Michael Palaeologus

I have to say that the Rye Hotel do was pretty blimmin brilliant. I shall sport a tiara more often.

Just in from a great night out at the Rye Hotel. Many thanks to Eva and Co. I feel proud that we were amongst the last to leave. HNY Forumites .............. Tired now, need sleep.

It does seem that some of us have a personal beef with Hoopers. A pub by an other names would smell as sweet. The jazz and the folk music and indeed the string quartet that was present during the last drinks there all provide a different experience to other pubs. Table football? Pool table? Nice enough, but a bit passe.

Many Congratulations Uncle Piers!!!!!!!!!!

Many thanks People. As a child having a Birthday only 6 days after Christmas and at the end of the actual year was a pain, I mean, it was a PROPER REAL WHOLE YEAR to the next one with nothing in-between. The "this is a big present for Xmas AND your birthday" thing was horrible and mean. Even as a small child I wanted to know why I couldnt have had small presents on both days like everybody else did. In my mid-40s (literally now) I still get far too much excitement from opening presents, even the office secret Santa ones, which I know will be chocolate genitals or similar. Of course a NYE Birthday now means that I always have a party to go to, although seldom with jelly and ice-cream. Anyway, to prepare for lunch and then Party!

The Rye Hotel's "Top Hat and Tiara" Party to celebrate NYE and my Birthday. I feel one of my heads coming on.........

I used to live next to the The Ivanhoe Pub - it was generally disliked by the local community. Jamie was quite right to rename it and he has worked hard to win people over - well done for doing so. I have been in Hoopers many more times than I ever went in The Ivanhoe.

I wasnt that impressed with The Duke's Sunday Roast - a bit bland I thought and rather pricey. The small portion size of the vegetarian option was laughable.

I have to put my hand up and state that I didnt like Inside 72 - too small, too loud for my taste. I was in the Adventure Bar last night with some chums. BOGOF cocktails all night, so we stayed there. Clearly the Adventure Bar is aimed at the younger market and it looked like it had succeeded last night. As Piers notes above, there are two extremes - the likes of the Castle at one end and Adventure Bar at the other. The rest sit in the middle. Has anybody been in Black Cherry since the extension at the back?

We went to the PC a number of months ago and it was very good. In my lengthy experience of currying, it is usually the loss of the Head Chef that causes the decline (or improvement) in the quality of food and indeed the disappearance of much loved dishes from a menu. I frequently stay in the village of Kinver in South Staffs. The Head Waiter from the favoured restaurant left and set up his own place just down the road and took the Chef and menu with him. We all followed soon after as the quality of service and food in the previously favoured restaurant fell through the floor. The restaurants do follow the Forum and debates such as this and a decline in regular custom should have a positive impact.

Worry not Chuff, Sean McG does not bite. He can, in extremis, raise an eyebrow in an exasperated manner; but never bite.

Well, we are a sort of online "Truman Show" our bletherings and occasional attempts at whit and humnour entertain a host of people throughout the Globe. Economic suicide aside, ED is like to become a tourist honey pot, with coaches pulling up outside houses .... "This is where the lovely Moos lives, if you each pay her ?10 she will let you take a photo or give you an autograph; for an extra fiver she will take her designer sunglasses off for the photo"

To my knowledge there are at least 2 relationships where love had been kindled through the Forum - and through the alcoholic fug of Forum drinks. The whispers are there that there have been numerous other liaisons of a more temporary nature ...... :-$

How can they resist?

A book of "amusing anecdotes" from around the country .... I think not. Slow Cooker - exellent present - dont be so ungrateful DM, you need something to cook brisket and other frugal foods in during 2009. Does any one know how to make ersatz coffee out of acorns?

Just finished one and a half rounds of Bacon sarnie with brown sauce washed down with hot tea. Num-Nums ...

Does he still sell his "special" to regulars? or Slip a pork sausage into your weekly ration of meat? To mix comedy references.

A Grey Grooving Wallflower though ..............

Jane Eyre - quite robust though, got hurled across the room a number of times. Enjoyed Wide Sargaso Sea

Dont be mean Moos, just cos your pullin' days are over.

.. and spends most of his free time playing shoot-em up computer games................

Mr Blobby?

JJF, you need to find a Partner. Clearly you are spending too much time on your own.

Morning all! Right, back to bed.

"Smile" oh right. Sorry, I always thought it was trapped wind and an ill-fitting top plate.