Shaffers (The Elms that was, Howard Place) Friday 17th June 2011     
 

Up for it were: Yupmeister, Mid Week Tone, Pedro, Richee-Lionel, Keithee's up for it, Stubbee, JayCee, DCeen, McCeen, Tim Mothy and B.Ed Brian Edwards.  Corky managed to sort his waterworks out in time so he just about made it..  Craigee's waterworks were always delicate but got caught out with a bug.  Scott ee Free applied his normal 'turn up unannounced' routine at 8.15.

     
We met around 5-5.30 at the recently renamed Holy Inadequate - previously called the Rendezvous and later the New Rendezvous, which sat impressively at the corner of Etruscan Street, Etruria, surrounded by hundreds of roadwork barriers.  The interior was also impressive as was the array of beers, including Joules IPA, a Burton Bridge ale and some others from the dark side.
It was a sight for sore eyes to see DCeen's light delicate approach to texting, emulated by several around him.  Surely not the same aggressive Rottweiler we've grown accustomed to?

'No jugs' Pedro struggled to handle a straight glass, whilst Corky tried a new festival ale and was not impressed.

Richee had been held up on the motorway but eventually arrived to join us just as we prepared to venture.  A fine rain shower tried to dampen our resolve as we walked along the canal to Howard Place, passing the Industrial Museum and Tony's pedestrian bridge.

White swan, drowned rats and ugly ducklings came to mind.
     
Shaffers, once known as The Elms technical college, was transformed into a restaurant many years ago becoming The Elms and most recently Shaffers.

Booked for 7.30 we were offered the choice of a side room where we could make some noise, or we could stay in the main room with the rest of the customers.  We decided on the quiet side room.  Scottee Free, the 13th man, arrived as the main orders were being taken and the room was quiet no more.
     
The waiter was very patient and was on top of the game in sorting us out, even giving us the choice of the food being served in balti dishes or on plates.

5 starters were ordered along with large crispy things and the fun began. Keithee's order ended in 'and a bottle of French wine' each time he spoke.

Scottee-free began using semaphore to signal to a couple of girls dangling out of a window on the opposite side of the street. 'Be careful what you are signing youth', someone pointed out, 'you don't know where they've been'.  He withdrew his arms but Richee appeared to take over signalling behind his back.
There was concern when Yuppy went to the gents with a pen in his hand.  But there needn't have been.  If only he could have remembered what he was going to make a note of when he reached the toilets.

Michael conceded he'd become Junior Grumpy with the immense honour being passed down proudly by his dad.  Oh yes, that was the note.

Scottee-free asked to see his 'friend' Gus who was working in the kitchen, with the intention of getting a free round of drinks.  It didn't materialise of course for anyone except Scottee-free.
Armed with discount vouchers from the 'thisisstaffordshire website we disagreed with the waiter when the final bill was presented, but we finally resolved the issue.  No thanks of course to Pedro who hadn't got his voucher.  He hadn't printed one off cus he's too mean to buy a printer; and Corky who had left his back at home.

All in all a cracking evening, generally pretty good ale, a bridge too far, and a tasty curry to finish off with.  What more could you want?

Yuppers

(enjoy yer French wine)