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02-03-2024, 17:30
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2024/03/theres-old-mill-by-stream.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p8-Dj39rJ9-D4m921s1dDWVsRX0Ek6UYM1l7_rWgAy-JwmkOlrGmJQ6G_ZUrLEccratqEkU_aQGq4_G2bHJFGh8wjzc3I sjTE0r2_tQ9AoymoSIwJsMC3vvcOliDK85rZeD6v0yLneLrEdK Uj-MTTLSuxxKUiQ1uIkg7Ulpvpw88u5TfUkFoX93O4x0/w400-h241/Old%20Mill%20general%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p8-Dj39rJ9-D4m921s1dDWVsRX0Ek6UYM1l7_rWgAy-JwmkOlrGmJQ6G_ZUrLEccratqEkU_aQGq4_G2bHJFGh8wjzc3I sjTE0r2_tQ9AoymoSIwJsMC3vvcOliDK85rZeD6v0yLneLrEdK Uj-MTTLSuxxKUiQ1uIkg7Ulpvpw88u5TfUkFoX93O4x0/s3315/Old%20Mill%20general%20view.jpg)
Friday was the first day of March and also the first day ofspring, but the weather was anything but spring like with heavy torrential rain,driven by a strong and very biting north westerly wind. March can often be avery changeable month, and an old saying claims that March comes roaring inlike a lion, and goes out meekly like a lamb, or the other way around. In myexperience, it is pretty rare for the third month of the year to come creepingin softly, lamb-like or not, and I’m not sure either, about going out with thenoise of a fierce, roaring lion!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qq8z04zMvpIbn_-Y9cw42csme4-j5Lon1X4pWkF9MmiuWmj_a3rLtmr0wzlHaaYwv_pjScGGX_vlM tMcfu3TdJ8hHkY3m5rggZGjSBylI-YgsMfmYLxjtjyfv1YxMS0SXTv15H7C7ots3nYUhwI5yb80xoCD 9hkXtqWrMWMwcPVh5kioQpvFx3CJ-5Q/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20Frontal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qq8z04zMvpIbn_-Y9cw42csme4-j5Lon1X4pWkF9MmiuWmj_a3rLtmr0wzlHaaYwv_pjScGGX_vlM tMcfu3TdJ8hHkY3m5rggZGjSBylI-YgsMfmYLxjtjyfv1YxMS0SXTv15H7C7ots3nYUhwI5yb80xoCD 9hkXtqWrMWMwcPVh5kioQpvFx3CJ-5Q/s4000/Old%20Mill%20Frontal.jpg)
So, with Friday’s weather, doing its best make the day acomplete washout, and Mrs PBT’s not keen on going out anywhere, I decided nomatter what was happening in the stratosphere, I was going to go out to exploresomewhere a bit different. My plan was to take the bus over from TunbridgeWells to East Grinstead, which is the town where son Matthew is employed. Ihave obviously been there several times in the past, but it would be good tohave a closer look around, visit a couple of pubs, and maybe enjoy a spot oflight lunch. I could then cadge a lift home from my son after he had finishedhis shift.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGS-Uj4eo1kiGfx4-N8n-PGiFrJApcYK8yjVUwZcuaFaE9dHDn1bOD1omZLTEW8fLgajzZB Qy46dD99YNPSi4rktdGlEsFrTC6zOaqqxYIlcFTvu3Fn6b51No kOUHoaylAvRmijIBEbZenfnfRKvQV7oI-Dubg6FEgkSU4g3o2vwsjpN-dY1O2w4gZP8/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20Hedge%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGS-Uj4eo1kiGfx4-N8n-PGiFrJApcYK8yjVUwZcuaFaE9dHDn1bOD1omZLTEW8fLgajzZB Qy46dD99YNPSi4rktdGlEsFrTC6zOaqqxYIlcFTvu3Fn6b51No kOUHoaylAvRmijIBEbZenfnfRKvQV7oI-Dubg6FEgkSU4g3o2vwsjpN-dY1O2w4gZP8/s4000/Old%20Mill%20Hedge%20sign.jpg)
So far so good, and Matthew knew to expect me some time inthe afternoon. He reckoned he would finish around about 3:00 pm which would beideal, so imagine my frustration when I received a text message from him askingwhat time would I be over, as he would be finishing at 1:00 pm. Kids, who saidthey get easier, once they’re grown up? I was still waiting at the bus stop inTonbridge when the call came through, and my arrival time in East Grinsteaddepended on connecting services from Tunbridge Wells. There are three busesevery hour, over from Tonbridge, but it is an hourly service only, between theWells and East Grinstead.