Anchored in Worthing & the Biggest Pie Ever !

Gloria's Glorious Game Pie

One of the many highlights of the Goodwood Revival festival meeting is the opportunity to visit Nigel at the best Micropub in Sussex, if not the world. With a revolving smorgasboard of beers and ciders from across the county what's not to like. With the added touches of host Nigel (and Debs) and fascinating regulars the Anchored in Worthing, is not too be missed.

On this visit Nigel excelled by asking regular Gloria to produce her Game Pie with Rabbit, Pheasant, Venison, Boar ........ A chat with Gloria later revealed  that the moisture within was maybe as a result of the meats being soaked in Brandy for 24 hours prior to cooking!!!!!! This was a big pie, with a big taste and encased in a hot water pastry, which considering the size I'm amazed.

This is certainly the  biggest pie we have come across and one of the tastiest. We brought a slice home and it was devoured very quickly. Once again big thanks to Nigel, Debs, Gloria, regulars and irregulars for a memorable trip!

Festival of Speed, Goodwood - Search for Pie

Big thanks to staff at Pieminster Pies for providing a large enough shirt to fit the average pie muncher before heading off to the wonderful festival of Speed in the search of Pie.

As ever we were dedicated in our search of pie, but to no avail apart from the ones we brought ourselves ( For emergency purposes only) and the delicious offerings provided by the Best MicroPub in Sussex, Anchored In Worthing

Although Pie was difficult to find motor vehicles of shapes and sizes were not, at this glorious dedicated petrolhead convention. Our first visit and mighty impressive it was. Busier than the revival meeting but just as well organised. 

The weather was very kind over the whole event. We were there for all four days which beforehand we had wondered if there would be enough to keep us occupied. How mistaken we were. On the last day walking to the exit we were still finding new displays and cars to see!

There were beautiful, unusual and very fast vehicles to oggle at all over the event. The track action was varied/brilliant and the offroad rally stages were just superb. Sebastien Loeb going up the up hill in his Pikes Peak car was spellbinding.

Steak Pie , Edwards of Conwy

Steak Pie, Edwards of Conwy

"I didn't know Cow could taste so nice" 

The last time we had this pie this comment was freely given within a few moutfuls of tasting this, almost, pie perfection. We are a big fan of Edwards of Conwy and any excuse to visit we take.

Recently returning from Holyhead we stopped in anticipation, eager to see the new shop layout and try some pie perfection. We chose a variety to eat and take home but the Steak Pie was the one we were looking forward to. 

This is good. A very good pie, with great colour, great quality chunks of meat and delicious tasty gravy. But it is no longer almost perfect. Something has changed  and specifically the pastry top. It's become thick and ...sticky? The pastry on top was at some points quite thick, dry and stuck to our teeth. We bought two as the Pie Tribe are not good at sharing !!! Both were the same.

Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad but Edwards of Conwy are way above your average purveyor of Pies. It's still an 8.5/10 but this has changed and it's not close to perfection any more.

Steak & Ale Pie, Valley Butchers...Best Pie Ever?

Possibly the best Pie ever?

The Pie tribe have been lucky this week to spend time on Anglesey one our favourite places and home to master purveyors of all things meat, Valley Butchers.

The weather was not kind, blowing a gale and lashing it down. So back to our accommodation and sit it out with a glorious Steak and Ale Pie to devour. 

What a delight from start to finish. The selection in the shop was poor but only because they were selling out as fast as they can make them. The pastry was excellent, no air gap, great gravy, noticeably ale punch and chunks of meat to savour. It was definitely something to savour leading one Pie tribe member to offer a score of 10/10 for it.

Whilst this is a top Pie, easily in my current top 5, I cannot bring myself to offer 10/10, otherwise I may stop dreaming of pies. So on this occasion we will give it a 9.2/10. To test for consistency we bought two and neither disappointed !!! Service was great in the shop, pies are freshly made on the premises and can't wait to go again.

Basement Light

Just over a week ago I sat alone in the dark of a basement in a house in a residential area of a small town. A low wattage light cast a very low light on the room and with a few minutes of adjustment little was to be seen apart from the embers of a small brazier. 

A dog began to bark in the distance, footsteps, some hurried, are heard and muffled conversations as individuals pass the small rectangular windows above my head at pavement level.  

