tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-83371726645484115382024-02-07T11:17:23.520-08:00Ed's LondonPale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-10434996263319096592016-02-10T08:44:00.003-08:002016-02-10T08:44:27.145-08:00Bruce Kraus South Side Parking
<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette published (Wednesday 10 February 2016) an
article on a proposal by Bruce Kraus to make the South Side a nightlife magnet.
Bruce, it’s been a magnet sine the 80’s once Mario’s Saloon moved in. I lived
here all my 63 years and went through these issues then as now. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>He wants an extension for paid street parking. A change is proposed to eliminate
free parking at metered spots by changing the time from 6PM to midnight. First,
this will drive parkers to residential spots. A question I have is will this extension
apply to the South Side Works. Aren’t they a part of the South Side?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>To discourage parking from going to residential spots he wants to use
the Second Avenue Parking Garage. I support the idea of using this garage for
people coming to the South Side with a free shuttle. But in real life they will
try and park as close to a bar as they can. And hey, don’t they get free
parking at the First National Bank lot? And what plans are forthcoming for
workers serving these people Bruce is trying to covet? The free shuttle stops
after they get out of work. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>Additional questions that will never get an answer:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>Will the police tag and tow cars from fire hydrants one Friday and
Saturday night?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>Will the police tag and tow cars parked at stop signs and wheelchair
ramps?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>Will permit parking enforcement be enforced more frequently?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span>I should be a lawyer as I can ask questions when I already know the
answers. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin: 1em 0px;">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;"><span style="font-size: small;">One last item. I don’t know if the city ever denied a liquor license
from coming in to the South Side from another borough, but if they have they
are hypocrites.</span> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-17311593911009888372014-08-05T16:29:00.000-07:002014-08-05T16:29:12.312-07:00US Airways - American Airways, OK. But British Airways?
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Historically, US Airways has flown from Charlotte to
London-Heathrow on Flight 730 with a return on Flight 731. They still do but
you would never know. Actually, US flew to Gatwick until last year. I loved
Gatwick and will miss it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Looking at a flight from 1 September with a return on 8
September (as an example) I found that:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
From Pittsburgh I cannot make a RT journey that way I had
been doing so for many years. Yes, Flight 730 does go to LHR but no longer
direct as it stops in Raleigh-Durham. Flight 731 does fly back direct to
Charlotte but I have to assume that if you originated in Raleigh you would have
to transfer in Charlotte on the return. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I can find no flights originating in Pittsburgh via
Charlotte or Philadelphia. All flights go to a different city even if they stop
in Philly along the way. Going from Pittsburgh to Charlotte or Philly no longer
is offered despite being available.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The US Airways website shows that all flights departing the
US are British Airways with only a few being American Airlines despite being
married to one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Many of the flights offered from Pittsburgh take me to
Orlando. What was once a seven-hour flight is now over 17 hours. It seems that
my planned trip for May 2015 is in turmoil. I can see how US Airways was made
to drop their flights as American is the major airline in this merger. But why
cut flights to have BA add more. Obviously there is a lot of information I do
not know and it is confusing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
don’t even get me writing about price. I see that flights that were $1,200 RT
are not $1,900. YIKES!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I was going to write US Airways and have them explain this
to me but what has happened is done and in place. The merger may be very well
better for them but as a customer it is making flying less enjoyable. Is this a
conspiracy? Well, I am still going. It will be more money and I am not sure if
I can use my miles. But I do have more options to fly out of different cities
and flying BA makes you feel that you’re one step closer to London. If anyone
has something to say or add to this please send me an e-mail to edvidunas @
gmail dot com. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Cheers, Ed</div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-31727623536717295332014-04-29T07:10:00.000-07:002014-04-29T07:10:56.186-07:00Popeye's Pub- London
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Back in the 1980’s when I started to visit London a bit more
frequently I found a nice pub that was not really out of the way but as it was
several minutes walk south from Victoria Station not many tourists would
venture there. It was a shame really as the pub was at the entrance to Pimlico,
which is very posh. The pub was not posh. Today it is a high-end restaurant
befitting the area but back then it was the place I wanted to be.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Ebury Arms was a typical London boozer. The bar was a
large wood wrap-around in the middle of a large saloon floor. It displayed
several wood hand pulls with fancy beer emblems that Andy Cap would have easily
known. Also typical for this type of pub was the pool table and never ending
playing of American country music. County music is even today very popular and
may be why I am drawn to London. Well, that and the beer, fish and chips, Hyde
Park Corner and pretty much everything in between. The Ebury was a tenant pub
meaning the landlord” lived with his family upstairs. They had a dog as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One evening as I had a pint in my hand and Jonny Cash in my
ear I saw the landlord’s daughter coming down the stairs. Following just steps
behind her was the pooch. I think it was a Jack Russell. I also think it had a
storied life. Once on the saloon floor the dog started running around the bar
as though he was chasing a pub mouse. I never saw what he was after but he
seemed intent on getting it. I have to give him thumb, err, paw-up for trying
as he only had three legs. And that’s not all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In addition to missing a front leg he had an eye patch over
one. The tail was either totally missing or partially bitten off. He was also
missing a chunk of butt on his hindquarter. I sat there and wondered what he
must have gone though during his life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Did he earn these “badges” over time or was he in one really big fight
where he took several blows but came out top dog? I wanted to name him Popeye. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sadly, the pub and Popeye are long gone. Now the Ebury has
wine glasses and white tablecloths. To bring a tear in my other eye Jonny Cash
is no longer sharing the room with cigarette smoke.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I still find London pubs what have a live-in dog or cat and
a mouse every now and then. You will not find smoke anymore but Jonny still
sings at the Dickens in Southwark SE1 and so many pubs still have piano night
and sing-a-longs. Should you find an “olde” London pub like this take time to
look around and see what is vanishing at an alarming rate. Think of Andy and
Popeye and the tears in my eyes when I see them being converted or torn down.
