Every Day Is A School Day
04/02/26 20:35
Every day is a school day, even for an old dog like me. At the weekend I got a Too Good to Go bag from Mattas (a locally famous international food store in Liverpool city centre; for those who don’t know it).
Obviously getting a Too Good to Go from a takeaway is more defined in advance. At least it’ll defo be a meal—always a bargain, even if the meal is not the one you’d prefer. Getting a random bag of ‘stuff’ from a shop—be it an Aldi Or Mattas) all bets are off. The contents could be anything, from breads and pastries through fruit and veg to flour and eggs. Anything the shop sells.
Last week I went for a TG2G from Mattas and left in the dark in more ways than one. When I opened the bag to peek in a few minutes after leaving I saw there were a few things, including an instant (2 mins in boiling water) noodle pack (Korean), a Korean noodle bowl, a lettuce, a soybean dip, and something that in the light of the street I assumed to be a plantain—from it’s shape at the bottom of the plastic bag.
When I got to the pub—the Red Lion, a short walk along from Mattas—I took out the plantain and discovered my supposition was wrong. Whilst it had the girth of a—very—large fruit, it wasn’t yellow away from the street lights, oh and it had green growth out the top of it. It was patently a root vegetable. One that I’d never seen the like of.
This aint no plantain.
I questioned the bar staff in case everyone knew what it was, and it was just a glaring gap in my eduction. They were as bemused—and amused—as me. No answer was the loud reply. Later I asked a group of nearby drinkers if they knew. They didn’t know either (and even asked for a photo of it). But one guy suggested a radish. I laughed. They’re tiny compared with this behemoth.
I ended up asking Dr Google and looking through some image of large white veg. And I discovered it was a Daikon. A Far Easttern veg, which was indeed from the radish/parsnip stable. It is often thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads, or else cooked in stews and treated a bit like carrots. It's common in Japanese cuisine and south east Asia in general.
You live, you learn. Every day IS a school day.
Obviously getting a Too Good to Go from a takeaway is more defined in advance. At least it’ll defo be a meal—always a bargain, even if the meal is not the one you’d prefer. Getting a random bag of ‘stuff’ from a shop—be it an Aldi Or Mattas) all bets are off. The contents could be anything, from breads and pastries through fruit and veg to flour and eggs. Anything the shop sells.
Last week I went for a TG2G from Mattas and left in the dark in more ways than one. When I opened the bag to peek in a few minutes after leaving I saw there were a few things, including an instant (2 mins in boiling water) noodle pack (Korean), a Korean noodle bowl, a lettuce, a soybean dip, and something that in the light of the street I assumed to be a plantain—from it’s shape at the bottom of the plastic bag.
When I got to the pub—the Red Lion, a short walk along from Mattas—I took out the plantain and discovered my supposition was wrong. Whilst it had the girth of a—very—large fruit, it wasn’t yellow away from the street lights, oh and it had green growth out the top of it. It was patently a root vegetable. One that I’d never seen the like of.
This aint no plantain.
I questioned the bar staff in case everyone knew what it was, and it was just a glaring gap in my eduction. They were as bemused—and amused—as me. No answer was the loud reply. Later I asked a group of nearby drinkers if they knew. They didn’t know either (and even asked for a photo of it). But one guy suggested a radish. I laughed. They’re tiny compared with this behemoth.
I ended up asking Dr Google and looking through some image of large white veg. And I discovered it was a Daikon. A Far Easttern veg, which was indeed from the radish/parsnip stable. It is often thinly sliced and eaten raw in salads, or else cooked in stews and treated a bit like carrots. It's common in Japanese cuisine and south east Asia in general.
You live, you learn. Every day IS a school day.
Comments
New Raiding
This weekend I went on a Raid meet-up in Liverpool city centre to try and nab myself a Shadow Raikou or two. The meet-up is arranged by the ‘local ambassador’ and is usually in or around St John's Garden behind St George's Hall. There's almost as many Saints as there are Pokemon.
A very busy and colourful St John's Gardens
I’ve never been to a Raid Day really, and certainly not an arranged meet-up. And whilst I did ‘join’ the meet-up I didn’t actually go and meet anyone. Most of the Pokestops and Gyms in the area designated as the ambassador area were visitable whilst sat with a pint in Dr Duncans. Very handy for me indeed.
I took part in multiple raids and caught most of those I won battles in. I ended up with eight Shadow Raikous. One was a 3* and one was a 2* Shiny. Whilst I was made up to get a couple of decent Pokémon, I was mostly pleased by the vast amount of XP points I won and even more happy with the copious numbers of Rare Candies I received. I was to invest the candies on my rather decent Meltan (still miles of having the number for evolving it, but at least I’m closer now) and also my Larvesta. I’m not far now of being able to evolve that one (11 candies short of the 100).
