Cambridge for a quicky

Last weekend was rather fun even though I didn’t get in until late on Friday evening so was not at all up for going out.

I decided to pay a visit to Paul in Cambridge on Saturday in the Radigan. He’s now working in this most salubrious of pubs and I enjoyed a few pints of Milton beers with him and shot the brees for a few hours as he toiled. He’s going to be ordained in a few months and Clare and I have been invited to the occasion. This should be more than interesting and definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for me as none of my other friends are so dedicated to a faith.

Paul gave me a bottle of 1976 Glentauchers malt which I’ll crack open with Dave sometime as it was distilled in October of that year and twas the same month that the chappy came screaming to the earth with a bare backside and totally unable to feed or look after himself. Well, I guess some things take a bit to change then.

I arrived back home and Clare and my good self had a lovely Chinese.

Sunday was typical really. I went to the Rose and Crown to partake of one of Steve’s curries and chat to Emma, Dale and the other regulars. Naomi brought her dogs and with jaid plus another canine or two the pub was puppied out.

I took some of Steve’s really cracking curry home for Clare as she was unwell and then made it to bed before the week of work at last crept up on me.

Andrew should be coming over this weekend so I look forward to that.

New Year! Same old Blog

Happy new year everyone. I’ve been busy with work the last week and also had some good traveling around the south east of the country. I went to Canterbury for work so decided to stop off in Favasham the home of Shepherd Neam brewery for a pint of Bishop’s finger. Sadly this wasn’t available on draft in the town and in order to get a pint on cask I would have to travel back down to Canterbury. I thought this strange but did enjoy 3 pints of the uncompromisingly hopped Master Brew and a half of the brewery’s most excellent porter. These drinks were taken in the Sun Inn a really friendly hostelry close to the brewery.

Last weekend RoadKill Chris Steve and I drove out to Orford in north Suffolk and visited the smokeries. The village is beautiful with the remains of the castle visible from the central parking point. The church bells were wringing as it was a Sunday and the smoke wafted across the village. I purchased lots of locally made and smoked sausage, anchovies in garlic and smoked salmon along with some Suffolk bacon and other bits and bobs.

We had a stonking few days over the new-year with friends and I hope everyone else had a suitably enjoyable and pleasant time. It’s now a new year with all the challenges that holds for everyone and I’m looking forward to it.

Happy new-year guys.

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.

Barnsley V Ipswich and some beers

Emma, Dale, Rebecca, Sam and Joanne were in the Dove along with Chris and I on Friday night. We had some strong winter ales and a good chat. I haven’t seen some of these people for around 10 years and it was about time we got together.

Chris and I were given a lift home by Naomi and Dezz in a 1940s Citroen car which was something unexpected and most agreeable then the two of us had a dram from a bottle of BRORA 1981 Signatory Un-chillfiltered Collection. This is a rare whisky as the distillery has been shut down since 1982 or so.

It was destination Portman Road on Saturday to watch Barnsley verses Ipswich, me from the Barnsley end and the Ipswich parts of the family from the opposite. The result was a good one for Barnsley and the 0 0 draw was made the sweeter as Ipswich have been on a winning streak at home of late. We all then trooped back to the Rose and Crown for beers and much later those of us who were left shared a pizza. It wasn’t possible for me to get a taxi home as I’d have waited an hour for it it was 1 AM already so I crashed on the finest leather sofa in Ipswich for the night and partook of the crackling open fire. Thanks Nigel!

All the Christmas whisky, beer and wines are now in and a fine collection they make. I’ve purchased Bishops Finger and Special London Ale from Majestic at 15 quid a case delivered plus have 15 bottles of assorted reds from the Sunday Times Wine Club. We have stocked up on ports one of Clare’s favorite and some dark sherries for me, oh plus two bottles of ginger wine and some NZ bubbles to round everything off. We now have just to buy the last of our gifts, get a tree, food and some other bits then we’ll be set for the month ahead. I’ve not been adventuress with the whisky and just stocked up on Aberlour A'Bunadh and Ardbeg Uigeadail with one or two Bruichladdiches chucked in. I have a good amount of Glenfarclas 105 but will probably get another bottle or two when next I’m in Stansted Airport. the prices of whisky are going up so fast at the moment and I’m afraid with the lack of sherry casks these days some brands may be killed off. I do have some interesting bottles open at the moment so I’ll put some notes on the blog later in the month.