Cheers to them all. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-83762779765610528752014-03-30T11:45:00.003-07:002014-03-30T11:45:46.581-07:00Paddington to Heathrow Trains
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">For
years I have traveled to London from Pittsburgh thru Charlotte to Gatwick. US
Airways has pulled out of Gatwick and now lands at Heathrow where their
Philadelphia flight has always landed. I will miss Gatwick in many ways but I
am not opposed to Heathrow. My first time coming in to Heathrow in February
2014 was great. Signage in the departure hall was well placed and getting the
Heathrow Connect train to Paddington could not have been easier. I was a little
surprised how far I had to walk from the elevator to the platform but I had the
wherewithal to have luggage on wheels. Departure day was another matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">From
the taxi rank at Paddington I made my way to the platform after buying a ticket
to the airport. All passengers need to use the elevators if they have luggage.
as escalators are luggage free. Safety issue I am told. As the elevator door
opened I found myself on a platform. I saw signs for the tube and other trains
but nothing that said Heathrow Express or Connect. I was on platform 12 and
couldn’t remember if this is where I came in upon arrival. It was also 6:30AM
and I was the only person on the platform. After a while a few people did
wander through but they where off to parts unknown. I was perplexed. Was I at
the right platform and how do I find the others? I found nothing and a few
people who had ID badges had no idea. One person said the Connect usually stops
at this platform. Usually? Well, that certainly put me to ease. As the first
train of the day was to come in the monitor sparked to life and I say that I
was on the correct platform and that I would be departing the Twilight Zone
shortly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Painted
markings on the floor for the tube was great as were the platform numbering.
But I thought the signage for the Connect and Express was very poor. Or I could
have just not seen the signs. If anyone can confirm that my observation was
correct or if I need to specs, please make a comment. I will be back but you
can be sure that I will take better note of my locations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-88066152497632942122013-11-27T09:35:00.000-08:002013-11-27T09:35:51.628-08:00Happy Hour in London<b id="docs-internal-guid-783b0f69-9a9e-4b43-4ed5-2acd049679e5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"></span></b><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-783b0f69-9a9e-4b43-4ed5-2acd049679e5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A few London pubs that I follow on Twitter have started offering discounts on pints of beer in the late afternoon or evening. Although not called happy hour as American bars do, they offer these specials until closing. As the cost of a pint keeps increasing I welcome the discount at these pubs and will frequent them. Well, I do that now as they are very good pubs with excellent conditioned ale. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></b></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-783b0f69-9a9e-4b43-4ed5-2acd049679e5" style="font-weight: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But I have to ask if this trend is being undertaken do to loss of trade as a result of the higher cost of putting a pale in a pint? For some of the pubs I do not think this is the case as they already have a brisk trade of loyal punters. So, my question to the pubs of London: why? In addition, is this happening beyond London in other parts of the country?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></div>
<br /><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not that I really need an answer but I do welcome this action in some of my favorite pubs. The two that know do this are the Gunmaker Arms in Clerkenwell and the Wenlock Arms in Hockston. Thank you publicans.</span></span></b>Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-6681731705988271332013-06-09T18:15:00.002-07:002013-06-09T18:15:46.913-07:00Flying with US Airways MilesWhen I visited London in January 2013 I was able to use some of my miles and a small amount of cash. I looked ahead to see what I would need to come over for the Steeler's game in September and once more for my birthday in January 2014. All three trips would require 30,000 miles and not more than $200 for a round-trip flight. Now that I am planning a trip the miles have gone to 60,000 RT with about $240. My two up-coming (almost) free flights with US Airways has been cut down to one. Dam.<br />
<br />
Well, the September flight for the game is not going to happen for a few reasons so that leaves January. But I have found that the entire month of February 2014 is available for 17,500 miles each way. This is great as I can save a lot of miles if and when another month opens for the same amount. But there are restrictions Any day doing February will charge me 71,500 one-way but getting a flight on a particular day is the challenge. I have to fly into Heathrow as US Airways pulled out of Gatwick. I have a choice of traveling through Philadelphia which I do not want to do as it is too large and my connecting flight is "miles" from my point of touch-down. I prefer Charlotte. US Airways does not.<br />
<br />
Most of the days I select to fly to or from Charlotte are sold out. In order to be in London for the Battersea Beer Festival I can only depart on the second of February and I have only two days that I can return without going past my available time off from work. Dam work. But I can still get in a nine day visit. Last January was sixteen days and I wanted to stay longer. Philadelphia gives me more flight options but I just hate navigating that airport. It's not real that bad but can be stressful if your lay-over is short due to the hike to the connecting flight. Been there, done that, good god never again.<br />