Cor!!
I’ll defo geg in on the meet-ups again. The benefits are really rather good. And even better with a beer in hand too!
The Dr Duncan's Pokemon Team of One
A Shadow Raikou briefly popped into the Doctors
A very busy and colourful St John's Gardens
I’ve never been to a Raid Day really, and certainly not an arranged meet-up. And whilst I did ‘join’ the meet-up I didn’t actually go and meet anyone. Most of the Pokestops and Gyms in the area designated as the ambassador area were visitable whilst sat with a pint in Dr Duncans. Very handy for me indeed.
I took part in multiple raids and caught most of those I won battles in. I ended up with eight Shadow Raikous. One was a 3* and one was a 2* Shiny. Whilst I was made up to get a couple of decent Pokémon, I was mostly pleased by the vast amount of XP points I won and even more happy with the copious numbers of Rare Candies I received. I was to invest the candies on my rather decent Meltan (still miles of having the number for evolving it, but at least I’m closer now) and also my Larvesta. I’m not far now of being able to evolve that one (11 candies short of the 100).
Cor!!
I’ll defo geg in on the meet-ups again. The benefits are really rather good. And even better with a beer in hand too!
The Dr Duncan's Pokemon Team of One
A Shadow Raikou briefly popped into the Doctors
The Icy Sword of Damacles
26/01/26 23:43
It was an horrendous start to the other week with my part of Liverpool being a true world of ice. I slipped and fell on a small area of black ice outside a shop. My right leg slipped forward and my left leg folded beneath me, resulting in a very painful knee. Ironically I needed to get ice on it when I got home.
The following day I left the house to find my estate and all the pavements and road that led to the bus stop on Lower Lane covered in a continuous sheet of ice. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in my life trying to get to the bus stop and then on to work. Everyone was falling, slipping and doing their best to find things to hold on to. Obviously crossing roads and accesses there was nothing to grab on to. I got over two roads and an access for the GP Practice in one piece. Then I attempted to cross another access. It was pure ice. And I went over. Falling backwards on my rucksack. The packet of crisps didn’t survive but it probably stopped me banging my head.
My glasses were not so lucky. They flew of me. It was still pretty dark at 7:45am and everything beneath me was white with bits of black. I became Mr Magoo on my hands and knees trying to find the damn glasses to no avail. I asked one school kid if he could see them. He wasn’t helpful. I asked a Polish lady who was struggling with the ice and my question. I had no chance.
I had spare glasses at home, but would have to chance it back over the ice with less than brilliant vision. It wasn’t an obvious option. Then I remembered I had contact lenses in my bag, I edged over the ice towards a relatively low ice area beneath a few trees and managed to get a lens in. Ultimately I succeeded and whilst dancing unsteadily back over the access road I found my glasses. They skidded about three metres away from where I’d fallen, almost on to the main road. I’d never have found them with my contact lens.
I got over the road with much trepidation and onto a bus. The ice closer to work was still about, but there had been more treatment and I got there without further incident. The lack of treatment in the housing estate may be understandable but on the main road of Long Lane with so much footfall for school kids, let alone the GPs is a horrible oversight.
No more ice please, unless it’s in a glass of something tasty.
The following day I left the house to find my estate and all the pavements and road that led to the bus stop on Lower Lane covered in a continuous sheet of ice. I’ve never felt so uncomfortable in my life trying to get to the bus stop and then on to work. Everyone was falling, slipping and doing their best to find things to hold on to. Obviously crossing roads and accesses there was nothing to grab on to. I got over two roads and an access for the GP Practice in one piece. Then I attempted to cross another access. It was pure ice. And I went over. Falling backwards on my rucksack. The packet of crisps didn’t survive but it probably stopped me banging my head.
My glasses were not so lucky. They flew of me. It was still pretty dark at 7:45am and everything beneath me was white with bits of black. I became Mr Magoo on my hands and knees trying to find the damn glasses to no avail. I asked one school kid if he could see them. He wasn’t helpful. I asked a Polish lady who was struggling with the ice and my question. I had no chance.
I had spare glasses at home, but would have to chance it back over the ice with less than brilliant vision. It wasn’t an obvious option. Then I remembered I had contact lenses in my bag, I edged over the ice towards a relatively low ice area beneath a few trees and managed to get a lens in. Ultimately I succeeded and whilst dancing unsteadily back over the access road I found my glasses. They skidded about three metres away from where I’d fallen, almost on to the main road. I’d never have found them with my contact lens.
I got over the road with much trepidation and onto a bus. The ice closer to work was still about, but there had been more treatment and I got there without further incident. The lack of treatment in the housing estate may be understandable but on the main road of Long Lane with so much footfall for school kids, let alone the GPs is a horrible oversight.
