Restaurant Critic #5 – One3One Bar Kitchen Cafe - Paeroa

We had dinner at one3one in Paeroa.

131 refers to it's street number

It was on the site of  a pub called "The Fathers Tavern" and let me tell you that used to be an experience. The last time we went their with some friends we walked in, and in the wild west cowboy style the bar went quiet as strangers walked in, true story, we ordered a couple 'jugs' of beer, brought the barman a drink and everything became sweet-as. True Story.

Wind the dial on a few years, there is now a Maccas in town, but there isn't a roundabout and nor is there traffic lights. Something shouldn't change.

One3One. A modern establishment. Central island bar set up, to the left high tables, the right 4 top tables, a couple of booths. Wallpaper like wooden fence paling, menu's kept in beer crates.

Let down by the industrial quality carpet on the floor to be honest when wood or polished concrete might have been better.

In a major change the one beer garden has been sacrificed for more floor area, and the smokers and other outside dwellers get a concrete corridor. I don't smoke so no loss to me.

Dinner:

Two people chose the  CHICKEN BREAST 
Oven roasted chicken breast stuffed with basil & wrapped in streaky bacon, served with herb roasted potatoes and topped with a tomato & herb sauce

I had  LAMB SHANKS
Slow cooked tender lamb shank on creamy mashed potatoes with a rich gravy & kumara wafers

And one of us had  LAMB AND FETA SALAD 
Sliced marinated lamb rump with feta, cherry tomatoes, caramelised pumpkin & salad greens, dressed with minted yoghurt

Lets cut to the chase and critique this.

The biggest biggest problem by far was that the main meals had no seasonable vegetables on the plate.  OK if you  colour me me stupid that the menu description din't call this out, but you know that the whole experience would have been magnified to great if the plate had a carrot or a floret of broccoli on it.

Sides are called out on the menu, but these weren't offered up by the wait staff.

Specifically calling out the lamb shanks that I had, these weren't browed before cooking. One of them stringy and tough, the other soft and fell off the bone. The gravy was watery and insipid.

Calling out the lamb salad as looking awesome!

One3One has a couple of things going for it, and in no particle order:

• The RailTrail Cycleway that passes by


• It's very new, clean and tidy, and will have broad appeal to the locals


• The pricing isn't outrageous


• The menu has something for everyone


• It'll do a cracking trade on the battle of the streets motorcycle racing weekend

They could improve things here and there of course, to suit me, but this sets a new standard in Paeora and the others need to take note.

The one with the Tooth Fairy.

I found the today when I was looking for something else.

It's a note from my daughter from many years ago to the Tooth Fairy about a tooth that had fallen out, but that she had been playing with, which had then become lost.

Yes it's in purple, yes that's a picture of the tooth that was lost. Note that this isn't to scale.

This folds in the middle and here is a 'front' page, it's like a miniature card.



There are some things you just can't buy.

(she slept with this under her pillow for the Tooth Fairy to find, she did get her gold coin).

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Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #10

Took the camera on the stroll around the point at Mataragi. It was low tide and it's somewhat more accessible.

It's getting more popular too which isn't a bad thing.

You might see variously in the pictures, Me, MrsPdubyah, a Dotterel, Some Oyster Catchers, a Pine Tree, some fallen over trees, couple odd signs in an odd place, sand, sea and sun.

I didn't edit the pictures, that would be taking up sitting int he sun relaxing time :-)

[gallery type="thumbnails" ids="5950,5951,5952,5953,5954,5955,5956,5957,5958,5959,5960,5961,5962,5963,5964,5965,5966,5967,5968,5969,5970,5971,5972,5973,5974,5975,5976" orderby="rand"]

Did stop for a beer at the end of the walk at the Golf club, where the pricing was reasonable but the patronage poor. This would be for a couple of reasons, one of which is the historical nature of the welcome that was given, even though now it's changed hands, and another would be that at the beach house, holiday home, you tend to drink and socialise at home. The restaurant does a cracking trade though.

I think that I reached "Beach Max" yesterday. This is the limit of time I can spend with the in-laws, and leads to bickering and surliness. So today will be the last day and we're leaving tomorrow to go home.  It's all about how I manage my time with them now, and it's not just me MrsPdubyah is at the end of the tether too.