The lights percolating through from the street outside flickered slightly and unevenly. A dull muffled bass sound could be heard intermittently. The pace of steps outside increased, a low rumble in a slowly gathering crescendo is perceived and the crack of gunfire can be heard as the voices outside begin to shout with some urgency.

The noise overheard gathers pace and the light in the basement imperceptibly twitches in response. At street level vehicles race by and there is a lull in the crescendo briefly but then breaks to be overtaken by a noise I’m not really familiar with. It doesn’t sound like a lorry, more like a steamroller clanging across some cobbles. As it gets closer and eventually passes the house it is obviously a tank. Its massive tracks squeal and vibrate the house causing the light to dance about creating patterns on the ceiling. 

As this thunderous noise begins to abate the rat tat tat of anti-aircraft fire takes over to add to the volume of noise. The level of noise increases as approaching planes and their payload arrive ominously closer.  The basement is loud, dark and vibrating with a deafening roar the like of which I’ve never heard. Then as I wondered what would happen next and ask myself can it get any louder or intense without the walls crashing down, it begins to recede. 

The light in the basement begins to stop swinging gently, as the noise seems to ebb away, the dog isn’t barking anymore and a baby begins to cry………..

I was sitting in the basement of a house in the town of Bastogne in Belgium. The basement was part of a recreation provided by 101^st Airborne museum to be found there. I couldn’t help think of the people in the Gaza strip and basements in other conflicts all over the world. I can’t attempt to appreciate the hell they endure but I hope the lights are still tonight in their basements.

Anchored In Worthing: Piefest South

Not Mrs Miggins, but the lovely Debs with Pie

Georgio and I last weekend enjoyed the delights of the Goodwood Festival of Speed. We stayed in Worthing about 20 miles away. On our last visit to Sussex we found the delightful Anchored in Worthing, our first micropub and run by the bewhiskered genial host Nigel. Small in size but big on hospitality.

So just before we set off some new pies were purchased from S J Bebbington Butchers, for lunch and also to introduce to Nigel/customers at the Anchored in Worthing. 

So we had the very new creation, Cheshire Cheese Spring Onion & Chives Pie which was delicious and well received (9/10). The other offering from Bebbingtons was the Pork Pie with jelly. Is there any other? The fact that it stated Jelly with it was slight different to give it a try. Now as with all Bebbingtons tasted so far the meat is of very high quality and the pastry is good. Not too thick and moist. I personally was just a tad disappointed with the jelly content as my anticipation levels were high, hoping it would be oozing with jelly but not so (8/10). However it is still a very good pie and better than the majority. 

Nigel MicroPub Master @Anchored in Worthing

We had arrived in Worthing pretty tired and a bit later than expected but the welcome was fantastic. Nigel and partner Debs had arranged for a fresh delivery of their own favourites from a local bakery/cafe "The Pantry Bakery" in Worthing. Handmade and fresh what a joy. So as well as the two types we had brought we had a huge sausage roll (9/10), a Chicken Wild Mushroom & Tarragon Pie (8.5) and finally  a Lamb Carrot and Thyme pie (8.75/10) to taste.  

Add to this Nigel's current menu of locally sourced beers and ciders.....OH HAPPY DAYS !! We fell in love with the Black Pig Orchards, Perry Cider. Big thanks to Nigel, Debs, regulars and irregulars for some great evenings. Pie, chat, impressions and laughter with no TV, jukebox, bandits or louts !!

Cheshire Cheese Spring Onion & Chive Pie and Pork Pie with Jelly

Status Quo at CPOP 2014

Rick Rifftastic - Status Quo at CPOP 2014

To complete an almost perfect day the Cholmondeley Pageant of Power organisers laid on the mighty rifftastic Status Quo to end the day supported by the RPJ Band and Toseland. Our party was slightly slow to join the crowd as we were distracted by a barbecue and the odd libation. But with the weather holding off, we wandered across to a sell out, but not packed out, arena to grab a spot.

We opted to stand rather than take a chair which many had, to take advantage of the natural slope of the arena area. We arrived just as RPJ finished and they seemed to go down well. They sounded alright during rehearsals earlier on. Toseland, led by former World Superbike Champion James Toseland, were pretty dire though. 

Quo however were as ever fantastic. Mr Rossi moaning about the cold, Mr Parfitt grinning from ear to ear and the band as a whole determined to have a good time. 

This attitude coupled with some top songs makes for a great time which the crowd were happy to join in with. Sales of blow up guitars and atrocious long wigs were going down a storm, just like the band. 

