The Sir Daniel Arms - Swindon

Visited 25th November 2010.

After leaving 'The Savoy' we managed to get back on track and realised that if we had previously turned left instead of right we would have reached a part of town with two 'spoons in the same road, not next to each other, but close. We picked on 'The Sir Daniel Arms' as the first of the pair to try. It's a nice looking pub inside but a problem quickly arises - no Buffalo Trace, I opt for a Bulleit and Pepsi instead with Mrs S. opting for a Pepsi. Again, it's a busy pub but the lunchtime rush is over now so we are able to find a table with not to much effort. It's a dark pub, two stories and with a dance floor but I was disappointed with the loos - a bit more regular checking required.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Savoy - Swindon

 

Visited 25th November 2010.

We make the short, but slow and congested journey into Swindon town and find a car park. Now, we're on foot. The next pub on our 'Swindon' list is 'The Groves Company Inn' and by now I need a drink - Mrs S has just been upset by all the tills going down in Boots after she waited for fifteen minutes and had just reached the head of the queue. However, we take a wrong turn and find 'The Savoy' instead. We pick our way around the work site outside and head in to defrost. Inside is a very nice entrance way and it is very easy to imaging how the cinema was laid out. It was also very busy but Mrs S. managed to find us somewhere to sit while I was getting our drinks. A pint of Okell's Autumn Dawn for me and another large latte for my driver. There was a nice atmosphere inside and we both like the decor a lot but we still had another two pubs to visit so it was on with our hats and out into the cold.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Dockle Farmhouse - Swindon

 

Visited 25th November 2010.

We are off on holiday for a few days, and needless to say this involves visiting a few 'spoons. We are going to be travelling the length of the M4 for a couple of hours so it seems only fitting that we should take a break about half way, which means Swindon, for breakfast, at almost lunch time. The Dockle Farmhouse is first on the list and presents us with an immediate problem, where to park. There is a sign saying parking at rear -good. We head to the rear but find ourselves presented with a sign saying the parking is for the pub next door - definitely no Spooners. Second attempt lucky, we find another sign down the road and an entrance to another car park. Time is against us, breakfast stops at twelve so we need to get a hustle on. Second problem... the pub is very big, lots of rooms and lots of tables... lots of choice, come on Mrs S. just pick one! Eventually she does and I manage to get the order placed, just in time. A traditional breakfast and a large breakfast and a couple of large lattes. I pay using Wetherspoon gift vouchers and as usual the bar staff look amazed. "Do we give change with these?". 

However, we both liked the pub, it was warm and comfortable and the staff were quick with our order and clearing the table despite it being quite busy. We head back to the car and into Swindon town centre for our next pub of the day.

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Moon on the Hill - Harrow

Visited 14th November 2010.

My final pub of the day.  I have a new phone which is providing the SatNav and it is telling me that I can only get close to 'The moon on the Hill'. I park up and use the phone as my guide while I walk the rest of the way. It seems to be about half a mile or so and it is getting cold so by the time I find the pub it is looking very welcoming. It is a wide but not very deep pub, reasonably busy and while I am waiting to be served I realise I cannot find my wallet. Now, I know I had it at the last pub so I stand there checking all my pockets and them my bag... Nothing! Bugger! I leave the pub and set off at a brisk walk back to the car - half a mile or so. I get back to car and after a (very) brief search I find it sitting in plain view in the middle of the passenger seat. Not sure how it got there but as least it's not missing any more. Half a mile back to the pub and by now I'm ready for a pint but have to settle for a large Pepsi! £1.80 for a soft drink... Hmm I always feel cheated at that, maybe if it included free refills I wouldn't feel so bad. Must remember to bring that up with the chairman if I ever get the chance to meet him. I sit and have a quiet drink as it is thinning out a bit now and when I finally leave there are no smokers waiting to assist me so it's a bit an arm stretch. I always look so ill when I do that. As I leave the pub I decide to have a little look round before heading back to the car and so end up turning right instead of left. I only walk a few tens of yards before I realise I can see the 'wrong' end of the road I parked the car in and with a loser look I can see the car. Doh! Oh well, at least I walked the drink off!

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

The Village Inn - Rayners Lane

Visited 14th November 2010.

A couple of miles along the road is 'The village Inn'. It's very similar in style to my earlier visit but instead of going up a few stairs to the dining area we go down a few stairs. I had just finished ordering a large latte when Tony introduced himself and then proceeded to introduce me to other regulars. We covered a vast range of subjects from his birthplace in the Seychelles to his hobby of squash, his love of fast cars and even his choice of bed mattress! OK, coffee finished time to take a couple of photos and move on. I tend to look for a silver lining in any situation and the smoking ban means that, as usual there is always a 'cameraman' to be found among the external smoking population. Following a very quick modeling session I'm back in the car and on my way. 

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.

J.J. Moon's - Ruislip

Visited 14th November 2010.

It's all gone a bit quiet. Son has gone out with his girlfriend, daughter has gone out with her boyfriend and Mrs. S has gone to sleep on the sofa. Vettal has just won the 2010 F1 championship. (A message for Alonso: Vettal is faster than you!) So... What to do? As usual when left to my own devices it's out with the map and into the car. The first visit of the day is to Ruislip. I make it with about fifteen minutes to spare, just in time for a beef roast dinner. Whilst waiting I take a look around. It's a split level pub with a few stairs about half way back leading up to a dining area, nice wooden panelling and it's very busy. As usual when I'm on my own it can be a bit tricky when it comes to taking the photos. However there was a large group of curious smokers outside who were very happy to be stars and one who offered to take some photos. Also, as usual people are always ready to chat and give me a little local history - apparently J.J Moons was once a Woolworths!

© John Sinner. None of the material contained in this post, or this blog as a whole, may be reproduced without the express and written permission of John Sinner. All rights reserved.