8 of 50: The Saxon Shore (Herne Bay, Kent)

.. todo ..

7 of 50: The Moon Under The Water (Leicester Square, London)

Katherine's friends birthday.  They invited us to join them on a 'drinking' trip to London.  It's the first time that I have gone along.  As we arrive at the train station they are all waiting for us and were armed with large quantities of alcohol.  I don't know if you should drink on the train, but drink we did.  I had 3 cans between Ashford and London.  I think it is here that I first thought I might have a medical problem, I needed to wee, so much, so so much.  The train pulled into the station and all I could think is 'where is the nearest toilet', in the end I could not wait and went back ON the train and used the toilet there.  I nearly s**t a brick when I heard all the doors shut as I thought it was going to leave.  My wee just didn't stop.  Anyway, I got off Ok and rejoined the crew.  Another visit to the pub at the station and off we went.  This was not our first pub, but the others were just not spoons, so why bother to talk about them!.  This was our last pub of the day and it was heaving.  I can't really tell you much about it, I was pushed around my so many sweaty bodies and couldn't even see the bar for most of the time.  I was glad when we left (but only because I don't love crowds).  I actually had a really good day, so thanks for inviting me..

6 of 50: The Leading Light (Faversham, Kent)

(date not known)

The problem with writing a blog so long after the event is how much the memory fades.  It's quite sad really how much of your life passes and how much you forget.  Faversham has a place in my heart, as it where I went on my second date with Katherine.  We both had kids, alpha and beta, and we found a nice coffee shop in the town.  

I don't remember the name of the shop, and as the kids were young we didn't really target the pubs.  Many years later, after alpha had died, we made a homage back to Faversham.  Bittersweet memories about the place.  We walked past the cafe and found another one.  Paid far too much for a naff coffee and a biscuit.

It was a few months later that we finally made it to the pub.  Sadly I can't remember much and can't say much about it.  It didn't really make much of an impression.  One day, I shall go back, yes one day (sorry, that's a quote from Doctor Who).  On the way out I noticed an Indian restaurant across the road from the pub and made a mental note to go back one day.

5 of 50:The Sennockian (Sevenoaks, Kent)

Oh Dear!

After our visit to the pub we drove a little way out of town and by pure chance found Knole Park.  We parked the car and took a hike.  It was a really great walk and we were walking just a few feet away from the deers.  If you haven't been there it is very much worth a visit.

4 of 50: The Thomas Ingoldsby (Canterbury, Kent)

This pub I like.

(date not known)

I remember our first trip here.  We were on a visit to see gamma.  Katherine and I went to this pub and he had chicken.  He seemed really excited, after living as a student and having a very limited budget, it was time to have some real food.

I have been back, and will go back again.  Let's hope I have got something more interesting to blog about

3 of 50: The Eight Bells (Dover, Kent)

(date not known)

2 of 50: The Red Lion (Gatwick North Terminal)

It all seems so long ago now, but this was the family holiday that I had always promised myself.  After alpha died it was hard to get motivated to do it, and for the entire duration of the holiday we all kept thinking of him.  It was the first foreign holiday where beta was able to join us.

We started at Gatwick of course, and arrived early enough to visit The Red Lion.  Of course it's not a pub in the traditional sense, being past the security area at Gatwick.   On the news that day (and on the TV in the pub) was the fire at Eastbourne pier. 

The flight was uneventful, which is good news.  We had booked 2 rooms in Rhodes, one for the wife and I, the other for beta, gamma and delta.  The hotel was nice, not great, but nice.  We had booked 'all inclusive' after a good experience in Fuerteventura.  This hotel was chosen thanks to the reviews, the main complaint being that they served chicken nuggets every day.  This was music to gamma's ears.  

Sadly they must have listened to the complaints, as the food was a bit more varied.  What we didn't eat at midday made a guest return in the evening meal (a great advert for recycling).  The pool was excellent. Anyone with teenage daughters will understand this, but beta was very moody to being with, we worked out this was due to the lack of free wifi, so after paying to get online she was in a better mood.

gamma worked out why the fridge did not work (it was not turned on), but when it was turned on it was so loud that you could not sleep (which explained why it was turned off)

The drinks was 'free', and it's safe to say we made the most of it.

We went out on my Birthday, beta was attacked by killer bees (no, not really, a single wasp was slightly annoying).

Our local store was Mingos, which visited often.  [sing] mingos, mingos, da, da, de, de, da]

One night we were woken up by a very loud argument between two other holiday makers.  The swearing was crazy, and at 2 in the morning we were not impressed.  A long line of '..and you are a f**king **' followed with the equally well educated response of '  f**k off'.  We saw them the next day at the pool and they were nice as pie to each other, but the kids and I started mock arguing '.. and YOU need to get a drink', ... '  and YOU should get the ice cream'.  To this day we often get a mock argument going starting with 'and YOU..', so perhaps we should thank them for being so rude, they inspired us.

The hotel played the same 3 albums several times, including one by James Blunt, and a song by the recent X factor winner.  There was a song that played over and over and we could not work out what the lyrics were, we guessed at 'Santa was a Jerk whore', but thanks to Shazam we now know it as 'Come On Now (Set It Off)' by Tube and Berger, but my lyrics work better.

I am writing this up many years after our visit, and the memory is not what it used to be.  I really had a great time and it was a bitter sweet event having the kids together.