Wednesday, May 17, 2006
FA Cup Final Pub Crawl
As a little practice for the annual pub crawl taking place on 27th May (Upper Street to celebrate the end of Highbury and the beginning of Ashburton Grove) we decided to do a mini crawl of Barnes before the Cup Final.
Having had a quick pint for the first hour of the test match in Sutton’s Old Bank we got the train via Clapham to Barnes Bridge. On the train from Clapham was a very sporty and attractive indian girl in a white tracksuit who decided what carriage we'd be on. An inspired choice as indeed the front carriage is the nearest for Barnes Bridge.
A short walk found us in Ye White Hart, a pub previously done on the boat race crawl. A great view of the Thames, bet it is hell for the boat race. An Aussie barman read our paper and here the pub had probably the most note-worthy barmaid of the day who alas did not appear to be serving. A short walk through suburbia found us a nice little pub with a beer garden called the Rose. 'Oh you caught me at it' said the barmaid as we entered. At what we shall never know.
Back onto the main road we found the Treehouse. More of a restaurant than a pub, it did have a nice garden at the back with a mazy route upstairs to the toilets. The Halfway House was next, which was like a library. Very cosy but there was a number of people inside and you would expect some conversation sound.
After a quick look in the bookies we were walking to the next pub where we saw what will bound to be the campest man of the year on a pushbike. All in blue with a cap and a pink carnation and a cheeky grin we spent the next five minutes laughing incessantly as we walked along. Having calmed down we got into the Hare & Hounds a large Youngs pub. Having got an excellent seat in front of the TV we decided to stay here to watch the match. Fortunately we were also in time for 'Abide With Me'.
The game was one of the most entertaining for years and we were in a position to leave just as Gerrard smashed in the equaliser. We then decided to watch extra time elsewhere and after an abortive attempt at a pub without a TV we found ourselves in the Pig & Whistle. Full of drunken teenagers, it reminded me somewhat of Sutton’s finest youths, although this was Mortlake so probably a little more mature. After the game much my horror saw Mortlake station was shut. After a quick Indian takeaway for some and a pub meal for those who stayed in the Pig, we decided to get a bus Hammersmith bound. One of our party was off to Shepherds Bush that evening so I decided to stay on with him to Hammersmith for my final pub of the day the Hammersmith Ram. Another spacious Youngs pub along Hammersmith's King Street. A tad expensive (as all Youngs pubs are) but still better than some in the area. A highlight for me was the bus going over Hammersmith Bridge and past Ray Doyle's house. Essential tourist attraction everytime you are in this area.
All in all a good day out was had and a good appetiser for the main crawl.
Having had a quick pint for the first hour of the test match in Sutton’s Old Bank we got the train via Clapham to Barnes Bridge. On the train from Clapham was a very sporty and attractive indian girl in a white tracksuit who decided what carriage we'd be on. An inspired choice as indeed the front carriage is the nearest for Barnes Bridge.
A short walk found us in Ye White Hart, a pub previously done on the boat race crawl. A great view of the Thames, bet it is hell for the boat race. An Aussie barman read our paper and here the pub had probably the most note-worthy barmaid of the day who alas did not appear to be serving. A short walk through suburbia found us a nice little pub with a beer garden called the Rose. 'Oh you caught me at it' said the barmaid as we entered. At what we shall never know.
Back onto the main road we found the Treehouse. More of a restaurant than a pub, it did have a nice garden at the back with a mazy route upstairs to the toilets. The Halfway House was next, which was like a library. Very cosy but there was a number of people inside and you would expect some conversation sound.
After a quick look in the bookies we were walking to the next pub where we saw what will bound to be the campest man of the year on a pushbike. All in blue with a cap and a pink carnation and a cheeky grin we spent the next five minutes laughing incessantly as we walked along. Having calmed down we got into the Hare & Hounds a large Youngs pub. Having got an excellent seat in front of the TV we decided to stay here to watch the match. Fortunately we were also in time for 'Abide With Me'.
The game was one of the most entertaining for years and we were in a position to leave just as Gerrard smashed in the equaliser. We then decided to watch extra time elsewhere and after an abortive attempt at a pub without a TV we found ourselves in the Pig & Whistle. Full of drunken teenagers, it reminded me somewhat of Sutton’s finest youths, although this was Mortlake so probably a little more mature. After the game much my horror saw Mortlake station was shut. After a quick Indian takeaway for some and a pub meal for those who stayed in the Pig, we decided to get a bus Hammersmith bound. One of our party was off to Shepherds Bush that evening so I decided to stay on with him to Hammersmith for my final pub of the day the Hammersmith Ram. Another spacious Youngs pub along Hammersmith's King Street. A tad expensive (as all Youngs pubs are) but still better than some in the area. A highlight for me was the bus going over Hammersmith Bridge and past Ray Doyle's house. Essential tourist attraction everytime you are in this area.
All in all a good day out was had and a good appetiser for the main crawl.
# posted by Rich @ 10:08 AM 
