Gloucester Saint

I know from your other posts that Brexit has been horrible for you, you didn’t vote for it, you’re a good poster, one of my favourites, and really I wish it wasn’t like that for you. I hope it gets better for us all. Plenty of over 60s didn’t vote for it too. FWIW, I’ve lost far more than that from Brexit and then Covid, thousands pa, as has my wife. Whilst costs have shot up. All relative I know to each household, family and circumstances but standards of living are miles below the 00s for most people. On the train drivers and unions, I have no love for them either, in fact the unions advocated for Brexit sickeningly so I particularly loathe Lynch and Whelan but the country had to get moving again, the industrial action was clogging up the roads badly, medical appointments missed, contracts missed. It was awful to get anywhere of any distance and it’s not over until the new drivers are on stream. The doctors dispute was heading the same way. If Labour keeps feeding the unions, I’ll be angry too, one of the reasons I don’t vote for them is the unions. The public services have to get back on a even keel, I think the public will do their bit but if in 18 months time we still can’t see GPs and the trade offs aren’t emerging, there will be wider unrest and it won’t just be ex-football yobs and kids next time.

On the pensioners £300 winter fuel allowance, and that’s the maximum, some won’t even get that much, it’s not ideal but the vast majority of those who actually need it will still receive from what I’ve seen and plenty like our parents who really don’t need it as much. One of them is still moaning about it (Telegraph reader) having said in the past they didn’t need it and it should go to someone who did. If we are talking intergenerational fairness, the u55s have had to eat nearly all of the shit sandwiches arising from Brexit thus far (with a blank where the supposed benefits are) so only fair the segment of the population who voted for it in the largest numbers take at least a small bit of the burden the economic shortfall of £40bn is causing. Because without Brexit, £22bn unaccounted for hiding migration accommodation spending by the previous government and an unfunded tax cut would have caused moderate spending cuts and freezes, but not the same impact. And the new government has pledged to be responsible with the public finances, yet the tabloids want this policy retained and Rwanda policy reinstated for tens of billions. From where? They’ve stymied their grandchildren’s prospects through selfishness so if their Brexit is so brilliant, it’s a small price to pay surely. I very much doubt if Labour has thought about it in this way but I’m a Liberal Democrat and it’s about time some of the tough decisions stopped falling at the doors of working folk and the young. Apologies by the way to those over 60 in 2016 who voted Remain or didn’t vote. Unfortunately, as we found out over the last few years, we tend to get punished for the actions of others whether we voted for it or not.

In your case it certainly takes one to know one.

It’s the only way they can realistically play red ball cricket at either end of the domestic season. Makes the quicker bowlers use their brain/get their speeds up and gives the spinners a way into matches that are normally 130 plays 150 at this stage of the season where 75mph seamers are taking 7/34 or something daft on a green top.

We got pet insurance for ours from kittens with a higher ceiling and premiums, not cheap to start with but boy has it earned its keep in the long-term.

🇭🇺 is a better option for Marxism, look at Orban’s price controls on everyday groceries https://www.reuters.com/article/hungary-retail/hungarys-orban-leans-on-mandatory-food-price-cuts-to-rein-in-rampant-inflation-idUSL8N37T15F/ Imagine if a Labour PM ever did that and the headlines which would follow? But because Orban is socially conservative and authoritarian, he’s beloved by American conservatives if they ignore other things he does to limit market economics https://www.voanews.com/a/hungarian-prime-minister-shows-why-american-right-embraces-him/6687500.html The GOP has certainly shifted from the Reagan era.

Yeah, Tugendhat would the adult choice to repair some of the considerable damage but they’re still drunk as rats on Brexit, Truss and Trump populist culture wars.

Totally and stark raving mad. The interviewer is incredulous and Harris laughing her head off as I am doing now 😂😂😂

Just reading the ABC and NBC articles, did Trump seriously say those things? He is a total freak if he did. More elections conspiracy nonsense and shocking comments about abortion. In a normal Western country, he’d be heading for a record defeat with the odd Deep South state voting for him as a hangover from the pre civil rights era. But America is far from that these days.