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXOQV2RFvlHtJoIcP5ufzYxjqFfCu7YXDbY96SBcSdI K0in9VC9qtl0PZSxFxluqBxbYSvNSBVDCm5pU3htCe4dGnCrpg rnfu2cjdItQE0uRrigM9MCeY8kq71sneSpdNXFwrHpx2Cclm4D vtBGTCnThOeCZLB_Dj6Zgu3uyexVl9KVcNC_ysN-3H14I/w400-h271/Harveys%20pump%20clips.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXOQV2RFvlHtJoIcP5ufzYxjqFfCu7YXDbY96SBcSdI K0in9VC9qtl0PZSxFxluqBxbYSvNSBVDCm5pU3htCe4dGnCrpg rnfu2cjdItQE0uRrigM9MCeY8kq71sneSpdNXFwrHpx2Cclm4D vtBGTCnThOeCZLB_Dj6Zgu3uyexVl9KVcNC_ysN-3H14I/s3184/Harveys%20pump%20clips.jpg)
Fortunately, I was in time for the 10:52 am 291 Metrobusservice from Tunbridge Wells and reached my destination at 11:45 am. Thatallowed time for at least one pub visit, and as my chosen pub was a 20-minutewalk from the town centre, I would reach the 15th Century, OldDunnings Mill (https://www.olddunningsmill.co.uk/), (https://www.olddunningsmill.co.uk/) just after opening time. The semi-derelict DunningsMill was rescued by a local entrepreneur and converted into a pub in 1970 and hasbeen adapted and extended over the years into a cosy and welcoming pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGLlaBpsxB5G5v9U2zDjfPw4vsZK3Tq8nqdC8mgzox Lrs5m9RgOD0T-w2G6HtlyjQan5mMoC47ErKPe3Eunew5RPM-qeXo0ecGJ3TXzT2zLPiGE5C8V0LoKLFVCynZlWdzf_7Xw1HDEj l9KlYq9cle7L8025Hnb9xZvvi2Oi80TLridVmOyAz_wM3MU/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20old%20section.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGLlaBpsxB5G5v9U2zDjfPw4vsZK3Tq8nqdC8mgzox Lrs5m9RgOD0T-w2G6HtlyjQan5mMoC47ErKPe3Eunew5RPM-qeXo0ecGJ3TXzT2zLPiGE5C8V0LoKLFVCynZlWdzf_7Xw1HDEj l9KlYq9cle7L8025Hnb9xZvvi2Oi80TLridVmOyAz_wM3MU/s3859/Old%20Mill%20old%20section.jpg)
Today the Old Mill is owned by Harvey’s of Lewes, but I dorecall a visit there, at sometime in the dim and distant past, when the bar wasat set a much lower level, and the pub itself was much smaller in size. After followinga road leading off from the High Street, and heading downhill for someconsiderable distance, I reached the area of East Grinstead known as Dunnings.I was surprised at just how hilly the town is, given its situation on the edgeof Ashdown Forest, it is not really surprising.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkZqcmZd5ZfUfFnHy_n9_j4TT9672auguTrcB2TMi5d TmPJr-NkZe9zEomP3b9qe7_t9MmAp06Ey5vMK0IWs5uoLe9uo2p_cQj7 EqT6JzjR3lTY00YF96vvVo3HgtecZAGGhLlE21lu5pDscqgT6P zAc6_jbzR4driJ55ooeggqy1r3XaOnUvzMKrbc4/w400-h225/Old%20MIll%20bar.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVkZqcmZd5ZfUfFnHy_n9_j4TT9672auguTrcB2TMi5d TmPJr-NkZe9zEomP3b9qe7_t9MmAp06Ey5vMK0IWs5uoLe9uo2p_cQj7 EqT6JzjR3lTY00YF96vvVo3HgtecZAGGhLlE21lu5pDscqgT6P zAc6_jbzR4driJ55ooeggqy1r3XaOnUvzMKrbc4/s3980/Old%20MIll%20bar.jpg)
The pub straddles one of the Wealden tributaries ofthe River Medway and is now something of a show pub for Harvey’s. I entered viathe extensive car park at the rear, without recognising anything from myprevious visit, and stepped into a large bar with dining area. Thelatter was already occupied with diners of pensionable age, whilst the lengthybar counter boasted two banks of hand-pumps, dispensing a broad selection ofHarvey’s cask ales.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3OVbHBHitzV9tmO35v1OCDpVI5Qwon6z4Mi_elLaLo WNI-rEMI1lmqXKMUkEu4VQ_Dlri4cUBBaIWzTqNSbq78Dkg_8iKp3A LxD-_b9RdbmKy5CZOUrxh5Z7KmMKlTn35C8fHKV7Az3qvHunplUFw4 ft203TPyvYu620-IRJDD8wyLKmYoRiZDLrW9Y/w256-h400/Harveys%20Old%20EG.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3OVbHBHitzV9tmO35v1OCDpVI5Qwon6z4Mi_elLaLo WNI-rEMI1lmqXKMUkEu4VQ_Dlri4cUBBaIWzTqNSbq78Dkg_8iKp3A LxD-_b9RdbmKy5CZOUrxh5Z7KmMKlTn35C8fHKV7Az3qvHunplUFw4 ft203TPyvYu620-IRJDD8wyLKmYoRiZDLrW9Y/s816/Harveys%20Old%20EG.jpg)