Strange Evening

It was a strange one last night. I went to the Dove’s winter beer festival and as usual Karen and the crew have put on a good selection of over 60 beers and they included many stronger winter brews served from the wooden casks. I particularly enjoyed the Old Chimneys King Henry Stout at 9 ABV from such a cask and chose to sip this brew in third pint glasses.

I had one or two more thirds then purchased lots of tandoori meats and bajis to take to the Rose and Crown with Chris in a Hawk taxi. The Driver refused me so once again I’ve had to contact Ipswich taxis Licensing and Hawk have encouraged me to do this and will also take action against the driver themselves.

When I did get to the Rose it was to discover that my work laptop is banjaxed (Thanks for that word Stonch)I’ve lost some weeks of emails but not my diary thank goodness!

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.

Keep on Moving

Work took me to Gosport in Hampshire on Friday so I took the opportunity to call in the Clarence Tavern a small pub that stocks the local Oak Leaf brewery’s ales and jolly good each of my 3 half’s were, they are noted below I’ll just put the descriptions of each from the brewery’s WebPages as they are spot on with any comments in ().
www.oakleafbrewing.co.uk/

Blake's Gosport Bitter
Strong, dark and intensely malty, this bitter has everything
you need for a cold winters evening yet surprisingly easy to
drink for a hot summers day. (Chocolaty but drinkable like a version of Riggwelter from Black sheep.)
abv 5.2%

Hole Hearted
Brewed with 100% Cascade hops. This powerful, floral and fruity
beer will surprise with every mouthful.
Champion Beer of Hampshire 2002, 2003 & 2005
4.7% abv
abv 5.2%

Oakleaf Bitter
A clean, refreshing, light hoppy session ale with an aromatic,
distinctive flavor and a pleasant aftertaste. (Dryish very drinkable and balanced, a quencher.)
3.8% abv.

Jaid and I then walked from the pub to the ferry terminal and took the boat across the estuary to Portsmouth harbor railway station and are now on our way home on one of Southwest Trains class 344 Desiros. I’m lead to believe that the powers that be will try and get these on to the Ipswich to London line in a few years. Oh no!

We won’t mention Thursday but last Wednesday was rather full with demos in London Suffolk and Norfolk. As the last one was in Norwich I went to the Fat Cat for 4 very good pints of Fullers’ London Porter, Fat Cat Marmalade, Kelham Island Pale Rider then oh joy of joys a pint of the 5.9 percent Thorn bridge Jaipur IPA.

I’ve got a bit of a cold coming on which isn’t good but my parents are over at the moment and we really had a good weekend.

Friday with tea in the Woolpack, Satterday was restful but we did take some beer over and partake of a curry in the Jorna plus a few ales for me after in the Rose. Sunday found us driving to Otley for dinner in the White Hart but the service wasn’t up to snuff though the food was good.

I toddled over to the west midlands on Monday and am now looking forward to December immensely.

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.

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.

Dublin Day 2

Bugger me if it wasn’t warm yesterday. Apart from a few showers that coasted Alan and I in the city centre we had a smashing autumnal day

After setting up the stand we drank tea then drove in to Dublin for a spot of shopping. Alan purchased things for his kids and I snaffled a bottle of Bruichladdich 1973 at a stupidly low price from my usual emporium for malty delights in Ireland’s capital.

Our stand was teaming all afternoon and I love this. It’s so good to get involved with people and talk and banter and debate, it’s what makes my job really thrilling at times. Streams flew out the door and so they should because they rock.

Later in the evening as we were shutting up shop we were joined by a blind crip and a young balding Irish basstard. I understand that Alan had partaken of beverages with them both in Galway earlier on. What a nice bunch of chaps, total piss heads but a good laugh and in to the beer food and jokes. We went to a Thai restaurant with them which was splendidly curry like and then they took us to some Dublin boozers.

