SPRING HAS SPRUNG

February 2026. Waterbeach.

My cousins from North Norfolk came over last week to give us hand clearing Mum’s belongings (yes, it’s a long process). They used to love visiting Sunnyside, and have recently acquired a liking for the Nepalese food at Waterbeach’s White Horse.

That view of the gault was from this evening, but last Wednesday we were basking in 16 degrees in the Fens, and as you’ll know that’s legally almost Spring, time to eat outside.

Of course, had the temperature at any time fallen by more than 0.5 degrees someone would have insisted on moving jumpers and glasses and Vieve hand lotion (not mine) indoors, but today the blue skies held.

And we had the sight of two mature women (Mrs RM was AWOL) drinking pints of Tim Taylor Landlord, which is the answer to the quiz question “Which is the UK’s best known beer in 2026 ?“.

It was cool and clean and refreshing (NBSS 3.5), without quite reaching the heights of last year, and in truth the goat curry (on the bone) wasn’t quite as chewy as we recalled, either.

But it was good enough for a couple of hours chatting life, and youthful drinking, and memories.

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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.

8 thoughts on “SPRING HAS SPRUNG”

  1. I’d normally pop this onto one of Mudgie’s posts but some of his old chums may be interested.
    Timbo opened a new Spoons in Bath yesterday, The Old Post Office, a Grade 2 listed building with a £2.2 million renovation.
    He’s done a good job. Set over two floors it’s the usual mix of posing tables and normal ones very close together.
    It’s light and airy thanks to huge glass windows opening up onto a busy thoroughfare surrounded by your usual Wagamama/Premier Inn/ Burger Bros/Slug and Lettuce with about ten outside tables in a long single row.
    As you’d expect on opening day it was rammed – “ I’ve even seen some old faces from Swindon “ – I overheard one bouncer say which, if you know Swindon, doesn’t auger well. But noticeably the noise level was very bearable.
    The beer list was impressive with around a dozen cask ales including their Spring Festival offerings – I had an excellent, cool 4% spring brown ale from Fyne Ales Driftwood for the majestic price of £2.20.
    Staff were young, keen and well trained.
    The place will clean up with students and codgers and on Bath rugby days on a site that’s been various failed cocktailey late night venues over the years. It is the perfect venue for Timbo’s formula and even the bogs don’t requite a trek.
    I’ve never been a Spoons regular, mainly because I’ve never lived near one, and I suspect apart from dropping in occasionally to see if there’s ‘owt unusual on the taps I probably won’t be in this one becaue there are so many other good pubs nearby.
    Except when my two lads visit as they are next weekend – it will halve my usual outlay when they’re filling their boots on Dad’s tab. They love Spoons with a vengeance.
    Interestingly, the famed Star Inn five minutes walk away has dropped its Bass and Bellringer to £4.50 a pint in what they call March Madness but is clearly a response to the new ‘Spoons.
    It’s still my sort old man by the fire boozer even more so because my old man’s favourite old chair which we donated is in the snug bar.
    And last night it was busy enough with, just like the new Spoons, a mixed crowd and no music.
    I’m don’t know if Mudgie ever visisted but I’m sure he would have felt at home there even if he wouldn’t agree with my theory that good pubs don’t close. Both these, in their own way, are good pubs.
    Prof.

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    1. Thanks Prof. Hope you’re well.
      Always interested in Spoons feedback. Bath was where I first saw queueing in pubs (King of Wessex), though that was a “snake” with ropes, rather than vertical.

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      1. I don’t think Mudgie made one of our regular Proper Days out in Bath, but I suspect he will have been, he was well travelled.

        I lean more your way on “Good pubs don’t close”. I think Mudgie’s point was as much “people in Trowbridge deserve their average pubs” !

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