Iran, until it can finally shake off the cack hand of the Revolutionary Guard, truly is an armpit of a country. North Korea and Russia are equally grubby bedfellows https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c75n2wnkp1vo

Certainly possible, but Cleverly would need to pick up the lion’s share of the Stride supporters to get back into contention for the final two.

Guide Dog was another pre-match SMS haunt, but if the missus was with me it was more the Alex because she found the GD a bit too busy for a small pub. They still do Flower Pots range looking at the GBG, used to offer Itchen Valley but I don’t know if they’re still trading? Funny brewer they were. Dark Star listed as well. I also note from GBG that the SW Arms is open again and refurbished (which it really did need!). That used to get away fans from all over the country looking for it but a bit further from SMS so you had to factor that in. Used that and the Dolphin a lot when lived near Bitterne Triangle (many years before Butchers Hook). Bookshop Alehouse in Portswood listed and that’s on my need to try list too. Sad about Chris up who used to run the Bitter Virtue offie not far from there on Cambridge Rd (IIRC) away a couple of years ago.

Goblets used to be Greene King but probably changed long before 8 years ago. GK IPA and Abbot Ale would fit the bill for being weak as piss/quite strong without that 4-4.5% Abv decent session bitter. Mind you, they did look after their Abbot Ale. Alex used to be a pre-match SMS pub 2005-12 for us, did a great pint of Landlord or Summer Lightning. Belgium & Blues sounds like an upgrade on Goblets, will have to try that, and that cellar environment would work for Belgian Ales. Mind you, with the strength of some of those, you’d do well to even be on the train post-match!

Poor wasn’t it? Brook has batted like a busted arse this game, and was petulant first innings when Sri Lanka finally found a disciplined off stump channel line to him. Lawrence is never an opener in any format, and should have been out a few times before he was, for an admittedly useful 35. Duckett too frenetic again. Root got a good full delivery in swinging conditions and the SL top order batted really well tonight. The bright spots were Hull again and a superb knock with the tail yet again by Jamie Smith. The difference between Smith compared to Duckett, Pope, Lawrence and increasingly Brook is that he has got a solid defence so his shot selection is far better. Brook actually has got a good defence but just won’t use it at the moment. Stokes needs to have a word. Duckett has a decent defence but notorious for playing at 98% of deliveries. It’s serving him well and makes a good combination with Crawley when his finger heals, but in Australia he is going to need to leave the rising ball a lot more at times, as that’s why Root has never made a hundred there. Lots of 50s, but plays a rising one regularly he doesn’t need to on 70-odd.

Downton Brewery in Wiltshire do a chocolate Orange beer which is good and remember drinking that mostly at one festival. The other beer I’d have stuck to if it wasn’t quite so strong at the old Gosport Winterex was Sarah Hughes Ruby Mild. They had it on recently at the Cross House Tavern in Tewkesbury, my wife agreed to drive back whilst I enjoyed a half which rarely travels beyond its native West Midlands.

It’s good to see, I was concerned that the pandemic would leave a legacy of more consumption at home. Pensioners used to be one of my pre-match places in the 1990s for the Dell, as was the Cricketers. Overdraft sounds good, I think the Shirley original opened a few years ago now or possibly I’m getting confused? Raven and Bine sounds a big improvement on how the Smugglers used to look. That’s the pub on its own over by Oxford St on the road leading to what was the East St Centre. Was the Smugglers where Terry Hurlock was drinking when he was caught drink driving? Seem to remember a sign outside proclaiming it. Didn’t know about the pedestrianisation. Belgium & Blues sounds like my sort of place too, Belgian beer has never been cheap, even when the old Soul Cellar opposite the Civic Centre sold the stuff, plus the Belgocafes in London. Don’t mind paying the extra if it’s a rare Trappist beer like a Westveleren though. You’ve whetted my appetite for a few return trips to my Southampton roots. You are certainly a 🐈‍⬛ about town!

