The Pub Bloggers Code states “Thou Shalt Not Visit A Fellow Blogger’s Home Town Without Buying Him A Doom Bar“. That rule was subsequently and contentiously amended to exclude Tonbridge.
Arguably Heathrow Terminal 5 is the home of the Southworth clan, and if they’d really wanted to be in the UK we’d have met them at the groundside Spoons.
But Hook looked easier, we passed J5 of the M3 as he got home from work (whatever that is) and I was jealous as Simon had just met him, accidentally, in Croydon.
I feared Citra would make us go to one of Hook’s many craft beer bars, but instead it was a rambling old trad pub I vaguely remembered from the noughties when the A30 briefly became a GBG hotspot.
I’d forgotten the “Not the Old” bit within 2 minutes, of course.
I guessed right, anyway.
At least it had Proper Pub windows, but would it deliver the BBB that young Mick loves?
We were escorted to our table away from the bar, but I was graciously allowed to go and buy beer and those Max crinkly crisps while Mrs RM interrogated Citra about her aunt, who lives down the road.
Oh, yes.
Far too much choice.
Citra went all awkward on me and refused to pose with his pint of Doom, fearing ostracisation from Hampshire Untppd or whatever. Apart from that he was perfect company.
So Mrs RM had to drink most of my pint as well as the TEA. Both average, since you insist.
Not much ale drinking in evidence anywhere in a pub only half full despite the lure of West Ham v Newcastle on the big screen.
Citra, you’ll remember, kindly met me for a pint up the road in March, allowing me an early escape from a family birthday celebration that would nowadays result in instant arrest by Covid Marshalls.
On the way out Citra led us through the maze of one way signs and Handwash, and I STILL ended up getting told off. But at least it wasn’t by Mrs RM this time.
retiredmartin 
Hogs Back TEA, marginally cooler than Doom Bar, but not a lot. I had technically not been back from work, but that did involve an hour in a different pub with more interesting beer. Always good to meet up.
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CAMRA’s work on earth will be done when Citra picks Doom Bar over, er, Citra.
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Highly unlikely to happen.
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They said that about CAMRA support for cask breathers.
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Not been back from work- LONG, is what I meant to say, the problems of typing on a train with an infernal mask on.
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Me too. First train journey since March. Only 10 mins, 9 mins too long with face mask on 😳
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Over 3 hours in now. 😡
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“Thou Shalt Not Visit A Fellow Blogger’s Home Town Without Buying Him A Doom Bar“. That rule was subsequently and contentiously amended to exclude Tonbridge.
Thank-you Martin, and much appreciated. I shall await your next visit safe in the knowledge that you won’t attempt to foist a pint of Doom (Bar) on me!
Have done several train journeys, including two that were an hour or so in duration. Masked up, as required, but with no-one sitting anywhere near me, was it really necessary?
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Good lord. You have to wear a mask whilst on the train? Sheesh
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Yes you do. And I hate it. See also: Mudgie’s blog.
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Next time we are at Heathrow we will remember to call for a ride.
Nice to know there are others who interrogate.
What I would do for a pint of Doom right now… And it is only 8 AM.
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IIRC this was an Ind Coope Friary Mieux outpost in my time based at Effingham in the early 80s. Must stop reminiscing like this but it was my birthday yesterday 😖
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“That rule was subsequently and contentiously amended to exclude Tonbridge.”
Blimey. That ‘other’ Paul will be most upset.
“Arguably Heathrow Terminal 5 is the home of the Southworth clan,”
(slow golf clap)
“I guessed right, anyway.”
You have that way with you, sir.
“Citra went all awkward on me and refused to pose with his pint of Doom,”
Carry a carboard cutout with you. He falls for that every time. 😉
“But at least it wasn’t by Mrs RM this time.”
Guffaw!
Cheers
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Always good to read about two doyens of pub blogging 👍🍺🍺 citra edges Doom for me although did have a terrific pint of the latter tonight
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You all have to snap out of this Doom Bar malaise, I’m currently in a wonderful rustic micropub in Hastings drinking an equally wonderful Marble Lagonda IPA, this is pubbing. Gooseberry and Elderflower sour up next. 🤔
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Magnificent 👌 punk IPA still the biggest game changer drink ever…
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Remind me where that was, mate.
We must meet up and compare Doom Bar notes 😉
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It was in a pub called The Tavern next to the peacock in that side of town. One cask option but pulled it through prior to serving and in good form….
Agreed as a meet up would be majestic
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FFS
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