No more ice please, unless it’s in a glass of something tasty.
Coffee & Christmas Crackers
29/12/25 09:24 Filed in: Family
On Christmas Day I went to my sister’s for the big, fancy Sunday lunch. And she did a fabulous job. There were two new visitors there including her new puppy. I’m not sure how many weeks it is before a puppy becomes a dog, but Coco is not old at all. She’s quite an active puppy/dog and likes jumping about and picking things up—and maybe eating or hiding them. She certainly seems most interested in shoes and fingers at the moment. Looks lovely and it’ll be great to see how she turns out. She’s a German Shepherd.
A little video I did of Coco shows her current typical behaviour. Jump, nibble, claw, bite, sit, behave…repeat.
There were five of us at the meal (not including Coco) and after we ate our fill of turkey, beef, roasties, mash, cauli, broccoli, carrots, pigs in blankets, gravy, cheese sauce et al sis announced that rather than getting crackers for us she’d picked up a box of Amazon Returns for each of us. I’ve always found crackers a sad part of the Xmas day—the food, the people, the drink, the TV (and maybe a new dog) are far more important and much less a throw away instant waste.
The five rather large boxes were brought out—and they were quite impressive in that way—and I selected the one my niece brought in. The boxes all looked the same so it was just luck what would be in each one. Anyhoo, it proved lucky for me. Mine included a coffee machine (circa £60 worth) as well as a camera tripod, a whisky glass set, and a small Thermos flask. Much better than a coloured paper hat, a barely audible bang, and a sad joke. Everyone got some things which were useful (though I think the coffee machine was the best thing). Not sure whether it’ll become a Christmas Walker tradition, but maybe it will.
BTW I heated some water up later that evening to clean the coffee machine. And, yes it worked fine.
A little video I did of Coco shows her current typical behaviour. Jump, nibble, claw, bite, sit, behave…repeat.
There were five of us at the meal (not including Coco) and after we ate our fill of turkey, beef, roasties, mash, cauli, broccoli, carrots, pigs in blankets, gravy, cheese sauce et al sis announced that rather than getting crackers for us she’d picked up a box of Amazon Returns for each of us. I’ve always found crackers a sad part of the Xmas day—the food, the people, the drink, the TV (and maybe a new dog) are far more important and much less a throw away instant waste.
The five rather large boxes were brought out—and they were quite impressive in that way—and I selected the one my niece brought in. The boxes all looked the same so it was just luck what would be in each one. Anyhoo, it proved lucky for me. Mine included a coffee machine (circa £60 worth) as well as a camera tripod, a whisky glass set, and a small Thermos flask. Much better than a coloured paper hat, a barely audible bang, and a sad joke. Everyone got some things which were useful (though I think the coffee machine was the best thing). Not sure whether it’ll become a Christmas Walker tradition, but maybe it will.
BTW I heated some water up later that evening to clean the coffee machine. And, yes it worked fine.
AI Update Update
Three weeks ago Mani from the Stone Roses passed away and then I found that AI was telling me the gig I went to at the Royal Court never happened. The same AI now says it did and has added some detail to it. Amazing what a difference such a short period can make. I wonder if my comments on it being wrong contributed to the alteration in AI’s assertion.
AI Spot the Difference. Same question to Google three weeks apart.
Three weeks ago AI said this…
Now AI says this…
A couple of days ago I was told about a cool app where you can input/look up and record all the gigs you’ve been to. It’s called ‘Concert Archive’ (should surely be gig not concert in my opinion. Not sure I’ve been to many concerts). I quickly downloaded it and have since added quite a few gigs to the app over the last couple of days. This morning it sent me a notification that it was 30 years ago today I went to see Stone Roses in Liverpool.
Or did I?
Anyway the app looks good. Although the gigs all seem to be at least ten years further back than I first imagine. Sheesh! Unfortunately I can’t blame AI for that, just the rapid passage of time as you get older.
AI Spot the Difference. Same question to Google three weeks apart.
Three weeks ago AI said this…
Now AI says this…
A couple of days ago I was told about a cool app where you can input/look up and record all the gigs you’ve been to. It’s called ‘Concert Archive’ (should surely be gig not concert in my opinion. Not sure I’ve been to many concerts). I quickly downloaded it and have since added quite a few gigs to the app over the last couple of days. This morning it sent me a notification that it was 30 years ago today I went to see Stone Roses in Liverpool.
Or did I?
Anyway the app looks good. Although the gigs all seem to be at least ten years further back than I first imagine. Sheesh! Unfortunately I can’t blame AI for that, just the rapid passage of time as you get older.