The first bar which was called the Grand Central was nice and I understand the waitresses are all stunners. The music rocked and my Guinness was above average but not the best in the city. After 4 or 5 within we then went down a back street it was time for a proper drink in the town. The small clean localized and friendly hostelry reminded me of walking in to a local in England or the Slipper on the outskirts of Dublin. Everyone was friendly and we had a near silence on entry. Alan broke this by saying the darts team had entered.

Sorry about not naming, but I was asked not to by the regulars and our friends so this will be respected. What a pub, what beamish and what a night!

Happy Days

Alan and I just went for a most satisfactory beverage with Derry and Martha in Messrs. Maguire. It was bustling but not packed.

The imperial was strong and whisky like but probably not the ale to start off the late evening. Porter as usual and the rusty not bad. The company and then walk back to our hotel really were excellent though. We hope to catch up with Derry and Martha in Jan or Feb, Clare doesn’t know this yet but I’m sure will be lovin a trip to Dublin.

The ale in Maguire isn’t up to the standards of the PorterHouse but it’s still a second in my books when in this amazing city. If anyone has any other good tips then please let me know. I love a pint of beamish.

Dublin day1

the car stumbled through the Dublin traffic to arrived at Jurys Inn Custom House at around 8:15 last night. we were both bushed so went to our rooms, dropped off stuff then ate a passable meal in the bar. The Guinness was good though and it was quiet which created a nice dining experience.

Today Alan and I went to two of Ireland's premier educational institutions then took in a really nice tour of the NCBI Media Centre in Finglas.

We went to the Porter House North this evening and enjoyed a few drinks and some fab food. The place was dressed up to the arse for Halloween which is strange because pubs in England don’t really go in for that sort of thing but it’s big in Ireland apparently. It's a quick change now then a walk in to Dublin to find Derry Martha and Lotty.

Tullamore

Well Alan and I arrived in Tullamore, Co Offaly at half 10 last night and as a result ate rather little. A cheese sandwich then a tesco rap were all we ate for the day after breakfast. The show was busy though and pleasing

Now I’m in Tullamore the spiritual home of Tullamore dew whiskey and we’re about to start another show with 12 other companies.

The plan is to trot off to Dublin tonight for a full day of work then hit the town in the evening for a drink or two.

Nothing else to report really apart from I attempted to use one of those self service check-out systems in Tesco yesterday. A good idea for some purchases but totally unusable for the visually impaired.

Waking up in Wexford

I arrived in Dublin half an hour late and this delay was exacerbated by a bolshy bint in a wheal chair, or should I say the bossy bints daughter, they were both pests on the journey then as we disembarked. Jaid was missed by commuters on the train who must have seen her in the past and about 4 people asked about her on the journey to Liverpool Street.

Alan and I did some work in Dublin yesterday afternoon before driving to the Talbot Hotel a lovely place which was to be the show venue. It’s in the town of Wexford in county Wexford.

We met the guys from the other companies in the Ballast Bank Bar and Grill which the hotel’s WebPages inform me is based on an old bonded warehouse. Now I am unsure as to the meaning of this but it was relaxed high roofed and the black stuff was good along with my excellent tea,
A camembert starter and really champion piece of steak.

We chatted with Marry and a lady who works in a governmental office in Wexford town but soon decided that enough was enough. It had been a long day.

I’m typing this now just before breakfast. We have a full schedule today and move off to tullamore tonight.

Fab Friday Update

{That’s it, the end of another working week. I’m on my way home from Broxbourne now and apart from a few phone calls that’s me until my flight out on Monday.

This weekend will find me venturing once more in to the wilds of Essex to hunt out the fine liquid from the Nethergate brewery. Apart from that I have nothing else planned.

Public transport has been kind to me this week, I’ve acquired a cane as I won’t be taking Jaidy with me to Ireland. She’s going to have a weeks holiday with James, June and the husky named Shadow. These will be her new owners once she retires. Well, Shadow won’t own jaid but the people will.