They played a fairly mixed bag of songs from throughout their career including some recent stuff as well. Obviously a high spot for certain pie eaters was hearing the Chicken Song in all it's glory, otherwise known as "Whatever You Want". Listen to the intro and you'll understand !! It did rain a little bit towards the end but made back to the Beefmeister Wagon before it rained full on.

CPOP Pie Tasting

The day before CPOP we had been attending a wedding in Yorkshire and briefly stopped in Skipton en-route, following a recommendation on Pies. Spoilt for choice we bought four from two purveyors of pies ( J Stanforth Butchers and Farmhouse Fare ) and decided to have a group tasting for the best feedback.

Pie Panel limbering up for tasting session - CPOP2014

A definite plus to our visit this year was the Beefmeister Wagon in attendance , which meant that meals (inc a Barbie) were enjoyed in some comfort and libations could be had with no driving compromising any one.....Happy days !!!

It also meant we could give some serious attention to some pie tasting. Four pork Pies had been selected from two exceptional providers, existing no more than 50 yards apart. From both we chose a Pork & Black Pudding Pie to compare. We also had a Pork & Cranberry (Farmhouse Fare) and a Pork & Chilli ( J Stanforth Butchers) offering to taste. Below is a summary of a group impression of each

J Stanforth Butchers

Pork and Black Pudding Pie - Good pie and the black Pudding element was tasty and moist. A frequent observation when Black pudding is in a pie, is that it is dry & crumbly which this definitely was not. However the Pork was a little bland by comparison. The pastry was ok and jelly was present. 7.5/10

Pork and Chilli Pie - The seller did, as we were leaving the shop, issue an understated guide that this was a tad on the warmish side !!! Wow it was hot. It does come with a warning on the outside as a Skull and Cross Bones is raised up in the pastry! We liked it but the over riding experience was heat which again overshadowed the Pork element, considerably in this case. An excellent Pie for bonfire night or at football match in the bleak midwinter. 8/10

Farmhouse Fare
Pork and Black Pudding Pie - A good Pie, nice pastry, tasty pork, jelly present but an underwhelming Black Pudding experience. Not a lot of it, dry, crumbly and little taste.  8/10 

Pork and Cranberry Pie - A mixed response from our panel. I liked it, it was moist and tasty, sweet and savoury. But not for everyone. 7.5/10

Overall we thought if you could combine the two Black Pudding pies you would be close to perfection. The Pork & Chilli was hot, very hot which helped build a thirst! The Pork & Cranberry is very much down to whether you like the combination. To see some close ups images follow the link to idreamofpies facebook page https://www.facebook.com/Idreamofpies

Obviously we look forward to tasting more from either emporium as the standard and devotion is high. Chatting to the guy in Stanforths he informed me that they sold and made on site 10,000 of their little beauties a week. We presume they have a thriving wholesale side to their business or Skipton residents munch more pies per person than any other place in Britain! Which is understandable after trying these.

Cholmondeley Pageant of Power 2014

Lamborghini Aventador - CPOP 2014

We had been looking forward to this years Cholmondeley Pageant of Power event, quite a lot and we were not to be disappointed. It was great to go as group but we did miss a couple of friends at the last minute. This year the weather was superb and the only problems encountered were sunburn, overheating and hay fever.

As ever the track action was great. Getting around the paddocks to get up close to some amazing vehicles, was as ever, brilliant. The theme was Italian this year hence the beautiful Aventedor pictured above amongst a number of other, 4 and 2 wheeled delights.

Chevrolet Camaro BRUT FORCE - CPOP 2014

We were particularly taken with the Classic Scrambling though, which had two sessions and was captivating to say the least. Although here as a demonstration event, it was still competitive and somewhat dangerous, including some broken ribs.

One Handed ! - CPOP 2014

Gods Own Pie Shop, Skipton

I sat pondering as to which route to follow to go to a wedding in Ripley, North Yorkshire when a message via flickr alerted me to, it claimed,  a mighty fine Butchers that is "God's pie shop". That decided it, over the top via Skipton, with perhaps a brief stop if time permitted .......

J Stanforth Butchers, Skipton

The pie recommended to me was a Black Pudding and Pork Pie from J Stanforth Butchers, Skipton. However what this fellow Pie muncher did not tell us was that another award winning pie emporium was located just 50 yards away around the corner called Farmhouse Fare Pies & Sausages, "Supreme Champion Great Northern Pork Pie Competition".

