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pub of the year but it was shut until later that evening so we taxied to Paul and Tinas house to drink tea eat nearly out of date mince pies and dry out.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