retiredmartin

A third Surrey tick from last Sunday, another chance to reward Mrs RM with more taxi duties to unfashionable South Eastern towns like Staines.

The highlight of Staines is the tree on the bridge over the Thames with a plastic bag over its branches to stop you bumping into it.

I still bumped into it. Twice.

The Thamesside Brewery is cunningly placed at the side of the Thames. How do they think these names up ?

Access via a grubby Council car park to a former Sea Cadets Hall. Sea Cadets were youth trained in rescuing barrels of Doom Bar sent from Padstow from the river in the 19th century.

Nowadays they brew their own beer, and attract pony-tailed musos and families to Sinday afternoon sessions in the upstairs room.

The upstairs room is quaint, and Mrs RM unilaterally decided to grab a treasured table amongst the tat and catch a few tunes.

Whoever it was (they were all called Dave), they (and the beer) were really good, kicking off with a slowed down “Billy Jean” before moving on to Rush and Bad Company.

After 4 tracks we were relinquished our table, prompting two couples to fight over it as if it were a pint of Doom Bar Super Chilled.

As we sneaked out the lead guitarist, Dave, explained to the crowd “They’re not called Dave”.

WE ARE ALL DAVE.