<br />
It is nice to be able snag a very cheap flight on any day of the month but not very nice when the airline says we have no seat for you. I do understand that airlines have to set restrictions, after all I am not exactly chairman's preferred. The chairman doesn't even know who I am. But what is available to me is something that I can work with and I am excited to be able to be making plans to come back to the city that I love. It does help that I am very flexible with my schedule.<br />
<br />
One other item that I am trying to factor into my planing is the return city I want to use to get back to Pittsburgh. I prefer Charlotte Airport and I can get a flight that will get my home airport at 6 PM. But I leave London at 10 AM. Getting to Heathrow may not be bad but not having been to Heathrow in 20 years I need to find my way like a newbie. The flight to Philly departs at noon, which takes a lot of stress off me. But the flight to Pittsburgh lands at 8 PM. That's 1:00 AM to my body and I still need to drive home. I find London to be calming an stress free but trying to get there and back is what I thing made me loose my hair.<br />
<br />
<br />Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-76104242419432465052013-04-13T04:51:00.001-07:002013-04-13T04:51:51.372-07:00Passport Control Reform
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">There
is a lot of talk in the United States and Mexico about reforming the
immigration policy of the United States. I say Mexico, as they appear to not
like what we do. I wasn’t sure that they had a say in the matter but it seems
that so many do. One phrase that gets tossed around is Comprehensive
Immigration Reform. I have no idea what that is supposed to mean but some view
it as allowing people coming in the United States illegally to stay. I would
ask; why would somebody come into a country illegally? There can be several
answers to that but the obvious answer is opportunity. This is why so many
people fled Europe in the 1800 and 1900’s to come to America. This is a big
reason to this day. But the one element to immigration that applies to everyone
coming into any country is that the receiving country has the right to say no.
Yet some in my country (as well as from other countries) seem to think that the
United States should not say no. I have a question for those having that
opinion.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Before
I ask my question, please remember that I am keeping my opinion out of this conversation.
The question is being directed to those in the just say no camp, but the kick em
out camp may have something to say as well. At long last, here is my question.
If you are in favor of allowing undocumented workers to remain in the United
Sates (under a variety of scenarios) what is your opinion of Passport Control
at entry ports in the United States?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Being
connected by land to Canada and Mexico, it is easy to simply walk into the
States. Once here “visitors” can benefit from what we have to offer in the way of
work, health care, education, etc. It is different when you come in off a plane
or boat. Once you set foot on America you encounter a uniformed sentry who
wants to know who you are and why you’re here. When I land overseas I am asked
how long I plan to stay and will I be working. My answer that never gets a
smile in return is “not long enough and don’t work at the office so why start
now”. Countries want to know who is coming to the party. If you had a party at
home and saw a stranger, wouldn’t you ask him how he got in? I think this a
small part of the debate that is missing. I am not sure how my ending sentence
should read. If we allow those coming in illegally should we allow those coming
in with a passport? How do we tell one yes and the other no? So many people
want to come and work here but are denied before they leave home. How do we
bring parity to everyone?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-43965949826558401792013-03-11T14:53:00.000-07:002013-03-11T14:53:08.605-07:00My Fullers' Porter
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As
anyone who could not flee from me in time knows, I was in London for 16 days
recently. I go at least once a year and it has been usually in March. The cost
in cash and air miles was next to nothing for January and I just had to go. One
thing that is available in London in January that is usually not available in
March in London Porter by Fuller’s, Smith & Turner in Chiswick. London. It
is my favorite beer in England and one of my tops worldwide. I have written the
brewery several times in the past to tell them this. I wrote this time asking
if it was going to be on and where could I find it. Their response was
surprisingly unexpected and something that I would never have asked for.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fullers’
sent me a keg: kind of. But it wasn’t a keg it was a cask. And it wasn’t actually
for me but they sent it because of my e-mail asking where I could fine it.
Maybe I should explain. London Porter is available in bottles and keg most of
the year. The best tasting for me is cask condition served through a beer
engine. But the cask version is typically available only during the colder
months. And the best place I have always found it in cask is at the Dove in
Hammersmith. The Dove is an historic riverside pub that has a lot of history in
it. Once you come in you never leave quickly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Knowing
how much I love the cask porter, Fullers did something really nice for me. They
sent the cask version to the pub prior to my arrival and all I had to do was to
let the pub know when I was coming in. How many breweries have done that for a
customer who only comes to the pub a few times once a year? This was
unbelievable. Not having the patience to wait I headed for the pub directly.
