Cambridge Islay and Jaid

Jaid is now back from the vet resplendent with a smart but huge bandage on her front left dog foot. She is able to walk but it looks funny and sounds strange too.

The Cambridge beer festival was a well run and large event with around 170 ales on draft but the cider bar attracted my a tension mainly because of one ‘appley concoction that had been aged in a whisky cask, it was 7.5% but went down like apple juice and was simply lovely.

I’m off to Yorkshire later on today and Jaid is staying with June and James over the next week as Clare and I travel.

Our travel arrangements are now in place for Islay and we have decided to fly in both directions. It would have been nice to take the coach and ferry over to the island but it’s a 7 hour journey from Glasgow so we have knocked it on the head for this time at least. We are doing the Caledonian sleeper train in both directions and will take some time in Glasgow to chat with friends in the wonderful rollicking city.

Jaid, Islay and other bits

Jaid’s off back to the vets today for an x-ray and possible small operation to remove what ever is actually still in her little foot, I really hoped all this was over but sadly not. The little furry bugger started to limp again yesterday in the middle of London.

I went over to Epsom on Tuesday evening and had a few beers with Andrew and it was a cracker of an evening. A healthy slug of Highland Park 12 capped it all off in fine style.

Yesterday night was also enjoyable at the Dove beer festival. They had around 70 beers on all of which were in fine fettle, well the ones I tried anyway.

Chris and I are off to the Cambridge beer festival this evening and then I’ll be in the office on Friday for a sight village meeting.

I have our accommodation booked now for Islay and we’re staying at the Lochindaal hotel in Port Charlotte, more on this as we make arrangements.

traveling

I’m glad to report that Jaid’s vet has given her the all clear so I’ll probably take her out for a walk today if the precipitation stops. Still it does clean up the air, it’s been very hot over the last two weeks and I’ve enjoyed the sun.

Clare and I have purchased one of those garden tables with a bench at each side for outside our little dwelling so next time we get some sun we should be ready for it. It’s proper pub style and I can already feal the pints flowing down on those barmy summer evenings I’m sure we’ll get this year.

Next week will be a busy one with work and the one after equally packed with travel but of a holiday type nature. We’re off to my parents for a few days, then over to March to relax, eat and use the Jim and then it’s Dave and Emma’s in the lovely city of Worcester for a little feed and drink.

Work have given me the opportunity to go over to represent them at the World Blind Union conference held in August over in Zurich Switzerland and I’m pleased and looking forward to it immensely.

It should be a quiet weekend as we’ve nothing planned but I think a trip over to the Dove may be in order some time today.

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.

April Update

Once again it’s been a long time since a personal update so I am rather amazed that people keep reading this shite.

Not much has been happening for me over the last few weeks out of the normal and this is in many ways first-rate since life is kind to me at the moment.

I’ve been working early for the last week so this has kind of messed up my weekend a little and that would explain why I couldn’t help getting out of bed at 4 AM on a Sunday.

I’m off to Colchester today for a CAMRA young persons beer tasting Naomi sorted out between us and the Colchester branch so I’m looking forward to that. I may report on it later in the week if my notes are of interest or I am able to jot stuff down.

It’s shaping up to be a busy and exciting one next week and I’m staying with the boy Dave over at Williams Mansions one evening so it will be nice to catch up with himself. Clare and I are popping over to Bournemouth for the weekend and then it’s back to work after the bank holiday.

Still no word on a replacement dog for Jaid but she’s happy and working well thank goodness and enjoys the pub as much as ever!

May as well go now as I’m starting to ramble.

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.

Jaidy Lady

Andrew Gower from GDBA came to talk to me today about getting another dog. Yep, Jaid’s retiring this year and I should have another wuffer before Christmas. Sad I know but life moves on and I know Jaid will have a smashing retirement. I just don’t want her to go through another working winter.

I took two and a half days off this week to prolong the bank holiday which has been unproductive but enjoyable. Next week looks to be busy with dems either booked in for each day or on the cards.

We have no plans for the weekend so I’ll stop drivelling and get stuck in to this pint of Banks’s Original.

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.

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.