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The Less of Me, December 2012 edition

13 runs for exactly 69 kilometres, I have no idea how it got the be an exact number but the OCD in me thinks this is a great success.

Weight did dip below 89kg, but sadly in celebration I had chips. Then of course we had christmas, then of course I have no will power.

I did run on the 24th, 25th took a day off for the 26th then ran 4 days straight, with another day off for NYE.

[caption id="attachment_5913" align="aligncenter" width="474"] The less of me - December 2013[/caption]

Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #9

I write this the day after the day before.

Yesterday, the weather was average, cold and a bit showery.  But I was made to go for some exercise with MrsPdubyah, as you can see it wasn't as flash as it could have been in the morning

We got to the beach, Matarangi, didn't have it to ourselves in the distance you can see another romantic couple braving the elements

Some of the locals are more hardy, these oyster catchers for instance

To be fair there were far more people on the beach than I'm making out, they're done the more built up area where all the beach houses are. Brave souls.

As reward I brought me two beers, one which was good the other was ok. They are local beers, so I am in a way supporting local artisans. I am not however convinced they are brewed locally, but brewed to a recipe, which isn't unusual. I'll need to do more 'research'.

And then to bring it all back down we opened a bottle (gifted) of Sauv Noir, a horrific mixture of Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Chile.  It's as bad as it sounds. It's not like that don't have a decent wine trade in New Zealand. As it was a bit mardy we had a Thai Red Curry for dinner which was outstanding, and the remains of the Focaccia bread. Which now reminds me that I was supposed to make some bread for lunch. 

Today, Which I think is Thursday the day has dawned much brighter. There are many more boats on the seas going fishing and gathering, and MrsPdubyah is talking about a walk around the point at Matarangi to the Harbour, and I can buy more beer :-)

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Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #8

The New Years Eve edition, that was.

The new thing is fireworks we discovered at variously 11:58, 11:59, midnight, 12:01 and all the way through to 12:20. Extremely loud fireworks. I'm not even sure when that became a thing.

Obviously too that whoever held the matches told the time, and that no-one had thought to synchronise watches, or phones, or anything. Bit of a laugh. Someone has to go first.

I think the frugal in me is against setting fire to money like that, this of course does not extend to my beer drinking and the associated costs for that. Also I enjoy the fact that other people have spent the money, I'm good like that.

It was a nice evening, although it was getting slightly cooler as it got later,



The view was improved a bit, as did my mood.



So the communal party was great, although it was cold last night, cold enough to have regretted wearing shorts. The iTorch thing ran the battery out on the phone half way there, made getting back a bit of fun.

I should bring a proper camera next time as the abundance of stars is to behold.

Back at the party though, with Shaking hands I took these pictures of the man-cave, shaking because of the cold not the sense of awe, or Cor!

[gallery type="rectangular" ids="5885,5884,5883,5881,5880,5878,5879,5876" orderby="rand"]

Fast forward, and the morning of the first still sees the Gentleman Fishing Club on the sidelines waiting a break in the weather and for the rafts of weed in the sea to move along. Might be later today I hope

And for the next activity, after brunch, it's a walk around the Matarangi point. Pictures later, or not, depends.

Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #7

It's still really nice here, weather is behaving itself by and large.  To be honest I don't know how I haven't got a tan going on, it's been mostly sunny.

Although some things have changed at the beach it's always pleasing to note that the sign in the front garden of the neighbours house is still as vibrant as ever. I'd have to check if anyone has stopped to ask if they are open today, it has happened.



I was pleased with yesterdays efforts at bread making, so I'm giving it another crack today. Focaccia style, again. Bread rolls are the other go-to recepie but they get snacked on and grazed over to easily, best not let temptation get in the way of a good intention.



The Focaccia was really nice with the barbecue chicken that I cooked last night, toasted a bit of on the barbecue,added some stuff,  just the thing. Chicken was in a lemon and herb dressing, I'm told.



I just do the cooking.

We had an impromptu drink thing with some of the neighbours last night, those are the best type of evenings. Tonight being New Year Eve we're off to a communal drinking party, or gathering, after dinner, so everyone has eaten, less catering and faffing about by the hosts. Tonight it's at 'diggers' place, he's the self-appointed 'Mayor' of the beach. I'm sure he's more diligent and trustworthy than the one we have in Auckland, although he does like to put it about at bit, but that's not a secret.