My eye went straight to the pump with the Old Ale clip onit, but also available were Best Bitter, Kiss (Valentine’s seasonal), plusDunningsMill IPAwhich is basicallya rebadge of Harvey's standard IPA. It will be no surprise to learn that I wentstraight for the dark stuff, as XXXX Old Ale really is one of my favouritewinter ales. Cool, dark, and delicious – well-conditioned as well, but I diddetect a slight hint of staleness lurking in the background. I suspect I hadreceived the first pint out of the pump that session, but despite this slightdefect, it was still a fine, and very welcome drop of Old Ale. Just as I contemplatedanother pint, a message came through from Matthew, asking if I had arrived yet.Replying with an affirmative and explaining where I was and how long it wouldtake me to walk back, we decided to meet outside his shop, so bang went thechance of another beer, along with the possibility of something to eat.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb3YjwQJjI84VMvhbzJHw0iWrbxO1Wv_OKHjomv-7S5L1353Wae-JfDIOPL32lY3Hnw6J-lr_7FXfjElnJBUqk6Wdn0NQPq_cycCkrwG2woLmxDppCzxUUAZ TCcgGu0WKlzAuXrekcKATVsbbr3yZi8lkBJU_RRkJhyUDTnJt5 uvFmRuncWOjjl2ZCCo/w400-h221/Mill%20Stream.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtb3YjwQJjI84VMvhbzJHw0iWrbxO1Wv_OKHjomv-7S5L1353Wae-JfDIOPL32lY3Hnw6J-lr_7FXfjElnJBUqk6Wdn0NQPq_cycCkrwG2woLmxDppCzxUUAZ TCcgGu0WKlzAuXrekcKATVsbbr3yZi8lkBJU_RRkJhyUDTnJt5 uvFmRuncWOjjl2ZCCo/s3904/Mill%20Stream.jpg)
That was just as well really, as with a couple of largeparties seated in the adjoining dining room, there would have been a lengthywait for food, so reluctantly I finished my beer, returned the glass to the bar,and thanked the bar staff for my brief, but pleasant stay. On the way out, Ihad a look at the raging torrent that runs beneath the pub. During its time asa mill, the stream powered a rotating water wheel, and whilst a replica has nowreplaced the original you could still get an idea of how the old mill operated.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcNDStY5XxukQvxB_bc_G3fHnhJxyIXX3EQe9kJxxCH vvU2VEvycTZaAEftgWpQGSKRKVcm_mEfLL_KWxXzIw3ItNCz7M lMcZqLHhC1xBdkDezD-Y6Nac6gnra42o0RI2nUBI5AZ8JdWJ0It-4cajWXQiVJwt0fNuQZSpxuoM7UbVkUnXIoBA40nFVFY/w400-h225/Mill%20wheel.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcNDStY5XxukQvxB_bc_G3fHnhJxyIXX3EQe9kJxxCH vvU2VEvycTZaAEftgWpQGSKRKVcm_mEfLL_KWxXzIw3ItNCz7M lMcZqLHhC1xBdkDezD-Y6Nac6gnra42o0RI2nUBI5AZ8JdWJ0It-4cajWXQiVJwt0fNuQZSpxuoM7UbVkUnXIoBA40nFVFY/s3881/Mill%20wheel.jpg)
I left the pub, and headed back up the hill, intothe centre of East Grinstead. There is a bus that operates the route fromDunnings, but it only runs on a two hourly basis. Matthew was waiting for mewhen I arrived at his shop in London Road. We went inside and I was introduced toMatt’s boss, who seemed pleasant enough.
Afterwards, we called in at localindependent off-licence Armstrong’s (https://www.wjarmstrong.com/), where I bought a selection of five differentdark, bottled beers – mainly from Sam Smith’s. Humphrey’s policy is to only supply independentretailers, so you won’t see his beers in supermarkets, or even chain-type,convenience stores, such as Londis or One-Stop. We then headed for home. I was unable to persuadeMatthew to stop for a pint on the way home – I, don’t know, the youth of today,eh!
