The Queens Head pub in Titchfield is where I first enjoyed a pint of real ale. I was with a ringing friend who, upon noticing I was drinking cider, snorted derisively and asked why I wasn't drinking beer. “I don't like beer,” I replied.
“You don't like any beer?”
“No. Lager tastes of wee and bitter's kind of grim,” I clarified.
“Bitters are very different from each other. You tell me what it is you don't like about real ale and I'll find one that you'll like,” he offered.
“We'll it's generally.. errr... bitter and also a bit tasteless.”
With that my friend got up from his seat, went to the bar and came back with a pint of Ringwood 49er. After that it was Gales HSB (RIP) and from that point on I was hooked. This formative adolescent incident was to be brought to mind on the Welsh Colleges autumn tour to Leicestershire.
The tour was full of typically damp weather, but this was made up for by the fact that the pub was next door to the hotel that a few of us were staying in. The hall in Forest East was well equipped, and warm, and everyone agreed that Alison had done an excellent job as Social Secretary in arranging the tour.
Saturday morning brought no sunshine, but we headed off to Enderby St. Johns, where we rang some Surprise Major, Grandsire and Stedman Triples. The special method for the weekend was Double Norwich Court Bob (DNCB) Major, and although a plain course or two came round here, it seemed that the touch just wasn't quite going to happen. Maybe later.
The light 10 at Sapcote All saints was next, and we rang some good Caters and a little Major here. We also gave some of our less experienced ringers plenty of opportunities to try 10 bell ringing at somewhere other than Cardiff St Johns.
We squeezed in DNCB at the end of our ringing at Stoney Stanton and once again, a touch failed to come round. Fortunately some spliced Surprise Major fared rather better.
Lunch was full of frivolity and some good beer, some people having been able to get into the pub early.
Barwell St Mary after lunch welcomed us with it's impressive crenellations and carved pews, and we gave our special method a break to concentrate on Surprise Major, and for everyone to have a good look at the calls for DNCB.
Finally the church of SS Simon and Jude at Earl Shilton gave us the opportunity to perfect our DNCB, which this time came round and was well struck each touch.
After our evening meeting we were treated to the interesting meal of the perhaps over ambitious main course of puff-pastry parcels and then some rather sloppy angel delight. While some people minded the hall, everyone else retired to the pub.
The pub on the Saturday night was running out of beer, and so our attention turned to other beverages. Percy, Ross and others were steadily working their way through the pub's fine selection of single malt whiskeys. I remarked that I'd never really enjoyed whisky when Percy remarked that they're all different, and perhaps there was something in particular that I didn't like. Maybe he could suggest one I would like. And so it was that i ended up with a smooth, peaty, smoky Laphroaig, and I discovered another drink destined to remain a favourite for some time!
Martin Hatfield 31/01/08