When the day was done. I decided to treat myself by toddling off down to "The Itchy Pig" for three pints of "Heathen" brewed by The Abbeydale Brewery here in Sheffield. If you have drawn the conclusion that I stole that beermat then I am afraid you are wrong because I asked the barman if I could bring it home and he happily agreed.
It was a lonesome day. I spoke briefly to Jill - one of our next door neighbours and later I spoke briefly to Anna - our next door neighbour on the other side. I didn't harness Clint today. Instead, I did some maintenance work and also watched some catch-up TV.
The work included the careful reduction of our little bay tree and application of decking oil to our upper decking. There was also some extra cleaning and sanding to do before the decking oil was brushed on.
The catch-up TV was all about "The Gallows Pole" - a new BBC drama series. I have read the book that it is based upon and that was bloody good. THe drama series is a very different experience. I blogged about the novel here.
Soon, with the help of my son-in-law Stewart, I am going to have to tackle the boards on our lower decking. There are thirty three of them and they were installed twenty years ago. Some of them are clearly rotting and unsafe. I have no idea what the structure beneath them is like but I am keeping my fingers crossed on that one. New boards alone will cost me almost £400 (US $513) thanks to Boris Johnson's Brexit.
Tomorrow is Father's Day here in Great Britain and Frances has arranged to take me and Stewart out for a fancy Father's Day Sunday dinner. I must say that I am rather pleased about that as it will save me from cooking as usual. Shirley won't be back until midday on Monday.
"Heathen" is a beer brand name that suits me well as I am a heathen just like my Viking ancestors. What beer brand name would suit your character best of all.... "Smooth Operator", "Sexy Beast", "Nasty Old Git" or something else?
Grumpy Old Woman - a nice dark lager.
ReplyDelete"Grumpy Old Woman"... guaranteed to make you forget what you did.
DeleteHappy Father's Day, Neil! Enjoy your day!
ReplyDeleteI just trimmed the front hedge. A special Father's Day treat.
DeleteSarcastic Jackass, for me, please.
ReplyDeleteComing up in a jiffy Bob and what's Carlos having?
DeleteAn American pale ale. Hoppy, I take it? (although not as bad as an IPA) Hmm, perhaps "Feisty Female?"
ReplyDelete"Feisty Female" - very popular with mature male beer drinkers like me.
DeleteI like this phrase I read on one blog this week, "I have raised a healthy atheist but he does take on board a lot of what some might call alternative".
ReplyDeleteThere is always something to work on at home.
I hope you have a most excellent lunch. You must be an ok dad.
I am better than okay Andrew, I'm bloody marvellous! Beer name for you is "Tram to Wattle Park".
DeleteThat is a trip I have not taken for many years and I have nearly completed all tram lines within the last four years, so to Wattle Park soon it will be.
DeleteThe price of construction materials has risen here but in Australia they're blaming covid. New decking is probably cheaper than a serious injury so that's the way I would make myself feel better.
ReplyDeleteWhat beer name reflects my character? gosh, I don't know. My son-in-law, bless him, thinks i'm like Miriam Margolyes. Medusa, maybe?
Yes, the beer name "Medusa" is better than "Miriam Margolyes" which often seems acidic to me. "Medusa" would be as smooth as velvet with a hint of snake venom.
DeleteNerdy Walker - a light brew with a bit of a sparkle.
ReplyDeleteI suppose the drama based on the novel will contain less of the violence you mentioned in your book review. Was it filmed in Yorkshire, and are there actors in it you know from other productions?
Well done on not harnessing Clint yesterday. When O.K. and I spent the weekend together, it always leaves me with a bit of a bad conscience because he drives so much to see me at my place, or comes to pick me up at the station when we're at his place. And I feel a kind of relief when one or two entire days go by without us using the car at all.
I like a pint or two of "Nerdy Walker". It's a refreshing brew and after drinking it it is advisable NOT to drive.
Delete400 pounds is a small price to pay for your continued safety treading those boards. and Phoebe's too, none of you want to be suddenly crashing through them. Beer name? Grumpy Old Woman. Or maybe Sourpuss.
ReplyDeleteMmm... I wouldn't mind a pint of "Sourpuss" with its bitter tang and powerful outback aroma.
DeleteI have also read the book and found David Hartley's grave at Heptonstall. But the 'gratuitous violence' puts me off watching the television program. I have seen less enthusiastic reviews as well. But I shall watch even if it is only on the take for this area in which it is set. Bell House was up for sale recently I believe.
ReplyDeleteSeveral features of the TV drama do not figure in the book but I am still enjoying it.
DeleteVixen, I think.
ReplyDelete"Vixen"... What all beer drinkers are hunting for.
DeleteTight wad-a resourceful bitter for soil slaves.
ReplyDeleteI hope that a pint of "Tight Wad" will be reasonably priced.
DeleteAlways look after your lower decking.
ReplyDeleteOne's lower decking should be oiled frequently and a good rub down from time to time will help to keep it in tiptop shape.
DeleteCheap and Cheerful would be a good brand for me.
ReplyDeleteI thought you might suggest "Penguin Piss"... the flavour of Antarctica.
DeleteI have a feeling you'll be replacing more than the top decking boards.
ReplyDeleteHappy Father's Day.
I just hope that it is not the whole caboodle, A beer named for you is "Moon Landing"... it gets you high but you come down with a bump.
DeleteWell as a dog lover and walker, all I can come up with is "Hair of the Dog". Something very light and non-alcoholic and something that won't send me barking mad after a glass or two!!
ReplyDeleteSome years ago we considered decking in what is laughingly known as the summer kitchen (it has a sink in it) but were advised against it because of the constant maintenance to keep it in good condition. We chose to have hardwood furniture instead, which looked fine when new, but that too took a great deal of cleaning and oiling, even though it was undercover of a roof, and covered up in winter. Eventually we gave it away. Nowadays I choose everything, especially outdoors, from the viewpoint of how much work it's going to involve.
Happy Father's day to you and Stewart.
I hope you're right about the deck and it doesn't require too much work. "Heathen" is a good beer name -- I identify with it as well! Hope you're having an excellent Father's Day.
ReplyDeleteI know all about lonesome days. It's currently 13 years and it doesnt get any easier. Hope Shirley is back soon.
ReplyDeleteI'll go with Turbodog by Abita brewing. I'm not sure the name really fits me, but it's a nice dark brown ale I enjoy drinking.
ReplyDeleteSo Viking blood runs icily in your veins, big feller ?
ReplyDeleteI see you in a greenish light, hauling a felled reindeer in a boreal forest
or taiga. Your long ship is waiting for you at the ocean's edge.
Bathos ruins the picture when you confess to quaffing Nerdy Walker brew.
It is all a bit Diary of A Nobody.
In my last comment I said a lady admired my tie pin.
How could I have written something so silly & Mr Pooter-ish ?
Our truest moments come when we forget ourselves and prattle like fools.
I like that title of Heathen Pale Ale. I shall have to look for it.
ReplyDelete