They were ready to put it on but one beer had to finish first. So the manager
drew a pint directly from the cask in the cellar. Once again, I was thinking
this was all a dream. The cask was on the next day and I spent several days the
next two weeks enjoying one of my best beers in a fine pub. I thought it could
not get any better than this until I ordered the lamb shank with barley. So
many places do this over rice it was no surprise that a brewery run pub would
cook with barley. This is now on my list of comfort foods ad something you kids
can try at home. The cask was readily available to all customers and judging by
how fast it went there are a lot of people who enjoy cask London Porter. But I
think the brewery already knows that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have sent thanks to Simon Robertson-Macleod and Tia Nicholson from Fuller’s for
making this happen and asked them to extend my gratitude to all other at
Fullers’ who put effort into this. Not to be omitted is Mr. England (yes, that
is his real name), manager of the Dove. He could not have welcomed me more and
made my visits a pleasure. Good people running a good pub serving good beer to
good customers: beer brings people together.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Web
Links<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Dove
Pub: </span><a href="http://dovehammersmith.co.uk/"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://dovehammersmith.co.uk/</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fullers’
Brewer: </span><a href="http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=207"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=207</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fullers’
Brewery Tour: </span><a href="http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=9"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=9</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Fullers’
London Porter: </span><a href="http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=63"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">http://www.fullers.co.uk/rte.asp?id=63</span></a><span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-55289658337092008312012-11-04T04:52:00.002-08:002012-11-04T04:52:57.624-08:0030,000 Miles to London
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<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
have a strong desire to spend my 60<sup>th</sup> birthday in London this
January but things looked bleak. I have been to London in January many times in
the past as it is the cheapest time to go and all of the other tourist stay at
home. It’s a win for all of us. But instead of paying my usual $500 to $600 for
a round trip I will have to pay over $1,000. It looks as though I would be
staying home too. But then I remembered to check my air miles account. I have a
lot of miles from flying to London once a year but the bulk of them come from
my credit card. I did not think that I have enough for a ticket this time but I
tried making a reservation using the awards tab on US Airways website. I will
be in London this January.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">You
buy with miles, which can vary but you also have to pay the taxed and fees with
money. In looking at different months I found that the T & F is somewhat
constant all year and about $200. The miles can vary with the days of the week
and what season a month falls. US Airways tickets can be had for as little as
30,00 miles and can peak over 100,000 miles in summer. So I pulled out my US
Airways credit card and bought a trip. But I am not going for my birthday.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
would have had to use 45,000 to blow out the candles in London. Then I thought
about some events I would like to see. I altered my trip for late January with
a return in February. I saved 15,000 miles that I can apply for a future
flight. I still have a fair number of miles and will pick-up more on this trip
so doing this next year should be a done deal. If you have a miles card it may
be worth a check of your account. Spending miles can give one a head ach. One
way to look at miles is that you receive them when you buy things you need such
as food and gas. Another way to look at them is that they accumulate one mile
per dollar. That means I spent $30,000 for a flight that goes for $1,000.
Still, if you have miles you can have a nice holiday for very little cash out
of pocket. With the money saved one can enjoy high tea at the Savoy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-89966640954784390242012-07-07T05:58:00.005-07:002012-07-07T06:03:19.713-07:00Jogger’s Jogging<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">I
do not live in London but I visit often. I enjoy so much of the city but most
of all engaging in chat with people in pubs. I noticed something and passed it
off but I have subsequently seen if again: terrorist in trainers. Yes, men
jogging down the sidewalk at all hours of the day. Normally this is nothing a
walker would give any thought of. But now I pause to see when the jogger will
strike. What I saw was a male jogger run into a woman. It looked like an
accident but there was room for him to pass. What bugged me out was that after
he hit the woman he never stopped or even as he continued he never said sorry.
During my last visit I saw one of two joggers run into a woman with infants.
Once again, not stopping or sorry.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14pt;">Is
this a growing trend? Is it getting worst? Have men lost (or loosing) their
civility towards women? I have only seen this twice but I cannot help but think
this is more common that I suspect. I hope not because it will diminish
London’s reputation as being walking friendly. They don’t even do this in New
York. And yes London, you can take that as a hit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-19159910337144896332012-06-28T13:43:00.000-07:002012-06-28T13:43:21.542-07:00Airline Carbon Tax<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px;">Yes,
that is my question. Has the airline carbon tax been imposed on flights to and
from Europe? I was in London in December 2011 and March 2012 and paid around
$500 USD round-trip. US Airways is posting RT prices for this summer at triple
what I recently paid. This is understandable as it is summer. The Olympic and
Diamond Jubilee would have influence on price, too. But I have looked into
January 2013 and prices remain steady at $1,300 USD. Can I ask; bloody hell?</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 14.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">I
am assuming that the airlines are tying to re-coup some loss in fuel cost but
it can’t be just that driving prices up. I know the EU is/was looking into
adding a carbon tax in airlines. Has that occurred? Is it that much? I don’t
know but it is playing havoc with my future London Holiday plans. It will be
