A Midsummer Success!

Last night's Midsummer Real Ale Trail was a great success and well worth all the worry and work involved in its organisation! Over sixty real ale aficionados left The Vine at 6.30 in four minibuses and spent the evening travelling around eight neighbouring pubs. And what a time they had!

From the moment one driver started his engine and called out "Captain to cabin staff. Doors to manual" to hours later when four minibuses returned to base, everyone agreed that it was probably one of the best trails yet.

Best pub for food? A close call, apparantly, between the Boar at Moddershall, the Green Man at Milwich and newcomer The Shoulder of Mutton at Fulford. And best beer? Impossible to say. A very personal choice though several commented on the quality of the Bass at the 'Romping Cat' aka the Red Lion at Dayhills.

And what did Yours Truly do all night? Well, I counted them out and counted them back. And I kept off the ale myself until late in the evening when it was obvious that all was under control - I shouldn't have worried!

Thanks to all the pubs involved who made it such a super night and a big vote of thanks to Dave Williams, Ben Greensides, Neil Farden and Dave Smithwick for driving.

Roll on Food and Drink Festival week! I am definitely going to pay for a ticket to take part myself - on Dave Smithwick's bus please!