In other news  was made to brave the 'big smoke' we all know as  Whitianga. Didn't seem to be busy or full of touristas as it has been in the past. We didn't stay long.

Did however stop of Kuaotonu for a coffee at the always excellent black jack coffee place.  Hasn't really improved my mood though. Woke up today with a sore calf, and sore ankles. Exercise on the unmade roads is really a bit tricky for an old fella like me, so I have to take a day off. On the plus side did buy two local beers which I'll enjoy (hopefully) a bit later.

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Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #6

Well here we are then. At the beach house. this is the view, well this is the view when you hold the camera up a bit higher than eye-line, but you get it.

The local Fauna are really really noisy. We have Tui, Fantails, and Califonian Quail, Pheasants, the local Kingfisher and sundry other things all chipping in.



This was yesterday afternoon when we arrived. You really can see the beach (in the red rectangle) the trees and bushes are all growing up and the glimpse is getting glimpser.



Annoyingly the automatic lighting thing on the barbecue still works, couple of clicks and it's away. We've had this thing for many years now, and it still keeps going. It doesn't get a lot of use when I'm not here though, the in-laws aren't that fussed on cooking on it, apart from the occasion smoked fish.

Because it's still a bit murky the Gentleman Fishing Club has been put on hold. I'm sure I'll get on this later.

Already had a beer, well last night had a beer. We've also, MrsPdubyah and me, been on a mooch down the end of the beach and back. It was a bit bracing. Saw some of the younger neighbours who'd been partying for at least an hour being clowns, I should go see how they are today.

Had a couple of exercise walks, yesterday afternoon after the drive here, and this morning. Lordy this morning everyone was out jogging/running/cycling/mooching. All adults mind, no teenagers, funny that. It was was however 8am and what do you expect?

Today then, well I've done some exercise, MrsPdubyah was leaving as I got back, and FIL has gone for a meander. MIL is in bed, having been up at 7am putting a load of washing on, probably onto her second, it's her thing.

Suddenly it'll be 10am, I'll have to make some bread, there will be coffee and then the house will settle for an hour before lunch.

It's all go!

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Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #5

Sunday then.  Today would be the day that we are finally getting our act together to get to the beach. It's taken a while.

MrsPdubyah just went out to get staples, and discovered that it was only Sunday and all the special coupon things start tomorrow.

Wet weather has arrived and there is a fair amount of surface flooding in the roads to where we are going.

But we will be there, and we will not be in the city.

And there will be fishing.

I'm sure I can survive the running commentary that is the in-laws. I shall give it my best shot.

Or I'll retire to the sanctuary of books.

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Restaurant Critic #4 – Flavours of India - Browns Bay

Well what an eye opener this was when we first came here. We'd been used to having Indian food take-away and Dine-in from Chand in Mairangi Bay , where the service was always prompt, the price was always cheap and the food was passable.

Then we, on whim, went to Flavours of India in Browns Bay .

It's not swanky, flash, or opulent and in no way is it a fine dining experience. It's small, stark and functional modern. It's more cafe than restaurant. They claim to be able to seat 50. That'd be a busy night.

Then there is the food.

The kitchen is in eye and ear shot of everyone, with the obligatory glass window over the Tandoor oven so that you can see chef in action.

And what he produces is top quality.  It's not an extensive menu by comparison with other establishments, the standard items are there, and a couple of specials and unique dishes.

To be fair they don't need to have an extensive menu as the quality and taste you get from your choice should make it your favourite.

5 of us. We had a vegetarian and a meat version of the entrée platter.

There was the obligatory butter chicken. and the Saag Goshst (Lamb in Spinach), and a Shajahani chicken (Chicken in Cashew, saffron and coriander) and two of the special items,  a Lamb Stir fry, and a real Goat Curry, which was an off-menu item.

The Lamb and the Goat were amazing, succulent, juicy, tender, but somewhat spicy.

Oh and Garlic and Plain Naan.

It was too much, way too much food, and a doggy bag accompanies us home.

This isn't a chain or franchise menu, it's a small operation, and they're happy if you're a first time or return customer, and they remind you that word of mouth is their best advertising. 

