You left us on Christmas Day just as we’re about to be kicked out of our new Sheffield local and forced to watch the Queens Speech and eat Long Clawson cheese all afternoon.
In desperation, I scoured the Facebook pages of the nearest GBG pub.
Well, well, as Jimmy Saville used to say. Open till 6. How civilised.
“Fancy a pint of something strong in The Blake, Mrs RM ?”
“Yeah !”
Now the Blake is rightly famed in Sheffield but she’d doubd it a bit reverentially beery on previous trips (it isn’t).
James lives 2 minutes walk away and had NEVER been in. I despair of kids today I really do. Bless him, he tagged along, across Ruskin Park to the pub at the top of Sheffield’s steepest hill. (Made up) FACT !
I fetched the beers, a cask, a keg one, a pint of La Trappe Tripel.
“Are you sure ? It’s 8%“
” It’s for Mrs RM”
“Oh that’s fine then“
I kid you not, we were lucky to get a seat. 29 in the Blake at 14:51 on 25 December.
It was blooming marvellous, a really mixed crowd creating a jolly atmosphere. The barman joined in our chat about the joys of Sam Smith, or Santa Smith as we call Sir Humphrey, and we had a packet of nuts for Christmas pudding.
I probably shouldn’t have had the can, but it decants beautifully into a glass if cask suds and you can trust me on that, I’m a beer smellier.
No idea what we did the rest of the day, probably watched “Don’t Look Up”, which was brilliant.
Meanwhile in Walkley, someone was celebrating in true style.
What even is that ? And can I get it on draught?
retiredmartin 
Now that’s what I call a Christmas dinner!
I had left the Blake about 45 minutes before you arrived, it would seem. I can’t drink those strong beers that you and Christine go for – let’s just check my notes, what did I have? Oh yes. La Trappe Tripel 8% – a couple of halves. I can’t seem to drink those keg beers by the pint.
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They’re less potent by the two halves than a pint.
I nearly texted you to join us for Christmas lunch in the Blind Monkey but assumed you’d be doing a 1000 piece jigsaw of Raddy Antic.
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Now there’s a good idea. Perhaps I’ll get one made to celebrate the 40th anniversary of *that goal*. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XyAUkaC6nsI
Were you a Man City supporter in 1983?
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Good grief, no, they were rubbish then.
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All the claims of walking fast, but James is always quite a way ahead of you. You pulling our leg on the walking speed? We need proof with shots looking back at James.
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But James doesn’t have a blog to take photos for. Actually, once he’s got something to get a move on for I think he’ll walk faster than me.
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A remarkably good effort! If only pubs were as good as Xmas day every day
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