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

See, told you I could find you!

I see Vip has introduced herself to you. She is a real person by the way.


Lanzababy (my alter ego)

Do you think they are ready?
Geoff x

Maybe not! Shall I warn her?

You can change your name if you want to to a nickname. Click on preferences and fill in whatever you like. Most people have a nickname and silly tagline that changes according to their whim. Like the 'status' on FB

And yes, h2g2 is like a grown up wiki. It predates it by years. (started 1999)

Most of the other social networking sites out there have pinched their ideas from here.

Real? Me? And I always thought I was a fiction of you imagining, Lanza!

*your

oooh, now don't confuse me Vip - it doesn't take much

Oh, I am real all right. Funny old World.

I will keep you both informed of my new name... no time just now.

I have to point my ship at Preston. I have just had a distress signal!

Safe journey - hope your visit is successful.

I may be free for a space trip tmrw. We still have to attend to the marketing adjustment. Just a little trimming will engage you to engage full boost. This may not be necessary, but extra power in reserve is often good. Have a good day.

P.S.
I mentioned h2g2 to Frank, he sounds very enthusiastic.

Like the Crowe character I have scraped the tattoed acronym 'SPQR' from my arm.

I homour only those truely worthy.

honour

This place is priceless...

Not the easiest pub to find being tucked in between the surrounding industrial works (and the SatNav won’t help much) but persevere and you will encounter one of the most amazing if rather eccentric pub experiences going. The old farmhouse style appear to be a typical rustic country pub from the outside but once through the door you enter a world that makes Antiques Roadshow look like a village jumble sale.

The pub has been in the family for decades and the current owner, the charismatic serial hoarder Alan, (who has been here for nearly 50 years himself and took the pub over from his mother) has spent the best part of his life scouring antique shops and car boot sales which has resulted in a pub that resembles an explosion at Steptoe & Sons junk yard. The pride of place goes to the 8 Polyphons (a sort of Victorian jukebox for the uninitiated) which have been restored to full working order (make sure you have lots of 2ps with you when you go). There are also working Pianolas, a huge collection of grandfather clocks, numerous commemorative jugs, plates and mugs, antique firearms, butter churners, air raid sirens, weighing machines, bottles, gas masks, faded newspaper cuttings, adverts, signs, 1970’s Pirelli calendars, radios, penny farthings, rocking horses, a 3000 year old Greek Vase and even a pair of Queen Victoria's stockings amongst the fantastic collection of assorted jumble and bric-a-brac. If you are lucky and interested enough (and it is hard not to be), you will more than likely find yourself being enthusiastically taken on a guided tour by Alan who will point out the rarities and oddities.

The furniture includes a stunning collection of antique and unusual pews/settles, many of them elaborately carved and one with a spectacular marble back. One room has a selection of 60’s style dimple topped tables. There are 3 functioning rooms with low ceilings and open fires and one with a dart board in case you forget that this is actually a fully functioning community pub. A fourth room to the left of the main entrance is cluttered up with bits and pieces that have yet to find an appropriate display spot. The beers may appear almost secondary in such a place but the 3 ales (Bass, Burton Bridge and a mild that I didn’t note) were well kept and, in line with the pub in general, the Carling dispenser was also a 1970’s relic, not out of place alongside the Watneys lampshades. The till is of course a shiny old pre-decimal “kerching” job with all the knobs and buttons and you still expect a pint to cost 5 shillings (sadly the prices, although reasonable, are a little more modern).

To add to the ambience, the music is also a throwback to the 30’s and 40’s and gives it a real authentic old time feel. Go there, enjoy the beers, the welcome, the surroundings and, after you have comtemplated on who does the dusting and how much is the insurance, sign the visitor’s book (it is on an antique school desk at the entrance). After a visit to this unique place where even the cobwebs are a highlight, other pubs will never appear to be the same again.

Wow. That sounds stunning.

Good ?

ohhhh http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/s/36/36682/Yew_Tree_Inn/Cauldon_Low

I agree - the cobwebs were a feature!

Thanks for showing it to me

The Earl Grey PH in Leek is quite novel for social reasons.

What do you know fellow ravellers?

Even cafes?

If you ever head to Birmingham, head out to Aston and visit the Barton's Arms. Aside from having splendid period Victorian features, it also serves the most delicious Thai food and gorgeous Oakham Ales beer (it's their second brewery tap).

It's about the only thing I miss about Birmingham. That and the canals.

I have a vague notion to live on the canals for a year or so...

Any experience?

Not a sausage - my knowledge is wandering around by foot and a couple of holidays. I think of doing it myself for a while, but it wouldn't have suited me. There are lots of people that do - try

http://www.canaljunction.com/boat/liveaboard.htm
http://www.canal-boats.org/liveaboard.htm
http://www.livingonaboat.co.uk/common-reasons-why-people-want-to-live-aboard.html

Hi Maximus,

You could always start a conversation on '<./>Askh2g2</.>' about the best pubs. Click on the link near the bottom of the page that says 'Discuss this Entry' and you will get a new conversation window.

Very few people will find you here, unless they already knew about you, such as Vip, (your ACE) and myself.

You are welcome to join in any of the conversations on my personal space. Bring your own drinks of course!