The White House - Uxbridge

Visited 23rd January 2010.

Today my daughter has filled the house with her loud, teenage friends. They have a video and popcorn and seem to have settled in for the duration. Mr and Mrs Sinner decide not to hang around. Quick pick one... Anywhere! We're off to the White House. Which actually turned out to be quite interesting and totally unexpected. It's in the middle of a business park surrounded by offices, a golf course and lots of water. I liked the synchronized swimming team although on the day we went I bet they are feeling a bit cold.
A modern interior, spacious and although it wasn't busy most of the customers seemed to be families with young children. A strange place. I get the feeling it would get very busy at lunchtimes and when the offices empty but otherwise is fairly lonely. This was enforced by a sign we saw saying that the place was now open till 10pm!
The food was good and arrived quickly (but where was the burger relish). Mrs S. spotted a notice stating there was live jazz on a Wednesday evening so we will be returning at some point to check that out - stay tuned.

© 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 Red Well - Wellingborough

Visited 14th January 2010.

I find myself on the road once again. Today I'm off to a part of the country I've never visited before so as usual I decide to take the opportunity to visit a Wetherspoons. Satnav lady found the pub with no problems and I found a free car park just a hundred yards up the road. Things got even better. As I was taking photos of the outside of the pub and wondering who to ask to take one off me a very helpful young lady came out of the pub and asked if I was taking pictures for the local paper. She was bitterly disappointed when I said no but did offer to take a couple of photos of me.
Things got even better inside. Decorated in a traditional style with friendly, helpful staff and it was curry club day. I had a very nice curry - and no scrimping on the meat. All in all a very nice experience.
Mrs Sinner likes doing jigsaw puzzles, hence the photo of the puzzle shop which I found between the car park and the pub. Unfortunately it looked as though I had missed opening time by several months. No new jigsaw for her today!

© 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 Tichenham Inn - Ickenham

Visited 2nd January 2010.

We were feeling a little bored, a little hungry and definitely to lazy to cook so out comes the map and the car keys and we're off. The pub of choice today is in Ickenham and we drive straight passed it without even realising. An angry outburst from satnav lady alerts us and we turn around and amazingly find somewhere to park almost directly opposite. Dodging the traffic we get across the road and into what turns out to be something of a warm and cosy haven. As usual Mrs S. opts for the chicken burger and J2O and I go for the gourmet burger and the very nice barman lets me have a pint of Rebellion Smuggler to go with it. Rebellion... they seem to consistently turn out very drinkable beers, never had one yet I didn't like.
Having managed to collect two full loyalty cards we swap them for a couple of steaming coffees before we have to leave and do a little shopping in the Co-op next door. Very handy. Once again, what better way to spend an afternoon.

© 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 Montagu Pyke - London, West End

Visited 18th December 2009.

After leaving The Moon Under Water we walked a short way down the road to The Montagu Pike for a spot of lunch. Buffalo and curry, magnificent, just the way to spend an afternoon. A fair sized building with entrances on two roads. I liked it despite it not being dark and panelled. The waitress was cheery and charming and it was nice and warm. No snow outside but it was very cold. I hadn't realised but the building was the last home of the Marquee Club, a pretty famous music club. I remember an album being released when it closed full of music from bands that had played there. I remember it because I actually went out and bought it.
To prove that we are not slaves to the Wetherspoon brand we left the Montagu Pike and had a quick couple of pints in Waxy O'Conners, Soho. From there it was onto the tube to Liverpool Street and a brisk walk to The White Horse for beer and (gentleman's) entertainment and from there to Browns (just down the road) for more beer and more (gentleman's) entertainment. In fact my only moan for the whole day was the journey home. First Great Weston must know that people want to go home after a night out so why not put a few more carriages in service. The 11.48 was so full that about 40-50 people, myself included, were totally unable to get on and being stuck at Paddington waiting for the next train (at 12.34) is not my idea of a good time!

© 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 Under Water - London, Leicester Square

Visited 18th December 2009.

I've booked a day off work to pop into 'the smoke'. The plan is to meet up with a friend and visit a couple of Wetherspoon pubs and then take in a few of the sites. Unbelievable, it's not raining! I wake up and find there's five inches of snow instead. A cold thirty minute hike gets me to train station where I'm surprised to find the trains are still running, as is the underground (well most of it anyway). We have arranged to meet up in Leicester Square. As I'm early I have a quick 'Christmas Kiss' while I'm waiting and sit and read the latest Wetherspoon News. My friend arrives and we start on the Buffalo Trace. We like the pub but it's very busy and the noise from the temporary fairground outside provides the excuse to move on.

© 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.