A ScAIry Time
On Thursday there was the sad news that Mani from the Stone Roses had passed away. They were my favourite band during my first year of uni. 'Fools Gold', 'I Wanna Be Adored', and 'I Am The Resurrection' just blew me away. Or maybe transported me away would be a better description.
I’ve been lucky enough to have seen them a couple of times, including in the Royal Court, Liverpool. Back in the day. It was on a Friday night when our company was having their Christmas do. An afternoon meal and a few drinks. Then a few mates and colleagues were going to go above and beyond b seeing the mighty Stone Roses (the company hadn’t got us tickets for that).
‘‘Twas the best Xmas Do I’ve ever had anyway. The other day, with the Mani news, I’d wanted to check the date. I’d remembered it was the 15th December, but wasn’t sure of the year. I typed into Google Search ‘Stone Roses Royal Court Liverpool’ to check the date. It was an interesting search. I found the year, and the set list, on Setlist.fm. This was the third item down the search findings, the second was details on a Bootleg of the gig. The very top item was not from the general search items, but an AI summary. This was erroneous. According to the AI item—at the top of the search—it stated that the Stone Roses never played the Royal Court. This despite a) me and my mates having been there, b) there being a bootleg of the gig, c) there being a set list from the gig. All on the first page of the Google results! How does AI ignore the findings on the very first page of the search.
Stone Roses Set List—Royal Court, Liverpool, 15-12-1995.
Personally I’d rather not see an AI summary anyway, and whilst I know it happened—I was fucking there, for Christ’s sake. It does make you wonder how many people just read the top line and take it as gospel. And while it may not be that important in this case, what other things does it wrongly say hasn’t happened or doesn’t exist? Black IPAs, white dog poo back in the 70s, The Holocaust etc? All a bit scary really.
It’d like to opt out of AI summaries in Google search. I’ll have to ask Google if I can. But can I believe what it tells me?
I’ve been lucky enough to have seen them a couple of times, including in the Royal Court, Liverpool. Back in the day. It was on a Friday night when our company was having their Christmas do. An afternoon meal and a few drinks. Then a few mates and colleagues were going to go above and beyond b seeing the mighty Stone Roses (the company hadn’t got us tickets for that).
‘‘Twas the best Xmas Do I’ve ever had anyway. The other day, with the Mani news, I’d wanted to check the date. I’d remembered it was the 15th December, but wasn’t sure of the year. I typed into Google Search ‘Stone Roses Royal Court Liverpool’ to check the date. It was an interesting search. I found the year, and the set list, on Setlist.fm. This was the third item down the search findings, the second was details on a Bootleg of the gig. The very top item was not from the general search items, but an AI summary. This was erroneous. According to the AI item—at the top of the search—it stated that the Stone Roses never played the Royal Court. This despite a) me and my mates having been there, b) there being a bootleg of the gig, c) there being a set list from the gig. All on the first page of the Google results! How does AI ignore the findings on the very first page of the search.
Stone Roses Set List—Royal Court, Liverpool, 15-12-1995.
Personally I’d rather not see an AI summary anyway, and whilst I know it happened—I was fucking there, for Christ’s sake. It does make you wonder how many people just read the top line and take it as gospel. And while it may not be that important in this case, what other things does it wrongly say hasn’t happened or doesn’t exist? Black IPAs, white dog poo back in the 70s, The Holocaust etc? All a bit scary really.
It’d like to opt out of AI summaries in Google search. I’ll have to ask Google if I can. But can I believe what it tells me?
Focus, and Finish the Fucker
Went to print out something at home the other day and the printer wouldn’t work. It took me a few more minutes than it should have to realise that I hadn’t connected the printer to the new Wi-Fi following my move from Sky to Virgin. Took me a while to sort, but I got there in the end.
The thing I wanted to print out was one of my nearly 'so close, but so far' finished novels so that i could read it on paper and get back into it in my head before finishing it. It’s 52k words at the moment and I reckon it’ll probably only be about 5-10k or so to finish it.
Yesterday I put the A4 file with the 167 page, almost but not quite finished, effort in my bag, with the thought that I may get to read some whilst out.
In the end I didn’t get around to reading any of it, but it was weird how I bumped into two people in the same pub—half an hour apart—from my old writing group (the Poised Pen). I left the group years ago and it died a little while afterwards. Don’t think me leaving was the catalyst for its departure, so don’t blame me. I do think that it was a spooky coincidence seeing two of my old writing cohorts, in a place I regularly go to—but have never met either of them there before—whilst I’m about to revisit a serious writing endeavour. It’s October I guess so Spooky! is the way of things, ain’t it?
Next things. Read. Focus. And complete writing the fucker.
