Cold Ale - The Blokes' Thread!

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

Bruges was suggested, but I'd be happy with anywhere. It does open the opportunity of sampling some authentic Belgian beer though.

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Bruges is nice. Be sure to visit the (only) brewery in the centre of town. There is a guided tours and it has an ace café attatched to it, which is cheaper than many of the restaurants around it.

I went there by Eurostar - the Belgians have a system where Eurostar tickets are valid for 24 hours on the local trains to allow you to reach your destination (and return), so you will only need to buy a ticket to Brussels. Flying would mean buying a separate train ticket at the airport which adds to the cost.

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Originally Posted by sandy14

Bruges is nice. Be sure to visit the (only) brewery in the centre of town. There is a guided tours and it has an ace café attatched to it, which is cheaper than many of the restaurants around it.

I went there by Eurostar - the Belgians have a system where Eurostar tickets are valid for 24 hours on the local trains to allow you to reach your destination (and return), so you will only need to buy a ticket to Brussels. Flying would mean buying a separate train ticket at the airport which adds to the cost.

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Thanks for that. I'll bear it in mind. I have two brothers and we have only been out twice altogether - we're in our 40s and 50s. We might try a trip ourselves or take our partners along. Either way I'm sure it'd be good.

For the first year since the wife and I have been married... nearly 20 years... we don't have a live Christmas Tree. They were all sold out earlier this year than in the past. Having to make do, we set up a sort of Christmas "shrine" with a ceramic tree, candles, and other decorations and lights... and of course a good many of the stuffed Teddy Bears we have collected over the years. We need something of a shrine of lights to help deal with the blues that accompany the long winter days... when its dark in the morning as we head to work... and dark when we get home. Of course the reality is that a live tree might have presented a real problem with two new young puppies in the house. Nevertheless... we got this Christmas "shrine" set up tonight accompanied with candles, incense, and Christmas music on the stereo... just finished with Anne Sophie von Otter's Christmas album (for me) followed by Dean Martin (for the wife...) OK, I have actually come to like some of these sappy songs, but I'll deny it if ever confronted... and claim duress under the effects of alcohol if anyone quotes this post. Celebrating Christmas Eve we broke open a bottle of Chimay...

http://www.shanghai9.cn/media/catalo...-blue-3l_2.jpg

followed by a Southern Tier Choklat:

http://legalbeer.com/images/southern...%20choklat.jpg

In spite of all the predictions... we got 4"+ of snow today... so we will be having a "white Christmas"

"And since we've no place to go... let it snow, let it snow, let it snow..."

Merry Christmas to All... and to all a good night.

:santasmil:seeya:

Merry Christmas to you and the rest of the lot around here.
We're over at the brother in laws watching "Scrooge" working on my third dirty Absolute martini.
I brought a bottle of Duvel for tomorrow.
Good night to all.

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Originally Posted by stlukesguild

In spite of all the predictions... we got 4"+ of snow today... so we will be having a "white Christmas"

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Well, at least your wife will be able to say she got a solid four inches this year!

Merry Xmas all!

(nearly over down here - dinner eaten, kids playing; all is well with our world at least)

The turkey's in, carols are playing on the radio, the offspring are wending their way in our direction, It's Christmas! I love it.

Aye. Dinners in and we're drinking sherry whilst it's cooking. The Mother in Law's here and the dog has settled down finally. The joshing can begin.

Merry Christmas chaps.

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Originally Posted by Paulclem

he gets this everywhere he goes
his name is Steven not Stephen
his surname is Hawkin not Hawkings

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If only to demonstrate that pedantry knows no season, I feel obliged to point out that Stephen Hawking's name isn't Stephen Hawkings either.


Happy Christmas, all.

Is this book for free? I love to read story books.

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Originally Posted by MarkBastable

If only to demonstrate that pedantry knows no season, I feel obliged to point out that Stephen Hawking's name isn't Stephen Hawkings either.

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Oh I shall point this out with pleasure the next time I see him. The apostrophe was definitely not implied.

Yes, you can read this entire thread from start to finish, all for free!

Although shouting a round at the bar will be viewed very favourably.

After my last outing with my brothers, we have now settled upon a date for our annual January curry. We've never had it before, but a tradition has to start somewhere.

We will be in Sheffield this year, and plan to meet at 11am, and leave by 6pm. We will have a few jars, a curry, followed by a few more jars. Marvellous.

Here's to a new year and a new tradition. I'm stumped on Trans Atlantic translation; "curry" - I just now educated myself into lern'n that you aren't going to have a bowl of powder seasoning, but the "jars" still has me wondering.
When i read jars, my mind leads me to mason jars which can only mean one thing - "moonshine"

Happy new year in advance, we'll be heading out to my sister's for annual hootenanny this weekend.

Haha - interesting. Jars refers to pints and probably comes from the original receptacles, although I'm guessing. It is a well known term here.

My wife is from Coventry and moved to Yorkshire where we met. She was bemused by the term Spanish - which in Yorkshire refers to liquorice. She thought it was some salacious term when she was asked if she wanted some once.

Happy New Year to you Gil and all the chaps.
We'll be seeing the Mother in Law and Brother in Law on New Year's Eve. We've bought a new game based on British culture so that the Mother-In -Law can join in better. (Pictionary was difficult for her).

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Originally Posted by Gilliatt Gurgle

... "curry" ....

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Clever English invention.

Get rotten meat, cook, adding curry powder to mask the rotten flavour.

Bingo! Ready-made meals.

I think the meat being rotten is optional these days, although some of the restaurants I've seen would make you wonder.