h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

You forgot to mention the magnificent monument to amateur architecture which is the Tricorn!

'Ere!. I used to frequent the tricorn a lot, back in the days when Laser Quest was open.

In a way, it'll be sad to see it go, assuming it ever does. I suspect that it's not going to be all that easy to demolish.

Another thing to be said about Portsmouth is the pub density, expressed as a function of the number of heads of the population (assuming an average one head each) is one of the highest in the UK.

However, there are many pubs here best avoided.

Regards,
Caveman, aka Jim, in North End

Funny you should mention the pubs - me and a mate had a list of all 200 (only the ones on Portsea Island), and we were trying to have a pint in each one - we've only got 30 left, but they're all a bit grim, so we've never finished... if anyone wants a copy of the list, let me know.

My local used to be the Eldon Arms; strange 'local' considering I live in north end; but I seldom go in there.
I think it has gone really downhill since the new landlord took over; perhaps it's just the change of staff.
The tap in north end is good, but small, and gets quite crowded; ditto for the Sir Loin Of Beef (SLOB) in Eastney.
The green posts is good enough for new years nights, being within crawling distance of home
The Churchillian is good, but too far away unless you drive (and who wants to drive when you want to drink instead)
Finally, as whitbread pubs go, the Froddington is ok for a few pints and the quiz on Sundays, if you can comprehend the strange rules...

I think we've done the Eldon Arms - is it on the fringes of Somerstown? If so, I have been there and I remember it was quite nice - there seem to be a few decent pubs down there
I used to drink in the Tap a lot - I used to like the strong bitters, but lately I've gone a bit soft and started drinking lager.
I agree about the Churchillian - my solution is to cycle up there, and then freewheel downhill all the way home. I'd definately recommend the place to visitors to Portsmouth - the view is good, and they do good food.
My local is officially the Golden Hind, but it's too much like a youth club for my liking - I usually go to the Green Posts, or, for a quiet drink I go to the Phoenix (although since the new landlord took over it has livened up a bit).
On Tuesday/Wednesday nights I can usually be found in the heart of North End in the Thatched House or Clarence Gardens.
Maybe we should start writing up the individual pubs as items for the Guide.

> writing up individual pubs
Hmm. good idea, but it would be hard to find the time; I seem to spend most potential drinking hours stuck in betting shops.
This friday, for instance, I'm stuck in the shop opposite clements in the evening. Saturday I'm off to copnor north, and Sunday in Leigh Park.
Monday, Wednesday and Friday they've sent me to Waterlooville. Eeek.

In that last message, I should have plugged P81000, the Betting Shops & Gambling article.

Nice item - I can't really comment though - I've never (not even once) been in a bookies, let alone placed a bet.
I don't want to start either, cos (a) I know the odds are against me, (b) I'd probably get hooked.

I think I'd like to put in a mention for the Brewers Arms. A bit spit-n-sawdust to look at, but very friendly, and the best pint of HSB in town. You're also quite free to play pool (badly, if that's your style) against the local league members, and nobody takes the piss out of you.

Hey, maybe Someone (wittier than I) ought to do an article on HSB - the closest thing this planet has to a Pan-Galactic Gargleblaster.

Are we talking Milton here, right next door to _gasp_ (A certain bookmaker's) area office?

Apart from Grand National day, I avoid the place; I might have to buy drinks for the management...

Only time to really avoid the place is Saturday lunchtimes when there's a footie match on.

I had no idea that bookies on the corner was their area office. I'd have thought a rich company like that would have a nice shiny tower somewhere.

Appologies for the late reply, I've been a bit busy lately.

By 'Area' I only mean the local area; That office looks after all the shops on Portsea Island, Hayling, Havant, Leigh Park, Waterlooville, Cowplain, Gosport, and Fareham,
as well as the Isle of Wight. The area we in the trade know as 'RAD 139'. I have no
idea what 'RAD' means. Paul is the manager of the shop below, and also manages
the Deposit betting centre (of which there are only two, London and Portsmouth).

Paul is a great guy, and quite mad, but don't tell him I said so.

Nobody ever works upstairs along after dark in that office; the place is haunted. I don't normally believe that sort of thing, but it's damn spooky. I examined the floor plans, and on the first floor there's a mysterious bit missing that is available on both the other two floors. Perhaps *something* lives in that little walled off bit. Perhaps it's been walled off for a reason. I'd rather not find out. The ghost of area managers past maybe...

Never having looked at the upper floors before, I decided to wander past and look up for a change. I reckon you're right; there's definitely something spooky about the place.

I once lived in a flat in Waverley Grove that was haunted. Never saw any real evidince but I definitely used to get bad vibes (oops, just popped back to the seventies there) in my bedroom. I moved out about 15 years ago, and recently spoke to someone who said the whole row of houses was haunted.

Last time I saw the flat, it was a burnt out shell. I doubt that had much to do with ghosts though.

What with the main page suggesting 'Community Events' what say we all go to one of these establishments for a bit of field research?

Are we talking pubs or bookies here?

A pub investigation is definitely in order.

Pubs, definitely pubs, not bookies (our license won't permit alcohol in the shop for a start).

Atleast two people in this conversation have suggested the green posts in North End
(nice and central if you don't have transport, as virtually every bus route goes somewhere nearby (mail for details if you need them, address on home page in only slightly garbled form))

Regards,
Jim
Currently drinking a very large Apfelkorn, which, if you can't get a Pan Galactic Gargle Blaster, is definitely the next best thing.

OK, five years down the line, did anybody decide where we're going?

No, I think we're all nursing hangovers.

I've just got back from the BT club in Cosham, which seems to be my current hangout, although on Wednesday nights I tend to hang around the Hole In The Wall in Great Southsea Street, just along from the India Arms (which is a spit 'n sawdust student place with Sky TV, ugh.). The H.I.T.W. is somewhat more 'cosy' being extremely small, but mainly does real ales, real cider, a real stout/porter, and occasionally a cask-conditioned lager, which is unusual, to say the least.

I will probably be down there this Wednesday, although I don't make it every week, depending on what else is on (I have a skittles match on random days each week. This week it's a Monday).

It seems to be the meeting place for the five surviving members of what once was the Portsmouth Polytechnical Roleplaying Soc. Nowadays, it seems to be a 'Ask Jim questions about computer hardware' club
(As if I don't have enough of the damn things during the day)

Two weeks ago, the HITW got invaded by some sort of choral society. Very odd indeed.

Anyway, if anyone wants to suggest a meeting that is A) Easy to get to, B) outside 'betting shop' hours, C) not Tuesday, and D) not a complete dive, then I'll certainly turn up if I can.

I remember the BT club. Must be more than 12 years since I went in there (at least it's that long since I left the company). Glad to see it's still going.

I also remember when the India Arms was a good pub. That was before it became a yellow card pub. It had no TV back then either, and did a cracking pint of HSB. I've never been in the Hole in the Wall, but I've heard nowt but good things about it.

I was actually incredibly surprised to get an answer to my post, for some reason.

The BT club may have moved since you were last there. It's now in the building next to the cinema in Cosham High Street. It also had a refit about five years ago.

HSB is ok, but there a quite a few pubs that don't keep it well. I don't go for any particular brew myself, but I quite like a veriety, however if there's any real cider available, that's me sorted for the evening. (At the Portsmouth BeerEx this year, I could be found at the Real Cider stand. 'Swamp Donkey' in particular is extremely nice)

Let's wait a while and see if any of the other contributors from five years ago happen by, or if anyone else feels like joining in...