Isomatic UK Weblog

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Today we have been enjoying the 2008 British Marine Electronics Association (BMEA) Conference at the Southampton Novotel (pictured). The presentations were all good but we particularly enjoyed:
'Investing - the Ideal World' by Martin Hurll of St. James Place Capital, who boosted our flagging morale with respect to the financial crisis;
'Selling to the UK and USA' by Nick Heyes of Marine Electronic Services Ltd., who described in great detail the wonders of West Marine, only to provide the punch line that he found its Ts & Cs to be unacceptable.
In the bar Tamzin Matthew, legal and Company Secretary at the British Maritime Federation, explained how, as members, we can get free legal advice. She observed that we were not serious drinkers as we were sipping our wine so slowly. I explained that at 5.15 pounds per glass we felt obliged to eke it out until called to the dinner.

Labels: drinking, Eating out, Travel, Water power, Wind power

On Saturday evening we went to the Rutland Walk Sports and Social Club to see the Frog Island Jazz Band. We found the site deserted and the gate padlocked and have since learnt of a dispute between manager and owner. Regardless of the legal position the action shows total disregard for others, both the band and the punters who travelled long distances. This would seem to be the end of this particular venue as all trust has been lost. On the journey back we stopped at The Woolpack in Banstead for a drink. From the outside this looks like a typical country pub (see picture). Inside it is an old-fashioned pub as seen in London many years ago. I had my favourite Young's Bitter, Selina enjoyed her dry white wine and Derek seemd to like his drink. This is the fourth time we have used this pub, the last three visits to Banstead being solely for that purpose. We must like this pub !

Labels: drinking

On Wednesday evening we went to The Cricketers, Yately for the first time to see the Excel Jazzmen (pictured), having been invited by its leader Tony Karavis (cornet). Two of the band were well known to us; Terry Twiss (banjo, vocals) and Ian Parry (drums) who both play in the Apex Jazz Band. The other musicians are Ken Clayton (trombone), Bernie Murtha (clarinet, alto sax) and Mike Broad (bass). The Excel band is a good example of a standard trad. jazz line-up but with Alto sax replacing clarinet on some numbers. We did miss Terry's guitar on the slower numbers as he only plays banjo here. However, there was nothing we disliked and several numbes we particularly enjoyed:

Old Rockin' Chair; Terry's vocal, to which we danced
Storyville Blues; requested by a regular
Tie me to your Apron Strings Again; another of Terry's vocals
Tin Roof Blues; the right tempo and good cornet work by Tony
The Old Spinning Wheel; Terry again on the human voice.

Conclusions; we like the slow numbers and we like to hear Terry sing !

As a pub, we rather liked this Cricketers, particulary the Rosemount Shiraz by the glass. In 2 weeks time we will try the food and write a few words about the pub here and for beerintheevening.com

As for the regulars; there was a touch of 'you can't sit here, we are saving the seats for our friends' as at the Preston Cross and Chipstead jazz club which we now boycott. Contrast this with our attitude at the Cricketers in Horsell; we invite anybody that looks in doubt as to where to sit to join us, first come first seated. We meet new people that way who often surprise us, e.g. Brian ! If our regular companions find the seats taken then they accept this with grace.

Labels: drinking, Jazz

After a full hard day working at the premises of a customer in Croydon, famous for its poor electricity supply, we set out for home at 19:30. Rather than eat at 21:00 we stopped at The Woolpack in Banstead for dinner. From the outside this looks like a typical country pub (see picture). Inside it is an old-fashioned pub as seen in London many years ago. The food is excellent and not over-priced. I had a great shortcrust steak and ale pie with my favourite Young's Biiter and Selina enjoyed her sausages and mash with a good French Vin de Pays Rouge. This is the third time we have visited Banstead and the third time we have used this pub, the last two visits being solely for that purpose. I guess that says it all.

Labels: drinking, Eating out

On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the Watermans Arms, Hersham, joined by two groups of guests. Guest group 1 comprised Alan Brock (trumpet), Mark Gooding (clarinet), Tony Pyle (banjo, vocal) and Peter Talent (trombone). They played the 'Old Rugged Cross' with a great Tony Pyle vocal, to which we danced, followed by the Sophie Tucker classic 'One of these days'. Guest group 2 comprised Alan Brock with John Parsons (clarinet) and Peter Clancy (trombone). Our favourite of the two numbers they played was 'Basin Street Blues'.
We tried the red wine this time but it was not much better than last week's white. The only real ale is Courage Best so drink choice is rather limited.

Labels: drinking, Jazz

On Wednesday evening we saw the Blue Moon Jazz band at the Watermans Arms, Hersham, joined by anyone who wanted to play with them. This included Tony Pyle (banjo/vocals), my favourite number of the evening being his vocal 'Shine' in his fine jazz voice. I got the chance to shake his hand and thank him as we left. Looking at the picture of the standard band, regular visitors to this blog will recognise Roy Stokes on trombone and Aileen May on bass.
As a jazz venue the Watermans has much to commend it; good location, proper performance room with stage and car parking. As a pub it is not so good; real ale limited to Courage Best and very poor standard of white wine.

Labels: drinking, Jazz

Our technician attended court today regarding his drink-driving offence. The 20 month disqualification was reduced to 15 months on condition that he attends a re-hab course. The fine was over 400 pounds.
I was thinking about this forthcoming case on Sunday at The Europa so I asked for low-alcohol lager. Terry, the landlord was baffled at first as none of his regular customers would dream of making such a request (The Europa is not that sort of pub). He disappeared for some time and returned triumphantly with a bottle of alcohol-free Kaliber. It tasted OK.

Labels: drinking

On Friday we planned to work on the portable wind turbine mounted on the roof of the old VW Golf (pictured). The technician who usually deals with the mechanical aspects had not arrived so I climbed on the slippery wet roof myself, armed with 13mm spanners. There was a call from the office window asking us to collect him from Maidenhead, so off we went, baffled as to how he came to be there. It transpired that he had imbibed too much alcohol the previous evening, spun his 'hot' Honda Prelude and been arrested. He had spent the night at Maidenhead Police Station. When we got him back to the Prelude a Police Officer was affixing a note regarding the forthcoming court case. This could be BIG trouble !

Labels: drinking

On Sunday evening we went to The Europa in East Molesey to see the Urban Gin House jazz band. It was the 'regular' quintet comprising leader Richard Wilcox (valve trombone), Alan Brock (trumpet), Alan Dandy (keyboard), Mike Bennett (string bass) and Mike Knipe (drums). Guests were Roy Stokes and Peter Clancy (slide trombones), John Shepherd (pocket trumpet) and John Ferguson (string bass and great vocals). Colin Lewry played solo keyboard in the intervals. The pub was busy, which must be good in view of the change of landlord.
Once again I was stopped by the police and breathalysed on the way home; why they chose me from the dozens of vehicles travelling at the same speed along the A3 is baffling. They missed the driver who passed us on the inside at 100 MPH or more. They were disappointed in the breathalyser reading of 19 so gave me a stiff lecture about drinking any alcohol at all.

Labels: drinking, Jazz