I'd suggest - Get in!

 

Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #4

Still not quite at the beach, but 'tis the day before christmas.

8:45 MrsPdubyah sends me a text, she has to work today, at the local mall. Text reads "Car park full, Supermarket full" It'll be a long day.

Daughter has spend the last 1/2 hour squeezing and rattling the presents under the tree playing a guessing game. I wouldn't mind but she is 18.

Anyhoo FIL was out of the house at 7:58am to go to the local hardware store, to buy some urgent things.

and MIL is now setting about making a trifle. Something which I personally can't abide.

I was up at 7 doing my 5km exercise, it's called getting into calorie deficit early, there were quite a few others doing the same thing, but I doubt it'll catch on.

MIL also has a fanciful idea that she's going to 'pop' to the shops and get some cream.  Good luck with that.

For this evening though we're planning to take them out to Browns Bay, and have a dinner, which is easier than thinking about what to cook, and since tomorrow is going to be all-you-can-eat day it's possibly wiser.

Still to come:

• The Glazing of the ham


• The baking of the bread

 

Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #3

The weather forecast says that it'll be rain on 25th, this isn't in the plan.

This will mean that we're inside, instead of outside in the sun.

This could mean that 'm cooking the barbecue in the rain, under an umbrella held by a brave assistant.

But the menu hasn't changed as far as I'm aware, but it does mean we'll have to be more organised and aware of where glasses, plates, and other things are placed around.

Having said nothing has changed of course it has. The nibbles are now going to be Bilini  with cream cheese and Salmon, and MrsPdubyah is going to make some miniature quiche things, she says.

Which leaves me only to make fresh bread in the morning.

Beach Life – Summer 2013 – #2

The one where we're not actually at he beach yet......

This is the one about the bit before the bit about christmas day, and the preparation and planning.

Today, Saturday 21st.

• Brought a dozen bottles of wine, some of this some of that.


• Brought two dozen beers for the quaffing of not the writing about


• Brought a bottle of Pear Vodka, it's the latest thing


• Brought 2 Litres of Orange Juice - don't judge me


• Brought some Salmon for the pre-lunch snackage

Also

• Brought a bottle of single-mart whisky for the Father-in-law


• Paid for a paid of sunglasses for MrsPdubyah

Discussion about the christmas day lunch, which this year is at home and not at the beach.  Ok so the heading for this post is confusing.

We're having, if everything goes to a plan and it doesn't rain so much

• Salmon on bread of something or other


• Some miniature Quiche affairs


• for the main event


• a glazed ham.


• a whole eye fillet  steak thing for the barbecue

There will also be

• Potato Salad


• New potatoes just dug from the ground


• Some salad concoction

Finishing with

• Trifle


• cheesecake


• Fruit and Cream

MrsPdubyah is a bit tense about the whole thing. I know we did this a couple of years ago but normally we are the beach house and lunch tends to be a communal gathering where we enjoy things like Scallops in bacon, Salmon , smoked fish, Mussels, with an abundance of bubbles, beer,  and most of the beach residents in attendance.

I know I'm lucky to have a beach house, but being at home, in my own home, isn't the same, I've become accustomed to not being here for that particular day.

I'm sure I'll enjoy it. Three will be pictures, at least from the early part of the day.  My tasks only include making a cocktail or two, cooking the barbecue and organising the music to play.

Easy.

Beach Life - Summer 2013 - #1

I'm lucky enough for there to be a beach house in the family trust that I get to visit frequently. The parents are there a lot, almost permanently in the summer months.

so this year, again, it’s to the beach house for a couple of weeks more or less.

Rings Beach - Coromandel - North Facing on the East Side of the peninsular.

The bach is about 50 meters from the sand, on the beach side of the road, down a small cut communal path. At the end of the path there is a picnic\bbq table and at one point there used to be a bathtub, might still be there.  You can spot the house in the picture there is a lone white car parked besides it. On the beach you might see a kayak and a RIB.

It's a real community beach, everyone knows everyone, everyone is willing to help everyone and we tend to party as a community with the hosting being shared from house to house on an informal rotation basis. There is always a beer or Gin to be had somewhere.