The thing I wanted to print out was one of my nearly 'so close, but so far' finished novels so that i could read it on paper and get back into it in my head before finishing it. It’s 52k words at the moment and I reckon it’ll probably only be about 5-10k or so to finish it.
Yesterday I put the A4 file with the 167 page, almost but not quite finished, effort in my bag, with the thought that I may get to read some whilst out.
In the end I didn’t get around to reading any of it, but it was weird how I bumped into two people in the same pub—half an hour apart—from my old writing group (the Poised Pen). I left the group years ago and it died a little while afterwards. Don’t think me leaving was the catalyst for its departure, so don’t blame me. I do think that it was a spooky coincidence seeing two of my old writing cohorts, in a place I regularly go to—but have never met either of them there before—whilst I’m about to revisit a serious writing endeavour. It’s October I guess so Spooky! is the way of things, ain’t it?
Next things. Read. Focus. And complete writing the fucker.
Far Too Many Binges
08/10/25 07:58 Filed in: TV
Bloody hell, I’ve been wasting too much time lately binge watching TV series. Some have been good. Some haven’t been. Some have been new, others old. Some multiple series long. Fook! They’ve been eating up far too much of what we all have limited quantities of: time.
Blue Lights was worth a binge to be fair. And just six episodes (this one series).
I could and—indeed—should have been reading, writing, or playing the guitar. I need to return back to my writing, both fiction and my blogging. Maybe even poems and songs. Even if they prove to be crap it’d be a better use of time than watching yet more TV. I really don’t need to binge watch one series and find myself binging on another one. It’s just a become a bad habit.
This was good but I binged all the seasons in a week or so. Crazy.
At least I can’t binge Slow Horses, as they are releasing one episode at a time over on Apple. How old fashioned. But seriously good to boot.
Let’s see if I can control myself in front of the telly box in the coming weeks. And replace that with some goodness.
Blue Lights was worth a binge to be fair. And just six episodes (this one series).
I could and—indeed—should have been reading, writing, or playing the guitar. I need to return back to my writing, both fiction and my blogging. Maybe even poems and songs. Even if they prove to be crap it’d be a better use of time than watching yet more TV. I really don’t need to binge watch one series and find myself binging on another one. It’s just a become a bad habit.
This was good but I binged all the seasons in a week or so. Crazy.
At least I can’t binge Slow Horses, as they are releasing one episode at a time over on Apple. How old fashioned. But seriously good to boot.
Let’s see if I can control myself in front of the telly box in the coming weeks. And replace that with some goodness.
Preston Again, Bristol Again
Went to see Bristol City play at Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday 27th September. The last time I went to see them was a match at the Reebok Stadium many years ago, which ended in some chaos at the train station—all a bit scary. Can’t really remember the match at all though.
I’ve been to a few games at Deepdale, including a Southport match in a local cup final game back in the days of the plastic pitch, and a Preston FA cup match v Manchester City in 2007—before they had Middle East cash. I had money on Nugent for the first goal which paid for my day out after just 8 minutes. But Preston eventually lost 1-3.
Watched the City game from the Sir Tom Finney’s Stand. I remember my dad getting me Sir Tom’s autograph on a scrap of paper way back. He’d been one of my dad’s footy heroes. No idea what happened to that scrap. Maybe it’s hidden away with the Hi-Di-Hi and Little & Large autographs.
No pic of the two too quickly demolished breakfasts, but they were bought here at the Shiraz.
No picture of the two too quickly drunken pints in the Old Vic either.
Second up the Winkley Alehouse.
Third up before getting to Deepdale was the always excellent Guild Ale House.
Arriving at Deepdale just before Kick-Off.
The view from up in the Bill Shankly Stand.
This time I was with my buddy, Sam, who’s a Brissol fan (not The Gas, the ones who play in red) and I was with the away fans in the Bill Shankly Stand. We both enjoy ale, so going to Preston (which is also on a direct route or two from Liverpool), is not a hardship. After a pre-day out Shiraz breakfast (no photo as we just got stuck in). We had three pints in Preston before the game calling in at the Old Vic by the station, then went to the Winkley Alehouse, before our final pre-match pint at the Guild Ale House. The latter is right next to the bus station and we soon hopped on a No.6 to Deepdale and got into the game as it was just kicking off. Brilliant.
The match was pretty good all the way through. Bristol City looked much the better side although both teams started the match on the same points. There was some good passing and moves, but there was no end product and no one looked effective or confident in front of the goal. Both keepers made saves and some shots bobbled just wide of the goal. It largely felt to all that it would be nil nil and it was.
