Derby

Derby 1/6/07

Up for it were, Yup, MWTone, JayCee, Pedro, Keithee, Jacko, Mr Tahoohigh, Triglett, Granpop Bill and Huge.

Calling at the Brunswick Inn, Ye Olde Dolphin Inn, The Flower Pot and the Standing Order (Wetherspoons) and finally the Masala Art Indian restaurant (6 Midland Rd. - Tel 01332 29 26 29)

All but Triglett boarded the 1.30 train from Stoke to Derby which was almost 5 seconds late. A group ticket proved to be a snip at around £4.50 return instead of the usual £6.50. Triglett jumped aboard to join us at Blythe Bridge, ‘patched up’ to reduce his addiction of ripping off train conductors. It didn’t appear to have worked though until Pedro stepped forward with a bucket of change to help him out as the conductor waited patiently. To be fair he did confirm that it wasn’t a patch on drinking.

The Brunswick Inn, as last time, was the first eagerly anticipated stop with Triple Hop being the most popular ale to start with. The Lavendar Honey was next but contained too much honey for most palettes. Pedro tried to find a dark beer but had to make do with a Station Approach. Granpop Bill tried several beers to make up for the weeks he hadn’t been able to join us. Strangely, no-one attempted the Spotted Willy.

Previously unnoticed on our first visit last year, hundreds of bottles adorned the walls. I wonder what we’ll spot next time? With such a wide choice of ales it was tempting to stay put. However, with the promise of an even wider choice ahead we reluctantly ventured forth. Ye olde Dolphine was next with the Farmers Blonde going down well (or so we’re led to believe).

Ye olde Dolphine is Derby's oldest public house, dating back to around 1530. It’s renowned for its various ghosts including a poltergeist which turns the taps of the beer kegs off in one part of the cellar. The eagerly anticipated white Amarillo, or was it armadillo?, must have been set up here and was spookily unavailable, much to the sadness of Mr Tahoohigh. Still, I can still hear his cries of joy as we arrived at the next pub, the Flower Pot, when the glow from the Bishop’s Farewell pump lit up his face.

There were apparently hundreds of beers on offer at the Flower Pot besides the Oakham’s Bishop’s Farewell, including Kinver’s Over the Edge and various Townhouse brews, split into 3 or 4 bar areas. The Flower Pot is a similar type of venue to the Limelight at Crewe with entertainment and packed rooms being found every night. Tahoohigh and MW Tone were spotted later in kneeling positions, paying homage to the rows of barrels of ale perched behind one of the bars, secretly praying for a win on the lottery to buy the lot.

Such was the choice of ale that Keithee decided to try an old Hooky. After considering his wife’s feelings he quickly changed his mind and reverted back to another Bishops Farewell

The photo shoot for this year’s ‘calendar-girls’ edition was muted, possibly using our favourite beer pump clips as opposed to using balti dishes or chevrons. Plenty to think about and consider before the shoot gets underway in September/October. Some of the suggestions that came up though, as it were, included Old Hooky, Bishops Finger, Foxes nob (although I don’t know who would be favourite for that one, JayCee), Speckled End, sorry Hen, and Extra Smooth. It didn’t take long for the sizes of the pump clips to be mentioned. Any further suggestions would be welcomed.

Next was Wethers, where Jennings Tom Fool was apparently on form. Jacko dropped one, or so we thought, until it later emerged that someone had placed an empty glass on the bar next to his elbow. A likely story. JayCee went for Hop a doodle do crazy aaaaaah. Don’t ask !!

Hugh confessed to being an ex neighbour of Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull on the Isle of Skye. Not only that but he’d taught him how to stand on one leg and had once lent him his tights and codpiece. We were in awe, and looked forward to seeing a demo on the mystery curry night.

The interior of the Masala Art was tasty, as were the meals which were served in brass pots. I’m sure Jacko will know what they’re called. The final bill however, was a shocker, at £25 a head, being amongst the highest we’d ever paid. Perhaps we’d paid for the wooden box of sweets that was passed around the table. To get his money’s worth, Pedro took great delight in emptying the sweets into his glasses case as a present for his wife. Additionally, he was also hoping he could sweeten her up for when he drops the bombshell that he’s finally bought a laptop but can’t work out how to open the box it had come in.

Timing-wise the night went perfectly, arriving back at Derby station by 8.30pm. Trig hopped off at Blythe Bridge with such gay abandon that his wallet flew out of his pocket on to the carriage floor. Mrs Trig, who had arrived to pick him up, waited anxiously on the platform while he retrieved it so that she could check it and see how much he’d spent.

Jaycee was woken from his power nap looking totally refreshed and ready for another half. Jacko continued on to Kidsgrove, whilst Huge and Keithee continued on to Crewe for a tasteless pint of smoothflow until they were picked up.

I can recall getting in to a taxi but not much more; but then it appears I’m not the only one to have lost my memory on what was yet another excellent night out for the Squarrites.

Regards

Yupmeister