A Stormy Day in Warrington

Water Street, Liverpool, from the Pier Head

Today was also wet and stormy, though there were sunny spells.

My brother thought he might come up to Liverpool for the football match. Staying the night at our sister’s. We thought we could meet for a few drinks after the game. Due to the weather, he decided not to come; like me, he doesn’t like driving in bad weather. Sensible.

John wasn’t playing out today either; he wanted to watch the Liverpool match.

So I was on my own.

If I was at home, I’d have stayed in: writing, reading, listening to music and watching telly with my wife. Unfortunately, I didn’t have much to do in Liverpool; boredom would have set in quickly.

I decided to go to Warrington. I had a few drinks there last May. I wrote about it here. Seemed like a good idea.

It’s easy to get there. The number seven bus goes there, stopping 2 or 300 yards from Alison’s. I often catch this bus to town. I’ve never caught it in the other direction. Today was the time to do this. It was a pleasant enough journey; it took just over an hour.

First, I had a couple of pints in the Lower Angel. It’s still an excellent pub, though the prices have gone up a little.

I then went to the Hop Emporium for beer and some food from the market’s cookhouse hospitality area. On this visit, I was not impressed; I had a single pint and went back to the Lower Angel.

Unlike my previous visit, the seating area was full of families eating. I didn’t feel like any of the food on offer. This isn’t a place for me to visit at weekends and when the children are on holiday.

I now had a problem: where to eat? I had no idea and didn’t want to chance it. Thinking about this over a pint, I remembered the Weatherspoons in Huyton was in the Good Beer. It often is. Barker’s Brewery. The number seven passed the pub, so I decided to eat there.

I had an all-day brunch, which was nothing to write home about. And a pint.

Then back to Alison’s for the dreaded quizzes, in the wind and pouring rain.

Today was one of my least favourite days this year. The clocks going back this morning didn’t help. On a scale of 1 to 10, today was a 3. (Alison, when you go away for a week, can you arrange for good weather here.)

Still, I no longer need to think about catching the bus to Warrington. Been there, done that, now.