Regular readers will know that I am the most positive person in the world, having somehow survived 28 years of marriage and the finale to the 2011-12 Premier League season.
But you may rightly assume I’m slightly miffed by the announcement of the new tiers today. Even though, as requested, I got to see them before Matt Hancock announced them to Parliament. That’s what being part of CAMRA’s Privilege Club gets you.
I’ll leave the outrage to the professional bloggers, but it was hilarious to see Royal Tunbridge Wells lumped in with Sheppey in Tier 3 because of an outbreak at a Sheerness Prison. Not that my in-laws were going to a pub anyway, but it ruins my plan to buy Paul Bailey a Christmas beer in Tonbridge.
Anyway, a tragedy for pubs, not least my local wet-led boozer which I guess will have some difficult decisions to make in the next few days.
And what does it mean for the tickers ?
Well, the first challenge will be finding out if pubs in Tiers 1 and 2 can be bothered to open at all. Hours and hours of scouring Facebook, Twitter and WhatPub in the hope of quick updates.
And if they do open in Tier 2, can I realistically eat six full meals a day to get my ticks up in December ?
So I’m focused on Cornwall, where I’ve just ten to do.
Let’s just pray that Sharps have been able to supply the nations favourite Locale to those ten.
You might want to reconsider. Read the restrictions on essential travel.
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You can go from a tier two to a tier one and back with impunity. I envy you your chance to go to the Halzephron and the North Inn. Have a curry in the North, they’re excellent. You’ve done the Trewellard but have you done the Queen’s in Botallack? The Radjel in Pendeen, although Non-GBG, is also worth a go. I acquired a dog in there in circumstances too complicated to explain.
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Off you go, don’t worry about us COVID spreaders in Tier 3 Derbyshire Dales.
#LockeduptoHelpOut
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Quite angry about this. This lot have lost what little credibility they had left. Where is the evidence to support this idiotic decision?
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The other lot are cheering them on, of course ☹️
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Quite. Their authoritarian Christmases have all come at once.
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If you’re going to Cornwall choose your travel date carefully; I predict we will be overrun with visitors during December.
I challenge you to visit your remaining ticks without sampling any of the dreaded Doom Bar. Support some of the great local brewers instead.
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Launceston overrun by folk from Derbyshire coming to drink Doom Bar ? Grief.
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“And if they do open in Tier 2, can I realistically eat six full meals a day to get my ticks up in December ?”
Reminds me of the Vicar of Dibley Christmas episode where she gets a full Christmas meal at each of parishoners places 🙂
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PS…
“So I’m focused on Cornwall, where I’ve just ten to do.”
Have you done the Isle of Wight then…? 😉
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I don’t fall for that trick easily, pubhermit. There is no Isle of Wight.
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There must be. It says so here
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Paul is dead. I’m sure I heard that on a Beatles record, too.
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Passed 64 but not dead (yet).
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It just feels like it.
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“Have you done the Isle of Wight then…? 😉”
You’re alive!
And obviously not posting. 😉
Cheers GH!
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Hi Russ – yes – barely alive – hope you are well too and battened down for your BC winter – I noticed from it was snowing in Revelstoke though seems to have gone again today. 🙂
PS…
Another PS for RM – (so he doesn’t think me and you are just using his blog for a social catch up) – Cornwall Live Website this morning has an interesting article here:
https://www.cornwalllive.com/news/cornwall-news/cornwall-pub-owners-worry-over-4739902
Most interesting to note is that the article say…
‘Under Tier 2 restrictions, people may travel to Tier 1 areas but, according to the Government website, must still adhere to Tier 2 rules’
– so RM’s ‘version of the ‘Vicar of Dibley Christmas Dinner’ episode is very much on the cards… 🙂
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I assume “follow the rules for your tier” specifically means don’t try and take a group of six over the border to avoid the no mixing rules.
But frankly if they don’t want me I’ll stick to Tier 2 pubs, I’ve plenty still to do. The irony is that rather than a 15 minute pint I’ll be obliged to hang around for an hour waiting for a meal, which seems counterproductive.
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*not a social chat, just a quick reply* 😉
“hope you are well too and battened down for your BC winter”
Alive and well thx, or as much as can be expected. 🙂
As for the winter, blimey! We’ve already had Thundersnow here! Only experienced twice before, and never this far south. Hope that is not a harbinger of things to come.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thundersnow
https://preview.tinyurl.com/y4k545nr
(the 2nd video in the link above is where I live; Campbell River)
Cheers!
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“Beyond the Thundersnow” sounds like a Tina Turner “B” side from her over-dramatic phase.
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Thanks for sharing videos from your homeland. I like knowing where people live; most readers are very coy about me knowing where they live as they think I’ll deliver a pint of Doom Bar in person.
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“most readers are very coy about me knowing where they live as they think I’ll deliver a pint of Doom Bar in person.”
