Trains and Beer.

Had a day out in York by booking first class special offers on east coast.  We arrived at 11:00, so I decided to go to the Railway Museum first.
The others were a bit sceptical until we got in to the main arena.

 This is Real engineering from when Britain had real Engineers.

Quite a discussion with the Dark Lord over the phase shifting going on within the valve gear of the Evening Star.

A good engineering discussion usually calls for a couple of beers to wash it down with.  So we adjourned to the Maltings for a pint or three.

From the maltings we went around the corner to York brewery, where I was barred from entering their "design a beer" competition.  Obviously scared of the superior Lancashire intellect from the civilised side of the pennines.
A wander into town got us a decent pint in the Golden Fleece, Yorks most haunted pub.
Went into the Guy Fawkes and had the most fantastic steak pie.  Lovely thick pastry, and tender chunky steak.  MMMMM!

Music Mad...

Stopped at the Pied Bull in Chester to see Mark Radcliffe and the Big Figures playing at Alexanders.  Had a couple of pints in the Bull, and nearly got embroiled in the pub quiz.  Went over to Alexanders, which is a great, semi open air venue.  The band were great, but I missed half the second half because I was busy talking to Jock "Mahone" outside.

 Then it was off to Hitchin Folk Club at the Sun to see Richard Digance. He had Doug Morter and Gerry Donahue playing a couple of songs. It seems Doug Morter was at school with Richard.

Stopped in the Sun, where you can get the best breakfast I have found to date in Hertfordshire.

 Wednesday and I was off to the Putney Half moon to see the Accoustic Gathering. Being accoustic there was no Clive Bunker, who I consider the worlds most entertaining drummer, But Doug Morter, Ray Jackson and Gerry Donahue performed a brilliant evening of music, including some of my favourite Lindisfarne songs.

Friday, and it was back to the Met to see the Stumble.  Fantastic Blues, and fantastic show.

  Its hard work taking a hot when the lead singer is wearing white though!

Last outing, went to see Lau at Camridge.  The Junction is a great little venue just 5 mins walk from the train station.

 I was sat next to Martin Greens Baby sitter!  I presume from when he was young...

Old Music, Old Brewery

Friday night, we managed to blag our way into Rammy Festival for the last hour to see Steve Cropper and the Animals.  What a great night!






Rusty is getting adventurous

Down at Elgoods brewery to judge the beer for the east of England competition.  Wisbech (pronounced "Vizbik" by the majority of the population these days) used to be a great port.  Now the only boats seem to be pleasure craft.  There are some great old buildings lining the river though.

 I stopped in the White Lion, which now has a superb breakfast.

A great day out at Elgoods brewery, where I had Brewsters Pale Ale, probably the freshest tasting hoppy pale ale I have ever had from a bottle.

Whoa Black pudding, Bam-a-lam

We had the World Black Pudding throwing championships on Sunday.

I was chatting to the new world champion in the bar later on.  It's nice to see that world fame hasn't changed him and he still has time to have a couple of pints with his mates.

Another wonderful Monday morning.  I just love sitting in traffic.

New cat, old Music

(Finally!) got to the boat for a couple of hours. First thing to do was to have a clear out. I then finished fitting the floorboards, and moved the bench to the starboard side.  As all the plumbing, and most of the wiring would be on the port side, this made more sense.






Clean boat



The latest member of staff at the brewery is Rusty, the Brewery cat, in charge of intruder control and dealing with awkward customers.






Wednesday night I saw Elkie Brooks at Radlett theatre.  It was ok, but not amazing.  It seemed to me like she didn't really have the enthusiasm any more.

Cropredy capers

Down to Cropredy again for the Fairport Convention. I stopped the night before at Wormleighton Hall in Southam.  This is a working farm that does accomodation and what a great place.  I will have to come here again when I can stop for a couple of days because as soon as you arrive, you are relaxed!  I wandered down the road to the Wharf at Fenny Compton for a couple of pints, had a great nights sleep, then a fantastic breakfast in the farmhouse.

Arrived at Cropredy early and set up the tent.  I've got a new tent as I have lost the tent poles for my Summit, and replacements aren't available.  I've got a £30 tent and it seems ok. Not sure what it will be like in bad weather though!

If anyone has any ideas how to get new poles for an Aztec Summit 2 tent, please let me know before winter!

I got a cup of coffee, and had a wander down the canal. there were some really nice paint jobs, especially these side doors and matching painted front.

I decided to spend an hour, while waiting for the music to start, sat at the side of the canal with a beer.  A pleasant time chatting to a few people became better when the cheese boat arrived.  Then tragedy - no cheese.  The cheese boat had run out of cheese :-(

A great night at the festival, Hayseed Dixie were superb but I thought UB40 were tedious.

Friday afternoon we wandered over to the Hare and Hounds at Wardington. Had a pint or five in the beer garden while throwing things at aunt Sally!  Funny things they do down south.  Then we went back to Croredy for the the Friday Afternoon session.


Some people really know how to enjoy the summer weather.

A great night on Friday with the Urban Folk Quartet, the Coral, and Seasick Steve.

Saturday morning I'm back in my usual position, sat by Bridge 152, lock 25 with a cup of coffee.




NB Dreamweaver came past and this has got to be the best paint job I have ever seen on a boat. And what a huge dog for a boat!

I was heading back to watch Richard Digence with his graveyard shift but just called in to the Cricket club to get the scores. Another wicket as soon as I walked in.  I got a pint, turned around and - Another wicket!!  This soon turned out into quite a surreal conversation in the Cricket club.
"With they all be out in time to see the Blockheads?"
"They had all better be out soon because I don't want to miss Lau"
Another pint and England had won.  Straight back to the concert and caught the last half of the Blockheads, who are fantastic even without the legendary Ian Drury.
Lau followed but were a bit subdued.  Talking to them afterwards they had just arrived that afternoon from Edinburgh and were knackered.

Yum, yum!

Dinner in Our Mutual Friend, in Stevenage.  Carla's mother is now doing some fine food, so I had to have the fantastic Lasagne, washed down with a couple of pints of course!