Resolutions?

 Nope.  Too many other things to concentrate on.

I'm at that part of a period in Bristol when I'm looking forward to going back to Sussex.  I've heard "Your Girl" by Man, Woman, Chainsaw quite enough now, thanks.  I really only listen to Radio6 when I'm here because we share the space we're working in and R6 is a resonable compromise after lunch. 

It's lovely not having an untidy garden to feel guilty about when we're here - what we can see is a fab cityscape and water and all of it is someone else's responsibility.

But actually, I'm missing our scruffy garden and positively looking forward to some winter pruning and tree TLC (oh and ridding the pond of the excessive oyxgenators to ensure that froggies can see it's an actual pond, not some sort of weird astroturf).

The prospect of our organisation's move to a new, bigger space in the next couple of weeks is both headache (funding-wise) and project manager's delight.  We'll have a lot of short-term activity that me and the BBB will share in the new space whilst the rest of our team keep things going on a day to day basis.  We'll feel pretty justified in retiring to the pub after work and we'll soon sort out a new beery routine with Wolf, Frontier, Gun and maybe Ninkasi - whilst trying hard not to neglect current favourites.

So, there's some stuff in prospect that will keep me on my toes.

Talking to Tom Unwin in his brewery yesterday, we're looking forward to seeing what develops with his space.  His beer is really accomplished and we've liked it instantly - the taproom space will catch up and it'll become part of our regular venue list.

I really hope that Moor can find a way through the changes it's been forced to undergo - I hope, also, that it keeps its identity and doesn't become Left-Handed Giant MkII (I love LHG but we don't need another).

Having things to look forward to in both homes is probably why we've never seriously considered letting the flat go yet (I only really needed it whilst elderly parent was in a nearby carehome) but the draw of the beer city is still strong too.  Eastbourne is slowly upping its beer game (not quite as much as some of the neighbouring towns) and hopefully that'll continue.

Beer or pub of the year, though?

Beer:  no, not really.  I've continued to drink really well this year.  Maybe Star of Eastbourne in Wolf on the Corner is the most memorable conjunction of time in the "pub" and beer I wanted to drink more of.

Pub:  Well, Barleymow is perpetual favourite but the newcomer is "Blind Jack's" in Knaresborough.

As we baulk a little at the rising price of beer, we need to remember how much we value our time in the pub, mulling over our day, or planning new stuff, or playing board games or just talking sh*te.  I genuinely don't think I could do the job I do without that time at the end of the day.