Blog Tracker
26-03-2022, 21:36
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/03/a-brief-catch-up.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFn6li9ROVZCG-AbnLmAITEDqVeJbPxKmH03LRIC9j1HYmXOa6I5skBLbBs7KGZ_ 1PbO8ypSs9S8n6WL4tBtOyK0uBOa2ZzkNfw2wd4yvxDMi_es3u NtUK1oawW4qI-Hh67WFvu3_MZf5Cr2xkvO-PcPQw-YoXaA83uRqifiZgaJcfidZlMfyl6A-/s320/Bus%20Plaxtol.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFn6li9ROVZCG-AbnLmAITEDqVeJbPxKmH03LRIC9j1HYmXOa6I5skBLbBs7KGZ_ 1PbO8ypSs9S8n6WL4tBtOyK0uBOa2ZzkNfw2wd4yvxDMi_es3u NtUK1oawW4qI-Hh67WFvu3_MZf5Cr2xkvO-PcPQw-YoXaA83uRqifiZgaJcfidZlMfyl6A-/s1126/Bus%20Plaxtol.jpg)
I went on another bus trip yesterday, and it’s almost as though these days out, by public transport, have become a regular Friday event.Yesterday’s trip was organised by West Kent CAMRA, and whilst I am no longer a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, I am still on their mailing list, and receive regular updates along with their newsletter. Prior to lock-down, the branch introduced these end of the week bus trips as a means of getting out into parts of the branch area that were either difficult, or even impossible to reach during the evening. I am referring of course, to being able to reach outlying locations by public transport, and whilst this provides a reasonable service during the day, public transport is nearly always, non-existent at night. The situation doesn’t really apply to rail services, as these tend to run well into the evening, but on the other hand, trains run to far fewer places than buses
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfXXadnBFO4eBHnKzPDtKwJT6yL0-tzvKDxwTH_GFQeUELiOdu2rsjviuGwHHw9zDLxRuC_s5UelmcU 2eUWt6s2h7CcthcexOmc2K2W42dsgX4PNeMUuhbibU334d9sNI VKNTHXAzrNId5iOk28TpSAifxSLWQgNk7a7afbiTzCBIIZvLjK ka-dU/w400-h225/Chaser%20Garden.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfXXadnBFO4eBHnKzPDtKwJT6yL0-tzvKDxwTH_GFQeUELiOdu2rsjviuGwHHw9zDLxRuC_s5UelmcU 2eUWt6s2h7CcthcexOmc2K2W42dsgX4PNeMUuhbibU334d9sNI VKNTHXAzrNId5iOk28TpSAifxSLWQgNk7a7afbiTzCBIIZvLjK ka-dU/s3980/Chaser%20Garden.jpg)
By their very nature, the daytime CAMRA bus trips cater mainly for retired, or otherwise non-working people, with those in the former category usually having bus passes as well. This is where I come in, and whilst I have missed a few trips recently, due to them clashing with other events, I am happy to join my former CAMRA colleagues in visiting some of these outlying pubs, wherever possible.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfrc4pyvEkejgaWpGfc7MXat5890rz3FpHT5GX3J_-q6FnMvu7Y3npbOsbnLUSMrNhmA9petR7RwPY8cFYp7piF6dqT_ 3yI_8ZqY4laIpcKMmSgoLRigPMilKwpt6ufxgIpjBQEQaJ8Cq4 p7DI0huwpn8Phljn2lgkgsJhMzZ9WWE4pbWl_VwFu_u/w400-h231/Chaser.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfrc4pyvEkejgaWpGfc7MXat5890rz3FpHT5GX3J_-q6FnMvu7Y3npbOsbnLUSMrNhmA9petR7RwPY8cFYp7piF6dqT_ 3yI_8ZqY4laIpcKMmSgoLRigPMilKwpt6ufxgIpjBQEQaJ8Cq4 p7DI0huwpn8Phljn2lgkgsJhMzZ9WWE4pbWl_VwFu_u/s3882/Chaser.jpg)
