The Groves Company Inn - Swindon

Visited 25th November 2010.

After a very short walk we're in our fourth pub of the day. I finally manage to get my Buffalo Trace with Mrs S. mixing her drinks and opting for an orange and passion fruit J2O. This pub is a lot quieter than the others, it's also got a brighter style about it. The barman was on the ball and was keeping track of who was to be served next. An essential skill I always think but all to often lacking. Generally I don't take photos inside the pubs we visit, I think it can be a bit disturbing for my fellow drinkers but occasionally I see something that catches my interest and in this case it was the squiggly lights. Mrs S. also approved - those that know her would regard this as an accolade on a par with receiving an Oscar. We didn't stay to long as Mrs S. still had to go back to Boots to get her shopping. Fortunately for her, upon arriving back at Boots her filled basket was still sitting on the floor where she had dumped it previously and the tills were once again working. In and out in less than five minutes - result. Time to get back on the road, holidays don't get taken on their own!

© 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 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.