Magrathea

 Pubs are odd places.

Whether we find them a brilliant or just an OK place seems to always be on a knife edge (well, it is with us, anyway).

Obviously the beer has to be in good condition and an acceptable choice - that's a given.  But beyond that?  To be honest it seems a capricious thing.

On Monday we had a little excursion to Brighton - just to get out of the house without having to trudge through mud.

We got off just outside the main city drag and walked up into Kemp Town.  The Hand in Hand pub (with its tower brewery in the tiniest space you can imagine) was due another visit.

We walked in and the place was already buzzing - and seating at quite the premium...mostly due to non-adoption of Basketmakers Rules.

Nevertheless, we tried to take up as little space as possible on stools next to the bar and settled down with a couple of good beers.  We didn't feel 100% comfortable but it was OK.  After a short while a couple of people came in and plonked themselves on the other stools next to the bar - and in the process pushing up against me, apparently have no idea that they done that.  It felt like they had no awareness of their actions' impact.  We finished our beers and decided we weren't particularly at home and so we'd move on.

It was half a mile or so over to the Brighton Bierhaus. It's a pleasant stroll and it was sunny and warmish.

We didn't quite manage the most efficient route but we got there eventually.  As we started up the street towards it there was a suggestion of rain.  By the time we got through the doors, it was more than a suggestion.

By the time we had our beers and had settled into a high table the weather had turned torrential.  People were rushing in, soaked to the skin.

We stayed for a couple and were content...but still not 100% at ease.  There was no particular reason for the feeling and maybe if we went there a couple more times, maybe we'd feel a bit more settled.

Anyhow, it was time to eat and the nearest place was a vegan pizza restaurant (calling itself "sustainable" rather than explicitly vegan).  The folk were pleasant, the space was quite nice and both bread dough and pesto were great.  Still, we won't be going back but I guess I like that it exists.

So we jumped on the bus home and mused that it was nice to go somewhere different but it's still difficult to find that elusive planet whose sea is the perfect shade of pink.