What a shock to the system as I just hear on the news that Fuller, Smith and Turner, makers of London Pride, has just sold it's brewing business to Asahi, a Japanese brewing organisation. They have committed to continue brewing at the Griffin Brewery in Chiswick and the Fullers estate of pubs and hotels will continue to serve it, it just comes as a surprise when the brand has been doing so well for many, many years.
I completed the Fullers Passport many years ago and got a couple of ceramic pint mugs and a flagon as a prize, and have been drinking the beer since I moved to London in 1971. The Fuller's owners do say that the wet trade only accounts for 13% of their turnover and the share price went up 22% today so I guess it was a good bit of business for them.
A little known fact about the brewery and the local area is that the football ground soon to be vacated by Brentford is called Griffin Park because the brewery deposited the clinker from their furnaces there before the football ground was constructed on the site. The new Brentford ground is being constructed a stones throw from my previous abode in Silver Crescent. I just hope the brewery continues to be a local community landmark for many years to come.
Cheers!
Friday, 25 January 2019
Britain had talent
The Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight has just started a regular comedy club. It aims to host a number of 'stars' from Britain's Got Talent (BGT), on a monthly basis. We decided to give it a try as the headliner in the first show was Robert White, who made the final and only lost out to fellow comedian Lost Voice Guy.
Now Robert is autistic and gay and up until BGT worked as a teaching assistant. I thought he was good enough on TV to go to see him live. What a mistake that was. He was on an ego trip the size of which Simon Cowell would struggle to match. His jokes and songs were course and vulgar and the need to swear alot forced sections of the audience to vote with their feet and leave before the end. That included local comedian Stan BBoardman, next to whom we were sitting. He left commenting that that was not comedy, and he should know!!
In traditional comedy club format, there was an MC, and two warm up comedians before Robert. The MC was pretty poor. SWMBO liked the first warm-up and I liked the second, Simon Lomas, so at least we did not leave without having something to laugh about.
Simon had to endure a fairly boring heckler so maybe the venue will look at having a couple of bouncers around next time, to help the comics out.
The February gig features Nick Page, also from BGT, who incidentally used to be a presenter on Escape to the Countryside. The also have Lost Voice Guy later in the year who was the winner of BGT and consequently appeared in the Royal Variety Show in front of royalty. Lets hope they are a bit more humorous than Robert White was.
Now Robert is autistic and gay and up until BGT worked as a teaching assistant. I thought he was good enough on TV to go to see him live. What a mistake that was. He was on an ego trip the size of which Simon Cowell would struggle to match. His jokes and songs were course and vulgar and the need to swear alot forced sections of the audience to vote with their feet and leave before the end. That included local comedian Stan BBoardman, next to whom we were sitting. He left commenting that that was not comedy, and he should know!!
In traditional comedy club format, there was an MC, and two warm up comedians before Robert. The MC was pretty poor. SWMBO liked the first warm-up and I liked the second, Simon Lomas, so at least we did not leave without having something to laugh about.
Simon had to endure a fairly boring heckler so maybe the venue will look at having a couple of bouncers around next time, to help the comics out.
The February gig features Nick Page, also from BGT, who incidentally used to be a presenter on Escape to the Countryside. The also have Lost Voice Guy later in the year who was the winner of BGT and consequently appeared in the Royal Variety Show in front of royalty. Lets hope they are a bit more humorous than Robert White was.
Sunday, 13 January 2019
Behind you
Number one grand daughter was in her first pantomime this weekend, a small part but a step on the ladder. She was in the chorus for three numbers and then the grand finale.
The event was hosted in the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight. It was opened in 1845 by the Prime Minister originally for men only entertainment but soon morphed itself into the cosy variety theatre it is today. It is a throwback to the Lord Leverhume philanthropic approach to staff well being, and must have attracted the misogynistic hall stars of the time. It still pulls in artists from stage and screen we have heard of, and is just launching a comedy club which we might sample shortly.
While we were supporting Ava, the Swiss branch were skiing in the Alps as the snow had dumped on the Swiss side, totally ignoring the Italians. No change there then.
I am writing this in Arrows Park A & E as we try to find out what they can do about my mother and her frail legs and body. It is going to be a long night I suspect as she once more becomes unstable and prone to falling.
Storm force winds are forecast for the next few weeks so best be prepared for a bit of inclement weather here for a while.
I have just got tickets for the cricket at Lords in August so that gives us something sunny to look forward to, and we are off to St George's Hall for a beer festival, prior to the Six Nations rugby starting. Nothing like a bit of drinking practise before the drinking starts in earnest.