Farmhouse Fare Pies & Sausages, Skipton

Wow I couldn't believe my luck, two mighty fine producers of pies within a hop skip and a jump of each other. Now there may be more lurking about but we didn't have time to explore further so more reason to go back to the lovely town of Skipton. As to the Pies well read on for the full report on our four purchases.

Ripley Castle with Tom & Michelle

Ripley Castle & Gardens, Beautiful

Big congratulations to Tom and Michelle, on getting married and choosing such a wonderful place as a Ripley Castle and Gardens, which was truly fascinating. 

We had a great time witnessing your special day and hope you had a memorable time too. Particularly liked the string quartet playing Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve, most excellent, the sweets, the view, the service, the guests ....

Tom & Michelle, Beautiful

Recovery Pie

Chatwins Steak Pie

To aid recovery after 34 miles of walking a day off was booked, which in hindsight was an excellent idea. It allowed us to keep moving slowly but moving, as sitting for any period and then moving was painful. Possibly a better decision was to call in at the local Chatwins for a recovery pie. Something reliable and tasty.

Their Steak Pie was chosen and as ever, was of an excellent high standard. A little bit on the pricey side for the High Street but it is consistently good, warm or cold and on this occasion (8.5/10).

Pie, Precipitation and Parkinson's

Over the course of the first full weekend of June, in the company of good friend Georgio Dragonslayer we walked the Sandstone Trail to help raise funds for Parkinson's. I am pleased to say that we completed the task and have raised approaching £700.00 in the process with donations still being received. 

The walk starts in Frodsham not more than 100 yards from the front door of Sue Coward's home made pies, so a Pork pie each was purloined to fortify us en-route.

The weather was atrocious and we started in lighting, thunder and heavy downpour. We just got into a rhythm, heads down and steadily made our way through the soaked first few miles of the walk. Eventually we needed a break and sheltered under a dripping tree. We decided it was Pie time. Unable to give  a detailed report on the normally high quality pies from Sue Cowards due to the fact it was wolfed down rather quickly and I can't remember !!!

Anyone wishing to make a donation can do so via this JustGiving link http://www.justgiving.com/Chris-Knight7

Pork & Apple Pie: S.J. Bebbington Butchers

Pork & Apple Pie, S.J. Bebbington Butchers

A treat from SJ Bebbington Butchers, selected and provided by Mrs Pieman, though not sure what we'd done to deserve it? What an  excellent choice. Perfect size, nice moist pastry, excellent meat, some jelly and a topping of sliced apple cooked to a great finish.

Not the first time we've had the combination but often the apple is a mush, tasteless or quite sharp. This was very tasty, very nice and definitely a 9/10. 

Elvis Fontenot & The Sugar Bees: Swamp and Sweat

Cajun/Zydeco excellence from the Bayous of Staffordshire

Another intense night of pleasure and delight as Elvis Fontenot & The Sugar Bees rip through two sets at the Old Brown Jug as part of the Newcastle-Under-Lyme Jazz and Blues Festival. The evening doesn't start well with the previous band overrunning and delaying the set up for the band. They rip through a sound check quickly with the venue filling rapidly and the temperature rising. The sound is excellent and well worth the wait though.

As ever the band appear to be on tip top form and the night is lively but cramped! The venue's decision to leave a huge dining table and chairs right in front of the band was odd to say the least. With the crowd even busier than the last time we saw them here and dancing/viewing room at a premium, it was a shame.

The band went through some familiar tunes of their own, some covers and some new songs giving a nice mix, cranking the audience up to a lather. The second set saw them into their stride. The songs, sound and performance by all the band is infectious with the Fontenot effect kicking in all over the pub. Even from those who couldn't see, with jigging/singing/tapping/shaking/dancing breaking out all over.

Particularly taken tonight with Caroline and the appropriate, given the atmosphere, Hot Tamale Baby.

I cannot recommend going to see them more highly, prepare to be stung. If they don't put a smile on your face and a spring in your step,  then seek medical advice !

Elvis Fontenot & Sugar Bees. The Old Brown Jug. Newcastle Under Lyme

Two from the Village

Pork Pie with Georgio Dragonslayer

In recent nonths along with good friend Georgio Dragonslayer we have been enduring a number of training walks to build up our stamina for a walk to raise funds for Parkinsons. On this particular occasion we were walking from Talacre to Mostyn and back. 