interesting to see if these high prices affect tourist travel this summer and
fall. All I know is that publicans will be crying in their pint glasses if I
don’t get back over too soom.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-13205724187819148752012-04-08T07:32:00.004-07:002012-04-08T07:37:01.752-07:00Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">What would England be without Cheddar Cheese? What would a holiday be without ice cream? How would I to know that I would find them on my plate in London as a dessert? I had the pleasure of having a long lunch with friends at the Gilbert Scott Restaurant in London. The restaurant is in the newly refurbished and recently re-opened St. Pancras Hotel. It is very old world in service and décor. In scanning the list of deserts I found one item of particular interest: Cheddar Cheese Ice Cream. This was most unusual to me and it had to be very good or very bad. Using the food that I just finished as a guide I knew it had to be good. It was interesting.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">In a multi-star restaurant presentation is everything. The desert came on a brilliant white plate with no fancy chocolate swirls or garden plants. It was plain and simple. The ice cream sat upon what looked like a crab cake. Or, should I say crab-shell cake, as it was rather hard. After chipping into the central core of this moon rock I found a delightful raspberry filling. The ice cream was next. It was soft, as in slightly melted, and vanilla-cream in color. I found the initial taste to me mild and the mouth-feel to be pleasant. It was ice cream so it was refreshing. Then, as it warmed in my mouth if changed in taste. At least to me it did. The cheddar flavor started to come out and gave me a dry-bitterness in my mouth. I was interested in trying it and glad that I did. Would I recommend it to you? Yes. It was something new away from home. OK kids, you can try this at home. Take a small bite of cheddar cheese and a spoon of your favorite ice cream and see what happens. Have the video set to record. Dairy Queen would be amused.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/">http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/lonpr-st-pancras-renaissance-london-hotel/</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.thegilbertscott.co.uk/">http://www.thegilbertscott.co.uk/</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-23288363067128476462012-04-06T02:06:00.002-07:002012-04-06T02:10:18.873-07:00Citical London Bike Ride<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYykw7emm0xj_QO8qyNNqAGaxKS5PX_GHQ4ggqXGFjxft1MtEPkJi0hOekf1Si1hBUuE9g-zJn4KgI61IeoZ1Z-NkKwnpTXejZUMmcO-AURSPvBuSbY3r1Enu7pn42DbWyqvepyAsp2e0/s1600/100_0760.JPG" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYykw7emm0xj_QO8qyNNqAGaxKS5PX_GHQ4ggqXGFjxft1MtEPkJi0hOekf1Si1hBUuE9g-zJn4KgI61IeoZ1Z-NkKwnpTXejZUMmcO-AURSPvBuSbY3r1Enu7pn42DbWyqvepyAsp2e0/s320/100_0760.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5728212379781302034" /></a><br /><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;">I was sitting in my room at the Imperial Hotel off Russell Square and thought I heard an unusual noise coming from the street. As I peered out the window I saw bikers coming north on Southampton Row. This was not unusual as there are many people biking in central London, even during rush hour. What was unusual about this was that there were bikers by the hundreds. They took the both northbound lanes and eventually swept over and shut the southbound lanes. They turned to go around Russell Square and ride further into Camden, At the turn some bikers stopped all traffic going south. Needless to say the drivers were not happy especially with high petrol prices and a fuel shortage due to a tanker driver strike looming.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;">Petrol prices in March were one-pound forty per liter and in US dollars that come to $8.50 a gallon. Some petrol stations were closed and they had no gas to offer and the government was activating the British Army to deliver petrol to England’s filling stations. Needless to say tensions are high in Britain right now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;">The ride, which also included many skateboarders started under Waterloo Bridge. The event is world-wide in nature and put together by Critical Mass. It was not exactly a legal parade so to speak and no police were present to provide safe passage for the riders. Part of the ride was to focus on people who were killed by hit and run drivers and also to focus on sharing the road. This point may have been lost on the group as they consumed the road and caused gridlock for the gas guzzlers. I think the many drivers watching their fuel gage plummet to the E as they sat on the road thought these people were akin to terrorists. Most London bikers obey the law and ride “with” traffic and not “against” the law. I am just glad that I was five floors up.<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-51642743572733366002012-01-10T16:57:00.000-08:002012-01-10T17:10:17.769-08:00Time to get to LondonI have made reservations to visit London this March. I had just visited this past December and one can not visit London too often I say. In looking over my flight times and layovers in Charlotte I was a bit stunned when the numbers added up for me. The overseas legs are typically 8 to 9 hours so seeing 17 flight hours was not a surprise. The jaunt from Pittsburgh to Charlotte is about 1.5 hours making a total of 3. I have the pleasure of laying over in Charlotte for about six hours. I love being in Charlotte but for about 3 hours each does not allow for any sight-seeing other than what is in Terminal B.<div><br /></div><div>But when I totaled all the flight and layover times I was shaken by the 26 hours I will be in transit. My holiday is for 9 days and I will be using one day and two hours of the time NOT being in London. Still, I cannot wait t be in the air eastbound.</div>Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-65209077999796952322011-11-13T06:46:00.001-08:002011-11-13T06:49:45.503-08:00Off To London<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;">As many of my friends know, I have been going to London on an annual basis for many years. I came close to missing a trip this year but I recently found a deal. It also confused me, and my friends can tell you that is so easy to do. US Airways put out an e-saver list on Wednesday morning. They offer flights to selected cities at a discount. They recently had flights to London that were good (about $550RT, less taxes and fees) if you wanted to go within the short time period permitted. I chose not to take the saver and did what I always do. I waited them out. If you are flexible (I am 58 so not so much anymore) you can catch a real deal. As my work schedule is not very restrictive I can leave any time I desire. I plan months ahead and try not to get desperate. They placed some really low fares on their schedule but for a limited and select period of days. I am landing at Gatwick on 1 December for five days. My ticket is $448 and with taxes and fees it comes to $630. I paid $610 for my March 2010 trip.