StarRating
Guests - Fat Bastard
Guests
Beer - Excellent Bombardier
Condition - Crap
Music - Too loud
We chose the old Lady Margaret 'saloon bar' which had recently been vacated by its Thai tenants. Surely they had made a good attempt to turn round a declining pub into half pub/half resataurant as is the fashion in many other parts of the country but it was history - they had scarpered according to the friendly local in the toilet. Some of the restaurant furnishings were still in place but a noisy jukebox , pool table and assorted furniture had been added. The Irish landlord made a 30 second appearance to acknowledge our presence and ask if we wanted the music turn down - if only the other locals were as friendly but wait there was Bombardier at the incredible low price of £1.80 a pint and it was good . By our second drink we were warming to the place but FB had a rendezvous at the second Wheatsheaf and we made a hasty exit.
Friday, 18 May 2007
Thursday, 26 April 2007
Pub Name Bakers Arms
Star Rating
Guests T MM FB BW FN
Guests failed
Date 23.2
Time
Beer Arkells
Condition Quite good
Price
Choice
Service Good
Clientele Middle age to older
Spoke to Landlady
Music Swing, rock - great
Notes “A little gem uncovered” is a bit strong but much better than the average fake row of beads in your rosary
Arkells prices on display – but can’t remember what they were. Unfortunately beer not very good
Smoky
Great music – swing, rock…
Middle age to older clientele but good mixture of both sexes; a couple of younger girls came in later
Red plastic seats – shame
Landlady came over and spoke to us for quite a time – worried about the effect of the smoking ban; very friendly
Uncle Rex said that we’ll be back – does he realize that we will have to honour this commitment – true pilgrims have an ethical code. Incidentally I can’t remember whether Uncle Rex decided this before or after the free massage he received.
Ordered a second half - unprecedented
Bionic Woman’s favourite pub so far – got atmosphere
"C" barmaid tradition upheld here
Their evenings unable to get better after this, and no prospect now of a visit to the Cricketers, Tourettes, Material Mama and Bionic Woman let the remaining Pilgrims continue their journey alone. Who knows such was the enthusiasm for this littler gem that the three of them may still be there?
Star Rating
Guests T MM FB BW FN
Guests failed
Date 23.2
Time
Beer Arkells
Condition Quite good
Price
Choice
Service Good
Clientele Middle age to older
Spoke to Landlady
Music Swing, rock - great
Notes “A little gem uncovered” is a bit strong but much better than the average fake row of beads in your rosary
Arkells prices on display – but can’t remember what they were. Unfortunately beer not very good
Smoky
Great music – swing, rock…
Middle age to older clientele but good mixture of both sexes; a couple of younger girls came in later
Red plastic seats – shame
Landlady came over and spoke to us for quite a time – worried about the effect of the smoking ban; very friendly
Uncle Rex said that we’ll be back – does he realize that we will have to honour this commitment – true pilgrims have an ethical code. Incidentally I can’t remember whether Uncle Rex decided this before or after the free massage he received.
Ordered a second half - unprecedented
Bionic Woman’s favourite pub so far – got atmosphere
"C" barmaid tradition upheld here
Their evenings unable to get better after this, and no prospect now of a visit to the Cricketers, Tourettes, Material Mama and Bionic Woman let the remaining Pilgrims continue their journey alone. Who knows such was the enthusiasm for this littler gem that the three of them may still be there?
