Recovery Phase

 Tuesday promised rain on-and-off and most of the day there was some desultory drizzle that wouldn't wet anything.

However, by mid afternoon there had been a couple of decent showers and "acuweather" was insistent that by 4pm or so there would be a deluge.

Eventually it homed in on 4.15pm as being the time of biblical precipitation.

So, we grabbed a few things to do a bit of work and a potential game.  Picked up waterproof coats and played brinksmanship on a trip to the Barley Mow.

When we were 4 mins away we reckoned that the chances were either we'd get drenched on the remainder of the walk, or it wouldn't rain at all.

We grabbed a couple of pints and took a seat.  No sooner had we settled when the heavens opened and continued doing so for about 40 minutes.

Lots of soaked customers arrived. We were smug.

It was still a bit drippy as we strolled back home but the air was a bit cooler and cleaner.

Yesterday, I wanted to make a trip to Wiper & True's new taproom but I didn't want to go the direct route.  So I made a plan to take in a bit of greenery via the cycle track and walk a way we hadn't before.

I didn't tell the Boy where we were going and, despite getting a tiny bit lost myself, managed to complete disorient him by the time we arrived at the industrial estate where the taproom is.  It was only when he say "Wiper & True" in giant letters on the rear of the building that he realised what was going on. Result.

There was an initial worry when the first thing we saw as we walked in was a bunch of middle-aged blokes seemingly forming a queue at the bar.  We needn't have worried - it was just middle-aged blokes doing the taproom equivalent of sitting at the bar (sigh).

The place is enormous with well over 100 seats inside and out (not sure I'd want to be there with 199 other people but...) with some really nice design details.

I've always like Wiper and True but never absolutely loved it. But I'm prepared to have my mind changed.

We had a cask pint to start which worked really well (even my brother might like it) and then a range of nice keg beers.

Staff were friendly.  Loos are inclusive.

The space feels airy and well thought out.

Almost best of all is the Wednesday opening - which is a rarity.

All in all, an excellent afternoon out and we'll definitely go back there.