AND COLIN TOO !

Just like 25 December 0 (?), 22 December 1964, and 13 May 2012, April 12 2021 is one of those days you’ll tell the grandchildren about, if you live that long (or steal someone else’s, it’s probably legal in Yorkshire).

The sun came out, pubs welcomed you back to their bosoms, and a smile returned to the UK. Except we couldn’t see that smile behind the 50p masks.

We left the Roland and made for the Little Mester just over the M1 but still firmly in industrial Rotherham.

Like the Roland, I’d ticked the Mester before.

But on 21 September 2019 it had been so dull and, er, “Greene King suburban diner” I didn’t bother blogging it.

What I’d have given for even weak blog material like that a month ago. But I DID mention it in passing; see if you can spot it here.

On the drive I entertained Simon with stories about the time a John Smiths pub in a Rotherham village called Laughton-en-le-Morthen got in the Guide.

He didn’t believe there was such a place;

North Anston has no such airs and graces, but it does have a Butterfly House which I presumed Duncan ticked.

Simon was still contemplating butterflies as we attempted to read ALL the signage.

“HAVE FUN !” indeed.

We were shown to a table away from the FUN, and told to use the Greene King App.

I ordered Black Sheep for Mrs RM; it was off so Greene King IPA it was.

I ordered 2 packets of pork crackling, the only snack, but they were off too. So McCoys it was.

Colin the Cauliflower emerged from hiding, we compared notes on how ignorant Southerners were of the North (some of them have never been to Mansfield, ha ha), and enjoyed the best IPA in many a long year.

No, it really was. Clean, branded glass (two different ones, mind), clean lines, fresh barrel. Couldn’t fault the beer, although the Mester lacked magic.

But the obligatory toilet visit (no extra charge) brings a view of the bar,

the Euro 21 mini goal,
and the sort toy machine I remembered from 18 months ago.

One handpump dispensing GK IPA, a mini goal, and Colin on the crisps; nature is healing folks.

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 “AND COLIN TOO !”

  1. Colin looks like he’s had to trek across the Gobi without Aloo break, but finally found somewhere to Tikka Pea…

    Have to say I’m having to drink local beers I wouldn’t usually choose, but like last lockdown release, at least they’re in good nick.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. John Smiths Smooth has been contract brewed by hundreds of tiny microbreweries for decades, everyone knows that! You were actually drinking the Steel City Brewing iteration, a very rare beer tick…

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Even the appearance of Colin isn’t making me jealous, I can wrap up in 15 layers and have a can of something I don’t really want in my back garden just as easily.
    It’s just not a proper pub experience if you can’t mingle indoors.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  3. “pubs welcomed you back to their bosoms”

    Ah… bosoms.
    (sorry, my wife’s been away now for a whole week!)

    “Except we couldn’t see that smile behind the 50p masks.”

    (slow golf clap)

    “Like the Roland, I’d ticked the Mester before.”

    For a second I read that as ‘tickled’ and thought you were transitioning!

    “see if you can spot it here.”

    You’ve tickled Duncan? 😉

    “He didn’t believe there was such a place;”

    He hasn’t perused many OS maps has he?

    “but it does have a Butterfly House which I presumed Duncan ticked.”

    Or nicked. 🙂

    ““HAVE FUN !” indeed.”

    Trying to remain seated at all times, don’t wander AND observe the one-way system could mean hours of fun!

    “I ordered Black Sheep for Mrs RM; it was off”

    Probably hadn’t changed it since the shutdown.

    “I ordered 2 packets of pork crackling, the only snack, but they were off too. ”

    Same thing there. 😉

    “we compared notes on how ignorant Southerners were of the North”

    That’s universal, although the cardinal directions may change. 🙂

    “But the obligatory toilet visit (no extra charge) brings a view of the bar,”

    Devious.

    “and the sort toy machine I remembered from 18 months ago.”

    I really don’t get the allure.

    “nature is healing folks.”

    And about bloody time!

    Cheers!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      1. “What ! Soft toy machines are the pool tables or juke box equivalents of the chain diner !”

        You say that like it’s a good thing. 😉

        Cheers

        Liked by 1 person

  4. Loved the line about being “shown to a table away from the fun.” I’ll bet that GK IPA tasted especially good, given how long it’s been off limits.

    Looking forward to your further updates. Who knows what songs you’ll overhear in the days ahead? 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

Leave a comment