The Bristol City fans sang all the way through the match and were in good form with old and new, and funny songs too. Unfortunately it all was to go wrong in the last five minutes when out of nowhere there were two or three awful songs from the middle of the crowd along the lines of Faragesque fandom, something about Keep Britain for the British, and another one about people in Dinghies. It was a truly awful last few minutes to what had been a genuinely good game.
An almost final touch was a free kick from Bristol City.
The Black Horse was packed ten minutes earlier.
The Black Horse.
There were Liverpool beers on in the Plug & Taps.
The Plug & Taps calls it as it is.
We couldn't really try and get a bus back so it was a walk back into town. We headed to the Black Horse for a couple. It was packed to begin with but emptied out by the time we left (when the rain came with a vengeance). It was only a short walk from there to the excellent Plug & Taps (just a couple of hundred metres or so away). It was pretty busy in here. They'd had a Liverpool beer tap take over for the last week or so. I'd just missed Sea of Dreams by a few minutes I was told, and I ended up with another Liverpool beer instead; an Intermission from Colbier brewery. Apparently all the Liverpool ales had gone down very well.
Then it was of to the station. Once again out train was good and on time. Excellent. All in all a very good day was had. Just a shame about the latter songs.
Incidentally, I got home to find I'd been delivered a leaflet from Reform. Grrr. It was like someone was rubbing it in. Bastards.
I’ve been to a few games at Deepdale, including a Southport match in a local cup final game back in the days of the plastic pitch, and a Preston FA cup match v Manchester City in 2007—before they had Middle East cash. I had money on Nugent for the first goal which paid for my day out after just 8 minutes. But Preston eventually lost 1-3.
Watched the City game from the Sir Tom Finney’s Stand. I remember my dad getting me Sir Tom’s autograph on a scrap of paper way back. He’d been one of my dad’s footy heroes. No idea what happened to that scrap. Maybe it’s hidden away with the Hi-Di-Hi and Little & Large autographs.
No pic of the two too quickly demolished breakfasts, but they were bought here at the Shiraz.
No picture of the two too quickly drunken pints in the Old Vic either.
Second up the Winkley Alehouse.
Third up before getting to Deepdale was the always excellent Guild Ale House.
Arriving at Deepdale just before Kick-Off.
The view from up in the Bill Shankly Stand.
This time I was with my buddy, Sam, who’s a Brissol fan (not The Gas, the ones who play in red) and I was with the away fans in the Bill Shankly Stand. We both enjoy ale, so going to Preston (which is also on a direct route or two from Liverpool), is not a hardship. After a pre-day out Shiraz breakfast (no photo as we just got stuck in). We had three pints in Preston before the game calling in at the Old Vic by the station, then went to the Winkley Alehouse, before our final pre-match pint at the Guild Ale House. The latter is right next to the bus station and we soon hopped on a No.6 to Deepdale and got into the game as it was just kicking off. Brilliant.
The match was pretty good all the way through. Bristol City looked much the better side although both teams started the match on the same points. There was some good passing and moves, but there was no end product and no one looked effective or confident in front of the goal. Both keepers made saves and some shots bobbled just wide of the goal. It largely felt to all that it would be nil nil and it was.
The Bristol City fans sang all the way through the match and were in good form with old and new, and funny songs too. Unfortunately it all was to go wrong in the last five minutes when out of nowhere there were two or three awful songs from the middle of the crowd along the lines of Faragesque fandom, something about Keep Britain for the British, and another one about people in Dinghies. It was a truly awful last few minutes to what had been a genuinely good game.
An almost final touch was a free kick from Bristol City.
The Black Horse was packed ten minutes earlier.
The Black Horse.
There were Liverpool beers on in the Plug & Taps.
The Plug & Taps calls it as it is.
We couldn't really try and get a bus back so it was a walk back into town. We headed to the Black Horse for a couple. It was packed to begin with but emptied out by the time we left (when the rain came with a vengeance). It was only a short walk from there to the excellent Plug & Taps (just a couple of hundred metres or so away). It was pretty busy in here. They'd had a Liverpool beer tap take over for the last week or so. I'd just missed Sea of Dreams by a few minutes I was told, and I ended up with another Liverpool beer instead; an Intermission from Colbier brewery. Apparently all the Liverpool ales had gone down very well.
Then it was of to the station. Once again out train was good and on time. Excellent. All in all a very good day was had. Just a shame about the latter songs.
Incidentally, I got home to find I'd been delivered a leaflet from Reform. Grrr. It was like someone was rubbing it in. Bastards.
Bishop's Castle 25
For a while we wondered if we’d get a camping trip in this year. We had a booking a few weeks ago but it turned out to be a weekend of storms across the country so we thought better of it. We pencilled in this weekend in its stead. The weather forecast was dry so we went for it. Really glad we did, it was a great few days.