The days are getting colder and soon the clocks will go back. That means winter, cold dark evenings and nearing the December festivities. It also means the cask strength peaty beasts and sherry monsters of malt will stomp out of bottles and titely lidded cartons to do battle with strong mysterious nourishing ales. Dark unctuous Olaroso sherry and complex port will watch from the sidelines waiting for the mince pies to come out and frolic. It means stews, roasts, jacket spuds and all kinds of British food. Basically this is a time of year I rather like.c 30 in a few weeks and am rather looking forward to it. I don’t think anything will change but I will reflect more on this later.

Hi-DeHi

It's more than 20 years since Hi-De-Hi! that mishmash of slapstick and camp flickered on to our screens and Clare and I went to a celebration of the programme in Dovercourt Essex. The event took place in the Cliff Hotel and this was fitting as it had been the hotel used by the caste and crew of the show when filming in the quiet coastal town. I'm not a particularly big fan of this comedy but it’s authors Jimmy Perry and David Croft have written Some classics of britcom. examples are dad's army, you rang m lord, Are you being served?, Oh, Doctor Beeching!, It Aint Half Hot Mum and 'Allo 'Allo!.

This has to put them up with people like Ray Galton, Alan Simpson, Steve Coogan, Peter Kay, Craig Cash, Caroline aherne ETC ETC as some of our best comedy script writers ever. For this reason and the fact some of the actors were also in da house it was an honor to be at the event.

On arriving In Dovercourt with Trekker guiding and the dogs lending a hand we found the hotel and made a slightly unorthodox entrance through the fire doors. Immediately we were met by the actress Sue Pollard who exclaimed that we must have traveled a long way, that we should have tea and cakes and ushered our bewildered selves in to a room full of VIPs and a loud parrot called Charley who it transpired Sue Pollard had spent time teaching to say F off!

All the actors such as Sue Pollard, Nikki Kelly Jeffrey Holland and his wife Judy Buxton were ever so friendly and all gave much time to us.

It felt strange being in a bar with Sue Pollard and some of the other cast members when everyone's slightly squify at 1:30 AM, but after a lovely dinner and much laughter and fun it was natural.

We had a cracking time with some lovely people and all preconceptions aside I really enjoyed the 24 hours we spent.

manningtree station

Clare and I are at Manningtree station just 10 minutes from
Ipswich waiting to change trains on our way to dovercourt. I was
really happy and surprised to find a small friendly local pub on
the platform Only gk beers but the old bob was on good form with
the locals watching the rugby game. The bar opens at 5 am on a
weekday for the railway workers to have a pint or two. This is
useful to know before a beer festival too.
I know the station is rather full of people getting on and off
trains in the week so could this be the reason?
another attraction is the bar sells home made food till 1 in the
afternoon and sandwiches.

I hope this gets to the blog as I am sending from my pk using
gprs.

Mixed Bag

We’re nearing the end of another week. Interesting work for the last few days and lots to do next week before my trip to natter with the good people in Ireland, get the malt out Derry!

Life is pretty quiet at the moment. Seann should be coming down for a birthday bash in Ipswich the weekend before me 30th in November and I’ve asked a few people over for that. Its probably going to be a few beers and malts and lots of food and details are being worked out at the moment so if anyone fancies it let me know because I’m sure to have forgotten to ask people.

Clare and I are off to a comedy night and expo thing on Saturday which I’ll blog about next week.

Dave and I made it on to the news section of www.whisky-pages.com which is rather cool.

Terry Clasper found out that attaching a USB extension to the PK will let one use a memory stick in the device and that is a rather nifty thing to be able to do with the little beastie.
I was in Epsom on Thursday evening having a drink with Don and Andrew and fun was had. This does however lead me on to commenting on the Rising Sun a year since the re-opening.

They have totally ruined the pub. Walked in to a room full of suits and was told by a uninterested robotic eassten European bar made the only beers they had on were bitter special and bombardier. Totally sad, and naff. Chris and Mark weren’t even in the place which says something. Young’s you are naughty naughty naughty!

I expect the food is still top but I won’t be returning. Bland in the extreme.