Rings Beach named after Mr Frank Ring who in the early days owned a sheep farm and who was the son of Charles Ring of Coromandel fame. Gold was first discovered at Driving Creek in Coromandel Town in 1852 by the Ring brothers.

As well as me this year Rings Beach will also be probably home to a pair of  the New Zealand dotterel/tūturiwhatu  -  This endangered bird can be found on a number of beaches on the Coromandel. There are only about 450 New Zealand dotterel on the Coromandel and 1700 nationwide, these birds need all the help they can get. They nest on the sand, mostly above the high tide mark, but weather vagaries, and predators, as well as careless people are all threats to them. Their nest will be roped off, and hopefully they'll hatch their eggs and then there will be 451 :-)

Rings Beach is also home to the Gentleman's Fishing Club and the Kontiki device.

And there is a web page! https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rings-Beach-Coromandel/172961526108932

I'm kind of hoping to write more about how I'm doing nothing all day, except the bbq for breakfast eggs and bacon, and the evening meal of fresh fish, or exotic meat. How the fishing is going, and how the book reading is coming along.

I'll be trying to exercise, not get sidetracked into too much coffee shop and ice-cream and relax a little.

It is for me summer after all.

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The Spin Bike, the Garage and the Knee

Spent a couple of hours rearranging the garage. This so 'we' could install the newly purchased  Spin Bike into a place we can use it.

The garage door has developed an asthmatic wheeze, so I spent an hour on door remedy. That may not have worked. I used a lot of the WD-40, CRC556, and the special garage door lube. It's less asthmatic and creaky on the hinges, I could be forced to google a way to fix this.

I bet it involves Olive Oil.

Broke one of my re-fill bottles, the 750ml junior which I don't think I paid for anyway, disappointing though.

Did find some drinking glasses that I had stowed away for a later date. Couple of 250ml lager glasses, and a taller thinner Pint Glass rom the Bath Ales company who make a fine beer that I've been neglecting.  Beer I was drinking before I started to keep a list, and from the nice people at The Wine Circle in Kumeu, who I've also been neglecting.

Also found a heap of old soccer programs from when I used to go watch the mighty Eagles of Crystal Palace play,  and some newspaper cutting and stuff.  A whole set of posts in itself.

Threw out next to nothing. That could come back and haunt me.

Also reminded that I have an Ice-Cream machine, and a Tortilla press that I need to use again, but after I use the pasta machine, which was hidden behind the Paella pan, propped up by the the pestle and mortar.  I swear the cupboard is like the Tardis.

Also.... reminded but the 7 used field Hockey sticks about (i) how much we invested in Hockey sticks, and (ii) just how good MissPdubyah was at Hockey.

Also, I may have shoe problem, all the shoes on the stack-rack are mine.  3 Pairs running shoes - current, 2 pairs not used for running but I still wear, couple pairs of casual shoes, couple other pairs of casual shoes, and so it goes on. A lot of shoes.

Also, why do we have 3 stereos in the Garage. One of them has a mini-disc player! I should get that out and see how I can plug that back in again to the amp.

Moved things back to the garden shed that belong there, including a scarifying machine for the lawn that I brought, custom built by the last owner, what was I thinking?, and a weedeater, and a thing on a stick that I can't remember what it does, an edging tool thing.

Also, a bag of quick-dri concrete, and a bag of lawn feed.

Oh and a waterblaster.

Found the christmas tree and some 'lost' decorations, might be the last year for that. Should have been last year to be honest.

Found the outside  beanbag, that has gone  back on the patio near the BBQ, for which I found the rotisserie device :-)

But in all this I've managed to twist, wrench, or jar my knee, again, because this has been a long term thing since the 5-a-side football season, lateral pain on a sideways movement.

For which I found the only cure might be a beer :-)

I was had

I've been hectoring MrsPdubyah to trade-in her car for something newer, smaller, more economical. It's a long sales cycle.

There are a number of discrete stages.

• Suggestion.


• Pause for a few days, or more.


• Suggestion.


• Pause for a few days, or more.


• Look and point at cars.


• Pause for a few days, or more.


• Suggest again trading the old car for a new one


• Pause for a few days, or more.


• Whilst out doing things stop at a car yard and mooch about pointing at a cars.


• Ignore sales person


• Pause for a few days, or more.

