Due to a Network Rail arch inspection, the bar is closed and we’ve some time off.
Quality time with the dog.

Due to a Network Rail arch inspection, the bar is closed and we’ve some time off.
Quality time with the dog.
You know, I resisted the pressure to bring a hound into our lives for a very long time.
And then, after beer, I gave in one night.
I don’t regret it for a second. I love this girl.
A night off, so here’s a picture of a dog with her head out of a campervan window.
Northern Kin, a dog friendly festival.
Some dog pictures from pubs in Newcastle the other night. She’s possibly the cutest dog ever.
I didn’t really want a dog, but once persuaded, I wanted a pub dog. I couldn’t have asked a better pub dog; or a better dog. Life wouldn’t be the same without her.
We did the family stuff in Peterborough last night/today. Obviously that involved some favourite pubs. Here’s the dog with a glass of wine in one.
This evening has been spent in Kings Lynn. We particularly enjoyed the Nip and Growler.
Where the dog enjoyed a great pint of black IPA and a decent pilsner.
Kings Lynn; a very pretty place. Well worth a visit, although it’s a bit sparse on good pubs with proper beer.
So, me, my beloved and the hound had a pleasant evening on Thursday in Peterborough.
We weren’t there for the best of reasons, a funeral.
Roadworks meant we arrived later than we’d have liked, but we still managed most of the bits that mattered: the Bumble Inn, the Ostrich, the Draper’s Arms, the College Arms (ok, so the last one’s awful).
We met a lovely guy in the Ostrich, from Cramlington originally, but he’s lived in Peterborough for a couple of decades. He’s a Gateshead supporter though.
This morning (yesterday really, I guess), I had a big decision to make. While my beloved was at the funeral, I could either fill in the pub gap from the previous night (just two), or go for a walk with the dog.
Surprisingly, I decided on the latter.
So, the hound and I walked along the Nene, ending up on the Green Wheel route. I’d cycled that way a few years ago, but it’s so much slower on foot, even with a two year old dog.
Anyway, we had a lovely walk this morning/afternoon.
And then it rained. And snowed (the hailstones we’re a killer).
The dog doesn’t like rain. So she didn’t like (or understand) hailstones. We were caught out in the open.
My usual plan in such circumstances would be to seek a pub. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an option, since I was on a bike path. That left me with a choice; continue on the path back to Peterborough, or seek shelter.
I decided on the latter, ending up in Stanground. That probably wasn’t my best decision.
With no shelter in Stanground, other than a leaky bus shelter, we waited to be rescued by my beloved. We were a bit wet at that point.
Proper wet.
A year or two ago, my beloved broke one of my bendy (recycled) wine glasses.
The dog broke another tonight. They’re not precious or anything, but they’re over 20 years old and I’ve not seen anything like them.
We still have two though.
A new first. Watching TV, with the dog lying next to me. She was asleep.
But then she started kicking me. I looked at her, then she moved her leg for a belly rub.
After hearing about a new micropub in Durham, we had to take a look. The Holy GrAle is definitely worth a visit; a really decent range of cask and keg.
And a pretty lovely Marble imperial stout, 10.5%.
Since we were in the area, we also called in the rather excellent Station House.
And the Waiting Room.
Unfortunately, the dog experienced her first delayed train (waiting for an ambulance).
After her ordeal, she needed gin in Newcastle.