A report from Stephen Chew of the latest Wednesday evening social run.
It was the annual visit to Castle Halliday for last night's pub run. The added bonus of having a brewery owner in your club meant quality cheap ale. We also did this trip instead of going to the Hare and Hounds where Graham Wadsworth is not enamoured with the bar steward. So making my excuses, I managed to duck the run (partly because I was knackered and partly because John "satnav" Boothman was stroking his satnav watch with a glint in his eye) and headed straight for the self service bar area located in Big Dave's man cave. Once I started supping there was no stopping me and just to make sure I got my fair share I positioned myself in behind the bar and became the Bar bitch for the night. There was also a quality BBQ on offer when Dave got back. The banter duly started after the beer started flowing freely. The first thing to come to the group's attention was the tinted highlights Screw was sporting and this quickly shifted to the obvious tinting in Ian Beresford's eye brows. How these people slip through our vetting process is beyond me. To be fair though, they were rescued by the fact that the ultimate metrosexual Andrew Carson was in attendance, making anyone look manly. On to the main event anyway. When beer is drunk, it usually goes one of two ways, witty banter (my personal favourite) or showing the other males in the group who the alpha male. Jimmy Craig never misses the chance and managed to find a ledge above the garage door (which he had to be lifted up to) to see how many pull ups could be done. There were a few impressive attempts at knocking out the pull ups. Poor man's Jason "Lucas Payne" Statham was in particularly good fettle and duly bettered all the competition. It was at this point Jon "drip tray" Boothman must have become mesmerised by Lucas' performance as he coolly leant back to get his pint and rest against the bar, he managed to miss it and slip off the end and wedge himself in the box of empties. Now doing his best impression of a ladybird prostrate on its back, squealing for help, the room just watched and laughed in true Barlick fashion. Once we had finished laughing, we helped him from his self made man trap and continued to watch the Jimmy Craig show. As usual the last men standing apart from Big Dave were Screw, Chew, Boothman and Craig. As always a top night with great people, just as it was at Castle Boothman two weeks ago. Thanks to Dave and Louise for another top night. Also thanks to the Boothmans for a quality evening two weeks ago. The pub run remains the heartbeat of the club long may it continue.