Yesterday’s trip took in three pubs to the north of Tonbridge, including one that afforded the opportunity of a spot of lunch. Full details will be revealed in a separate post, but the really positive thing which struck all six of us who took part in the trip, was how busy all the three pubs were.The fine weather may have had something to do with it, but we got the impression that this wasn’t the overriding factor. Their popularity might have been down to the day of the week – Friday, but again I feel this was a minor factor, rather than a major one.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicmHaO0wav7z-PbsuLj8_m4fuUiQFbDnCMhFXroUQk-P4iIbOuo6H9Agd_onAa_LqirO18DYeymAJhWVDbqWLRSZWIZqG OqOFJ3gT9g4E5dM_4jHoczhPoTzlpyzSRXioNk1oXTUYhzicNi Z_Gfpv5Iro5LNNGf3KkVE9OanikBe364q706uJSGax/w400-h221/IKEA.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicmHaO0wav7z-PbsuLj8_m4fuUiQFbDnCMhFXroUQk-P4iIbOuo6H9Agd_onAa_LqirO18DYeymAJhWVDbqWLRSZWIZqG OqOFJ3gT9g4E5dM_4jHoczhPoTzlpyzSRXioNk1oXTUYhzicNi Z_Gfpv5Iro5LNNGf3KkVE9OanikBe364q706uJSGax/s3666/IKEA.jpg)
The previous day saw Mrs PBT’s and I making a trip to IKEA. The Swedish store has two outlets within relatively close distance to Bailey Towers, namely Croydon and Lakeside. We opted for the latter, as it allowed me to use my Dartford Crossing account – last used in February 2021! It is only a 30-mile/30-minute journey, but I know from the times I used to travel to Norfolk that congestion at the approaches to the Dartford Tunnel, can often considerably increase this time. Also, as Friday is invariably the worst day of the week for travelling, it made sense to schedule our visit for a Thursday.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QMsuaGFochXMkd0N0zp0hu1FsFPMiQ2oytQwU5A0NKpUnYPJnK QYLGdWXIW_hXD5pzK9Z35QHq_TiwupIRtRzL9DUrvHXEXJqyF3 rIQAT0AXulzAW1d0P06P3gmP84PlbctpG2wfjXZz-UpSMlmiQChxIdy-AW6rCyH9Uv54BrqfhfUM0B4e4ZQV/w400-h238/IKEA%20Yellow%20bags.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QMsuaGFochXMkd0N0zp0hu1FsFPMiQ2oytQwU5A0NKpUnYPJnK QYLGdWXIW_hXD5pzK9Z35QHq_TiwupIRtRzL9DUrvHXEXJqyF3 rIQAT0AXulzAW1d0P06P3gmP84PlbctpG2wfjXZz-UpSMlmiQChxIdy-AW6rCyH9Uv54BrqfhfUM0B4e4ZQV/s3413/IKEA%20Yellow%20bags.jpg)
Luck was on our side for both outward and return trips, although it is usually the former where the hold-ups occur. The stretch where the A2 joins the northbound M25 is normally a notorious bottleneck, but on Thursday we were able to maintain the 60mph speed limit. Remembering to take the older, left-hand bore, we were through the tunnel in next to no time, and after negotiating the numerous roundabouts at Thurrock, were driving into the car park at IKEA.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fkebo7psCTbb5Sd_pmqV6m843J0Pp_lJ7HUCkbmxy8 TEDQqHlexbeAnDsgeSFbkij_cFUG73XgQEFdi6Q50raM1-nMBD0htb4oHQEIDPbREJ5Q8xfWvpq_fSelqC6v3eOFjPiMuyY0 HUOsbRMHH5fqCIpySEr0z1h8FxSZc-ML_F5mVV_8BhVueb/w400-h231/IKEA%20Canteen.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fkebo7psCTbb5Sd_pmqV6m843J0Pp_lJ7HUCkbmxy8 TEDQqHlexbeAnDsgeSFbkij_cFUG73XgQEFdi6Q50raM1-nMBD0htb4oHQEIDPbREJ5Q8xfWvpq_fSelqC6v3eOFjPiMuyY0 HUOsbRMHH5fqCIpySEr0z1h8FxSZc-ML_F5mVV_8BhVueb/s3639/IKEA%20Canteen.jpg)
IKEA was also devoid of the crowds which normally plague the place – families on a cheap day, whilst their kids run amuck around the store. We therefore felt at ease ditching the face-coverings because as one HSEofficial said to me the other day, distance and ventilation are the key factors in reducing the risk of infection, far more so than surface disinfection. Unfortunately, the replacement office chair that Mrs PBT’s selected, was out of stock when we reached the warehouse area on the lower floor. That didn’t stop her from buying various plants, associated pots, plus one or two other items “that might come in handy.” The psychologists responsible for the layout of the store are rather clever in that respect.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8nuV0UNOo4JLzrM4HEWBWXOIK5UGPEvf2FTX4d2VKHDHg5R72H a_SZK8BhYL8ny5keovexNM04WE0452MmE5J3sn0WAygjZCAhOJ pkMXLfaXM-bB_Oz8mnGs_hcFZM29919uD8pcbCfgegPe7LrgMtJZJPTVCwLI JFu4ItCU-HMOoyka8FC_ant/w400-h225/Meat%20Balls.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8nuV0UNOo4JLzrM4HEWBWXOIK5UGPEvf2FTX4d2VKHDHg5R72H a_SZK8BhYL8ny5keovexNM04WE0452MmE5J3sn0WAygjZCAhOJ pkMXLfaXM-bB_Oz8mnGs_hcFZM29919uD8pcbCfgegPe7LrgMtJZJPTVCwLI JFu4ItCU-HMOoyka8FC_ant/s4000/Meat%20Balls.jpg)
