CAPTAIN FLINDERS COME HOME

December 2023. Donington. Lincolnshire.

Jules alerts us to the welcome opening of a new Euston Spoons. Hoorah ! Someone has to keep the price of a London pint below a fiver.

It won’t replace the Bree Louise of course, nothing could (though the beer might be more reliable),but it’s good to have the name of Captain Matthew Flinders immortalised.

He’s the guy who literally invented Australia, the chap to blame for Men at Work, INXS and Kylie.

Matthew’s remains, which sounds like a Bateman seasonal, are to be re-interred on 13 July next year in his home town of Donington amongst the sluicelands of South Holland, which are even more inhospitable than Brisbane. Born 10 miles north-west and he could have been a Sleaford Mod.

By a HUGE coincidence we were in Donington (pop. 2,805) the day I read about the Spoons honour, revisiting the village pub.

Two years ago I’d found the Black Bull closed, and had to bring you tourist pics instead.

I wrote then “Yes, it’s the home of Matthew Flinders, whoever he is. Of course, I’m now desperate to go back when it’s open, if it ever is.“

And here we were, politely requesting lunch and an XB.

Yes, I turned down the Doom (and the IPA).

“Oh, sorry, the restaurant is fully booked”.

“But you can eat in the bar area, if you want ?“. Why wouldn’t I ? Table by the fire looked great.

Almost “Bass by the fire” levels. Almost.

I nipped my order in first with the actual chef while two young blokes dithered about whether they wanted cranberry sauce or not. No dithering for me, I’d seen the festive burger on their Facebook page,

and for once the photo didn’t lie. Pigs in blankets in a burger is THE trend of 2023.

The waitress outlining the festive options pointed to my plate, eliciting an audible “Wow” from the lady from Gainsborough, a town not known for “Wow”.

In fact the only thing NOT contained in that burger are the remains of Matthew Flinders. Give it time.

Luckily I didn’t see the calorie count on a menu, so I’ll assume it was zero.

The pub filled up with mates and co-workers, the chat turned to “plucky Luton” (get well soon Tom Lockyer), and finally we got some Christmas music;

Classic.

As is the sign on the Gents.

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.

15 thoughts on “CAPTAIN FLINDERS COME HOME”

  1. Dear god almighty! What on earth is that? No, I’m not talking about the piss pot; I’m not even talking about the dreadful Uptown Top Ranking; it’s that recycled burger that has caught my attention, and not in a good way.

    Wow, indeed!

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  3. All ales at the Hermit’s Cave in Camberwell were under £5 last night – £4.90, whether Titanic Plum Porter at 6.5% ABV or Penpol Pale at 3.8%. Incidentally, you’ve now got Mrs. E drinking the former stuff, and to be fair it’s a nice drink, even if no more beer than Christmas pudding is a dumpling if you ask me.

    Here’s the Stormbird seen from there – over a pint pf grapefruit murk what’s more:

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      2. Must blog my Christmasy beer experiences from Friday. Excellent HofBrau Winterzwickl, on draught, in one pub, and a Belgian in another that I’ll have to look up from my notes but tasted like liquid mince pies.

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  4. Whilst browsing for information on the new Spoons beside Euston station – the Captain Flinders – I spotted your well-timed piece…. I eagerly await your report in due course including comments on the carpet and the Captain’s cat….

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