Moving back to last week Clare and I went to a free Sonday dinner at the Rose and Crown in Ipswich which was lovely cooked by Mary and everyone had a fun time. The beers were varied and the jokes and good humor were much in evident. Nice one Nigel!

Islay and Bruichladdich Report

My holiday on Islay with two dear friends was a magical experience and I've
got a few memories to share.

We touched down on Sunday evening and were met by our taxi driver Stuart
Doyle who was to be our savior that evening once refreshments had been taken
in some of Islay's hostelries. He drove us to the academy house and we were
met with offers of tea, coffee, beer and whisky so after dropping our things
went outside for a dram of Brichladdich 12 year. The air in Islay is
something else and when you're at bruichladdich it's salty and crisp as you
are virtually on an Atlantic beech in the warehouses you can feel this damp
wind and it must influence the whisky especially after 15 years in cask in
these conditions and I for one believe it does. Whisky is lost through the
porous wood and air enters.

That evening we ate Islay steaks and scallops at the Port Charlotte Hotel
and then went to the ebullient Lochindaal Hotel
http://www.lochindaal.freeserve.co.uk/ and chatted to it's fun barman Iain
Maclellan with a few more drams and beers.

Back at home Dave and I went drunkenly out in the lashing wetness to have an
explore and nearly got lost as the battery in the GPS gave out. It was fun
though and something different. The idea was for a midnight dram beside
Lochindaal and had we known that just by standing outside the distillery
we'd have been in the correct spot things would have been simpler for us.

Monday saw us taking in a well done tour at Laphroaig, a lovely dram of
Lagavulin finished in rich sherry casks offered to us by Kirsten as we
passed by the distillery and then dinner at Ardbeg along with a drop or two
of the local Islay Ale.

We found out that from now on Ardbeg is going to be matured on the mainland,
well a large portion of it anyway because basically LVMH are too tight to
build more warehousing for the stocks. Will this change the taste? Maybe,
but we were told that Islay and mainland stocks would be blended together so
nobody should know the difference. This to me is a disappointing attitude
for a company as rich as LVMH who offer luxury and exclusivity

We then went for a superb tea at the academy house and up above a cliff with
Duncan McGillivray the manager and our academy friends for another very
windswept dram Life couldn't get better. Thanks also on the Monday for
Emma's lift.

The academy was wonderful I won't go in to huge detail as people can find
all this on the web but everyone was amazing. Dave and I were in the thick
of it moving casks, filling, mashing, lobbing in the fruity smelling yeast,
distilling and sniffing spirit with the Budgie and working in the bottling
hall.

I enjoyed the filling with Grant and the crew. We were filling 1998 Laddi
in to Madera drums after it had been vatted in one of the huge tanks. This
will probably go to make up a batch of Bruichladdich Waves a whisky I noted
a month or two ago. It will be interesting to watch this expression over
the next year because it's getting a little older.

We also were able to taste some amazing casks in the warehouses including a
brilliant Macallan aced in a Red Ridge zinfandel cask, a Glenlivvet 1977 and
a sinewy 17 year old Glenfarclas from second fill sherry which for me made
time stand still in the damp and lovely smelling building.

Thursday was the day of truth and it was decided between Dave and I that we
would purchase a cask of Bruichladdich spirit aged in first fill bourbon
from the buffalo Trace distillery in the USA. Its cask 1066 from 2007 and
was looking and smelling lovely as we fondly patted its wooden rump. Jim
McEwan had personally selected this cask for us but may have bashed in the
bung a little too hard as Duncan managed to brake the little wooden critter
in two as he extracted it for Dave and I to pay homage to the spirit so we
now have half each. Phil Dave and I then went to a top secret
installation and tried some extremely peaty Bruichladdich called Octomore,
with Duncan the distillery manager. These warehouses were up on a hill in
Port Charlotte and very old. Jaid had a wale of a time scampering around
the sellers snuffling and sniffling.

Everyone passed the exam at the end even Jaid who received a doggy
certificate. It must be said that on the last night we really did have a
drammy or two.