Wednesday, 25 April 2007
12 Bar
Pub Name12 Bar
Star Rating
Guests FN BC
Guests failed
Date 12.1
Time
Beer
Condition
Price
Choice
Service
Clientele
Spoke to
Music
Notes Bar think of a number was a cacophony of sound and vision. Distraction was the order of the day. There was no point in even attempting to relax or converse in the onslaught; although I did have an amusing conversation with Fat Neck about “good” motivation to be in his career. Being lecherous - teenage girls in uniform and the long holidays are not indicators. The beer was lifeless and flabby, rather like the service. I yearned to see Wilco Johnson who was playing exceptional straight ahead blues next door. They appeared to be having a rip roaring time. I cast my eye around the pub, a motley crew of bleached blond podgy school girls with their mum drinking pints and chain smoking; a biker with his woman who had breasts like two Zeppelins in a neck and neck race for all to see. Then walked in a crew who looked similar to us in age whom you seemed to know (our neighbour), perhaps they were there for Wilco? I was glad to be leaving the Bar think of a numbe
Star Rating
Guests FN BC
Guests failed
Date 12.1
Time
Beer
Condition
Price
Choice
Service
Clientele
Spoke to
Music
Notes Bar think of a number was a cacophony of sound and vision. Distraction was the order of the day. There was no point in even attempting to relax or converse in the onslaught; although I did have an amusing conversation with Fat Neck about “good” motivation to be in his career. Being lecherous - teenage girls in uniform and the long holidays are not indicators. The beer was lifeless and flabby, rather like the service. I yearned to see Wilco Johnson who was playing exceptional straight ahead blues next door. They appeared to be having a rip roaring time. I cast my eye around the pub, a motley crew of bleached blond podgy school girls with their mum drinking pints and chain smoking; a biker with his woman who had breasts like two Zeppelins in a neck and neck race for all to see. Then walked in a crew who looked similar to us in age whom you seemed to know (our neighbour), perhaps they were there for Wilco? I was glad to be leaving the Bar think of a numbe
Saturday, 21 April 2007
Galway Bay
Date: 26/01/07
Guests: none
Guests failed: all
Time:
Beer: Boddingtons (?)
Condition:
Price: 2.30
Choice:
Service: friendly
Clientele: varied
Spoke to:
Music: none?
Notes: The friendly barmaid tells guy to stop swearing as we come in, remarking that there are 'proper people here'. She’s looking forward to watching Big Brother later on. The investigator who is possibly Peahead tries to engage her in conversation but this doesn’t seem to develop possibly owing to the fact that Peahead's knowledge of the subject is somewhat lacking. (Recommend more detailed preparation before his next visit). One big room – old tatty chairs, tatty place. Old guy sitting in corner having his drink and reading the paper (I think). Group of people (Africans – Somalians?) playing pool – don't seem to mind us. Just blokes until girls with fat thighs come in (for the karaoke later on?). Pictures of horses on wall. Connections with Ireland around – not usre why– was there an Irish community here? Place had quite a reasonable feel to it - glasses taken back to the bar.
Guests: none
Guests failed: all
Time:
Beer: Boddingtons (?)
Condition:
Price: 2.30
Choice:
Service: friendly
Clientele: varied
Spoke to:
Music: none?
Notes: The friendly barmaid tells guy to stop swearing as we come in, remarking that there are 'proper people here'. She’s looking forward to watching Big Brother later on. The investigator who is possibly Peahead tries to engage her in conversation but this doesn’t seem to develop possibly owing to the fact that Peahead's knowledge of the subject is somewhat lacking. (Recommend more detailed preparation before his next visit). One big room – old tatty chairs, tatty place. Old guy sitting in corner having his drink and reading the paper (I think). Group of people (Africans – Somalians?) playing pool – don't seem to mind us. Just blokes until girls with fat thighs come in (for the karaoke later on?). Pictures of horses on wall. Connections with Ireland around – not usre why– was there an Irish community here? Place had quite a reasonable feel to it - glasses taken back to the bar.
Tap and Barrel
Date: 26/01/07
Guests: none
Guests failed: all
Time:
Beer: non existent
Condition:
Price: 2.60 (Guiness)
Choice:
Service:
Clientele: mixed, children playing on floor
Spoke to:
Music:
Notes:(Contributed by Little Chalfont) Large pub; no music playing. Music later on – Roger Lendon. TV screens, bit smoky, low beamed ceilings, was this the first time we saw Afro Caribbeans in a pub? felt comfortable. Didn’t seem to be looked at as outsiders. Irish signs still around. Generally big barmaids
Guests: none
Guests failed: all
Time:
Beer: non existent
Condition:
Price: 2.60 (Guiness)
Choice:
Service:
Clientele: mixed, children playing on floor
Spoke to:
Music:
Notes:(Contributed by Little Chalfont) Large pub; no music playing. Music later on – Roger Lendon. TV screens, bit smoky, low beamed ceilings, was this the first time we saw Afro Caribbeans in a pub? felt comfortable. Didn’t seem to be looked at as outsiders. Irish signs still around. Generally big barmaids
Evidence of Incompetence
At this point I am including point 9 from the 'minutes' of the 'meeting' written by Little Chalfont on 26/01/07 to give an insight into the drinkers' general level of incompetence (Ed).
