Monthly Archives: February 2017

The Hop

Appearances can very much be deceiving. I’d noticed the Hop, but from a distance it looked nasty; all glass and neon. But the barman in the Cap and Collar told me I’d get a nice beer and something to eat there. 

I also had a conversation with said barman about how the bar (the Cap and Collar) resembled one in Town. He asked whether I was referring to the Split Chimp. To say I was surprised is something of an understatement. It transpired that he’d never been in the Split Chimp, but had heard of it because it was the first micropub in Newcastle. It’s funny how word gets around. 

Anyway, I’m now in the Hop with a very nice pizza. Thoughts of a fourth beer are quickly fading. 

Saltaire

I generally try to avoid staying overnight for work, but there wasn’t a lot of choice today. Without the company of colleagues. In Shipley. 

And that pretty much sums it up. I’m seriously unimpressed with Shipley. No, that’s a little strong. I’ve been here a few times, but haven’t needed to stay over before. It’s a nice enough place in daylight; the canal’s quite pretty and there are some really nice Victorian buildings. 

But, after a shower, I decided on a beer before finding somewhere to eat (nothing vegan in the hotel). I wandered into the House that is a home (it might not really be called that, I didn’t stay long enough to take note). A lovely old building, it was horrible inside. 

So I walked to Saltaire. Where I stumbled across the Cap and Collar, a craft beer bar. It’s small, but the barman understood my request for unfined beer. And I’d barely sat down with a pint when Elbow’s one day like this  was played on the radio. The place resembles the Box Social in Town too, so I’m feeling quite at home. 

I spotted another couple of decent looking pubs on my walk; there’s one next door. Which means I can have another beer or two on my way back to Shipley. 

Fireplace

While Blackburn might not be anywhere near our list of favourite places, our new fireplace was worth the trip. It’s now (sort of) in its new home. 

It’s a bit yellow right now, but it’s in great condition and will will fit in nicely when I’ve cleaned it up. 

Also in need of a clean up is our new coffee table. 

John O’Gaunt

I’m pretty sure I’ve mentioned Ye Olde John O’Gaunt before, a few years ago. 

It’s a nice pub, in Lancaster. Apparently, Oliver Reed once had a pee there. 

Blackburn II

Well, we’re now back in Blackburn. We’d have returned later, but there’s work on the line tonight and, if we’d not caught this train, we’d have had a replacement bus service – two hours later. 

Anyway, I now have a bottle if Tucher. In Blackburn. 

I may never be critical of Preston again. 

Blackburn

My second in command isn’t impressed with Blackburn. We decided to stay over when picking up eBay purchases. 

The hotel’s pretty nice, so all was positive when we embarked on a search fo decent beer and food. 

So, an hour later, we arrived at the station, looking for a sensible return destination. Which turned out to be Preston. Yes, Preston. 

I’ve never been here for non-work purposes; well, not until today. My second in command was quite taken by the place. I hadn’t expected that. 

Floor

I’ve not been committing a lot of time to the spare room lately, so hadn’t gotten very far since before Christmas.

I made an effort today, though, so the floor’s now back down, removing the risk of creating a new, quicker route to the kitchen. 

The vent on the far wall has been the subject of some discussion recently; it hinted at the possibility of a bricked-up fireplace. 

So, we made the obvious decision to explore further. 

George Bray

While replacing floorboards in the spare bedroom, I found a small box. 

The box, now in our bin since it seems to have been partially eaten many years ago by a mouse, had contained a (coal) gas burner. At ninepence, it wasn’t cheap in 1906. Its location suggests that the house had town gas lighting installed around that time. 

King Cobra

Ok, so most people will have a bottle of Tiger or Cobra in a restaurant with a curry. I have one of those. 

Well, I have a Cobra. But not just any old Cobra. I have King Cobra. It’s slightly dangerous at 8%, but it does taste rather nice. 

The food is quite good too.