We were looked after like royalty by everyone at the distillery from Mary
and Rae in the accommodation to the manager who made sure that everyone had
a time to remember. We must have put on at least half a stone with the
beautifully cooked grub and the standard was exceptional. I can still taste
the whisky cream.

Friday saw our friends going home but one remained and kindly took us over
to Jura in his car. The Ireland was really windswept and cold. The
distillery tour was a little impersonal but the tour guides had fetched out
some models of the stills for Dave and I to look at which was thoughtful.
Our venison burgers and Murphy's after the tour set us up for a brilliant
tour of Bunnahabhain distillery in the afternoon and for me this was the
best tour of the week. John the manager was such a nice chap and our drams
of this under-rated malt tasted perfect after the experience.

Friday night was another cracker with Mark Reynier and Simon Coughlin two
of the owners from Bruichladdich having a pint or two and some animated
discussion with us in the Port Charlotte Hotel. We then ate a beautiful
Rogan and went to meet up with Grant from the Bruichladdich warehouses for
some pints and Drams. This was another highlight for me as he had asked us
out for a drink at the Lochindaal Hotel and is a genuine gentle giant of a
man.

With wringing heads we boarded the twin prop on Saturday and headed home.
Clare and I will be on Islay next year. Philip also has a cask of Aaron
going over to the distillery soon so would love to make it's acquaintance.

Pictures may be found on Dave's FaceBook pages at
http://www.facebook.com/p/Dave_Williams/780216527

randomness

Ryanaire were most efficient throughout the flight and the assistance I received in Stansted and Dublin was superb. I managed a trip to the World of Whiskeys shop which is on the concourse just after security an purchased a 10 ear old Mccalan cask strength matured in sherry wood and a bottle of Glenmorangie Traditional matured in bourbon and at cask strength. Dave is a fan of Morangie so I’ll inflict it on him over the summer some time. Both these bottles are duty-free exclusives so I’m rather pleased with my purchases.

I was actually lucky to get the flight as though most of my chattels made it to London for the change to the airport my passport didn’t. I had to have Clare put it in a taxi which actually arrived at the airport not long after Jaid and I.

What a civilised idea from the good people at Porterhouse Ireland. Buy a pint of some of the best stout or other beers in Dublin and get a 20 minute voucher to use WIFI on the premise. This could annoy detractors who may argue that pansy business types should bugger off to work with all those sodding laptops ETC but I personally think it’s a fantastic idea and as the bloke behind the bar told me on Thursday, its encouraged those who wouldn’t have thought to go for a pub lunch or even an email catch up to try them after Irelands smoking ban.

I met up with Derry and Martha in the Shelburne hotel apparently the hangout of stars such as bono and Geldoff. Maybe this is the place they discuss saving the world revelling in the rich interior and expensive drinks. Apparently they go in to a room known as the constitution room and in the Irish constitution was written betwixt those walls. Bet it gives them a good sense of self importance.

Yesterday evening we had both Indian and Chinese meals depending on the person ordering and chatted for hours’.

On a bit of randomness I’ve yet to order the DT tickets but I’ll get on to that ASAP. Just hope I haven’t left it too long.

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.

Lost and Found in Truro

Last night started badly. We arrived in to Truro a little late and I disembarked with no problems apart from the fact that I’d left my work mobile on the table. I know it’s a shoddy pretext, but when they forget to announce the station and you don’t have gps on it makes one rush to get off before you’re carried away. This I did and took everything but the phone.

I called it a few times as it was wending its way to the southern most reaches of England but with nobody answering so I had to call T-Mobile and put a block on it. To make matters worse the train crew didn’t’ announce the restaurant car on the HST until it was time for it to close so I arrived after 5 hours from Paddington hungry. I did receive cake and tea though as I’d wangled my way in to first class.

The Brookdale hotel was ok but I decided to walk in to town which took around 8 minutes and sample the delights of the Old Ale house 0.4 miles away.

It was nothing special really and full of students getting hammered. After a couple of Truro’s own Skinner’s Cornish Knockers I left and went back to the Hotel for a pint of St Ostel Tribute brewed only a few miles away and this was taken in the hotel bar. If I’d known about the real ale in the hotel I probably wouldn’t have ventured out such was my melancholy at forgetting my phone but maybe with some miracle FGW lost property will turn up trumps when they finally open today.

