The Moon Under Water - Milton Keynes

Visited 30th January 2011. 

We pretty much only have to walk round the corner and across the road to find the pub that was meant to be our first of the day but turned out to be the last. The long curved bar is the most striking feature. And it was very busy. I probably didn't help things by asking for a double buffalo and Pepsi. As usual the bottle is nowhere to be seen and the barman disappears for a long time before returning with a new bottle. But at least they had a new bottle! Time to head for home and we have a bit of a walk to do first. This gives us time to have a little think about Milton Keynes. Now I know we couldn't have seen very much but what we had seen made us feel that the entire town is a retail park, a very curious place!

© 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.

Lloyds No.1 - Milton Keynes

Visited 30th January 2011. 

A longer walk this time as we submit ourselves to the beta walking version of Google's SatNav program. We are heading for 'The Moon Under Water but get a bit lost and end up outside 'Lloyds No1'! This 'spoons turned out to be our pub of the day. It had a welcoming and lively atmosphere with sport on the screens and a music that wasn't at all intrusive, at least not on a Sunday afternoon. We went upstairs and found a table and I went to see the very busy barmaid, who was also doubling up as the only waitress. While waiting for our puddings to arrive, sticky toffee and custard for me and a warm choc fudge for Mrs S. we checked out the loos. A thumbs up for the gents from me and also a thumbs up for the ladies from Mrs S. After finishing my Strongbow and Mrs S. her Pepsi we (and by we I, of course, mean Mrs S.) asked for directions to our last pub of the day... We had been so close. As we were leaving we had a quick look at the small dance floor. It was a shame it wasn't in use as after seeing the huge mirror ball we both felt like a bit of a boogie!

© 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 Secklow Hundred - Milton Keynes

Visited 30th January 2011. 

Just a short walk away, when you know, is 'The Secklow Hundred'. As usual, we finish our meal with a latte each, all be it in a different pub. I manage to get a table next to a fire with real flames and heat, thus earning a few bonus points with the missus. We didn't stay long as we were eager to be moving to the next and although there was nothing wrong with the pub, like the previous one, it just seemed to be to corporate and lacking in any real atmosphere.

© 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.

Wetherspoons - Milton Keynes

Visited 30th January 2011. 

Like Slough, Milton Keynes is somewhere that everybody seems to have heard off, usually for the wrong reasons, so it was with a little trepidation that plans were made for today's trip. We set off intending to make our first port of call 'The Moon Under Water'. As it turned out things did not quite go to plan and after a seemingly endless course of roundabouts we ended up... somewhere else. But at least we were near a Wetherspoons, maybe. We parked and set off on foot in what we thought was the correct direction to find 'The Secklow Hundred'. As it turned out our course took us straight passed 'Wetherspoons'. Our plans are always fluid so we turned a few paces to our left, took some photos and went in. It's big, a high ceiling, spacious and airy. To be honest we weren't paying to much attention to the decor as we were both starving and cold. I swiftly ordered a beef roast and a pint of Camfel Flame for myself with Mrs S. opting for her favourite BBQ chicken melt with a 'full fat' Pepsi. The place was reasonably busy but we didn't have to wait very long before our food arrived and what can I say, it was very nice. Having replenished our energy we felt ready to carry on looking for 'The Secklow' and then Mrs S. decided she didn't want to play 'hunt the pub' and cheated by asking the waitress. What can I say... there's no way I would ever have asked for directions!

© 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.