The event was hosted in the Gladstone Theatre in Port Sunlight. It was opened in 1845 by the Prime Minister originally for men only entertainment but soon morphed itself into the cosy variety theatre it is today. It is a throwback to the Lord Leverhume philanthropic approach to staff well being, and must have attracted the misogynistic hall stars of the time. It still pulls in artists from stage and screen we have heard of, and is just launching a comedy club which we might sample shortly.
While we were supporting Ava, the Swiss branch were skiing in the Alps as the snow had dumped on the Swiss side, totally ignoring the Italians. No change there then.
I am writing this in Arrows Park A & E as we try to find out what they can do about my mother and her frail legs and body. It is going to be a long night I suspect as she once more becomes unstable and prone to falling.
Storm force winds are forecast for the next few weeks so best be prepared for a bit of inclement weather here for a while.
I have just got tickets for the cricket at Lords in August so that gives us something sunny to look forward to, and we are off to St George's Hall for a beer festival, prior to the Six Nations rugby starting. Nothing like a bit of drinking practise before the drinking starts in earnest.
Thursday, 3 January 2019
Sunny side up
First post of 2019, and already so much going on. The New Years Eve party was good but not spectacular. There were plenty of men in skirts and a few Ceilidh dances were performed but there was not really enough room for all those who wished to participate. My knee was still crook from the wedding accident so I sat those dances out.
We were on a table for two rather than a group table which was fine, but the conversation with other guests only really took off after mid-night as everybody converged on the comfy chairs. we went to bed about 2:00am having met another Scouser and a lad from Kent who had both moved to Caithness which even further North than Inverness.
I have a reputation on golf tours of going off piste as far as the menu is concerned and the tactic of choosing the best bits of one dish with the basis of another is called doing a 'weathers'. So why not start the year with one I thought. I then proceeded to turn up for brunch at about 12:00 and ordered a full Scottish breakfast with steak and eggs on the side. A true 'weathers' would see me leaving some of it as it is usually too substantial, but on this occasion it all got woofed.
We had a good trip back yesterday and saw number one son and family. I went out for a swiftie with him and number two son. I left them at about 21:30. They rolled in at 06:00 having been out on the lash in Liverpool. Blind leading the blind me thinks.
Today has been busy. The first of the New Year jobs saw the swimming pool dehumidifier fixed. We then managed to get a Social Services assessment of my mum completed meaning she can return to her home tomorrow and care assistants will visit three or four times a day as necessary. I can then go to the Tranmere v Spurs FA Cup game and have a few beers hopefully. Golf starts in earnest again next week and hoepfully normal service will be restored.
Only time will tell......
We were on a table for two rather than a group table which was fine, but the conversation with other guests only really took off after mid-night as everybody converged on the comfy chairs. we went to bed about 2:00am having met another Scouser and a lad from Kent who had both moved to Caithness which even further North than Inverness.
I have a reputation on golf tours of going off piste as far as the menu is concerned and the tactic of choosing the best bits of one dish with the basis of another is called doing a 'weathers'. So why not start the year with one I thought. I then proceeded to turn up for brunch at about 12:00 and ordered a full Scottish breakfast with steak and eggs on the side. A true 'weathers' would see me leaving some of it as it is usually too substantial, but on this occasion it all got woofed.
We had a good trip back yesterday and saw number one son and family. I went out for a swiftie with him and number two son. I left them at about 21:30. They rolled in at 06:00 having been out on the lash in Liverpool. Blind leading the blind me thinks.
Today has been busy. The first of the New Year jobs saw the swimming pool dehumidifier fixed. We then managed to get a Social Services assessment of my mum completed meaning she can return to her home tomorrow and care assistants will visit three or four times a day as necessary. I can then go to the Tranmere v Spurs FA Cup game and have a few beers hopefully. Golf starts in earnest again next week and hoepfully normal service will be restored.
Only time will tell......
Monday, 31 December 2018
Three sisters
Cor! I think I overdid it a bit in the Gay Gordon's at the wedding, my back is killing. Anyway, we have arrived at our last destination to sleep in the fourth bed in a week. I haven't done that since I was in my thirties!!
The last two days we have been in an Airbnb near Loch Ness to do some sight seeing but to honest it was all about disappointing. The pubs were shut and food sources were scarce so we made the best of it before a better day today.
We went to Fort Augustus to see the Caledonian canal then followed that to Fort William. Unfortunately Ben Nevis was shrouded in mist and driek but the trip through Glen Coe to Crieff was very spectacular.
We are now settling down before the Hogmanay celebrations begin although I may sit out the Ceilidh this time!!
