Chris_OGrady

I have indeed been to what a shot! I went at the start of last year and thought it was fairly decent, albeit nothing special. However, it has recently been taken over by the people who run the Broadway, so I would expect it to be pretty solid now. It's an impressive venue with loads of screens showing the sport. Chef's Flavour have opened a sister restaurant in Glenfield if you wanted somewhere close to Groby. I haven't done Chef's Flavour yet, but I believe it's proper Indian food rather than Bangladeshi. Good ones of note this year have been Jaanu off the A46 and Doon Spice (lamb leg special recommended). Also did Sheepscar Bar & Grill up in Leeds which was just as good as some of the Punjabi stuff I've had in Brum. Still need to do Durham Ox, Chef's Flavour, Himalaya and Balmoral on Melton Road. Off to Gurkha New Delhi in Sorrel on Sat with some pints at the Swan and Pinsent beforehand- what dreams are made of!

Did Chettinad a few weeks back and found it a bit disappointing. We were the only people in there too.

England have easily been the better side. Would have been a classic Italian shithouse

Had a shedload in the Bankers Cat Leeds at the weekend and then got out to the Three Pigeons in Halifax, a few in Sowerby Bridge, and the Vocation Taproom in Hebden Bridge. I think Yorkshire is my favourite place for pubs and beer in the UK (I haven't even done Sheffield properly yet). Sparklers till I die!

I had a great walk back from Lords on Friday through Regents Park, stopping off at the Euston Tap for a Kernal Pale Ale Citra

Charnwood Brewery Masquerade is the best one I've had but not cheap. Lucky Saint, Brooklyn Hoppy lager, Erdinger, Impossibrew and Guinness 0 all decent.

The Victoria Hotel in Beeston is absolutely sensational. The Crown is also very good. So many good options around there for an outer city suburb. Very handy that it's on the midland mainline.

Yeah all fair. It was more an observation, but can see how it comes across as being a condensing ***** 😂

I'm going to Chettinad on London Road on Thursday. Am i better going for a few pints at the Horse or Marquis before? With it set to be a scorcher, I was edging towards the Horse as it looks like it has a big beer garden!

Just been in Ye Olde Mitre in London, which positions itself as a cask ale pub, and 90% of people were drinking Asahi (is that the new Madri/Guinness?). Okay it was hot today and you get a few tourists, but whenever I’m down in London I get the feeling that cask is really struggling… When I’m in the midlands/north I don’t get that impression at all though. Is it just me, or is this a thing?

Everyone needs to make a margin at the end of the day and when the product is good you're happy to pay it and contribute to their success. When the product is average/poor and you're contributing towards a racket (Pubcos and corporate chains) that's when it becomes annoying.

It depends a lot on the type of place I think. Charnwood Brewery’s micropubs are good value because they cut out the middleman and sell their own beer. I believe Brewery taprooms get a beer duty reduction, as the beer hasn’t technically been “released for consumption” off-site. Freehouses usually have more control over their costs, especially if the building’s paid off, so they can keep prices down. Pubcos on the other hand, are just run as property portfolios and constantly increase rent which impacts beer prices. The Navigation in Barrow (owned by Admiral Taverns) is noticeably pricier than the Swan in Mountsorrel (a freehouse), despite being similar pubs. Corporate chain groups, as well, are just interested in ever increasing returns and margins, which leads to rip off beer too. Then you’ve got passion projects like Pinsent in Mountsorrel—£6 for any IPA, regardless of brand or strength (from my experience). You’d be paying £8+ for the same beer elsewhere.

that's what I'm trying to work out

I've done a bit more research now and have spoken to a few people. Was thinking of doing the below as a rough itinerary. Let me know what you think: Day 1- chill in Colombo Day 2&3 - head to Dambulla - stop off at Elephant Orphanage, do the Sigiriya Rock and visit the temple Day 4/5/6 - Minneriya National Park, head to Kandy and do a river cruise, tea factory/plantation, and Horton Plains hike Day 7 - head to Ella and check out the bridge and whatever else is there Day 8&9 - head to Mirissa for a couple of nights- see some whales Day 10 - Galle Day 11/12/13 - chill at a beach hotel - maybe Bentota Day 14 - home I think I'm going to get a driver for the trip (as long as it's not crazy expensive) as there's lots of travelling involved!

Any good pubs/bars in the Jewellery Quarter Birmingham?

It's almost a shame Barca didn't get through, as that would have been a great final. It was a miracle that Inter were able to get past them. Barcelona hammered them for the majority of the tie.

Apparently Inter didn’t distribute tickets to the ultra groups after issues with them re-selling tickets 3 years ago in Istanbul. They also didn’t allow a choreography or banners and flags. It’s almost like they wanted to play at the Parc des Princes…

Inter end looked flat even before the goal. Think there’s some issues between the ultras and club

Inter end seems like an English end. PSG much louder. I know there’s some issues between inter ultras and the club atm though

Cheers mate. Yes, will be travelling around. Not really bothered about spending too much time in Colombo (unless you think this is a mistake) and then want to do Galle, Ella, Kandy etc - all the standard places really. Would also like to do a few nights at a nice beach town/resort. Good food and drinks recommendations always welcome- as you know, i love my curry and beer

I'm off to Sri Lanka in October for 2 weeks on my honeymoon. I know a few people on here have been recently... Any recommendations/tips/do's/don'ts would be greatly appreciated. Haven't done a huge amount of research yet!

Did you walk to all three?

Finally made it to the Wenlock Arms - what a boozer!

3 episodes in and enjoying it so far! Also rated the first series. Every other new Star Wars series/movie I've watched has been rubbish apart from Mandalorian Season 1 & 2 (Season 3 rubbish) and the Rogue One movie.

Yeah Lewes was great. Went round the Norman castle and old priory and then stopped off at the John Harvey Tavern for a few. The Armada Ale was the freshest beer I've ever had, reminded me of the Adnams tour where they let you try the beer straight from the brewery. Also went to the Gardeners Arms just round the corner which was also excellent and stopped off at the Lansdown by the station which was decent. There's two micro breweries (Abyss and Beak) and some other good pubs in the town. Definitely one of the best place to drink in the country due to to the beer/pubs/and vibe. Up there with Southwold and York for me. Will certainly be eyeing up Brighton away if we ever play them again!