9. AOB
i. Kitty - 26.50 spent - therefore if Master PJ gives me a tenner, Stig has 3.50 to go into next kitty
ii. Names for blog need to be finalized – personally am currently playing with Stig, Animal and CJ
iii.Need to decide name of blog – swindonpubsulike – is on the table
iv. Stars for pubs we went to - -it appears that none got any except for the Savoy, which got three – is there a link between this and the fact that it was out fourth pint?
v. Need for re-evaluation of star system, could also have league tables, not sure there can be a premier league in Swindon – judged by what we’ve seen so far, but we could have a Championship, League 1, and League 2. You can’t get into the Championship or League 1 unless they have real beer. But there’s got to be a place somewhere for Galway Bay
vi. Need to get a copy of list of licensed premises to check that haven’t missed other pubs (the Crumpled Horn may be the classy pub in Eldene and there’s one we haven’t seen listed). I’ll ask [name deleted for legal reasons - local council representative] if she can get me a list. Will also try to remember to print off list with stars we have given so far- for evaluation meeting.
vii. My jumper and jacket stank of smoke this morning
9. AOB
i. Kitty - 26.50 spent - therefore if Master PJ gives me a tenner, Stig has 3.50 to go into next kitty
ii. Names for blog need to be finalized – personally am currently playing with Stig, Animal and CJ
iii.Need to decide name of blog – swindonpubsulike – is on the table
iv. Stars for pubs we went to - -it appears that none got any except for the Savoy, which got three – is there a link between this and the fact that it was out fourth pint?
v. Need for re-evaluation of star system, could also have league tables, not sure there can be a premier league in Swindon – judged by what we’ve seen so far, but we could have a Championship, League 1, and League 2. You can’t get into the Championship or League 1 unless they have real beer. But there’s got to be a place somewhere for Galway Bay
vi. Need to get a copy of list of licensed premises to check that haven’t missed other pubs (the Crumpled Horn may be the classy pub in Eldene and there’s one we haven’t seen listed). I’ll ask [name deleted for legal reasons - local council representative] if she can get me a list. Will also try to remember to print off list with stars we have given so far- for evaluation meeting.
vii. My jumper and jacket stank of smoke this morning
Duke of Wellington ####
Date: Saturday 20th January
Guests: Auntie Rex, Fat Neck, Bionic Women, Top Cat
Guests failed:
Time:
Beer: Arkells
Condition: Excellent
Price:
Choice:
Service: friendly
Clientele:
Spoke to:
Music:
Notes: (Contributed by Top Cat) Re-assurringly there were 3 golf bags crowding the entrance and were welcomed by the smiling landlady who was dressed like a fairy. Fat Neck and Bionic Women were already present beaming with drinks in hand. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, best of all we had a small room all to ourselves. The Arkells 3B was drawn straight from one of the 3 barrels on the counter. It was gorgeous, nutty and smooth. This was the BEST pint yet and we had two. The bar was cluttered with golf paraphernalia and porcelain ducks lined up in 3’s on the shelf. We ended the match on a par, happy, safe in the knowledge that tonight we had survived the Crumpled Horn.
Guests: Auntie Rex, Fat Neck, Bionic Women, Top Cat
Guests failed:
Time:
Beer: Arkells
Condition: Excellent
Price:
Choice:
Service: friendly
Clientele:
Spoke to:
Music:
Notes: (Contributed by Top Cat) Re-assurringly there were 3 golf bags crowding the entrance and were welcomed by the smiling landlady who was dressed like a fairy. Fat Neck and Bionic Women were already present beaming with drinks in hand. The atmosphere was warm, friendly, best of all we had a small room all to ourselves. The Arkells 3B was drawn straight from one of the 3 barrels on the counter. It was gorgeous, nutty and smooth. This was the BEST pint yet and we had two. The bar was cluttered with golf paraphernalia and porcelain ducks lined up in 3’s on the shelf. We ended the match on a par, happy, safe in the knowledge that tonight we had survived the Crumpled Horn.
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