Footpads

Back up to Clapham for the Festerers reunion and the New Inn was in chaos, as new people had taken over the pub only the day before.  They coped well though and we had a great time.
On the Saturday a few of us walked around Ingleton through the woods up to the top of the waterfalls. I have a new phone, and didn't realise it was on min resolution for the pictures!

At the top we were accosted by the criminals who demand £6.00 before you can walk to the main road, so we turned around and went back.
 I always thought that England was a free country, and I am sick of these thieves posing as companies who will charge you to walk through part of the countryside. Lock them up.


Had a couple of days in Sheffield for the BeerX exhibition, stopping at the Holiday Inn Express (fantastic hotel - just refurbished I think) just opposite the old canal basin.

. There is a great brewery tap on the station platform, with the brewery right next to the tables in the bar, and with useless bar staff. "Oh yes, this beer is cloudy because that is how the brewer brews it". I suppose it is supposed to be flat and oxidized as well!

 I found remains of one old brewery, not part off the police station I think.

The exhibition was at the Ponds Forge centre, All new buildings on an old site.
Even with all the modernisation there were still a few old buildings remaining.

A couple of us went to the Fat Cat and by lucky chance, found out it was Pie and a pint night.  Had a superb Steak and mushroom pie, and flat beer.  Have they not heard of sparklers in Sheffield ?

Racheal Sermani was back at the met for a short concert in the studio with Pete Roe. I love the studio at the Met, it is small and has a great atmosphere.

Animals and whistles

We went to the Grand at Clitheroe to see the Animals and Friends. This is a great venue and has completely changed since I was here for school presentations many years ago. The ever fabulous Stumble were on first and they were on fire - literally. During the last song, the fire alarm went off.  Everybody just ignored it because the music  was so good.

 Cam later told me that one of the amps had blown up, setting the alarm off.
To be honest, after such a set, the Animals were ok, but the Stumble were just so much better.


We had the Big Whistle Folk Festival at the Met mid Feb, but I only got chance to see the fabulous Rachel Sermanni on the Saturday Afternoon as I was too busy making beer!

On the following weekend we set up the 2nd Ramsbottom Beer Festival for the RNLI. This was a bit quieter this year, probably due to being in the middle of the month.  46 hand-pulled beers were on , and we raised £1200 for the RNLI.  Not as good as last year, so next year we will have to do better.