We only had the one evening in Bishop’s Castle itself. Unfortunately the Three Tuns is closed at the moment. Not sure it that’s a temporary thing or not. The brewery is separate from the pub and is still going though. In the end we started in The Castle at the top of the village then made our way down via a short stop in The Vaults—which isn’t as good as it used to be—then we headed to the bottom of the village to the always reliable Six Bells.
We had a good evening out. The walk back to the tents was a different story completely, but suffice to say, that whilst we may not have returned as quickly as we should have, we all got back in one piece. And only one tree was harmed in the activity. I’ll say no more at this point, but maybe I’ll use some of the interesting evening as a basis to a story or two.
Next morning we got up—all pretty tired—and had a bacon butty to start the day of with. It was overcast and pretty grey; and surprisingly cold. We’d decided we go to Ludlow for the day (which we also did last time we camped here). The drive was straightforward and we were very lucky with a car park space opening up, in the overflowing car park, just as we arrived.
We headed into the town which we knew pretty well really. And Tony went straight to the Ludlow Pottery stall at the market to source a few porcelain mugs to replace the ones he’d lost with his pastime of coffee juggling. It was apparent that everyone who pays Council Tax in Ludlow gets a free dog or two. We were virtually the only people not walking through the place with our own portable trip hazard. It was like a dog festival in the centre. Rather too many small ones for my liking. The sun was coming out properly by now. A blue sky and warm too, very welcome after the nippy start to the morning.
By now it was pub time and we had a relaxing hour or so outside—in the courtyard—of the Rose & Crown (a Joules pub: cue a Slumbering Monk and a Pale). Kept my eye on my Football App to see the Man City score. They lost. Excellent. We went on to grab some sausages for Sunday’s breakfast and pulled pork baps for our lunch. We only just got the dregs of the pork, and there were many behind left disappointed; meanwhile they gave us a discount for not having the best of it. First the car park space, then the cheap port (and crackling), we were on a roll (not of the bap variety), maybe we should have bought a Lottery ticket at this point. Some ice-cream was called for by some of the group.
And that was about it really. We went back towards the car and ended up not popping into another pub (shocking behaviour). We decided to pop to Clun rather than straight to the campsite. The others headed to see the castle. I’d been there before and so opted to save my weary legs and go to the White Horse Inn for a pint and to read some. Nice pub, with plenty of Clun Brewery options too (I had a Solar and a Citadel). The others came back for one and then we pootled back the 5 or so miles to Foxholes.
Everyone was a little tired (some more so) and the call was made to stay in the campsite that evening rather than head down to the village. When it was discovered that the chippy was open (it had been closed the night before) the decision was set in stone and Jeanette drove down to pick up some (very) chip heavy dinners. It was the right call. The evening was relaxed and no more trees were harmed at this point of the weekend.
Drinking was quite minimal compared with our history here. There were no rum, brandy, or whisky bottles opened over the weekend. Just a few cans and bottles of beer; and gin for Jeanette (when she wasn’t driving of course). The evening across the campsite sounded lively on Saturday night, but not excessively so. We’re usually here at the start of July before the school holidays so we aren’t used to seeing children here. This time there were plenty of young kids about (all seemingly enjoying kite flying) and there were loads of camper vans. I really quite fancy having one; if I ever get a decent windfall I’d defo consider getting one. It would seem very freeing.
Sunday began with a sausage and bacon bap, showers, and taking down our tents. It was much sunnier and warmer than the start of the day on Saturday. There was some debate about where to go to before going home and we opted for having a few hours in Bridgnorth. Three of us had been there before but the memories of the place varied between ‘pretty good’ to ‘have I!?’. Last time we camped at Foxholes we went to Ironbridge on the Sunday and Bridgnorth is really just the next town down the river (the Severn). It was warm and sunny and the town looked lovely. Thankfully it wasn’t as hot as it had been when we’d been at Ironbridge; but hey, sunshine, calm, and dry is always a bonus when you’re out and about. And a breeze in a beer garden or AC inside the pub is a damn fine bonus. The others opted for a walk around the upper town up the steep roads, whilst I opted for sitting out the steep climb to relax in the Black Boy Inn. I ended up with a pint of Hobson’s ‘Town Crier’ and an ‘Enville Ale’ before they returned from their steep stroll.
Lastly we had a drink and some chips in the Boatyard. Nice to sit out again and eat something. A shame they had no real ale on, but beggars can't be choosers. Then it was the trip back to Liverpool—it's only two hours away. The journey back went smoothly. It was good to get back but it had been a really good trip though. Other than the slight tree issue the only other issue had been two broken air beds which headed to the Purple Bin on my return. Must get another one for myself before camping again next year. Assuming I do. Fingers crossed I do.