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;">Sorry to say that I was not able to go at the beginning of October or I would have been able to drink some of Matt Cole’s beer that he brewed at the Shepherd Neame Brewery in Faversham, Kent. He is head brewer at the Fat Heads Brewery in Cleveland and a Pittsburgher. He also studied brewing in England some years ago. It would have been a blast to drink his beer that he made in England, in England.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;">It looks like I will miss out on drinking a Pittsburgh beer(s) in London during my trip. In a pleasant surprise I found out that East End Brewery (Scott Smith) sent Black Strap Stout and Big Hop IPA. Shelton Brothers recently sent a limited quantity over but looks as though it will be gone by the time I walk into the Cask Pub and Kitchen in Pimlico. Scott got positive feedback from London via Twitter so this may give him and the brothers reason to send more over. But lads, please check with my schedule first!</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;">So yes, these are exciting days. Unexpected cheap flight to London with a chance to drink some local brews there. Ok, so the local beer will not happen. But who knows what I will find when I land? I will be blogging from my IPAD whenever I find a free wifi spot. So after December 1<sup>st</sup> keep checking my blog every minute of every day for updates. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/">http://www.shepherdneame.co.uk/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://fatheadscleveland.com/">http://fatheadscleveland.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://eastendbrewing.com/">http://eastendbrewing.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.caskpubandkitchen.com/">http://www.caskpubandkitchen.com/</a> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/">http://www.sheltonbrothers.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.Good-London-Guide.com/">http://www.Good-London-Guide.com</a> (my site) <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-11471005220082501442011-10-10T16:07:00.000-07:002011-10-10T16:08:38.307-07:00Wenlock Arms Pub<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Steve Barnes and Will Williams bought the pub in 1994 after securing a loan from A Brewing. They made money and repaid the loan to make the Wenlock Arms a free house. That enabled the to buy the beers they wanted and did a wonderful job of building a strong and loyal customer base. I would like to think that I was one of them. My annual London holiday would not be complete without a visit to one of London’s earliest real ale havens. I saw many pubs in London offering two or three real ales at best but the WA had a nice array early on. I was able to try exciting beers from across England and until recent years this was very rare for London.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Planning approval for five flats with commercial space one the ground floor. Times change and nothing lasts forever it seems. There is a movement on to save the pub but can this happen? Just have somebody buy it and run it for 17 years like Steve and Will have done. It’s that easy. Well, maybe not. Maybe that’s why it is for sale? And who should blame Steve and Will for wanting to retire with something to show for all that they have done for almost two decades of their lives? All the chatter on the web is about saving the Wenlock Arms. Ha sit occurred to anyone to give thanks?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">I felt a loss when I first found out the Arms was closing but I took the time to reflect the good times I had there and the great beers available to me. It became one of my destination pubs and one that I told others to seek out. I may never see Will or Steve when I get back over but should I have the opportunity I would like to say two words to them: Thank You. Thank you for giving me years of memories and the chance to meet some interesting people. A pub with dogs aloud and Eddy the Fat Controller. Yes, I am happy that I was able to be a part of all that for all these years. Thank you Steve. Thank you Will.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.wenlock-arms.co.uk/pub.html"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">http://www.wenlock-arms.co.uk/pub.html</span></a><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-41884377107815402822011-09-25T08:27:00.000-07:002011-09-25T08:30:06.622-07:00Good Pub Guide<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">It seems there is a good pub guide that may have good bad. Well, some people seem to be in disarray with a change in how entries are placed within the guide.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Pubs to be entered were anonymously inspected by the editor, deputy editor, or both prior to entry. My 1996 edition listed Alisdair Aird, editor; Fiona May, deputy editor, Robert Unsworth, research officer and Karen Fick, editorial research. Alisdair and Fiona are listed on the current cover but Fiona appears to be married now.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">The article in the Daily Mail suggests that publicans can gain entry to the guide (new for the 2012 edition) by supplying cash. At most this could be misleading and appear to be unethical. It is not illegal. There are two ways to look at guides. I post a page on my pubnetwork.com site for bars in the <a href="http://pubnetwork.com/South%20side%20bars.html">South Side</a> (of Pittsburgh, Pa.).</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; "> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">I note that it is not a review and only a directory. I do not accept advertizing or cash, although I have never been offered any. Perhaps it is a testament to the greatness of my post? All the work is mine and I write what I want. CAMRA puts out a Good Beer Guide that lists pubs that must adhere to one basic policy note that the Pub Guide does not require: serving of real ale is a must. Any publication can set its own rules as long as it makes them clear to the people buying the publication.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">What the Good Pub Guide is doing is not advertizing. But is does seem to be moving away from its original goal of supplying first hand information about pubs. The 2012 issue will do what my site does; help you find a pub. It will no longer guarantee a “good” pub as a “good” pub that has not paid may be excluded but a “bad” pub will be included. As long as you know money has been given for entry, are you fine with the book? Would you buy it for its intended purpose implied by the title? What about the Good Movie Review or Good Food Restaurants? Has the guide’s credibility been tarnished? Only you can decide.