Hi. It’s been a while, eh? Apologies for the lack of blogging of late but due to a change in my circumstances I’ve tried to go through May without spending much cash. Throw in another financial setback this week and it’s fair to say that these blogs are probably going to be a bit more sporadic until I find a new housemate.

Despite May’s austerity measures I had budgeted for Saturday. May the 27th, or Sir Ray Graydon Day as it will forever been known to us Walsall FC fans as it marks the anniversary of our play off final win at The Millenium Stadium, Cardiff in 2001.

I left the house and there was a big yellow thing in the sky. Absolutely no idea what it was. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a sight like that. With alcohol incoming food was needed and Jack & Ada’s came up trumps on that front. Good music, great food and a relaxed atmosphere from the fellow customers, with the added bonus of two slices of fried bread with my breakfast. Absolute result. Two old ladies were enjoying fish and chips with a pint of Carling which was great to see. Very civilised. I always thought that a mug of tea with bread butter went best with fish and chips but I must try the Carling route soon.

Jase the landlord of Katz arrived and we had a nice chat as I finished munching but then we had a big decision to make. Walk to AJ’s Ales (about 15 minutes) or get the bus? It was too hot to walk and we decided we couldn’t waste drinking time so within minutes we were sat on the number 32.

My mates Sean, Sammy and Madels were already there so I grabbed a pint of Dukey’s Delight and joined them outside. The beer was absolutely bang on and so clear you could have stuck it in a wall and used it as a window. It was a glorious day and it was so good to finally have outside beers in England (I had some in Dublin in April). Sammy was noticing the warmth a bit more than the rest of us as the zip on her dress was attracting the heat. “Feel my hot zip” she instructed Sean which immediately had me thinking of those sex lines that you would see advertised in either Viz or the Sunday Sport, I forget which. Feel my hot zip 0898 xxxxxx only 75p a minute.

Across from AJ’s on Long Acre Street is The Crown Inn known locally as The Funny House. I’d heard that they are planning on turning this place into flats and as Madels and myself have had some cracking times in there I was hoping we could get one last visit in. Fortunately it was still open and word about it’s possible closure had got round as a few more first time visitee’s if that’s a word had come from AJ’s.

The jukebox had to be done. I walked up, with a song firmly in my head (I was even singing it aloud) but by the time I had worked out how to search for an artist the song had gone from my mind and even now I can’t recall what it was. There is a bit of stress with picking jukebox songs as hey have to be ones you love but you have consider the other customers, all this while your beer is on a table the other side of the pub getting warm. My mind went blank. Sammy came up and mentioned Led Zeppelin. Not my cup of tea by some distance but I did try and search for their songs but the juke box couldn’t find any. You do spell Led with a Q X and K don’t you?

The day before I’d purchased tickets to see Hard-Fi for myself and Madels so I went foir two of theirs, The Clash and as a nod to the recently departed Tina Turner I went for Proud Mary of hers.

Despite the full breakfast I still needed a snack so went for the classic of Scampi Fries. I noticed that there was one pack of dry roasted peanuts left which I felt a bit sorry for but scampi won. If peanuts still had pictures of scantily clad women behind them, I’m guessing that pack would have gone as it was on a prime position on the display. If spot the nipple was a thing like spot the ball used to be, that would have been where I’d have put my cross. Or pack of peanuts.

I made my first loo trip of the day and as I did Madels shouted after me “hey Evo, you’re right you have got a cracking arse”. I shouted “cheers” and a woman by the jukebox said “let’s have a look then”. Now I don’t normally need any encouraging to get my arse out but everyone was enjoying the sun, they didn’t need a moon this early in the day. So I kept my trousers on and just raised my t-shirt and gave her a wiggle. She loved it.

Friends of the blog Ade and Doug who I’ve not seen for yonks came in the pub too so it was nice to have a catch up with them. We were soon joined by Jon and after more booze we decided to head to the New Inn.

During the amble to the New Inn I suddenly needed a poo. I made it to the pub but had to run for the gents. Got in the cubicle and no toilet roll. Disaster. I headed back out into the bar. “Obviously” by McFly was playing. Great song and one that sums up my feelings to a couple of ladies and whilst I normally enjoy the song “This Is An Emergency” by Pigeon Detectives would have been more apt at this juncture. I explained the situation to Sammy and she disappeared into the ladies and came back with sheets of goodness. I left some on the back of the cistern for the next user as I am a Christian individual.

We sat outside and more snacks were incoming this time including Bombay Mix which I took full advantage of. Cheers to Jon for buying but they were so moreish and I think I ate the most by a good distance. I did express my apologies to Sean about this the next day during the general chat after we’d recorded the latest episode of The Long And Shot Of It. He said it wasn’t a problem and that when the packet is ripped open and put on the table it becomes a sharing platter for everyone. I replied “if you open the gates of hell, don’t be surprised if the devil appears”, which made no sense but I know what I meant.

We went inside to watch Luton win the play off final on penalties and the moved on to The Oak Inn at the bottom of Green Lane. Things you need to know about The Oak Inn (1) it sells varieties of Thatcher’s Cider. That is all. If that doesn’t do it for you then pop in anyway. Other booze is available.

A band were preparing to start. I’ve been in this pub many times but have never sampled the live music. I picked a good time to start. The opening numbers were “The One I Love” by R.E.M and “Paint It Black” by The Stones. Setting the bar high there. I didn’t catch the band name but they were really good and threw in two songs that I’ve never seen performed live “It’s The End Of The World As We Know It” by R.E.M and “Ca Plane Pour Moi” from Plastic Betrand. During my 8 months on furlough in 2020 my mission was to learn the latter as a nod to my French granddad but obviously when push came to shove I simply couldn’t be arsed. However I know the chorus well enough so gave that portions.

This was a great visit, a thoroughly great way to end a cracking day. As the clock struck 23 though the band finished and we all departed. After an odd discussion with Jon who was convinced he knew my way home better than me I said the goodbyes and headed back. (by my route, not Jon’s).