Pfft. You may know the city I live in, but good luck tracking down someone named ‘Smith’. 😉
Oh, and keep that Doom Bar for whenever I get over there. 🙂
Cheers
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“Smith” ? I had you down as Russ Tovich.
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““Smith” ? I had you down as Russ Tovich.”
Yes, but it’s pronounced ‘Smith’. 😉
Cheers
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You can always go and watch Cambridge – Mansfield to celebrate.
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Cambridge have 4 home games before Christmas so might even get a ticket, though you seemingly had to wear a facemask all game which doesn’t appeal.
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That Christmas beer will keep until next year Martin, when we can enjoy a visit to the pub without all these petty restrictions.
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That’s the spirit Paul.
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I admire your optimism. Frankly, the way things have gone, I’ll be amazed if all the current restrictions on pubgoing have been removed by this time next year.
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T’other Mudgie,
Yes, it’ll be the bleakest winter ever probably followed by a 2021 even bleaker than 2020.
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Maybe the Government could use pubs to deliver the vaccine more efficiently this winter, so the pubs (and life in general) can get back to normal quicker? A ‘jab and a pint’ – should be very popular – and may even increase the uptake of the vaccination 😉
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Excellent idea. The Russian vaccine can be administered in a shot of vodka without you knowing.
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I’ve just ordered three mixed cases of beer from Oakham Ales, frankly I’m relieved we’re in ‘Tier Nanny -1’. Comes to something when not being able to go for a casual pint feels like a win…
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It’s a mixed blessing being in Tier 2, certainly.
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We’re planning a trip to Peterborough for a booked table, Thai, and a few Citras. Other than that I can’t see much pub-going for me if I have to spoil the drinking experience by stuffing myself with food that I’d much rather cook at home anyway. This is not so much pubs reopening, as restaurants in pubs reopening, which is pretty much the opposite of what I want from a pub.
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I’d feel safer having a pint of Sam Smiths Stout in the quiet atmosphere of the Wortley than a pint and curry in the bustle of the Oakham Tap, and I like the Tap.
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We’d feel a lot safer going for a walk to one of the better village pubs round here, but that isn’t happening. Last thing I want to do after Steak & Kidney Pud, Chips & Peas, is a long walk home.
The reason we’ve chosen the Tap all through this when open is it’s BIG. You book a table, sit down, and don’t come anywhere near other humans other than the pretty efficient staff. It may of course be a bit different on a Fri/Sat night.
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“FEARS FOR TIERS – IT’S A MAD WORLD”
(slow golf clap)
Oh I say, well done sir!
“Regular readers will know that I am the most positive person in the world,”‘
OK, now you’re just having us on.
“but it was hilarious to see Royal Tunbridge Wells lumped in with Sheppey in Tier 3 because of an outbreak at a Sheerness Prison.”
A prison? Really? Bloody hell.
“which I guess will have some difficult decisions to make in the next few days”
Sigh. Join the club. No Christmas catering will be the death of our little mom and pop enterprise. (sigh)
“can I realistically eat six full meals a day to get my ticks up in December ?”
Can’t you just ask for a doggy bag and take it home? 😉
“Let’s just pray that Sharps have been able to supply the nations favourite Locale to those ten.”
Crossing my fingers even!
Cheers
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Sorry about your lack of business. What are the rules your way?
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Bars and restaurants are open for dining in; but only one household per table (or one core bubble). All shops, barbers etc. are open. No one is allowed to watch their kids play sports (beats me as to why). Masks now mandatory in all stores when shopping.
But, no one is doing any catering (understandable). It’s been that way since Covid began. That’s 60% of our business (the other bit coming from the lunch truck). So, we’re going to be out a lot of money come the new year. Thus, we’re looking to try and sell to a small restaurant (lunch truck might be right up their alley) and the two of us will look at going back to camp life up north.
C’est la vie, as they say on the other side of the Channel from you. 😉
Cheers
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I admire your cheerfulness in those difficult circumstances, Russ.
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Oh, doggy bag. Great idea.
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Every once in a while I have a goodun. 🙂
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You can go from Tier 2 to Tier 1, but you carry your rules with you, so someone from Devon can only have a drink in a pub in Cornwall if they have a Scotch egg with it, whereas the person at the next table, who lives in Cornwall, can drink as much as they like without any Scotch eggs. Perfectly sensible and logical, no 🙂 ? Great post title – I’m now wondering if I can make up something along the lines of Tiers for Fears, Woman in Tier 3 Chains!
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Love your blog, will read from the start;
https://theyearwithoutwimbledon.wordpress.com/
I’m not ENTIRELY convinced that the rule about substantial Scotch eggs carries over the border, I would have thought it more likely the No Mixing Households applies.
Anyway, they don’t want you at all in Cornwall (still), and I’m not allowed to leave Tier 3, though actually I AM still moving house so where does that leave me ?
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Brilliant blog title idea. Trademark it.
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Thank you 🙂 .
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