We had to go for a meal, of course, and what could be more IKEA and more Swedish than meatballs? Priced at just £5.50 per plate, Eileen had chips with hers, whilst I went for the healthier (slightly), mashed potato. Topped off with peas and gravy the meal was tasty and satisfying, without being over-filling. There was a decent cup of coffee, priced at £1.50, to finish up with, and then surprise, surprise, as we joined the queues downstairs for the checkouts, what should be lurking in one of the freezers, but packs of frozen Swedish meatballs. (We picked up two packs, as you do).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjshbqXGPPYdoKtJR71G3z2SJU1l95kKxthNT0Ska9 Wv3ygwtqwQJyXYlGgVC4Kpr5t1vM_rEZ7225lgA1D9lXO7guyy JG6MBVuKWTatjAVvAnuvlCwN1ZD2C8Jha_Zr7Wfo92P1R73E5O S0JGRbEH-TdM83czDR72FCjvPzsWO4F5j5oHOUe24B/w400-h271/Spoons%20Festival.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjshbqXGPPYdoKtJR71G3z2SJU1l95kKxthNT0Ska9 Wv3ygwtqwQJyXYlGgVC4Kpr5t1vM_rEZ7225lgA1D9lXO7guyy JG6MBVuKWTatjAVvAnuvlCwN1ZD2C8Jha_Zr7Wfo92P1R73E5O S0JGRbEH-TdM83czDR72FCjvPzsWO4F5j5oHOUe24B/s3323/Spoons%20Festival.jpg)
Continuing the "cheap coffee theme" for a moment, earlier that morning, I broke my embargo on Wetherspoons by calling in for one of their coffees. I had an appointment at the barbers, and needed some change, in order to tip the hairdresser – see my post on tipping (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/tipping-and-gratuities-are-they-still.html), and reluctant to fork out three quid for a Costa (nice though they are), a £1.20 refillable coffee from Spoons would provide both the change plus the caffeine fix I needed. With time of the essence, I went for the take-out option, so no refill, but it did allow me the chance to sit down and enjoy my drink, in a sunny spot, next to the river. Pensioners enjoying a coffee or two, seemed to make up the majority of the Humphrey Bean’s customers that morning, but with just a fleeting visit to go by, perhaps I missed the usual early morning Stella drinkers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0OC7MlJoh4CUJM1cIVpHR2qjsk7Q-EIqbqH7YTw_VnNnhOXzZt3EZfFbY1rGNdPQj_NTHrSGTf2b4O8 osASK7Mz0JATjBm7ppSIICoe-PTB1Gd2NMbeBuuzS09Yb02fkdZTl3PSWIgdC6qe8pTReWX1V1F xgaM0tHtnHIfAbKL00Rh-18iOmmfJl/w400-h225/Spoons.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0OC7MlJoh4CUJM1cIVpHR2qjsk7Q-EIqbqH7YTw_VnNnhOXzZt3EZfFbY1rGNdPQj_NTHrSGTf2b4O8 osASK7Mz0JATjBm7ppSIICoe-PTB1Gd2NMbeBuuzS09Yb02fkdZTl3PSWIgdC6qe8pTReWX1V1F xgaM0tHtnHIfAbKL00Rh-18iOmmfJl/s3891/Spoons.jpg)
I did stop to take a few photos of the set-up, close to the bar, promoting their forthcoming Beer Festival. The pub was also celebrating 12 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide, so it must be doing something right as far as the CAMRA’s are concerned! It’s still not my scene though, but to be fair the Bean certainly provides a thriving and useful amenity for the local community, and guess what? There wasn’t a mobility scooter in sight, inside or out! I shall sign off there, as you won’t want to read about my haircut!