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">One more thing: if a pub is going to pay, should the pub have something to say about content? Do pubcos pay more for greater control of content and editorial criticisms? When does the guide loose all control? Having money coming in to this can be a game changer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Links:<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/">http://www.thegoodpubguide.co.uk/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Good Beer Guide from CAMRA<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=192602">http://www.camra.org.uk/page.aspx?o=192602</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Good London Guide from me<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt"><a href="http://www.good-london-guide.com/">http://www.good-london-guide.com/</a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-39696512740144314272011-09-19T18:54:00.000-07:002011-09-19T19:01:09.160-07:00Matured Cask Ale at Piper's Pub<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">I popped into Piper’s Pub tonight (19 September 2011) for a bite to eat and the cask ales. Well, a bite to eat was almost secondary to the beer but it was a good drizzly night for Sheppard’s Pie. My last beer was my favorite: <u>Rivertowne Brown Eyed Finley</u>. This beer on cask tonight was the best example to define the difference between matured beer and off beer. A beer that is off has a sour taste, or flavors other than malt: butterscotch, cardboard, whatever. Finley was matured at Piper’s in the cask cellar and although as it was a bit sour it was not off.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">As I took my first sip I was instantly stopped. What was this I was drinking? Was it bad? No! It was what English Brown Ale was meant to taste like. I told Hart, the bartender about my experience and he said: “you <u>are</u> an English Brown Ale drinker”. Decades of drinking in England paid off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">In reading what brown ale once was in England, I seldom found any to comply with the old descriptions: lactic sourness (unlike bitterness). This was not Newcastle. It had a pronounced, yet pleasant tang that gave the beer an exciting difference to ordinary bitter or IPA. It was a textbook example of authentic English Brown Ale of days far gone. The Finley did not start out this was but as it sat in a cask with a soft spile, it oxidized over time. This isi one reason caskbeer can’t sit forever like keg beer. A spile is a wood peg driven into cask to permit carbon dioxide gas to escape, or to stop it. As this beer matured over time it did have a slight, but noticeable tang to it. To be sure, this was not a bad flavor but one that should be relished, as I did tonight. It gave the beer a nice mouth feel and excited my taste buds. It was though my buds were having sex with beer.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Original porters (an off-shoot of brown ale) were matured in the same manner causing a lactic sourness to differentiate it from other beers of the day. As a young beer, brown would be void of any real flavor until it matured. Sadly, in today’s market the maturity would be short lived. The Finley sitting in a cask for nine days came to adulthood this night. I hope it comes back to Piper’s cellar, as the way it was conditioned was the prime example as how a beer should be handled. Thank you Drew and the cellar men (and to Hart) who know how to handle real beer. What a shining example of well-made beer handled properly by people who know proper beer. <o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-34908382229639888202011-09-04T07:06:00.000-07:002011-09-04T07:09:39.561-07:00London Bus Live Departure Times<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; ">I updated this on my <a href="http://www.Good-London-Guide.com">Good-London-Guide</a> as follows:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 19px; ">Transport for London has a new (albeit beta version) page that allows one to see the arrival time of your next bus at ANY stop in London. It is located here: <a href="http://countdown.tfl.gov.uk/#/">http://countdown.tfl.gov.uk/#/</a>, and some stops may be inaccurate. It is to be officially released by TfL in the fall of 2011. The site also shows you recently viewed stop by you and allows you to add your favorites so you can see without re-entering locations each time.</span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-72559106630548053812011-08-20T06:06:00.000-07:002011-08-20T06:10:29.843-07:00Pot Plants - Not What You Think<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">Imagine my surprise when I saw the headline in The Telegraph on 20 August 2011: Pot plants in firing line as Goldman Sachs cuts cost. Why would a company allow such a thing to happen? Isn’t this illegal? Would the Met Police strike force come charging in once phone hacking becomes old news?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>If you are wondering why my eyes are bulging out and my mouth is dropped open, please let me explain.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">In the American vernacular, a pot plant is a “pot plant”, if you know what I mean. It is something to be cultivated, processed and then smoked, if you know what I mean. They are usually kept out of sight of law enforcement and prospective clients. Had the story appeared in American news it would have read: Potted plants in firing line as Goldman Sachs cuts cost. These are what we see as plants placed in pots to grow and brighten up rooms. Not something the Crown Prosecution would be concerned with.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt">It is interesting that we both use the same alphabet and yet assemble them into words that have different meanings applied. Some examples: cash resister – till, cookie – biscuit, elevator – lift, going drinking – gone down to the pub. You know what I mean!<o:p></o:p></span></p> <!--EndFragment--> Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-40216930014182806872011-07-31T06:43:00.000-07:002011-07-31T06:44:25.093-07:00Travel Writers & BloggersJust a note to all you other travel writers and bloggers out there. I have a small bone to pick with you guys. In as much as the Internet is replete with false information I have also noted that there is an abundance of misleading and omitted information. My day job, which pays my bar tab, requires me to keep accurate information. A key factor in this is the date stamp on all files, documents and printed matter. The month-day-year (or day-month-year to the Brits) is essential and always foremost in my daily routine. I see many websites that lack dates and the most disturbing omission is always the missing year. When I find information on trade shows, conferences or events, the lack of a full date confuses me (easily done) and I don't know if the event is past or up-coming. So please, all you writers out there, please ad a full date when posting something that has an expiration date.Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-42429368210115974342011-02-26T07:42:00.000-08:002011-02-26T07:51:16.756-08:00St. Pancras Hotel LondonSt. Pancras is set to reopen next month and BBC has presented this slide show that illustrates the beautiful restoration of the building. When thinking about how life was like in the old days it can be eye opening to read how things were done differently then. The lady's smoking room at St. Pancras is one such example. The fact that people were able to smoke in doors as a right is so foreign these days. Actually it was probably deem a privilege granted by men that women were able to smoke at all. See the show on the <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_9407000/9407385.stm">BBC site</a>.Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-3178870680166919702011-01-29T09:36:00.000-08:002011-01-29T09:39:05.457-08:00London Ambulance Concern<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">The BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12310658">reported</a> on a London Ambulance crew that refused to take an ill woman to hospital. She died later that day. This should be a concern for all who live in London and I think a formal inquest should be considered. This is what I get as I interpret the story: A crew refused to take her because she soiled herself. She was stricken with sickle cell anemia and could not move. A second crew was called and took her to hospital.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Here are questions that need to be answered. Why was the first crew allowed to not take the woman? If you are seriously ill and can’t walk what procedures are in place by LAS that permits a crew to deny services? How did the second crew decide to transport? Where there changes in the woman’s condition? I have to think that all communications between the landlady who called and all radio transmissions are recorded. Are they to be made public? And what of the woman’s family? Do they not deserve to know why LAS preformed the way they did? At any time was a supervisor called or monitored the situation?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">I find this entire situation upsetting and you should too. The government has put in place a program to protect the public. The police, fire and ambulance service are trained to respond to situations to prevent death and destruction. Should something go wrong, an investigation needs to be started. In this case one is by LAS but a person has died and an independent investigation may be in order. Maybe I am over reacting but this could have happed to anyone and everyone should believe that those working to protect are doing so. </p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-38438968956008290512010-12-31T07:53:00.000-08:002010-12-31T07:55:33.328-08:00London Parking Fines<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; ">The BBC <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-12092672">reports</a> that overseas driver are not paying parking fees and when given a fine they simply ignore the fine and drive home. Westminster City Council reports that between July 2007 and October 2010, 45,437 tickets issued to foreign-registered vehicles had been written off because the driver could not be traced - with £3.2m still owed. That is £70.42 per ticket. Let me add my 2p.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">This was reported after 20 UK councils and police forces responded to a Freedom of Information request. The BBC did not state clearly who requested the report, either the BBC or the Campaign group the Sparks Network. May I ask why this took a freedom of information request? Why is this a state secrete? Are councils afraid the public is going to think they are awash in cash and may demand lower taxes? <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">And may I ask the councils; what’s the bitch? Had those 45 thousand people just paid the meter what would have been the take? Subtract this from the outstanding fines and that is what councils really think they lost. The only money they lost was the fee, which is applied to control parking and giving shoppers a chance to park. This in itself generates taxes paid by merchants. Yes, the councils are entitled to the fines but only government sees not receiving money not directly due them as a loss. If everyone paid the parking fee and never got a fine, how much money is “lost”?<o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height:normal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Apparently the UK cannot locate foreign owners under current EU regulations. As the European Union is attempting to behave like a United States of Europe it should be easy to locate registered cars. Here, when a car is stopped, the police know within minutes the owner name ad address along with outstanding warrants or suspensions. When I get a parking ticket the make and model of my car is printed on the ticket along with my license. The government keeps track of that and when you reach five outstanding tickets you car is located and booted. You are unable to dive it until the fines are paid.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>It is too bad that Brussels has so much control over London life but that is what happens when you sign your rights away. Still, I think innovative ways can be found to collect fines on foreign cars. It could be a money maker.</span></p> <!--EndFragment-->Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8337172664548411538.post-68895230723949486082010-12-20T15:52:00.000-08:002010-12-20T16:07:29.984-08:00London Snow Disrupting LivesI see that the snow is causing a lot of problems for people trying to get from one place to another. They are focused on this and having no way of getting on they are greatly troubled and many are getting beyond the good manners they would normally have. May I say: get a grip.<div><br /></div><div>With the snow disrupting everyone's lives and making travel next to impossible, has anyone asked how the elderly and disabled are doing? Are they able to get food and medicine? Can care givers get to them? Yes, at this time of the year it would be nice if we could all get out and exchange presents. Burt many cannot get out, even on a sunny day. Can we give them some thought. Isn't this the spirit of Christmas? </div><div><br /></div><div>I am not trying to make light on people trying to travel to see family, but there are so many trying to stay warm, fed and use the toilet on a daily basis. Let us all see if we can give them a merry christmas too.</div><div><br /></div><div>Merry Christmas to everyone.</div>Pale Ale Edhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04646603123881366133noreply@blogger.com0