Nowt wrong with that. I’d tried thirds of a few other beers at GBBF in 2019 but hit upon Maxim Raspberry Porter from Sunderland. I figured I wouldn’t be seeing it very often, if again, so carried on with only that. The Fullers pub next to Olympia after I left had a guest Thai kitchen night on - what a great day!

Also, picked up some of this yesterday having lunch at Dunkerton’s just outside Cheltenham https://www.hooky.co.uk/product/pheonix-4-5/ A can of this https://stroudbrewery.com/products/alederflower-cans and this https://atticbrewco.com/products/rollin-waves-pale-4-8?srsltid=AfmBOopEeHB-wP8rHeh4kS0wdWA2DiQjtAvmLpOhw7uol1Dmfe0YzS-c

Titanic Plum Porter is good in the bottle but different league on draft. I have some Hobson’s Damson Porter in storage for Xmas. Best Plum Porter I’ve ever had was Elgood’s Plum Porter. Worst was St Peter’s - tasted like Dr Pepper.

Second lot of cancer - recovering from surgery. I read a lot of different accounts of what’s he’s like but clearly unpleasant if you meet him on the wrong day. Mind you, scoring runs in middle age against Holding, Marshall, Lillee and Thomson (not in his 74-77 pomp when he was as fast as there’s been but still as quick as Mark Wood was this summer post-shoulder op) shows a high class player.

Don’t know what’s happened to Theakstons? Last couple of pints I’ve had in the Dales have been well off - yet switched to Black Sheep in the same pubs which was fine. Love Black Sheep’s Riggwelter but a one pint only beer! Wensleydale good stuff, and Saltaire excellent. I love their Triple Choc Stout but appreciate its not for everybody. York Brewery is good stuff, been on their brewery tour. Rudgate are in York as well, their Ruby Porter has won Champion Beer of the Year a while back. Used to like Daleside, especially their Morocco ale made for Levens Hall in Cumbria and I think they are now owned by Roosters which has always been great stuff. Roosters Yankee was one of the first beers to use Cascade hops from the Pacific Northwest. Copper Dragon - that is great stuff, Golden Pippin one of the best golden ales I’ve had anywhere. Hambleton Nightmare a great dark beer. I see Harrogate has its own microbrewery and tap - will look out for that next time I’m up that way.

Whilst I like the attacking cricket overall - not keen to go back to Rory Burns and Dom Sibley opening - yesterday was just reckless, rudderless and didn’t respect Sri Lanka. They’re lucky Pope got a much needed ton otherwise they’d be behind. One definite positive is the return from the Fletcher era of picking potential rather than bog average pros bowling at 80mph tops cashing in on green tops and tired batters in the volume not quality county scene. Hull looks like another gem and Atkinson proof that what it takes internationally and domestically are different and makes England better overseas. Trescothick, Vaughan, Harmison were similar examples in that era of selecting on potential.

Thanks The Cat, really good summary and realising that I’ve only been to Butchers Hook, Brewhouse, Dancing Man and Platform. Last time was a few years back for a best friends’ stag do and enjoyed it but also had one eye on keeping him and the party on the straight and narrow. Which was fine until his cousin joined after work, the ale stopped for him and the Sambuca came out…. Time I selected a less popular Saints home game where I might get a ticket and had a long weekend in the city of my birth. Those top four options you mention I’ve not been to at all. Olaf’s Tun my friends rave about and has been on the long-term to-do list, I’m from Woolston originally and one of my best friends lives in the street there where I grew up. I also understand that the Guildhall square area looks very different to when I was last in the area? This gives me a great idea of where to try when I get that arranged,

Will Smallbone as effective for RoI as he’s been for Saints this season. Needs to hit the gym and weights big time, Declan Rice is hard to deal with anyway but 10 stone dripping wet doesn’t cut it. Get on the protein shakes as well.

Surprising that he didn’t answer Ireland’s call. Free header given away at the first corner.