The Thomas Lloyd - Warwick

Visited 15th December 2012.
 
For our final pub of the day we had to drive a bit further but at least it was in the general direction of home. We arrived in Warwick just as the market was starting to close and just as we were starting to lose the light so we hurriedly took a few photos and then went for a look around the town. We ended up buying a lot of sweets and some Christmas lights before returning to the pub for a drink. I liked this pub a lot, mainly due I think to it being a lot larger inside than it first appeared with what seemed to be lots of side rooms or "alcovey" bits. Again it was busy and it took us a few minutes to find somewhere to sit. We did eventually and I was then promptly dispatched to the bar to purchase another couple of hot chocolates, our drink of the day it seems. We sat and read the Wetherspoons magazine while consuming our drinks before deciding it was finally time to leave the warmth of the pub and once again brave the rain. It had been quite an exhausting weekend with a Christmas party and five pubs visited. I wonder where we will be this time next year?

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The King of Wessex - Bath

Visited 10th December 2011.

Yesterday was the company Christmas party and they had kindly put myself and Mrs Sinner up in a very nice hotel in the Cotsworlds. We had a great evening and the breakfast this morning wasn't to bad either. We have arranged to meet up with some friends in Newbury tonight so we have to decide whether to drive home, almost passing through Newbury and then drive back or find something else to do to pass the day... Hmm, a little Christmas shopping in Bath maybe?
We hadn't been to Bath for many years and the one thing I remembered about it was that it was not the most car friendliest of cities. As it turned out it has got worse, but we eventually managed to find somewhere to park only about half a mile away from our target 'spoons. A bit of a walk later and we are sat down with a pint of Pepsi for me and a large latte for Mrs S. The pub was one of the narrow but long pubs with some booths along the right hand side and some purple mood lighting in the ceiling. It was pretty busy but we got served quickly  and with a friendly smile. We didn't stay to long as Mrs S was keen to take a look around the city, which was heaving with people. We found the Christmas market and bought a few small items before heading back to the car. We still had a busy day ahead of us, lots of pubs to visit before meeting our friends in Newbury .
 
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The Corn Exchange - Leicester

Visited 14th May 2011.
 
The Corn Exchange is not very far from 'The High Cross' but we had a bit of a problem finding it. Google was indicating it was between two roads but we could only spot a covered market. And then we walked into a large square, spotted even more market and while glancing over my shoulder a huge building with a strange footbridge out the front. The Corn Exchange was huge inside and very, very busy. The staff were obviously used to this as we were served very quickly and my large latte was probably one of the best coffees that I've had in a Wetherspoons. Mrs.S was still sticking with the Pepsi. Mrs S. has always had a penchant for large, hanging balls so we sat upstairs where she was able to get a good view of the unusual, and striking interior. The Corn Exchange received a big thumbs up from the both of us and it would have been very easy to sit relaxing for the rest of the day, well for me anyway, but there was a large market outside which Mrs S. had not yet had a chance to explore.
 
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The Ice Wharf - London, Camden

Visited 5th September 2010.

Yesterday some friends of ours in 'the Smoke' invited us to a BBQ - how can we possibly say no to that!. It was a great evening with lots of beer, superb food and entertaining company. Having fed and watered us they then gave us a bed for the night, at a stroke saving us from the vagaries of late night public transport. Which brings us to today. The girls want to go shopping and one of the liveliest places for that is Camden, so we take the bus as much of the underground is not working. As it turns out the journey takes forever as there seem to be road works and detours at almost every junction. Eventually we arrive and that's it - the girls are off and the guys get to stand and wait. After a hurried conference the guys decide to wait in the local 'spoons before we are given bags of shopping to 'look after'. The Ice Wharf turns out to be situated next to the lock so we have a picturesque view and as it is a sunny afternoon we are able to indulge in a little people watching. Eventually the girls arrive and we have a few more drinks before setting off to have a look round the Stables Market. If you have never visited Camden markets they are well worth a look as is The Ice Wharf which has a character the fits in well with the vibe of the whole area. Far to soon we had to leave our London friends and head for home which amazingly turns out to be completely uneventful, despite many lines and stations being closed or partially closed. Everything went our way and we didn't have to wait more than a couple of minutes for any of our tubes or train. On the whole well worth a visit.

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The Moon on the Square - Northampton

Visited 12th February 2010.

Work has sent me back up North today, which gives me the opportunity to stop off in Northampton on the way back. I persuade my colleague that we should stop somewhere and have some lunch before we enter the hell that is the English motorway network. He agrees and 'pure chance' ensures that we end up at a 'spoons. The pub is situated opposite a market which is in full swing thus when we enter the pub we find that it is very busy and there is a certain amount of waiting around to get served. I do a quick 'reccy' of the pub, checking out the upstairs dining area but only manage to find one spare table which we quickly sit at. We both opt for the gourmet burgers but are told there is no cheese sauce and would we like BBQ instead. Yes! Whilst sipping my pint of Sporran Warmer a waitress appears - disaster, they have no buns, would we like the burger served in ciabatta bread instead. Yes! Well, it worked for us. Suitably refreshed we now felt we could tackle anything, including what turned out to be a three hour (instead of one and three quarter hour) drive home.

© 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.