We only had the one evening in Bishop’s Castle itself. Unfortunately the Three Tuns is closed at the moment. Not sure it that’s a temporary thing or not. The brewery is separate from the pub and is still going though. In the end we started in The Castle at the top of the village then made our way down via a short stop in The Vaults—which isn’t as good as it used to be—then we headed to the bottom of the village to the always reliable Six Bells.
We had a good evening out. The walk back to the tents was a different story completely, but suffice to say, that whilst we may not have returned as quickly as we should have, we all got back in one piece. And only one tree was harmed in the activity. I’ll say no more at this point, but maybe I’ll use some of the interesting evening as a basis to a story or two.
Next morning we got up—all pretty tired—and had a bacon butty to start the day of with. It was overcast and pretty grey; and surprisingly cold. We’d decided we go to Ludlow for the day (which we also did last time we camped here). The drive was straightforward and we were very lucky with a car park space opening up, in the overflowing car park, just as we arrived.
We headed into the town which we knew pretty well really. And Tony went straight to the Ludlow Pottery stall at the market to source a few porcelain mugs to replace the ones he’d lost with his pastime of coffee juggling. It was apparent that everyone who pays Council Tax in Ludlow gets a free dog or two. We were virtually the only people not walking through the place with our own portable trip hazard. It was like a dog festival in the centre. Rather too many small ones for my liking. The sun was coming out properly by now. A blue sky and warm too, very welcome after the nippy start to the morning.
By now it was pub time and we had a relaxing hour or so outside—in the courtyard—of the Rose & Crown (a Joules pub: cue a Slumbering Monk and a Pale). Kept my eye on my Football App to see the Man City score. They lost. Excellent. We went on to grab some sausages for Sunday’s breakfast and pulled pork baps for our lunch. We only just got the dregs of the pork, and there were many behind left disappointed; meanwhile they gave us a discount for not having the best of it. First the car park space, then the cheap port (and crackling), we were on a roll (not of the bap variety), maybe we should have bought a Lottery ticket at this point. Some ice-cream was called for by some of the group.
And that was about it really. We went back towards the car and ended up not popping into another pub (shocking behaviour). We decided to pop to Clun rather than straight to the campsite. The others headed to see the castle. I’d been there before and so opted to save my weary legs and go to the White Horse Inn for a pint and to read some. Nice pub, with plenty of Clun Brewery options too (I had a Solar and a Citadel). The others came back for one and then we pootled back the 5 or so miles to Foxholes.
Everyone was a little tired (some more so) and the call was made to stay in the campsite that evening rather than head down to the village. When it was discovered that the chippy was open (it had been closed the night before) the decision was set in stone and Jeanette drove down to pick up some (very) chip heavy dinners. It was the right call. The evening was relaxed and no more trees were harmed at this point of the weekend.
Drinking was quite minimal compared with our history here. There were no rum, brandy, or whisky bottles opened over the weekend. Just a few cans and bottles of beer; and gin for Jeanette (when she wasn’t driving of course). The evening across the campsite sounded lively on Saturday night, but not excessively so. We’re usually here at the start of July before the school holidays so we aren’t used to seeing children here. This time there were plenty of young kids about (all seemingly enjoying kite flying) and there were loads of camper vans. I really quite fancy having one; if I ever get a decent windfall I’d defo consider getting one. It would seem very freeing.
Sunday began with a sausage and bacon bap, showers, and taking down our tents. It was much sunnier and warmer than the start of the day on Saturday. There was some debate about where to go to before going home and we opted for having a few hours in Bridgnorth. Three of us had been there before but the memories of the place varied between ‘pretty good’ to ‘have I!?’. Last time we camped at Foxholes we went to Ironbridge on the Sunday and Bridgnorth is really just the next town down the river (the Severn). It was warm and sunny and the town looked lovely. Thankfully it wasn’t as hot as it had been when we’d been at Ironbridge; but hey, sunshine, calm, and dry is always a bonus when you’re out and about. And a breeze in a beer garden or AC inside the pub is a damn fine bonus. The others opted for a walk around the upper town up the steep roads, whilst I opted for sitting out the steep climb to relax in the Black Boy Inn. I ended up with a pint of Hobson’s ‘Town Crier’ and an ‘Enville Ale’ before they returned from their steep stroll.
Lastly we had a drink and some chips in the Boatyard. Nice to sit out again and eat something. A shame they had no real ale on, but beggars can't be choosers. Then it was the trip back to Liverpool—it's only two hours away. The journey back went smoothly. It was good to get back but it had been a really good trip though. Other than the slight tree issue the only other issue had been two broken air beds which headed to the Purple Bin on my return. Must get another one for myself before camping again next year. Assuming I do. Fingers crossed I do.