PLAYING DES WITH BRAPA

Enough about me propping up the Timbo profits; it’s time for BRAPA.

In his landmark post on pub ticking last week Simon told us;

“Next weeks outdoor April 12th re-opening will bring some limited localised joy shivering under the snowy umbrellas of York’s Fox and Golden Ball, but BRAPA will not recommence until I can do it ‘properly‘ “

But life is all about NOT making plans and sticking to them, it’s about NEVER making a booking, in fact. And at 11.27am I found BRAPA standing in the drop-off at Sheffield station, famous green pen at the ready.

Just as I was about to force the Aygo (199,377 miles and counting) into one last effort over the hills, the phone rang.

“Martin, can I ask you something“. Darn, completely forgot about Mrs RM and her root canal surgery that morning*.

“Can I come with you and BRAPA ?“.

Couldn’t say no, could I ? I sensed I was still going to be DES though.

We gave him a tour of our garden the Norther suburbs and then headed west east on the A57 to the Roland Arms at Aston, where the “O” and the “A” had had taken flight after news of BRAPA’s visit went ahead.

Sadly, I didn’t have time to take pictures of Aston, also known as (among others) Aston-cum-Aughton, and Swallownest, and Woodhouse. Anyway, a Rotherham mining village, which means you’ll be spending your summer holiday here exploring nearby attractions like Gullivers’s Valley in the Rother Valley Park.

But on the 12th April 2021 all you needed for your entertainment was an outside table next to some Professional Drinkers with a dog that didn’t attack Mrs RM and a “Wellerman” ringtone.

I have to tell you, I’ve rarely been so excited as I was when the young barmaid approached our table with the artisan beer menu. Mrs RM was delighted to have survived root canal surgery, and as for BRAPA…

Wait, what’s that ? John Smiths SMOOTH ?

Yes, in his first tick for 4 months, it was Smooth or Carling.

“What can I get you ?“

“Any real ale ?” “Bitters ?” “Cask ?“

“I’m not even sure what ale is ?” said the cheery lass; our hearts leapt out to her.

Just as well BRAPA didn’t attempt the international hand signal for hand-pumped ale, I guess.

In some parts of the world this is where the Real Ale Twat gets up and leaves, but God blesses the easily pleased, and I have it on good authority that the John Smiths was drinking well.

I have it on authority that Prince Phillip was a John Smiths drinker, so those pints were for him.

Your DES went for the diet coke, but the gas machine was warming up, so I went craft soft.

We watched in awe as trays of gleaming amber liquid were brought out and taken behind a secret screen to the lads of the village.

By 12.30 there were a couple of dozen sinking their first pub pints since who knows when, and life felt good.

I even got to pop to the loo, which seemed to be taunting Simon.

and view the owl, which seemed to be asking Simon where he’d dumped Martin (not me).

There were turned around hand pumps, including 61 Deep, on the bar, but who cares ?

Thank you Roland Arms, next.

*Live streaming of the surgery was exclusively available to Patronised readers yesterday.

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.

24 thoughts on “PLAYING DES WITH BRAPA”

  2. “I have it on authority that Prince Phillip was a John Smiths drinker”,
    In 1973 Prince Philip turned down offers of a pint of Whitbread Tankard and insisted on traditional beer during his visit to a Hartleys pub and then “said he supports CAMRA’s battle for better beer” but “turned down an invitation to become a member because he feels he doesn’t drink enough ale to qualify”.
    But “it has been alleged that small scale production of the bottled variant continues as it is Prince Philip’s favourite beer, with Paul Burrell attesting that Philip drank a small bottle nightly”.

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  5. Serious question – not being 100% au fait with modern parlance, what does “DES” stand for? Is it some kind if weird anagram? Or is it a secret code, known only to avid pub tickers?

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      1. Thanks for enlightening me, Martin. I suppose someone has to do it, but why you, especially on the day that the pubs finally re-opened.

        ps. Thanks for the birthday greetings, as designated walker, I’m off to grab a swift pint of Larkin’s, up the road in Charcott.

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      3. “it means DESignated Driver”

        I got that (finally!) from context. 🙂

        Oh, and Happy Birthday Paul! (raises glass)

        Cheers!

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  7. “And at 11.27am I found BRAPA standing in the drop-off at Sheffield station, famous green pen at the ready.”

    Were the authorities notified?

    “Darn, completely forgot about Mrs RM and her root canal surgery that morning*.”

    Si will do that to you. 😉

    “I sensed I was still going to be DES though.”

    Ah. From context I now surmise DES is designated driver.

    “where the “O” and the “A” had had taken flight after news of BRAPA’s visit went ahead.”

    And the arms as well it seems!
    (plus, O and A missing means Si can’t stand about saying ‘ooh’ and ‘ahh’ I take it)

    “also known as (among others) Aston-cum-Aughton, and Swallownest, and Woodhouse”

    Blimey. Must have quite the rich history.

    “all you needed for your entertainment was an outside table next to some Professional Drinkers ”

    Covering all the bases, with one in wellies and another in trainers.

    “Wait, what’s that ? John Smiths SMOOTH ?”

    Baby steps. 🙂

    “Just as well BRAPA didn’t attempt the international hand signal for hand-pumped ale, I guess.”

    (slow golf clap) 🙂

    “and I have it on good authority that the John Smiths was drinking well.”

    And, of course, Si finds a bloke in the bog having two shots whilst doing his business. 😉

    “I have it on authority that Prince Phillip was a John Smiths drinker, so those pints were for him.”

    Had one yesterday for him as well. My darling wife was the cook on his plane when he and the Queen visited Canada in the 90’s (the Queen flew on a separate aircraft). My wife says Prince Phillip was quite down to earth and a joy to cook for.

    “We watched in awe as trays of gleaming amber liquid were brought out and taken behind a secret screen to the lads of the village.”

    Crickey. Talk about two-fisted drinking!

    “I even got to pop to the loo, which seemed to be taunting Simon.”

    That must be the UK version of ‘skip to the loo’. 🙂

    “and view the owl, which seemed to be asking Simon where he’d dumped Martin (not me).”

    I think Si is past his barnyard fetish. 😉

    “*Live streaming of the surgery was exclusively available to Patronised readers yesterday.”

    My wife’s had it 3 times. If need be I’ll just re-watch hers. 😉

    Cheers!

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      1. “read that as Si will do root canal surgery !”

        Egad! You’re getting my sometimes dyslexic style of reading! (LOL)

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  8. It does my heart good to think of you and Simon celebrating the big day together. Somehow seems appropriate that it ended up being John Smiths Smooth. As you often say, “It’s not about the beer, it’s about the opportunities to overhear lads singing old hits by Ace of Base.” 😉

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