St Landrew

It seems it might just happen. Of course it was a slim chance with Branson, but if anyone could have done it, it was him. Instead of helping, obstacles were put in his way. They basically said, No, you can't play with our toy, even though we don't want it anymore. Concorde has had to fight tooth and nail all her life to stay in the air. This is just another chapter of what could have been.

Setback..! RIP

twig

bouquet

Remember going into the public bar of The Ice House, about 10-15 years back, and there was sawdust on the floor. Are there any pubs where sawdust is still scattered..?

Don't forget the countless towns..! :eggroll:

Tbf, SaintKip. Rome isn't the kind of Italy I'm talking about, and neither is Milan or any big italian city. It's the local towns and villages where local culture lives and resists the competition from global product. Long may it continue.

Oh I'm sure it isn't. But it's nice to see a resistance to a global product and favouring of the locally cultured food. You actually based in northern Italy, Sue, as your location suggests..?

Of course, we can pick and choose. As long as it really is us doing the picking and choosing, rather than being overly guided by Big Brother media. If we want variation and individuality, it takes effort. Lazy sheep mentality is dead easy.

I haven't been out to The Newport Inn for quite a while, but the Ploughman's Lunch they have always done, and I remember, is legendary. What could be simpler..? Good rustic bread, with a huge pat of butter; an enormous wodge of cheddar, and some proper pickled onions, gherkins and jar pickle. All washed down with a very, very good pint. It doesn't get much better. Of course, they also used to do huge cheese/ham sandwiches as well, which were memorable. Thinking about it... I might not leave it too long before I get out there again.

Thing is, it doesn't actually need to be that way. If people just don't go into them, they die. I still give a smile every time I think of the MacDonald's which opened in an Italian town and closed through lack of business 3 months later. The local populace simply weren't interested. I think that is utterly brilliant. I have often commented on the sheep mentailty of people. They see an advert on the telly, and then they seem to float off to the nearest example of said product. It doesn't have to be like that. Be a maverick. Don't follow the herd. BTW, I'm not commenting on your specific mentailty there, CL.

Yep, the pubs I highlighted were just examples, and I accept that there are plenty of pubs in Southampton, where a good pint is to be had at a reasonable price. I think Southampton is actually pretty well off for trad pubs. But I still think the best ones are a bit off the beaten track. Just thought of The Dolphin in Osborne Road. In fact, that is almost a themed trad pub, it is so traditional.

Thing with traditional pubs is that they almost certainly won't be located in the middle of the city, or on the main street. Neither are they hugely likely to be in some overrun touristy village anymore. I've found that trad pubs, offering good beers at reasonable [never properly cheap] prices are found in side streets and down the road less trodden. There are plenty of examples and here's three off the top of my head: The Waterloo, in Southampton The Royal Oak, in Fritham The Newport, in Braishfield Just avoid the themed pubs and they'll die. Incidentally, I notice the Old Thatched House has been closed up for some while. Whilst it wasn't a pub I frequented, I can't believe it is going to be allowed to crumble into the dust. Must be a listed building, at least.

I can understand the kit unveiling frustration, but why are you concerned about the timetable for season ticket price and availability..? Anyway, the World Cup... Better than countries taking proper pot shots at each other. That's about it, otherwise I'm not too bothered.

dock [as in de-tail]

I suppose Claus will be toppled.

fastidious

I can't believe that over 26,000 posts have been made about that anonymous club down the road. I realise I have just added to it myself, and therefore the total has gone up again. I mean, what are we geting our knickers in a twist for... or is this just some kind of remote-post association thread now..?

[ahem] doughnuts

eight

Of course, I'll be looking out for New Zealand too. The truth is though, is that I've found that Italy are more dependable [than England especially]. Come on you All-Whites..!

OK Pancake, ol' ex-moderator pal.. I know why Italy for me, but why Italy for you..?

silo

Deppo will be especially sad. RIP to the little guy.

every