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https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p8-Dj39rJ9-D4m921s1dDWVsRX0Ek6UYM1l7_rWgAy-JwmkOlrGmJQ6G_ZUrLEccratqEkU_aQGq4_G2bHJFGh8wjzc3I sjTE0r2_tQ9AoymoSIwJsMC3vvcOliDK85rZeD6v0yLneLrEdK Uj-MTTLSuxxKUiQ1uIkg7Ulpvpw88u5TfUkFoX93O4x0/w400-h241/Old%20Mill%20general%20view.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-p8-Dj39rJ9-D4m921s1dDWVsRX0Ek6UYM1l7_rWgAy-JwmkOlrGmJQ6G_ZUrLEccratqEkU_aQGq4_G2bHJFGh8wjzc3I sjTE0r2_tQ9AoymoSIwJsMC3vvcOliDK85rZeD6v0yLneLrEdK Uj-MTTLSuxxKUiQ1uIkg7Ulpvpw88u5TfUkFoX93O4x0/s3315/Old%20Mill%20general%20view.jpg)
Friday was the first day of March and also the first day ofspring, but the weather was anything but spring like with heavy torrential rain,driven by a strong and very biting north westerly wind. March can often be avery changeable month, and an old saying claims that March comes roaring inlike a lion, and goes out meekly like a lamb, or the other way around. In myexperience, it is pretty rare for the third month of the year to come creepingin softly, lamb-like or not, and I’m not sure either, about going out with thenoise of a fierce, roaring lion!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qq8z04zMvpIbn_-Y9cw42csme4-j5Lon1X4pWkF9MmiuWmj_a3rLtmr0wzlHaaYwv_pjScGGX_vlM tMcfu3TdJ8hHkY3m5rggZGjSBylI-YgsMfmYLxjtjyfv1YxMS0SXTv15H7C7ots3nYUhwI5yb80xoCD 9hkXtqWrMWMwcPVh5kioQpvFx3CJ-5Q/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20Frontal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-qq8z04zMvpIbn_-Y9cw42csme4-j5Lon1X4pWkF9MmiuWmj_a3rLtmr0wzlHaaYwv_pjScGGX_vlM tMcfu3TdJ8hHkY3m5rggZGjSBylI-YgsMfmYLxjtjyfv1YxMS0SXTv15H7C7ots3nYUhwI5yb80xoCD 9hkXtqWrMWMwcPVh5kioQpvFx3CJ-5Q/s4000/Old%20Mill%20Frontal.jpg)
So, with Friday’s weather, doing its best make the day acomplete washout, and Mrs PBT’s not keen on going out anywhere, I decided nomatter what was happening in the stratosphere, I was going to go out to exploresomewhere a bit different. My plan was to take the bus over from TunbridgeWells to East Grinstead, which is the town where son Matthew is employed. Ihave obviously been there several times in the past, but it would be good tohave a closer look around, visit a couple of pubs, and maybe enjoy a spot oflight lunch. I could then cadge a lift home from my son after he had finishedhis shift.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGS-Uj4eo1kiGfx4-N8n-PGiFrJApcYK8yjVUwZcuaFaE9dHDn1bOD1omZLTEW8fLgajzZB Qy46dD99YNPSi4rktdGlEsFrTC6zOaqqxYIlcFTvu3Fn6b51No kOUHoaylAvRmijIBEbZenfnfRKvQV7oI-Dubg6FEgkSU4g3o2vwsjpN-dY1O2w4gZP8/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20Hedge%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguGS-Uj4eo1kiGfx4-N8n-PGiFrJApcYK8yjVUwZcuaFaE9dHDn1bOD1omZLTEW8fLgajzZB Qy46dD99YNPSi4rktdGlEsFrTC6zOaqqxYIlcFTvu3Fn6b51No kOUHoaylAvRmijIBEbZenfnfRKvQV7oI-Dubg6FEgkSU4g3o2vwsjpN-dY1O2w4gZP8/s4000/Old%20Mill%20Hedge%20sign.jpg)
So far so good, and Matthew knew to expect me some time inthe afternoon. He reckoned he would finish around about 3:00 pm which would beideal, so imagine my frustration when I received a text message from him askingwhat time would I be over, as he would be finishing at 1:00 pm. Kids, who saidthey get easier, once they’re grown up? I was still waiting at the bus stop inTonbridge when the call came through, and my arrival time in East Grinsteaddepended on connecting services from Tunbridge Wells. There are three busesevery hour, over from Tonbridge, but it is an hourly service only, between theWells and East Grinstead.
