1089a. Thu 1/7/21: The Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter 4.2%

Finish work (at home) and catch up with TJJ, from the faculty. We’re both pleased at the ‘normality’ of the situation, even if T’s taken aback by The Brickies now taking card payments. Otherwise, just to be able to sit, have a beer, chat and admire the sky, which we decide is about as ‘mackerel’ as a sky can get…. It’s nice.

Always worth catching up with TJJ. Chat inevitably turns to work, though that’s ok. We don’t really cross paths, professionally, and it’s nice to get a different view. To be honest, it’s nice to get any view.

T also has a few tips for film and music. I must try and follow some of these up, though my attention to such things has slackened over the last ‘however many’ years. Some talk of our mutual bafflement and negativity towards Milton Keynes and the way the country’s going all populist. TJJ thinks Labour’s screwed. He might be right; I’m more hopeful, on the back of, err, absolutely nothing.

1090a. Fri 2/7/21: The Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter 4.2%

TPK’s suggested we get in a little earlier than normal, to watch the football. Fine by me; Belgium vs Italy looks a good game.

Pete’s in, with another regular, whose name I don’t know. Nice enough bloke. Unlike the table of three in the corner. Their leading light is a fast mouthed sweary arse. Pete won’t engage him in conversation. I do, but feel it wise to play down England’s chances of winning. Sweary doesn’t seem to have much fondness for England. Playing down their chances seems quite natural – from what I’ve seen, they’ve not been setting the tournament alight.

Sweary’s companions – a father and son, I think – struggle to keep Sweary in check, though their technique is questionable, as they spend half the time goading him. Alison’s much clearer and asks him to reign it in a couple of times.

It’s a relief when Sweary leaves. 

Italy are far too good for the Belges – the 2-1 score doesn’t tell an accurate story.

701a. Sat 4/5/19: The Black Horse, Luton

Beer: Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter 3.8%

The season feels like it’s been dragging for weeks now, but at last, the Hatters are promoted. The sense of relief is stronger than the anticipation of the title deciding matches today; we’re at home to Oxford, and Barnsley away to Bristol Rovers. We’re on the same points – we have a better goal advantage.

The pub’s rammed. Not as rammed as others closer to High Town and the town centre, however. I’ve attracted comments on the way down, but if your team is promoted, how can it be an odd thing to don suit, tie, Bristol Novelty Ltd boater and rosette?

Good atmosphere in the pub. PfMF couldn’t get a ticket, although he’s joined by AW, SDK and Welsh Mick from Dunny. They’re all hoping against hope, and talking up the possibilities for getting onto the pitch at the end of the game. There’s surprisingly little chat about the match – everyone’s reminiscing about this and previous seasons and looking forward to the post match celebrations.

562a. Sat 8/12/18: The Black Horse, Luton

Beer: Oakham JHB

StCF Harper very pleased to see me. He’s been stymied by the Horse’s wifi not working, having no cash, and thus not being able to pay for a drink already poured for him. 

We’re in before and looking forward to the Fleetwood game. The weather’s a bit on the grey side. For some reason, there’s some pessimism and a feeling that this will be the game (Luton Town) slip up. The last couple of games haven’t been as fluid as those immediately leading up to them. And Fleetwood are in form and have “a character name” manager who’s trying to play mind games. Sadly for him, he’s not got much of a mind.

Are you looking at my pint?

AW down for a drink. We vaguely chat about our musical exploits, or recent lack thereof. Something to address in the new year. Or even earlier, I suggest, if I can remember and get round to calling Doug.

762a. Fri 12/07/19: Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter 3.8%

Things are much busier than normal when I arrive at The Bricks. Certainly noisier, and certainly outside and in the back bar. Most of the back bar noise comes courtesy of a load of Spurs fans, one of whom is keen to assert that he’d told everyone Gareth Bale would go on to be a great player during his time with the North Londoners. One hell of a perceptive guy; there’s no keeping some people down.

No L8s this evening, but TPK and I are pleased to be joined by AW, PtMF and SRW. I have a tiny panic at the bar and order a JHB. There’s a Nethergate which I didn’t care for on my last time in, and the Festival beer, which I’m not sure about. I try the Festival later, mind, and it’s absolutely fine.

By then, we’ve sat in the front bar. It’s a bit jukeboxy, but not crowded and – unlike the back bar – there’s a breeze, courtesy of the front door.

Thereafter, a pleasant evening of chat. The music is a little loud and past its best, though the consensus round the table seems to be that annoying music isn’t as annoying as it used to be. Familiarity breeding contempt on the one hand; on the other hand, contempt isn’t the haughty anger it used to be. There’s some discussion of whether to re-boot The Knockouts before Christmas and how to proceed and what to do. AW also suggested he could recommend some of the bands playing at an event I’m off to in November.

441a. Mon 2/7/18: The Bricklayers Arms, Luton

Beer: Oakham Jeffrey Hudson Bitter 3.8%

Pub quiz. Our team is rocked by the non-appearance of A-Haitch, who’s bushed. As is customary these days, the locals claim tables with place markers (strategically placed pints and bunches of keys). We perch around a table dragged in from the back bar, pick a bad joker and slump to LAST PLACE at the break.

It gets worse. There’s a round about the songs from The Lion King. I’d like to blame Pete, our emergency fourth member, for this. But I think it’s me who pushes for “Gatwick Airport” on a question where the answer is “One Hundred Acre Wood”. Somehow, after who knew what, we didn’t come last.

We do, however, need A-Haitch back in the team on the next solstice.