21/11/06 Earl Soham Vic ~ 138 bikes in David Berry's funeral cortege A sombre start with the news that John B had lost his dad and that morning David Berry from Andy Tiernan's had died motor biking to work. The Brewer nipped off after a pint or two leaving John B, NaTCH, Matt and Matt II (who's filling in time by working at ESB before a degree) to discuss Matt's somewhat surprising example of the difference between the NHS and BUPA and, not surprisingly, the extortionate fees charge by some (come to think of it all) barristers. AfARs from Rob (wrestling with trees), Hugh (sorting out a stinking, rotten compost machine in Deptford) and Richard V (just too busy). (Last visit 11/07/06)

19/09/06 Otley White Hart NaTCH observed to Goddess Steph as he got out of the car that the last time he visited the White Hart the interior was rather naff 1970s but Phew! what a makeover of the re-opened in April pub's interior. Very stylish. Original menu with a certain amount of theatre in serving ("Shall I introduce the cheeses?") and the cheese with cumin seeds was brilliant, a black doggie with dread locks wandering about and it transpired the barman had briefly worked for The Brewer when ESB had the Tram Shed in Cambridge. Adnams and unfortunately somewhat over chilled ESB Vic. The Brewer asked for the cellar keys as he was delivering and conversation included the regrettable news that David is leaving ESB to become an aerial rigger for Matt Bayfield. (Last visit 08/06/04)
11/07/06 Earl Soham Vic Matt, David, Jim (without Bianchi), NaTCH, Terry, Rob and The Brewer who had just popped in for a warm before driving to
Stowmarket to get a driving license because they seemed like a useful thing to have. The Vic was very much on song and the chicken curry excellent. Conversation was perhaps overly about young women in jodhpurs and boots at Otley college. (Last visit 14/06/05)
16/05/06 Laxfield Low House Matt, The Brewer, Goddess Steph, Max, NaTCH, new chum John B and the tv presenter Peter Purves (who didn't know he was lunching with us) appeared to be irritating the barmaid ... though she seemed ready to be irritated. Very well kept Adnams and Fullers London Pride, NaTCH did very well with a "Farmer's Lunch" which is a ploughman's with some substantial slices of ham and plum chutney instead of cheese. Everybody else didn't do so well with luxury fish pie that contained raisins and the veggies arrived after The Brewer pie had finished his pie. Conversation included the interesting fact that it cost's twice as much for Max to have nails trimmed as NaTCH's mother. (Last visit 08/11/00)
21/02/06 Crowfield Rose Matt, The Brewer, Goddess Steph and NaTCH travelled in Matt's South African Landrover to the Crowfield Rose knowing they wouldn't get lunch as the new landlord's wife was having the car serviced in Worthing(!?). The Rose is on the outskirts of the village, has spacious rooms and a three acre field at the back, so you can see why the Suffolk Landy club use it for their meetings. Vic, Woodforde's Wherry and Skinner's (a Cornish brewery) Best were all served in good condition. Conversation included Matt's traditional use of the phrase a bit light in the loafers. AfARs from David, Rob (in Lowestoft) and John Bawtree (flu). (First visit)
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