The Scottish Highlands are hugely sparse and I wonder what they would hope to gain from independence. It would be interesting to see if the geographic split of the voting focused on the big cities as the hotbed of separation.
So this my last post of the year, another which has disappointed numbers wise, so lets see If I can be more interesting in 2019. Happy New Year to all my readers, thanks for sticking at it.
The last two days we have been in an Airbnb near Loch Ness to do some sight seeing but to honest it was all about disappointing. The pubs were shut and food sources were scarce so we made the best of it before a better day today.
We went to Fort Augustus to see the Caledonian canal then followed that to Fort William. Unfortunately Ben Nevis was shrouded in mist and driek but the trip through Glen Coe to Crieff was very spectacular.
We are now settling down before the Hogmanay celebrations begin although I may sit out the Ceilidh this time!!
The Scottish Highlands are hugely sparse and I wonder what they would hope to gain from independence. It would be interesting to see if the geographic split of the voting focused on the big cities as the hotbed of separation.
So this my last post of the year, another which has disappointed numbers wise, so lets see If I can be more interesting in 2019. Happy New Year to all my readers, thanks for sticking at it.
Friday, 28 December 2018
The light fandango
We made good time to Inverness, which allowed SWMBO sufficient time to put her game face on before we got to Achnagairn Castle for the wedding of Ross, aka Llama, and Bryony.
The day went well. Ross used to be in the English National Choir and has maintained good friendships with many of his colleague singers. They are at the wedding end bloc, so the choir was amazing during the service and also later at the reception when they did an impromptu carol concert in the garden.
The wine and beer flowed but I deny that was why I took a tumble during one of the ceilidh band fast numbers, stripping the willow. We got to bed in good order and were raring to go the next day as we dropped number two son off at the station.
We then spent the day sightseeing in Inverness. We visited the castle which was scene of many a bloody battle, and a few gruesome executions, the old town and Victorian market before travelling back along the banks of Beauly Firth. Tomorrow we are off to Glen Affric before a spot of monster hunting on Loch Ness.
Might have a curry tonight though as the village is a bit quiet!!
The day went well. Ross used to be in the English National Choir and has maintained good friendships with many of his colleague singers. They are at the wedding end bloc, so the choir was amazing during the service and also later at the reception when they did an impromptu carol concert in the garden.
The wine and beer flowed but I deny that was why I took a tumble during one of the ceilidh band fast numbers, stripping the willow. We got to bed in good order and were raring to go the next day as we dropped number two son off at the station.
We then spent the day sightseeing in Inverness. We visited the castle which was scene of many a bloody battle, and a few gruesome executions, the old town and Victorian market before travelling back along the banks of Beauly Firth. Tomorrow we are off to Glen Affric before a spot of monster hunting on Loch Ness.
Might have a curry tonight though as the village is a bit quiet!!
Wednesday, 26 December 2018
Northern Lights
Christmas day passed off well enough. A trip first thing to check on my mother was followed by hoots of joy at home as the ankle biters tore open their presents. They seemed to be happy with their lot, as did their parents. I got golf related gifts which are always well received.
Dinner was quiet this year with only four adults, but SWMBO still managed to cater for the usual 20 people! We have been eating turkey and ham sandwiches on our way to Perth, just to use the excess up.
Perth you may ask!! Yes we are half way up Scotland after a five hour car journey. Tomorrow we need to be in Inverness for a 13:00 wedding in a castle in the Highlands. That means a very early start and we are just fortunate there is no snow forecast.
A friend of number two son is getting wed. He is best man and we are honoured guests so could not cry off, even with what is happening at home.
We have a Scotland road trip planned on the way back and are hopeful we can complete it. Number one son and family are coming to Scouseland for New Year so we can catch up with them again.
So stay tuned as we continue to venture furtherNorth than I have ever been!
Dinner was quiet this year with only four adults, but SWMBO still managed to cater for the usual 20 people! We have been eating turkey and ham sandwiches on our way to Perth, just to use the excess up.
Perth you may ask!! Yes we are half way up Scotland after a five hour car journey. Tomorrow we need to be in Inverness for a 13:00 wedding in a castle in the Highlands. That means a very early start and we are just fortunate there is no snow forecast.
A friend of number two son is getting wed. He is best man and we are honoured guests so could not cry off, even with what is happening at home.
We have a Scotland road trip planned on the way back and are hopeful we can complete it. Number one son and family are coming to Scouseland for New Year so we can catch up with them again.
So stay tuned as we continue to venture furtherNorth than I have ever been!
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