It was decided to stock up with some essentials from  a bakery we knew of in Talacre. Alas it has had either a change of ownership or supplier as the offerings were in origin from Village Bakery, Coedpoeth/Wrexham.

The Pork Pie was ok, but uninspiring , a bit dry, bit salty and little or no jelly (6/10). At the end of the walk the Peppered Steak slice was heavy of pastry, dry on the mouth and short on steak, very disappointing (5/10). 

If you would like to sponsor us for any amount to complete, then please email me at idreamofpies@hotmail.co.uk and I will forward details of how you can make a contribution to such a great cause, thank you.

Peppered Steak Slice, Village Bakery

Pork Pie Massive

Hand crafted at SJ Bebbington Butchers

In honour of a special birthday landmark a Pork Pie of prodigious scale was commissioned by the Pie tribe with S J Bebbington Butchers of Westminster Park. Not the easiest of tasks but achieved with some aplomb by the master butchers and pie makers of S J Bebbington Butchers.

The crust was excellent, considering the amount of Pork it had too hold !! The meat/texture was delicious and consistent throughout. Despite it's size it hasn't lasted long. Big thanks to Stuart and team for a memorable pie.

Top Pie !!

Steak & Stilton Pie, S J Bebbington Butchers

Steak & Stilton, S J Bebbington Butchers of Chester

We often judge people by outward appearances and more often than not we are wrong. Pies are no different. I may have some personal preferences for how a good looking pie should look but none were activated when glancing at this Steak and Stilton pastry offering from SJ Bebbington, Butchers. Nice colour, good shape and tidy is what you need. To this end a lot of pies look alike.

So I was no more excited than usual when I cut this pie in half to share. WOW did this look good when cut in half ! It is rare to cut into a steak pie and be presented with a solid wall of meat and gravy, without a huge air gap at the top (Ginsters take note). What a delight for the eyes and the taste was excellent. I shared this with a fellow pie muncher and we both said 9/10 without pausing for the next bite. It was a delicious combination of moist pastry, gravy, lean meat and Stilton after kick. I doubt I will be sharing the next one I have !!!!

Dave Sharp - Troubadour

Dave Sharp, Troubadour. The Venue. Lymm.

Tonight was one of those nights when my enthusiasm for live music, if in any way depleted, is restored to a high robust healthy level. All it takes is passion, craftsmanship, generosity of spirit and an obvious enjoyment by the performer of what they are doing. No going through the motions, but good honest endeavour that can entertain and inspire in equal measure.

As with Neil Finn, Mr Sharp meandered through his solo catalogue and provided personal interpretations/reworkings of classics by Woody Guthrie, Bob Dylan, Paul Simon...... I found it mesmerising watching him play as his fingers danced over the frets with an ease than will shame others and mystify me. Watching a craftsman at work like this is such a pleasure. There were songs I did not know the name of or understood all the words to , but I got lost in the music anyway. 

His passion and chat was just right to keep the momentum going through the evening. The audience at the Venue, Lymm though not large was appreciative and Mr Sharp was generous in his effort.

I knew not too expect any Alarm tunes and was not concerned by that I was here to listen to Mr Sharp. But I am delightful when it happens, as with One Step Closer To Home which is quite removed from the Alarm recorded version. 

But a great song is great song however it is played. When it is played by the person who wrote it it always takes on some magic of it's own. I have been privileged to have enjoyed Mr Sharp gigs before and this was excellent in so many ways.

I was lucky to sit and chat with him before the gig which was stimulating and rewarding in itself. Can't wait for another opportunity even if it involves some Hard Travellin.

Pork Pie at The Venue, Lymm

Pork Pie, The Venue Lymm

In preparation for making our way to a gig we contacted "The Venue"  to clarify some arrangements. What a delight to be answered with the offer of Pie to sample, happy days.

The Pie in question was a Pork Pie created by Ward's Butchers in Stockton Heath, Warrington. The enthusiasm of the seller Alley Clarke and staff at the Venue, Lymm was infectious to say the least. Their attention to detail by providing a range of sauces to accompany the pastry offering, was to their credit.

The pie itself was good in all aspects. The pastry was good not too thick or dry and enough to hold the contents together. The meat was tasty and not dependent on too much Salt (as a lot are). I would like a little bit more jelly but that is a personal preference. A combined score from myself and the dragonslayer would give it an average score 8.25/10. It also looked good which helps. I'd definitely eat it again and will have to pay Ward's a visit at some point! Many thanks again to the team of Pie enthusiasts at The Venue, Lymm.