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFn6li9ROVZCG-AbnLmAITEDqVeJbPxKmH03LRIC9j1HYmXOa6I5skBLbBs7KGZ_ 1PbO8ypSs9S8n6WL4tBtOyK0uBOa2ZzkNfw2wd4yvxDMi_es3u NtUK1oawW4qI-Hh67WFvu3_MZf5Cr2xkvO-PcPQw-YoXaA83uRqifiZgaJcfidZlMfyl6A-/s320/Bus%20Plaxtol.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFn6li9ROVZCG-AbnLmAITEDqVeJbPxKmH03LRIC9j1HYmXOa6I5skBLbBs7KGZ_ 1PbO8ypSs9S8n6WL4tBtOyK0uBOa2ZzkNfw2wd4yvxDMi_es3u NtUK1oawW4qI-Hh67WFvu3_MZf5Cr2xkvO-PcPQw-YoXaA83uRqifiZgaJcfidZlMfyl6A-/s1126/Bus%20Plaxtol.jpg)
I went on another bus trip yesterday, and it’s almost as though these days out, by public transport, have become a regular Friday event.Yesterday’s trip was organised by West Kent CAMRA, and whilst I am no longer a member of the Campaign for Real Ale, I am still on their mailing list, and receive regular updates along with their newsletter. Prior to lock-down, the branch introduced these end of the week bus trips as a means of getting out into parts of the branch area that were either difficult, or even impossible to reach during the evening. I am referring of course, to being able to reach outlying locations by public transport, and whilst this provides a reasonable service during the day, public transport is nearly always, non-existent at night. The situation doesn’t really apply to rail services, as these tend to run well into the evening, but on the other hand, trains run to far fewer places than buses
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfXXadnBFO4eBHnKzPDtKwJT6yL0-tzvKDxwTH_GFQeUELiOdu2rsjviuGwHHw9zDLxRuC_s5UelmcU 2eUWt6s2h7CcthcexOmc2K2W42dsgX4PNeMUuhbibU334d9sNI VKNTHXAzrNId5iOk28TpSAifxSLWQgNk7a7afbiTzCBIIZvLjK ka-dU/w400-h225/Chaser%20Garden.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwzfXXadnBFO4eBHnKzPDtKwJT6yL0-tzvKDxwTH_GFQeUELiOdu2rsjviuGwHHw9zDLxRuC_s5UelmcU 2eUWt6s2h7CcthcexOmc2K2W42dsgX4PNeMUuhbibU334d9sNI VKNTHXAzrNId5iOk28TpSAifxSLWQgNk7a7afbiTzCBIIZvLjK ka-dU/s3980/Chaser%20Garden.jpg)
By their very nature, the daytime CAMRA bus trips cater mainly for retired, or otherwise non-working people, with those in the former category usually having bus passes as well. This is where I come in, and whilst I have missed a few trips recently, due to them clashing with other events, I am happy to join my former CAMRA colleagues in visiting some of these outlying pubs, wherever possible.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfrc4pyvEkejgaWpGfc7MXat5890rz3FpHT5GX3J_-q6FnMvu7Y3npbOsbnLUSMrNhmA9petR7RwPY8cFYp7piF6dqT_ 3yI_8ZqY4laIpcKMmSgoLRigPMilKwpt6ufxgIpjBQEQaJ8Cq4 p7DI0huwpn8Phljn2lgkgsJhMzZ9WWE4pbWl_VwFu_u/w400-h231/Chaser.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGfrc4pyvEkejgaWpGfc7MXat5890rz3FpHT5GX3J_-q6FnMvu7Y3npbOsbnLUSMrNhmA9petR7RwPY8cFYp7piF6dqT_ 3yI_8ZqY4laIpcKMmSgoLRigPMilKwpt6ufxgIpjBQEQaJ8Cq4 p7DI0huwpn8Phljn2lgkgsJhMzZ9WWE4pbWl_VwFu_u/s3882/Chaser.jpg)
Yesterday’s trip took in three pubs to the north of Tonbridge, including one that afforded the opportunity of a spot of lunch. Full details will be revealed in a separate post, but the really positive thing which struck all six of us who took part in the trip, was how busy all the three pubs were.The fine weather may have had something to do with it, but we got the impression that this wasn’t the overriding factor. Their popularity might have been down to the day of the week – Friday, but again I feel this was a minor factor, rather than a major one.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicmHaO0wav7z-PbsuLj8_m4fuUiQFbDnCMhFXroUQk-P4iIbOuo6H9Agd_onAa_LqirO18DYeymAJhWVDbqWLRSZWIZqG OqOFJ3gT9g4E5dM_4jHoczhPoTzlpyzSRXioNk1oXTUYhzicNi Z_Gfpv5Iro5LNNGf3KkVE9OanikBe364q706uJSGax/w400-h221/IKEA.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicmHaO0wav7z-PbsuLj8_m4fuUiQFbDnCMhFXroUQk-P4iIbOuo6H9Agd_onAa_LqirO18DYeymAJhWVDbqWLRSZWIZqG OqOFJ3gT9g4E5dM_4jHoczhPoTzlpyzSRXioNk1oXTUYhzicNi Z_Gfpv5Iro5LNNGf3KkVE9OanikBe364q706uJSGax/s3666/IKEA.jpg)
