Snookered

I am rather short on blog-posts this week. I am totally absorbed in watching the World Snooker Championship on BBC TV. Today saw the start of the semi-finals, 33 frames in each of two matches. Each semi is split into up to four sessions, all played on just one table at the Crucible Centre in Sheffield. (I would love to be there, maybe next year).

The first session of the first semi-final saw Sean Murphy head Barry Hawkins by 6 frames to 2. In the second my favourite, Stuart Bingham, heads odds-on favourite Judd Trump, by 5 frames to 3. It's all compelling viewing and coverage will begin again tomorrow at 1:00pm.

Time to get some more beers in....

25th Anniversary Brighton Beer Festival

The 25th Anniversary Brighton Beer Festival organised by CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) took place yesterday at the Corn Exchange. The venue for the last 24 years, Hove Town Hall, is apparently no longer available. A great shame as the new venue is frankly not fit for purpose; too small, not enough chairs and tables, with the result that many visitors (I reckon 60% or more) were left standing and milling around in front of the central area where the selection of beers was located. This inevitably led to delays in getting served. The Corn Exchange is located just around the corner from the Royal Pavilion (two photos below):

Nevertheless, my friend Graeme, my brother Dave and I managed to commandeer three seats for the afternoon.

Me and Graeme

Brother Dave - often spotted with mouth in glass!

There was a selection of around 180 beers available and my list of ales consumed was:

• Hepworth Brewery Horsham Pullman Best Bitter 4.2%ABV
• Isfield Brewery Framfield Ethel Red 4.2%ABV
• Brains Brewery Cardiff Rev James 4.5%ABV
• Pig & Porter Brewery Tunbridge Wells Red Spider Rye 4.8%ABV
• Long Man Brewery Litlington Copper Hop 4.2%ABV
• Uley Brewery Uley Old Spot 5.0%ABV
• Uley Brewery Uley Pigormortis 6.0%ABV

Despite the change of venue we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves, even paying £5.00 for a hot-dog! And I managed to make it home in time to catch the final match in the Rugby Six Nations Championship to see England beat France 55-35, which left us just six points short of winning the championship, which went to worthy winners Ireland, for the 2nd year running.

Off to the country

We have had weeks of glorious weather, that is until Thursday. Skies became leaden, the air became still and very humid and overnight we experienced thunder and lightning storms of awesome proportions. The same occurred last night. After rain this morning the weather has calmed somewhat although the high cloud cover suggests more rain to come.

This is only to be expected as we are travelling this afternoon to friends in the country for a B-B-Q! It will go ahead no matter how inclement the weather. Would not be the first time we have cooked beneath umbrellas! And we have a large gazebo....

Whatever happens we will enjoy good company, good food, beer and wine and an overnight stay in beautiful surroundings...