Neil Finn:Dizzy Heights

Neil Finn, Birmingham Symphony Hall

Big thanks to Mrs Dragonslayer for providing tickets to see Mr Neil Mullane Finn on his current Dizzy Heights tour. It's few years since we have had the pleasure of catching up with Mr Finn and we were not too be disappointed.

The gig was at the magnificent Birmingham Symphony Hall, which is a great venue. Sonically pretty good but I struggled to hear his voice a bit at times especially during the louder newer songs. 

However he was on his normal good form meandering his way through his current and past back catalogue even dipping into the Split Enz back catalogue much to our and the crowds delight. He played a good two hours including encores to cram in a good 28/29 songs. If you weren't happy tonight you never will be at a gig.

Particularly with the older songs Mr Finn pursued a policy of playing the songs in a different way by instrumentation, arrangement or tempo which mixed things up nicely and probably helps retains his interest in songs that are over 30 years old or more.

Personally I liked all of it but hearing those Split Enz songs was special especially I Got You, One Step Ahead (brilliant), Message to My Girl and History Never Repeats. He did reluctantly play Six Months In A Leaky Boat but only because he was badgered by an audience member which perhaps is not the best inspiration for a performance but he did it nonetheless. We like Neil Finn very much.

Edit this setlist | More Neil Finn setlists

British Beef Steak and Ale Pie: The Brasshouse

British Beef Steak & Ale Pie, The Brasshouse Birmingham

In Birmingham for Neil Finn gig, having made good time and feeling a tad peckish it was decided to grab a bite to eat in a nearby hostelry. We chose the Brasshouse on Broad street next to the canal and behind the symphony Hall, our ultimate destination.

The Brasshouse is a pub/restaurant in a converted foundry. Service and staff were pretty good. 

The pie was ok, a little bit disappointing and a 6/10 at best. It was not a pastry top serving which was great, the pastry was good, but the meat was a bit gristly and gravy ok. It was part of a deal,  two meals for a special price and this maybe why the portions were so miserly. My face fell as it it arrived !!

It was ok but could have been so much better. It was a bit cool but having covered it with the piping hot gravy it was better.

Holland's NEW Steak & Guinness® Pie

Holland's Steak & Guinness® Pie

Received the following news from Hollands Pies today regarding the new addition to their Gourmet range the Holland's & Guiness® Steak Pie

"This popular beer and pie collaboration offers a large 247g, deep-filled pie, with a slow cooked prime steak in a rich dark gravy infused with GUINNESS^® beer, and wrapped in Holland’s classic golden shortcrust pastry.  Holland’s wealth of knowledge and years of tradition have been used throughout the cooking process to ensure the final taste is pure perfection with the unmistakeable taste of GUINNESS^® beer.  This pie really is made of more!

 

This foodie craftsmanship is a first-class treat; its recyclable-box packaging also features handy cooking instructions on the front, and what’s more the pie can be microwaved in 4 minutes from fresh.  Available in Tesco stores from April 28^th, priced at £2.00 RRP.  Enjoy the new Holland’s & GUINNESS^tm  pie now!"

From our recent tasting session we think you will not be disappointed by this tasty offering. It is easy to eat !!

Creamy Peppered Steak Slice, Morrisons

Creamy Peppered Steak Slice, Morrisons

Whilst in training for forthcoming charity walk, pies have been low in consumption. However an opportunity presented it self as we drove through Caernafon and we were unable to resist a Creamy Peppered Steak Slice from Morrisons oven fresh offerings.

 

Not bad at 85p with a hefty pepper kick. Not for the first time Morrisons have done well.....7.5/10

Jekyll Vs Hyde FC

Hyde FC, bottom of the conference table. Not just bottom but adrift by 23 points from the next team and 36 away from Chester, were unlucky not to get something from this game. Much to the dismay of the Chester fans the referee, who was slightly older than my last haircut, didn't help matters with a truly woeful performance.

Chester with 25 mins or so to play were 3-0 to the good. Granted some of the goals were slightly fortuitous (the second was just so funny), but 3-0 up and to be then hanging on desperately and so badly was scary, like watching a horror movie from behind a cushion.