I’ll post this later as I have no web access at the moment and I have to call FGW.

OK, calls later and breakfast complete I took the expensive cab to my customer and on route called the office to tell them I’d lost the phone. Luckily for me the driver was privy to the conversation and mentioned that a phone had been found in a cab last night. Even luckier that phone turned out to be mine!!! So I’m much happier now with the visit complete, my phone back and two as the driver put it ‘roeet good traditional Cornish pasties’ steaming away in a bag. One for dinner and the other for tea on my trip to Bournemouth.

Exeter I’m on my way!

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.

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.

Dram this Snow

Well stone me it’s snowing outside. Such was the slushiness of it all I got a taxi to the station for my 6:13 train to Cambridge today, I’d normally walk the 1.7 miles to the station if it’s fine but not in the snow, I’m not tramping up and down hills and getting wet through from passing traffic for anyone especially at half 5 before any sensible people are out of bed. ‘It’s cold’ I thought as I stood on platform 1 of Ipswich Railway station my hand rapped around a particularly crap cup of tea purchased from one of the concessions nearby.

My usual whisky postings have dried up a late but this is set to change over the next week or two as I’ve some interesting old Ardbegs to taste plus a Welsh whisky. I’ve got plenty at home to get through but just haven’t been drinking much whisky lately. Living near the Dove Inn has rekindled my interest in beer but the expanding gut means I’ll have to change my ways soon.

A Unique Travel Experience for the Visually Impaired with Traveleyes and TrekkeR

Finally the info is on the Humanware.ca web pages. I met up with Amar Latif, from Traveleyes in leeds just before the release of Trekker 3 and he was intrigued by the technology and the opportunities it would open up for him as an independent traveler. It was a pleasure to drink coffee and talk with him and help bring our two respective companies and ideas together with our Humanware technology enhancing his ability to travel internationally.


http://(www.traveleyes.co.uk)

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.””

Anger over Ipswich Bus Cuts - I'm in the Paper!!

A photographer from The Evening Star came and took pictures of Jaid and I at a bus stop last weekend. I won’t print the email I sent them that triggered the lull in my beery weekend but have asked for an accessible copy of the article that resulted.

I thank Mr Smart for tthe below as the cutbacks would impact Clare and I along with other carless people in the town.

“YOUR coverage of the proposed reduction in Ipswich bus services is a timely reminder
to anyone who thinks that 'all politicians are the same' of the huge difference there
still exists between the parties locally.
In the years when the council was controlled by Labour it was happy to continue to
own Ipswich Buses, rather than sell it off, as it believes that public transport
should be accountable to local people and the company should put the development
of local bus services before the need to make profits. This was very successful and
more people use buses in Ipswich than in similar towns, like Norwich, that do not
have their own bus company.
This is not unlike the company model adopted by the government when it set up 'Network
Rail' to replace the ill-fated (and profit motivated) 'Railtrack' that it inherited
from the Tories.
Having admitted 'Railtrack' was a mistake, the Tories who now run the council with
the Liberal Democrats, seem determined to make the same mistake with Ipswich Buses
and turn it into a money-making enterprise for the Council. Ipswich Buses will continue
to make a modest dividend for the Council but this expectation has to be reasonable.
Just at the time when concern for the environment is at the top of the national agenda
with talk of 'green taxes', the Tory council wants to 'tax' the things that are 'green'.
Ipswich is getting ready to become a university town and re-establish its reputation
as a safe place to visit at night. This is not the time to be reducing late evening
buses (all fitted with CCTV), if anything we should be running more.
The new, clean engine, buses that went into service this week (ordered before the
Council announced its intentions) are a good example of what is possible when the
company is allowed to invest its money back into improving services. Alas these may
be the last new buses we see for some time.
May I conclude my letter by reassuring older readers that this has nothing to do
with the recent change to 'free fares' for pensioners. Almost all the extra money
for this came from the Labour government who support better bus services.
Councillor Philip Smart (Labour)”

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.