cask offerings from other brewers. This place is well worth checking out and was my favourite of the two pubs Clare and I visited. Many of the regulars enjoy going to the Dove in Ipswich so a clientele of good taste. You’re not going to be out of pocket after a night in the Duke either. This wouldn’t matter a jot but when added to the general ambiance of the pub really takes it over the top. Beware bearded CAMRA types!

The Fat Cat Norwich is a sister to that found in Ipswich but to me at least was more welcoming and the beers from the Fat Cat Brewery located in the CiderShed pub within the city were smashing, especially the 5.6% Marmalade. Staff were also attentive. A special mention goes out to possibly the best pork pies in Norfolk. They had around 20 beers on cask plus were willing to give tasters and advise even though it was starting to fill up. What a pub but pipped for me by the above.

Taxis are a rip-off in Norwich but we will be heading back to check out more recommended hostelries in the near future.

We then headed back home and found our way to the Ipswich Fat Cat for comparison at which were two of the beers from the new St Jude brewery. The Ipswich Bright was frankly terrible but the slightly stronger Coachman’s Whip was lovely but still not earth shattering. I think they have some work to do but wish them well. I’ve noticed a dip in the cat over the last few months but it appeared to be picking up again last weekend.

We then walked just under a mile to the Dove Inn and were warmly welcomed. Many brews were sampled by myself and by the time Emma came along I may have over indulged. certainly by the time Clare and I walked to the bus stop to go home I had definitely over-indulged to the point of swaying around and talking shite. Karen and Adi have possibly the best pub in the country with the Dove and this is backed up by the short-listing along with 3 others for the CAMRA pub of the year. They’ve already taken the Publican cask ale pub of the year 2006 so are doing rather well at the moment. It also looks like Jaid will be setting up home with them later this year.

I awoke on Saturday with a rotten head but managed to have pics taken by the local paper then Clare and I went to the Woolpack for some lovely seafood and for me an Adnams.

The afternoon was spent in the Dove with just a couple of beers this time talking to a biker and his missus. We took in a curry that night from Akbars which really hit the spot and thus ended a perfectly enjoyable day.

Sunday is traditionally always a time of dining with family and with this in mind we took Colin and Sue out for a byte to eat in the GreyHound a lovely Adnams pub with really good home cooked food. Apparently the pie was like Clare’s Nana makes so all was well and the Explorer ale citric with American hops.

I spent the afternoon cleaning up my Shuttle SFF PC and am giving it to Emma so she can get some net connectivity. I hope it will help Holly with her schooling and get me Cuz online.

Clare and I also racked a batch of homebrew and dry hopped it in to cask. Its Woodfordes bitter which is renown for its quality if brewed correctly and I think we did a reasonable job but only time will tell. We should know in two to three weeks.

I was training in Sutton yesterday and I’m now travelling to the midlands for more of the same.

Links

http://www.wolfbrewery.com/
http://www.dukeofwellingtonnorwich.co.uk/
http://www.fatcatpub.co.uk
http://www.fatcatipswich.co.uk
http://www.dovestreetinn.co.uk
http://www.greyhound-ipswich.com