Bodies all over the pitch, the referee losing control and stopping the game. We think because he wasn't sure what to do! The red card was going to come and of course it didn't help matters and encouraged the Hyde team to keep trying. They scored from two free kicks taken virtually from the same spot.

However all in all it was certainly entertaining but I've never enjoyed Horror as genre and although comedy does have its place I'd prefer it not to be on the pitch. Four games to play and nightmares all the way.......

More importantly on a crisp sunny, threatening rain, day the Stadia version of Holland's Peppered Steak was the pie of choice and didn't let us down. Premiership taste and style unlike the football !

Pies with the Black Stuff: Holland's & Guinness®

Holland's Steak & Guinness® Top Crust Pie

Armed with baggy trousers and an empty belly we headed for The Albert Square Chop House in Manchester  for pie sampling courtesy of Holland's Pies. It was introduced and guided by the knowledgeable pie maker, author and chef Mr Tom Bridges. As ever his insight was informative and interesting. Our previous encounter with Mr Bridges inspired us to make our own !!

Mr Tom Bridges -  Chef, Author and Pie Master

The original invite, we presumed, was with some belated reference to St Patricks day but no, this was to do with the new collaboration with the manufacturers of the black stuff itself, Guinness® !!! The black stuff being in the Pie, most excellent.

Six varieties were provided and tasted, the stand out of which for me was the Holland's Steak and Guinness® Pudding. I mention this as puddings of this type have not been a big favourite before. This is not to say that the others weren't nice, they were, as many comments below will testify to, but this surprised and changed my taste buds.

Holland's Steak & Guinness® Pudding

In full we tasted Hollands Steak and Guiness® Pie. Not yet available but absolutely delicious with deep dark tasty gravy and beef to melt in your mouth. 

 
Hollands Steak & Guinness® Pudding - Another from the new collaboration with Guinness® and perhaps for me a surprising favourite on the night. I have not been previously a great fan of Puddings but this was gorgeous with a moist pastry that suited the contents perfectly. 

Steak and Guinness® Top Crust Pie. A meal in itself with carrots mushroom and beef soaked in Guinness ..... 

The Limited Edition Heroes Pie was next and this has been produced in  recognition of the start of the great war and in doing so harks back to ingredients and the style of the day. I found it bordering on the spicy
 and very eatable !!

Another surprise for me was the Pub Classics Chicken and Ham Pie. Not my favourite meat to have in a pie but this with its creamy sauce and encrusted Thyme made for a taste bud tremor.
 

Again from the Pub Classic range the newly released Peppered Steak. This is different from the stadia version or other versions we have tried from Hollands and although the last to taste it was a leader amongst Pies. The added pepper encrusting on the top gives that extra hit which makes this a top pie and we would give it the Hilda accolade of "I didn't know cow could taste so nice" 

A big thank you to the Hollands team, Guinness®, Tom Bridges and the Albert Square Chop House staff for an excellent evening. 

Mike Peters, Live Rooms - Chester

Eyes of the Hurricane, The Mighty Mike Peters, Live Rooms Chester

Our second visit to see the mighty Mike Peters in as many weeks on the Declaration tour. This time it was our first visit to the newly revamped and named Live Rooms. Which meant we could go to the gig, have a drink and walk home, a rare pleasure.

Our experience tonight was great. For watching bands the venue will be pretty good. Liked the upstairs balcony area for respite and a different view. Didn't like the bar prices and the quality of the liquid served. It was a tad overpriced and pretty poor quality even by plastic glass gig standards. However it is something they can improve upon and all others aspects of the revitalised venue was great. Look forward to going again soon and have bought tickets to do just that.

As it was the same tour the format and the set list were going to be pretty much the same but straight from the get go Mr Peters mixed it up a bit and by way of introduction encouraged people to shout out requests. Which they duly did and he duly responded straight away. 

This first set was different to Islington and one of the highlights for me was the version of "Deeside" which given the location was obviously well received. The lines "A little bit of love, a little bit of hope, a little bit of strength, some fuel for the fire" was particular poignant and apt tonight, for the two of us attending. 

Other songs which stood out were "Walk Forever" and "Blaze of Glory" which made us ponder on the past, the present and look forward to the future with our "Heads held up High". A great night all in all and for a variety of reasons one of the best gigs we've ever been to!!! A big thanks to MP, The MPO, Live Rooms and Jules who we chatted to at the end.

Georgio and Jules, Live Rooms Chester