DREAMING OF DUNDEE

I’ve been tentatively planning some travels by rail after May. Despite moving north, a non-stop journey to Dundee is still 5:09 hours (and £143.30 off-peak*, which would buy you a month in Southport Pontins).

I need to go back to visit this keg classic, normally home to University of Stirling researchers camped out awaiting boisterous behaviour to prove that thesis that pubs should be closed forever.

But will they let me over the border at Berwick ? The Scottish government hopes to return to the level system from late April, but the number of positive cases will need to be far lower than when the system operated last year if pubs like the Dolphin are going to open without substantial meals and early evenings.

For context, Dundee (pop :150k) recorded 97 cases last week (14 a day), one of the lower rates when compared to the Sodom and Gomorrahs of Stirling and Renfrew.

Is 3 cases a day even credible ? Is the hinted 1,000 cases a day England target possible after a month of schools-fuelled infection ?We shall find out together.

I had a great time in Dundee at the 2019 CAMRA AGM, debating issues like broccoli overcooking and the legal imposition of the autovac in southern pubs with Stafford Paul in pubs like the Speedwell.

And I’d love to do the other Heritage pubs like Frews again.

Wash your hands, keep your distance, take the vaccine, open the pubs.

*But you CAN break your journey at Doncaster on the way back, to be fair.

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

10 thoughts on “DREAMING OF DUNDEE”

  1. Currently, the weekly rate in Orkney and Shetland is 0. None. Zilch. Nada. Not one case in the last month. Bet Nippy keeps the pubs shut though.

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  2. “Despite moving north, a non-stop journey to Dundee is still 5:09 hours (and £143.30 off-peak*, which would buy you a month in Southport Pontins).”

    Crikey!

    “But will they let me over the border at Berwick ?”

    You need to start practicing your ninja skills.

    “but the number of positive cases will need to be far lower than when the system operated last year if pubs like the Dolphin are going to open without substantial meals and early evenings”

    I’m beginning to realise why fire and brimstone was de rigueur back in the old days. (sigh)

    “Is 3 cases a day even credible ?”

    Depends on the PCR rate. 😉

    “And I’d love to do the other Heritage pubs like Frews again.”

    (looks down) But it’s already been cordoned off!

    “Wash your hands, keep your distance, take the vaccine, open the pubs.”

    I’m guessing you’re a prime candidate to buy a bridge in Brooklyn. 😉

    (and bugger this for a game of soldiers!)

    Cheers

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  3. Mennies …many a happy time spent in there quaffing keg 80 -/- .before my introduction to real ale in England Websters Bitter ..!! 🙂
    As you say just a great heritage pub..id totally forgotten the corner door ..always entered from the street ..
    The Phoenix was another corner door pub in Dundee.

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  4. Yes, Dundee was great for the 2019 CAMRA AGM weekend, but maybe we should have missed out Broughty Ferry and Edinburgh to make time for the Dolphin.
    I went from Stafford to Dundee and back for £67 ( including £12.85 Waverley to Piccadilly ) so you should be able to do it for well under £143.30.

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    1. I hope so, Paul. £143.30 is off-peak; there doesn’t seem to be many advance fares up yet, possibly because we’re not supposed to travel.

      5 hours doesn’t seem TOO long.

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