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Fortunately, I was in time for the 10:52 am 291 Metrobusservice from Tunbridge Wells and reached my destination at 11:45 am. Thatallowed time for at least one pub visit, and as my chosen pub was a 20-minutewalk from the town centre, I would reach the 15th Century, OldDunnings Mill (https://www.olddunningsmill.co.uk/), (https://www.olddunningsmill.co.uk/) just after opening time. The semi-derelict DunningsMill was rescued by a local entrepreneur and converted into a pub in 1970 and hasbeen adapted and extended over the years into a cosy and welcoming pub.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGLlaBpsxB5G5v9U2zDjfPw4vsZK3Tq8nqdC8mgzox Lrs5m9RgOD0T-w2G6HtlyjQan5mMoC47ErKPe3Eunew5RPM-qeXo0ecGJ3TXzT2zLPiGE5C8V0LoKLFVCynZlWdzf_7Xw1HDEj l9KlYq9cle7L8025Hnb9xZvvi2Oi80TLridVmOyAz_wM3MU/w400-h225/Old%20Mill%20old%20section.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhGGLlaBpsxB5G5v9U2zDjfPw4vsZK3Tq8nqdC8mgzox Lrs5m9RgOD0T-w2G6HtlyjQan5mMoC47ErKPe3Eunew5RPM-qeXo0ecGJ3TXzT2zLPiGE5C8V0LoKLFVCynZlWdzf_7Xw1HDEj l9KlYq9cle7L8025Hnb9xZvvi2Oi80TLridVmOyAz_wM3MU/s3859/Old%20Mill%20old%20section.jpg)
Today the Old Mill is owned by Harvey’s of Lewes, but I dorecall a visit there, at sometime in the dim and distant past, when the bar wasat set a much lower level, and the pub itself was much smaller in size. After followinga road leading off from the High Street, and heading downhill for someconsiderable distance, I reached the area of East Grinstead known as Dunnings.I was surprised at just how hilly the town is, given its situation on the edgeof Ashdown Forest, it is not really surprising.
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The pub straddles one of the Wealden tributaries ofthe River Medway and is now something of a show pub for Harvey’s. I entered viathe extensive car park at the rear, without recognising anything from myprevious visit, and stepped into a large bar with dining area. Thelatter was already occupied with diners of pensionable age, whilst the lengthybar counter boasted two banks of hand-pumps, dispensing a broad selection ofHarvey’s cask ales.
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My eye went straight to the pump with the Old Ale clip onit, but also available were Best Bitter, Kiss (Valentine’s seasonal), plusDunningsMill IPAwhich is basicallya rebadge of Harvey's standard IPA. It will be no surprise to learn that I wentstraight for the dark stuff, as XXXX Old Ale really is one of my favouritewinter ales. Cool, dark, and delicious – well-conditioned as well, but I diddetect a slight hint of staleness lurking in the background. I suspect I hadreceived the first pint out of the pump that session, but despite this slightdefect, it was still a fine, and very welcome drop of Old Ale. Just as I contemplatedanother pint, a message came through from Matthew, asking if I had arrived yet.Replying with an affirmative and explaining where I was and how long it wouldtake me to walk back, we decided to meet outside his shop, so bang went thechance of another beer, along with the possibility of something to eat.
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That was just as well really, as with a couple of largeparties seated in the adjoining dining room, there would have been a lengthywait for food, so reluctantly I finished my beer, returned the glass to the bar,and thanked the bar staff for my brief, but pleasant stay. On the way out, Ihad a look at the raging torrent that runs beneath the pub. During its time asa mill, the stream powered a rotating water wheel, and whilst a replica has nowreplaced the original you could still get an idea of how the old mill operated.
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I left the pub, and headed back up the hill, intothe centre of East Grinstead. There is a bus that operates the route fromDunnings, but it only runs on a two hourly basis. Matthew was waiting for mewhen I arrived at his shop in London Road. We went inside and I was introduced toMatt’s boss, who seemed pleasant enough.
Afterwards, we called in at localindependent off-licence Armstrong’s (https://www.wjarmstrong.com/), where I bought a selection of five differentdark, bottled beers – mainly from Sam Smith’s. Humphrey’s policy is to only supply independentretailers, so you won’t see his beers in supermarkets, or even chain-type,convenience stores, such as Londis or One-Stop. We then headed for home. I was unable to persuadeMatthew to stop for a pint on the way home – I, don’t know, the youth of today,eh!
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