Back to the Shire

 What with the busy work, the building work going on in the house and other time-drive seasonal things (like an MOT), it's getting quite tricky to slot a leisurely trip to Bristol in.

However, the call of the Orchids, together with the prospect that a new credit card will probably have arrived there, and just the need to be in a slightly more homely space (our house is really anything but, at the moment) drove our decision to do an evening journey.

I had a full day at work - including two longish meetings to attend - so we decided to aim at a 5.30pm departure from Eastbourne.

It's a very different experience than our usual late morning start but spending the evening travelling, rather than the middle of the day makes it feel a bit more useful day.

We were due to arrive at 9.30pm but the journey was delayed by faulty points and we got into the flat a little after 10pm.  Oddly, whilst we could easily have popped around the corner for lasties - we never do when we make this journey.  We go through the "arrival" ritual of preparing the place for our residency, sit down an chill with some TV and a glass of wine and then go to bed.  To be honest, I was so shattered when we arrived I'm not sure I would have been able to drag myself out to the pub.

There is something really nice about waking on on the first day here without really having to contemplate travel - even though we both like the train, and our journey had been pretty untraumatic.

I'd picked up bread, cheese, wine and milk at the Sainsbury's across the road so all the essentials are in place, and I've a grocery delivery arriving shortly.  

We work when we're here so it's not a holiday but it definitely feels like a break in the offing.  The only thing now is to decide where we're beering later...

Sharing an Enthusiasm

 Almost every time I go to St Leonards for work, my colleague there, and I take time to go out to lunch.

It's quite odd for me because I'm a hasty-sandwich-grabber for lunch as a rule.

But it started when the colleague's boss instructed her to take the Best Beer Buddy and I to lunch after we'd helped them with some stuff.  In fact, it was the first time we'd all met face to face and the rapport between us all was really noticeable.  As a result we gratefully accepted the invitation and we went to a Persian cafe which was absolutely lovely.  The second time it was just me, and it was in the middle of summer so we went to "Goat Ledge" on the seafront for fish in a bun and a soft drink.

Then I learned of Heist.

We've never been anywhere since.  The beer is fab, the food is delicious (and small portions are available for lunch) and it's jolly and friendly.

Last week, I had to go to St Leonards and the colleague wasn't going to be there, so I suggested the BBB met me and we planned a walk between St Leonards and Hastings ending the walk at the Imperial to enjoy lovely Brewing Brothers beer and pizza.

The weather, however, had other ideas.

BBB decided he'd accompany me to the appointment and do a few chores there and then we could go for walk.  But, instead, it absolutely hurled it down meaning any walk would be pretty miserable.

Once we'd finished our work there (just updating some laptops for clients who don't have them) we decided just to go straight to Heist.  I've always been wary of introducing people - even the BBB - to places I love.

I needn't really have worried.  He immediately got the place and was suitably impressed with the available beer.  We'd had a late lunch of substantial sandwiches so we weren't eating.

The only slight fly in the ointment was that doors and windows were open (steamy inside) so there wasn't really a cosy place to sit.  To be honest, I'd never really noticed it wasn't cosy - mostly because I think I've only been there in warm weather.  "We can find somewhere warmer?", I offered but he was pretty keen to stay and try the beer which pleased me greatly.

He said it was a bit more basic than he'd anticipated but he definitely liked it and it wouldn't be hard to entice him back, I think.

Since then, I've learned (from one of the builders wrecking our house at the moment) that Brewing Brothers have now added a taproom and a place on Hastings Seafront to their premises.  Definitely on the visit list!