Last of the year

 OK - this is a bit of a cheat since I'm really writing it on Saturday morning, not Friday night.

With escalating cases of the COVIDs we were in two minds whether to venture out at all - as I've said before, it's not because we're worried about our health (jabbed and boosted up to here...) but we really don't want to be part of the problem.  We like to think, wherever possible, we try to be part of the solution.

We'd played a new, very pub-friendly card game and got the gist of it (we often find it hard to learn new games in the pub) and then the question "...staying in then?"

We both ummmed and ahhhed for a few moments but decided we'd see what the Barley Mow was like (it was about 5pm).  Coats on and ambled around the corner.

It was pleasantly populated when we arrived so we got a pint and sat in the least busy corner.

We noted more new bar staff and wondered whether there had been a change of some sort, or just some holiday going on.

No matter, both the chaps on duty were friendly and efficient.

So we sat and drank our beers and played our game.  The pub got a little busier by the time I went for a second beer.  It was a fresh-on keg beer by Newtown Park (just around the corner) - it was the sort of strength we were looking for (6% or so) but called itself a "Pine IPA".  I hesitated for a moment or two. Then ordered two pints.

The guy at the bar and I shared a nonsense interaction and I asked when they were open again (expecting them to be closed on 1st) - but he said "I'll be open tomorrow - maybe not until 4pm, though".  Good enough for me.

The beer was different.  Not unpleasant at all, but a bit of a shock to the system.  The pine was very noticeable - to me it tasted rather minty when it was first poured, then mellowed to a slight citrussy taste as the beer warmed a little.  I'm not sure I'd rush back to it - but glad I had more than just a taste because I'd have probable decided against it on the first mouthful.

All in all, it was a good place to spend a couple of hours on the last day of the year.

Over the next few weeks I suspect there will be a lot of bombardment of "Dry January" which, as ever, we will definitely not be adhering to.  Our lovely pubs need us and (selfishly) they will be much less busy than usual so, for us, there's no better time to go to the pub.

Frankly, I'm going to be so busy with work over the next couple of months that going to the pub will be perfect way for me to manage my work-home balance.

Onwards - and upwards