Today however was a bit of  a breakthrough, there was agreement to at least go to look at a specific car model at a specific yard. Which we did.

It was then the wool was pulled over my eyes when MrsPdubyah says "Lets to to the car yard in Albany, then we can at least say that we've looked there and can cross it off" Since it was on the way home, or not to far out of the way of course I agreed. More in shock.

Oh yes, of course the specific car was available on the lot, and we went for a drive. "Oh I knew this was here, I looked it up the internet"

This isn't the first time that this has happened although in the past MrsPdubyah might have taken a test drive already. Seems not this time,

Then I get more questions about engine sizes of different versions of the model, and there again I was had when I was schooled in a number of features. Oh and further to that there are other car yards where similar models can be found, if I could see my way clear to chauffeur to and fro. Way to spend a Sunday.

So now it all depends on the trade-in value of the old jalopy as to whether we go any further.

The World Tour of Taupo - The Romantic Getaway

Surprisingly I've been married 25 years. To celebrate this milestone MrsPdubyah and me took off for a couple of days holiday.

We chose Taupo. More correctly I was told we were going to Taupo. Two nights.

I took some photo's. Admittedly on the iPhone.  I think the one that is most representative of Taupo is the one of Huka Falls.  Not sure the view from out room without the beer is much to look at.

Oh and the frozen margarita, strawberry, was mine. Sometimes you don't need a beer.

On the Occasion of the 25th Wedding Anniversary

Eventually we were going to get there, MrsPdubyah and me.

5th November 1988, Paeroa Presbyterian Church. A date I chose, it's a long story and I'll scan some photo's and write a bit more about that.

Fast forward through the first house, then the #1 Child, the #2 Child. the 2nd house, and  3rd house, the half-dozen pet cats, the first days at school, the driving lessons, the leaving home. All those things.

Eventually you get  get to 25 years. Which is where the trouble starts.

I'm not sure who thought this up, but for getting to a 25 year marriage you have to exchange traditional gifts of Silver.

It's not clear if this should be solid silver, silver plate, or silver looking. I want to know who was on the committee that decided this, it's a gross oversight.

Then, oh yes then, look for a suitable gift. When was it that matching ceramic mugs were appropriate? or a Crystal Bell?

Who exactly gives their life partner, after 25 years of marriage (not counting the courting and preamble years) a Candelabra, Knives and Forks, Serving Spoons, Silver Platter or Photo Frame?

Which of you thinks that at 25 years you're a bit doolally in the head and have slipped into some kind of dementia where you need to surround yourselves with trinkets and old tat?

Of course yes in olden times you might have. But I don't feel like I've spent half a life with MrsPdubyah. Yes on the outside a bit more rugged, but mentally still in the game.

All that aside however I'm going to be in a world of pain if I don't get a suitable gift, if only I could remember if MrsPdubyah has pierced ears on not I could get her some ear-rings, and on reflection a little bell I could tinkle wouldn't go amiss when I needed a beer top-off.

It's not where you're at it's where you're from.

Part of being where you are is knowing where you came from. I'm from a family that has a chequered history, not unusual. and the family tree is a journey, like everyone else's.



So it was with a bit of excitement that I really stumbled over this last night, in one of those weird moments where you indullge your self-googling, except this time I chose my Father's name.

And this popped up.

A public notice confirming his naturalisation \ Citizenship in July 1965, a magnificent addition to the family history tree.

Feeling a bit good about this to be honest, but not for any real reason, except I found it.

Beer at the beach house (Bach) Yeastie Boys + Firestone Walker + Panhead - Englebert Pumpernickel

Yes indeed a collaboration between the nice people at Yeastie Boys + Firestone Walker + Panhead , to bring you the Englebert Pumpernickel.

A ridiculously pale beer with an immense hop nose and presence. Weighing in at 9.2% ABV I have e idea that in standard drink units that this is 'lots'

Pours with a decent head too. Crashing grassy hops with a really mellow tone, delivers a complete mouthfeel.

The in-laws are wittering on about nothing and all gossip that isn't worth the effort. It took me just over an hour from arrival to get drinking. Possibly a record.

I'm sitting here then hazing out the blether, with the sound of waves in the background.

There is fresh caught fish c/- of the Gentleman's Fishing Club for dinner, it has it moments.