Category Archives: Microbus

Radio

I don’t listen to the radio enough. Last week, Radio 5 Live were in the bar for a live broadcast. It was a two hour politics programme, with a focus on next month’s local elections.

This was one of four programmes, from Cardiff, Birmingham, Gateshead and Edinburgh. I didn’t think in advance to ask why Gateshead was included. There was something of a transport theme, so I could understand why they were interested in the bar. But Gateshead.

I was impressed with how well run the programme was. Yes, I know that the BBC’s been doing this a while, but there was a lot going on and it somehow fitted together seamlessly.

The dog made her radio debut too. It wasn’t planned, but we did learn that she either likes or dislikes tap dancing. Her reaction to this was very much the same as to cocktail shakers. She was pretty loud.

Matt Chorley, the presenter, proved to be a genuinely nice guy, as was Ian, the sound engineer. They stood out, but everyone was great.

Yesterday, a week later, a couple from Barnsley came in the bar. They stayed a while, longer than their one planned drink. They’re in the area for the beer scene; it happens regularly.

Weirdly, one does work for a beer related radio station. I’d never heard of it, and need to look it up, but she records short sections in bars and asked if it’d be ok to this.

They were really nice people too. Maybe the radio attracts nice people.

Birthdays II

The bar’s birthday party actually took place a couple of days early. Because bars can’t have a birthday on a weekday.

While a silly amount of planning was involved, the day was pretty special. People are still talking about it.

Some pretty cool people were there on the day too.

Birthdays

I’ve never really been into birthdays. Maybe I’ve had a lot of disappointments; I don’t know. But, since my late 20s (which was a long time ago), I just haven’t bothered.

But, four years ago, with three partners, I opened a bar. Because I wasn’t into birthdays, the bar opened on my birthday. I did say that I wasn’t bothered but, after weeks of hard work, I probably needed a night off.

The thing about a night (or day) off, it’s sort of expected that you have one on your birthday. Of course, that’s not always possible. I had a ‘proper’ job for a long time and having a birthday free was never an issue. Although I wasn’t too bothered back then.

Well, there was always the ability to get time off when you needed (or wanted) it.

It’s not quite so simple when you run a bar.

I don’t want to turn this into a moan about getting time off when running a bar. It’s not.

I think I’d have liked a day off on my birthday this year (it was a big one). I should probably have conveyed that to my colleagues. Things have been busy.

That’s four birthdays in the bar that I’ve worked. The last couple were start to finish.

Going forward, I probably just need to say I’m having a day off. Or maybe I should retire.

Retirement

For me, early retirement happened six and a bit years ago. It lasted just a few months.

Getting involved in a pub was an accident, one of those random things you do after a drink, in the heat of the moment, or in a moment of insanity.

But that pub led to a little cooperative opening a little bar in a sorely neglected part of Gateshead.

It’s hard work and my retirement went out the window (because, if you run a bar, you should be there – in my opinion, that is).

We’re a partnership. We agree mostly, but sometimes we don’t. And somehow it works.

It’s not the best paid job, sometimes it’s not paid at all. But we have a bar. In Gateshead. And it’s the best bar in Gateshead.

And the bestest ever moment, is sitting with a beer, waiting for the next bus after the bar’s closed for the day.

The bestest.

Minor changes

We made some small changes in the bar the other day. It was a lot of work though, meaning we had to close for the day.

We’ve had some decent feedback over the last couple of days, so it was worth the effort.

Garden

I’ve spent a nice afternoon in the garden, painting and tidying up.

In the three years of the bar, with a couple of years beforehand at the Schooner, I’d not spent much time in what is actually a great little garden.

The next job, delayed from a time when I had a proper job, will be to fit a stove in the old shed at the top of the garden.

At the rate I’m going, I should get round to that next year.

When

When you know your time has passed.

When you had a 40 year career and played it safe, even though the last decade and a bit was pretty exciting.

When you embarked on something new (after a brief something new that didn’t work out).

And then found/made something pretty cool. But, then you’re too old to take it to its full potential.

It’s a bit shit really. And good at the same time.

I’m probably good for a couple of years, so let’s see where this goes.