The previous day saw Mrs PBT’s and I making a trip to IKEA. The Swedish store has two outlets within relatively close distance to Bailey Towers, namely Croydon and Lakeside. We opted for the latter, as it allowed me to use my Dartford Crossing account – last used in February 2021! It is only a 30-mile/30-minute journey, but I know from the times I used to travel to Norfolk that congestion at the approaches to the Dartford Tunnel, can often considerably increase this time. Also, as Friday is invariably the worst day of the week for travelling, it made sense to schedule our visit for a Thursday.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QMsuaGFochXMkd0N0zp0hu1FsFPMiQ2oytQwU5A0NKpUnYPJnK QYLGdWXIW_hXD5pzK9Z35QHq_TiwupIRtRzL9DUrvHXEXJqyF3 rIQAT0AXulzAW1d0P06P3gmP84PlbctpG2wfjXZz-UpSMlmiQChxIdy-AW6rCyH9Uv54BrqfhfUM0B4e4ZQV/w400-h238/IKEA%20Yellow%20bags.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-QMsuaGFochXMkd0N0zp0hu1FsFPMiQ2oytQwU5A0NKpUnYPJnK QYLGdWXIW_hXD5pzK9Z35QHq_TiwupIRtRzL9DUrvHXEXJqyF3 rIQAT0AXulzAW1d0P06P3gmP84PlbctpG2wfjXZz-UpSMlmiQChxIdy-AW6rCyH9Uv54BrqfhfUM0B4e4ZQV/s3413/IKEA%20Yellow%20bags.jpg)
Luck was on our side for both outward and return trips, although it is usually the former where the hold-ups occur. The stretch where the A2 joins the northbound M25 is normally a notorious bottleneck, but on Thursday we were able to maintain the 60mph speed limit. Remembering to take the older, left-hand bore, we were through the tunnel in next to no time, and after negotiating the numerous roundabouts at Thurrock, were driving into the car park at IKEA.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fkebo7psCTbb5Sd_pmqV6m843J0Pp_lJ7HUCkbmxy8 TEDQqHlexbeAnDsgeSFbkij_cFUG73XgQEFdi6Q50raM1-nMBD0htb4oHQEIDPbREJ5Q8xfWvpq_fSelqC6v3eOFjPiMuyY0 HUOsbRMHH5fqCIpySEr0z1h8FxSZc-ML_F5mVV_8BhVueb/w400-h231/IKEA%20Canteen.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2fkebo7psCTbb5Sd_pmqV6m843J0Pp_lJ7HUCkbmxy8 TEDQqHlexbeAnDsgeSFbkij_cFUG73XgQEFdi6Q50raM1-nMBD0htb4oHQEIDPbREJ5Q8xfWvpq_fSelqC6v3eOFjPiMuyY0 HUOsbRMHH5fqCIpySEr0z1h8FxSZc-ML_F5mVV_8BhVueb/s3639/IKEA%20Canteen.jpg)
IKEA was also devoid of the crowds which normally plague the place – families on a cheap day, whilst their kids run amuck around the store. We therefore felt at ease ditching the face-coverings because as one HSEofficial said to me the other day, distance and ventilation are the key factors in reducing the risk of infection, far more so than surface disinfection. Unfortunately, the replacement office chair that Mrs PBT’s selected, was out of stock when we reached the warehouse area on the lower floor. That didn’t stop her from buying various plants, associated pots, plus one or two other items “that might come in handy.” The psychologists responsible for the layout of the store are rather clever in that respect.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8nuV0UNOo4JLzrM4HEWBWXOIK5UGPEvf2FTX4d2VKHDHg5R72H a_SZK8BhYL8ny5keovexNM04WE0452MmE5J3sn0WAygjZCAhOJ pkMXLfaXM-bB_Oz8mnGs_hcFZM29919uD8pcbCfgegPe7LrgMtJZJPTVCwLI JFu4ItCU-HMOoyka8FC_ant/w400-h225/Meat%20Balls.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim-8nuV0UNOo4JLzrM4HEWBWXOIK5UGPEvf2FTX4d2VKHDHg5R72H a_SZK8BhYL8ny5keovexNM04WE0452MmE5J3sn0WAygjZCAhOJ pkMXLfaXM-bB_Oz8mnGs_hcFZM29919uD8pcbCfgegPe7LrgMtJZJPTVCwLI JFu4ItCU-HMOoyka8FC_ant/s4000/Meat%20Balls.jpg)
We had to go for a meal, of course, and what could be more IKEA and more Swedish than meatballs? Priced at just £5.50 per plate, Eileen had chips with hers, whilst I went for the healthier (slightly), mashed potato. Topped off with peas and gravy the meal was tasty and satisfying, without being over-filling. There was a decent cup of coffee, priced at £1.50, to finish up with, and then surprise, surprise, as we joined the queues downstairs for the checkouts, what should be lurking in one of the freezers, but packs of frozen Swedish meatballs. (We picked up two packs, as you do).
