The start of a new era?

Last night was my first night in a pub since UK's new licenceing laws that came into effect. The new laws mean that pubs can now stay open much longer, so I was looking forward to my first sane pint after 11pm in the UK. Admittedly its been possible to drink to at least 2 am and later before the change, but that was only in the ear drum splitting clubs favoured by kiddies. Not the sort of place someone in the late thirties would feel comfortable in.

Off I went to the pub with a certain excitement at the prospect of a new, more relaxed European style of drinking. The pub in question is the beehive and it's in one of the better parts of Cheltenham, which is one of the better towns in England. In some ways this pub is exactly the type of place the new laws were aimed at. It's clientele are mainly sophisticated middle class thirty somethings. The sort that would drive a Freelander or an Audi or maybe one of the new minis. In short the sort of sensible type who aren't going to cause trouble and have enough spare cash to not worry about buying an extra drink or two. The pub is a million miles away from the rowdy youth bars in the town centre that represent the places where the impact of the new laws are most feared.

The night started normally enough with talk of sport and holidays and the latest toys that people have / are going to buy. Then there was the added excitement of a group of Rugby fans who had been watching the international matches since midday and were now somewhat worse for ware. They attempted to do some acrobatics, and suffice to say, it all ended in tears and laughter.

As the night wore on things subtly changed. By 10pm the place seemed to have mellowed and there was an obvious sense of people taking time to savour the atmosphere. Then 10.50 pm came and went with no cry of "Last orders at the bar". By this time I was on my fourth pint, and despite feeling like it was time to go, I had one last pint, just because I could. We finally left at about 11:45 and by that time the pub was three quarters empty. As I left I did spare a though for the bar staff, who were looking knackered after having to work that extra hour, but form a purely selfish point of view I think the new laws are a plus. Only time will tell if its the start of something good, or the end of the good old days.

Holy Moly

I've just spent the last hour laughing out loud at the stuff on the Holy Moly web site http://www.holymoly.co.uk/index.html. They are bound to get sued sooner or later.

My favourite bit is the Nollerball suggestion on the Save Noel page, ouch its definitely below the belt.

Was this my first blog ? Maybe

1984 - I was travelling from La sud de France to good Old Blighty, but decided to go via the alps. I ended up in chamonix, thankfully in the middle of August, but still not warm at night. All the hotels were full, or at least the ones that I tried, then I spot a half built chalet. Roof over my ed, and when it starts to rain, cushtie! Or at least till the dogs come. I hear them barking as somebody rattles the gates to the site, I freeze, fearing the slobbering attack of rabid hounds. Then the dogs and presumably their handler, depart. They've not opened the gates and my cosy spot is safe. Somehow I sleep, and when I wake-up, I wake to the most magnificent moutain view.

A lunchtime walk in the park

It amazing how a quick walk in the park can lift my spirits. Today the sun was shining on autumn hued trees, and in the still air, reflected swans glided across the lake's mirrored surface. Even the skateboarding youths with their hoodies and graffiti didn't spoil things. In fact, just to see others enjoying the sun made me happy. And oh how beautiful were the rosy cheeked college girls as they walked past on their way to there classes.