Dead men’s spectacles

While I always buy one or two regular pairs of glasses whenever I have an eye test, I tend to wear these only for work or around the house.

For my preferred glasses, though, I also buy frames from Dead Men’s Spex, a great site with lots of amazing frames. I tend to by rolled gold, small frames; mostly by Algha.

My current pair, from the late 1800s, are probably the best I’ve ever managed to find. They were ‘new old stock’, so unused despite being around 120 years old.

Sadly, they’re now getting a little creaky, so it was time to think about a new pair. There are a few pairs on the Dead Men’s Spex site, but none are unused.

So I’ve had to resort to a new pair of glasses. Fortunately, Algha are still in business, making glasses by hand in London. Ok, so they’re not quite the age I’d have liked, and they’re somewhat more expensive, but they do look very similar.

The Ostrich and the Bumble Inn

The Bumble Inn, in Peterborough, opened a couple of years ago, but it has unusual and short opening hours. As a result, it’s taken me ages to catch the place open.

It was mostly populated by middle aged, real ale types. But there was a nice feel about the place and a choice of unfined beer.

And, over a year since our last visit, we called in to the Ostrich. It was already one of the best pubs in the city, it’s now made the full switch to craft beer.

Most impressive was the guest ale board, with a Buxton tap takeover.

Almost every one’s fish free too.

CAMRA

I feel like a spy. Or something like that. We’re in Charters, which (as I’ve mentioned occasionally in the past) is one of my favourite bars. And probably the best in Peterborough.

This weekend, they have a beer festival, with around 20 guest beers on cask. There’s discount for CAMRA members too.

I almost paid full price until my second in command prompted me. While I don’t carry my card, the accepted its picture.

So, we’re members of the Tyneside and Northumberland branch. Which kind of makes us undercover.

Candlestick

We’re currently enjoying a beer in the Cluny, waiting for food. After shopping in Team Valley, the beer was hard earned.

We also called in to the vintage furniture place, under the arches, buying a lovely knackered old candlestick. That’s it above.

Boho

As it’s my 49th birthday tomorrow, my second in command decided on a meal in the Bohemian in town. If you don’t know it, it’s a vegan restaurant on Pink Lane.

And the food’s incredible.

This was our first visit to Boho, but it definitely won’t be the last.

Two wise guys

Just home from a rare school night in town. We went to see Karl playing drums or, rather, Two Wise Guys. Apart from a catch-up, there was good music. All a man needs.

Detroit Social Club

After an absence of several years, Detroit Social Club are back. With a tour and new material. They’re only playing small venues, but they’re almost starting from scratch again.

They’re very much on form though and put on an excellent performance last night.