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjshbqXGPPYdoKtJR71G3z2SJU1l95kKxthNT0Ska9 Wv3ygwtqwQJyXYlGgVC4Kpr5t1vM_rEZ7225lgA1D9lXO7guyy JG6MBVuKWTatjAVvAnuvlCwN1ZD2C8Jha_Zr7Wfo92P1R73E5O S0JGRbEH-TdM83czDR72FCjvPzsWO4F5j5oHOUe24B/w400-h271/Spoons%20Festival.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgHjshbqXGPPYdoKtJR71G3z2SJU1l95kKxthNT0Ska9 Wv3ygwtqwQJyXYlGgVC4Kpr5t1vM_rEZ7225lgA1D9lXO7guyy JG6MBVuKWTatjAVvAnuvlCwN1ZD2C8Jha_Zr7Wfo92P1R73E5O S0JGRbEH-TdM83czDR72FCjvPzsWO4F5j5oHOUe24B/s3323/Spoons%20Festival.jpg)
Continuing the "cheap coffee theme" for a moment, earlier that morning, I broke my embargo on Wetherspoons by calling in for one of their coffees. I had an appointment at the barbers, and needed some change, in order to tip the hairdresser – see my post on tipping (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2022/02/tipping-and-gratuities-are-they-still.html), and reluctant to fork out three quid for a Costa (nice though they are), a £1.20 refillable coffee from Spoons would provide both the change plus the caffeine fix I needed. With time of the essence, I went for the take-out option, so no refill, but it did allow me the chance to sit down and enjoy my drink, in a sunny spot, next to the river. Pensioners enjoying a coffee or two, seemed to make up the majority of the Humphrey Bean’s customers that morning, but with just a fleeting visit to go by, perhaps I missed the usual early morning Stella drinkers.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0OC7MlJoh4CUJM1cIVpHR2qjsk7Q-EIqbqH7YTw_VnNnhOXzZt3EZfFbY1rGNdPQj_NTHrSGTf2b4O8 osASK7Mz0JATjBm7ppSIICoe-PTB1Gd2NMbeBuuzS09Yb02fkdZTl3PSWIgdC6qe8pTReWX1V1F xgaM0tHtnHIfAbKL00Rh-18iOmmfJl/w400-h225/Spoons.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj0OC7MlJoh4CUJM1cIVpHR2qjsk7Q-EIqbqH7YTw_VnNnhOXzZt3EZfFbY1rGNdPQj_NTHrSGTf2b4O8 osASK7Mz0JATjBm7ppSIICoe-PTB1Gd2NMbeBuuzS09Yb02fkdZTl3PSWIgdC6qe8pTReWX1V1F xgaM0tHtnHIfAbKL00Rh-18iOmmfJl/s3891/Spoons.jpg)
I did stop to take a few photos of the set-up, close to the bar, promoting their forthcoming Beer Festival. The pub was also celebrating 12 consecutive years in the Good Beer Guide, so it must be doing something right as far as the CAMRA’s are concerned! It’s still not my scene though, but to be fair the Bean certainly provides a thriving and useful amenity for the local community, and guess what? There wasn’t a mobility scooter in sight, inside or out! I shall sign off there, as you won’t want to read about my haircut!
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