Newspaper Article Featuring Jaid and I

Some nice inaccuracy but hayho, not bad really. I guess it gets a point across and it’s a shame they didn’t mention Humanware. I don’t make the journey every day, and sometimes I have to be at the station to get the 20 past 5 train. This all started with one e-mail to the paper. I’ll get the pictures if anyone wants to take a look at them. Just comment ok?


BTW I’m not sure about the quote at the end. Learned to survive without them? Can’t remember saying that.


“DILEMMA: Martin Roberts with his guide dog,
Jade, at Ellenbrook Green. Picture: JERRY TURNER
Martin: I could be forced to move

FOR one visually impaired Ipswich resident losing the
buses is not simply an inconvenience it could mean he has to move house.

Roberts does not have the option of driving on his daily journey to the station to catch a train to Northampton because his limited sight means he cannot drive. Instead, the 29-year-old, of Ellenbrook Road, would have to make the two-mile journey
on foot aided by guide dog Jade. He fears the axe of service
number seven and reduction to service number 13 may lead to
him being forced to move into the town centre.

Mr Roberts said: “I have to get to the station for 6.20am everyday and if the early morning 13 services are cut I will have to walk. “I would be happy to do it in
a couple of months but walking through the estate on an icy morning is not something that appeals to me.

“I work for a technology company and have to bring a lot of the equipment home with me. “I would not fancy waiting at a bus stop for a lengthy period
with all of that equipment either as it would make me rather vulnerable.”

Mr Roberts said he would be happy to pay more council tax
if it meant the Ipswich transport system could be saved. He said: “Once these services are gone they are never coming back.
“You are not going to find in a couple of years’ time that
they will re-introduce them because people will have learnt to survive without them and
the money will already have been saved.””

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

General - What a good week that was

This week has been most enjoyable. In fact I would say its been a little smasher. Just for my own memories I’m going to run down the events which though mundane for the most have colectivly helped to create a lovely few days.Jaid and
I set off early to demo in London and Hertfordshire before taking the GNER train from Kings cross to Doncaster at which point my dad picked us up. The evening was quiet but we went out to a pub/restaurant called the Junction. My fears were assured when the gentleman behind the bar slurred that they had no real ales. The food was uninspiring, so yet another place with pretend ale and frozen pretend food.
Tuesday took me to Hull and Chesterfield for yet more Trekker demos. I was given a peanut butter kit kat in chesterfield and I can’t thank the gentleman enough. It is one thing to be given a cup of tea when in somebodys home and that is always gratefully accepted, but confectionary of this quality and flavor is just over and above the call.

The evening took me to the club for a pint or two of Barnsley bitter. I’m ashamed to say that my brother ordered that abomination of CidersMagners! Bloody Magners, come on, what’s all that about Just good advertising and everyone’s suckered in.
I nipped over to Knottingly on Wednesday for more Trekker goodness and then went home. We just had a relaxing evening because the traveling had taken it out of me somewhat.

Thursday took me back to London and I just new that it would be a good day. This was confirmed when I met Kev the conductor on the One service in to Liverpool Street. He’s just so cheerful and appears to enjoy his job and has a rather interesting announcing style that sets him apart. He’s actually the announcer on one of my first December entries who sounds not unlike Steve Coogan. Jaid and I went to the BET show which is always interesting. We had a rather busy day but the place emptied out after 4 PM. So its true about teachers then, what’s up with a little work after 4? Don’t you do it for the love of the profession? I met Clare back in Ipswich and we went to the Dove to talk to Karen and Adi about the future of a little dog. Adi gave me a bottle of limited edition Imperial Stout which I will drink one of these cold winters evenings.

We ate in the East Ocean Chinese and the food was once again on good form and the service most excellent.

I was back in London today for… go on, guess, yep, more of the Trekker plodding around Hammersmith with a jolly welsh man, (No Ron Davies jokes please) and then off to check out a customers laptop and wireless router that would not hard reset which was a bit of a bugger as he's a nice chhappy and will be without web access for a few weeks now.

Clare’s even cooked a meal for tonight so life’s good. Oh and the Colchester Suits have just alighted from the One train to Ipswich and I’ll be home soon.
Clare and I are nipping over to Berry Saint Edmonds on Saturday for no other reason than we just want to get out and explore East Anglia a little over the next few months. I want to visit the Old Cannon micro brewery and pub too and I’m told they have a big Market in the town.