DRESDEN          Friday 25^th February 2005

Squarrites:

Yuppee, Ali Gee, R G Bargee, Mid week Tone, JayCee, D Ceen, Ian ‘Little Terrier’ Lowe, Spikelett, Granpop Bill, Pedro, Shandy Boy Morgan, Richee, Scottee, Dave Dangerous IT Byrne

A journey of several thousand miles was made by Yup to collect Pedro, the mitherer, and taxi him from the other side of the potteries to the Potter, but we won’t dwell on that for too long; saffron. 

When we finally arrived, jet lagged from our energy sapping 30 hour journey, Ali Gee and R G bargee were already supping their first pints, having arrived on a turbo charged chariot at a quid return from neck end. 

Tone, who was not expected till 8ish, turned up earlier than expected, still hoarse from a public meeting held the night before.  He came in need of further lubrication for his throat, which had dried up at the meeting.  Although he hadn’t been involved in the public speaking, he’d had nothing to drink over a 3 hour period.   

The group soon grew so a comfy vacant area was found and we moved to it and sat down.  We soon realised why no-one was sitting there when we realised we were sitting directly in front of a log fire.  Ah well, we’d have to drink more to keep cool.

The chat soon moved onto likely places to go to later in the year such as Bonne in Germany, Warsaw in Poland and even the Belgium Beer fest was mentioned which would give Beardie the chance of joining us by train. 

There was an excellent choice of ales, six pulls were on including from left to right: Six nations, London Pride, Wolf bitter, Dick Turpin, Abbott, and finally, the one on the far right end, ‘Smiles’.  As our memories were addled the following week we couldn’t remember which ale the last one on the right was called.  So to end the uncertainty and see if R G Bargee’s memory is as good as ours, I went back the following Saturday under duress of course, to cross-examine the barman and he confirmed my recollections.   

Pedro took advantage of the free samples of ale before buying.  Luckily he did before ordering a pint of the Wolfe Ale, which would have been better being used on a bag of fish and chips.  The barman quickly turned the badge round and we were down to 5 ales.  Ian The Terrier arrived, and as Beardie wasn’t with us, he opted for a pint of John Smiths smoothflow, despite the range of ales on offer.  His reputation sunk to an all time lowe. 

The next squarree at Nantwich was bought up and the date rearranged to a mid week night, almost ... well a thursday actually, the night before good friday. 

Dangerous Dave joined us an hour late as promised, having woken up from a deep slumber, but only to find himself sat beside the fire which was still rampant.  Don’t worry Dave, a natural nickname will rise to the surface eventually.  Just ask Silver Bear. 

The phones were red hot as messages from Shandy Boy Mogga, who was meeting us at Wetherspoons, came through, wondering where we were, as we had spent longer in the Potter than originally planned.  Must have been the ale.  So we set off to Wetherspoons for a quick’un to meet him before going direct to the Indian.

The Blond girls were out in force at Wetherspoons.  It wasn’t like this in the old days, said Bill.  When he were a lad in the sixth form, he used to sort mail out at this very spot, when it was the former post office.   

Abbot ale, Speckled Hen and Titanic mild were available.  RG Bargee was quick to point out that the mild had been watered down and was cold.  Ali Gee seconded his motion.  Shandy boy Mogga, wasn’t too impressed with his lemonade with a splash of ale.  We now almost had our full compliment, just Scottie remaining who was meeting us at Shaffers. (http://www.shaffers.net/).  So as time was pressing, it always does when you’re having fun, we by-passed the lure of the somewhat uninviting pubs in Dresden and went straight to meet him. 

Scottie ‘It’ll never last’ was unrecognisable to any of us at first.  It was only when he did his Butler impression that we realised who he was, sitting eating the Bombay mix from the smallest bowl you’ll ever see.  Sporting a black eye he had left his opponent in a worse state, or so he says.  (His divorce papers should be through soon).

A wait for the tables to be cleared was expected, as we’d increased the numbers by a couple from the original booking, so time enough to get a drink at the bar and take bets on how long Scottie’s marriage would last. 

Finally a long table at the rear end of the restaurant was cleared, much to our relief and to those near the bar who’d noticed Scotties war wounds.

This time we managed to get the 2 pappodoms we’d ordered before Ali Gee got his hands on them.  The food was served in Churchill's best on a spotlessly clean whiter than white table cloth.  That was until Grand pop Bill threw his ale over it.

The general consensus was that the restaurant was impressive and the grub was excellent.  Thai food was also available and Bill was tempted into having the Thai beef red curry which he claimed was another first.  The nans were served cut in half and were a reasonable size and extremely tasty.  No complaints from our end and there are intentions to return soon with families. 

The toilets were upstairs so I didn’t bother.  Spike was seen dragging himself upstairs at one point, his only excuse (other than the rink) being that he was knackered after painting 3million sq metres of walls and ceilings in his ponderosa. 

Several phone calls were made until finally the taxis arrived.  The standards varied.  Pedro’s taxi was first class but at a sky high price of £15.  Ours was £7.50 and was second class but comfortable.  Ali Gee returned to Neckend on the ‘group discounted quid return chariot’, just catching it at 11pm before it increased by another 10p.  R G Bargee’s birthday is on July 9^th, so he’s promised Ali Gee that he’d then raid his money box to pay the extra if we stop out later on his birthday. 

Regards

Yuppers