Today marked Hector’s third trip to Crawley in the last couple of months. In mid August, Lady Maggie phoned with devastating news, Lord Clive of Crawley had had a major heart attack, the prognosis was not good.
Last month, en route to Brussel, Hector had Ales with Lord Clive and Lady Maggie at Frogshole Farm and the Brewery Shades. Clive’s recovery has been remarkable, that is an understatement.
By 17.00, a significant cohort from Glasgow had arrived in Crawley. When Hector joined The Company at the Brewery Shades, Lord Clive had gone home to prepare for the evening at the Goffs Park Club. Dark Star’s (Partridge Green, West Sussex) Green Hopped IPA has featured prominently this week. This Outstanding – grapefruit in a glass – at a mere 6.5% was the Session Ale in the State Bar, Glasgow on Wednesday night. Here we go again…
Hector had time for one. With our respective spouses busy elsewhere, Hector had made plans with Debs for Curry-Heute at the best source of Curry in Crawley – The Downsman. Curry may be the attraction the Real Ale on offer here is too traditional, Strongbow (Bulmers/Heineken) was the accompaniment.
Around 20.00, The Company was complete at Goffs, all guests had to be ticked off the list on entry. We were upstairs; as non-members, plastic glasses were mandatory. The Fear of The Weegie?
Jonathan had fetched 30l of Pyraser Landbier (Pyras, Bayern) and 10l of Mühlen Kölsch (Mühlen, Köln, Nordrhein Westphalen, Deutschland) after our trip to Wolf last month. At Wolf we were given a Bottle of Sekt to take away after demolishing a few at one stall, this was here too. A Polypin of Harveys Best (Harveys, Lewes, West Sussex, England) was arranged by Clive, The Company knew what we would be drinking this evening.
Knowing quite a few of The Crawley Company, it was an Opperchancity to catch up. I may have only met Phil’s Lady once before. Niall took up position at the corner of the Bar as he does at The Swan. Colin with arm in sling, stayed near the door all night. Martin and Liz reminded me of a famous couple at Uerige in Düsseldorf.
Ross – The Son of Clive -, who was part of the ex-Army Group who rowed across the Atlantic earlier this year, introduced me to his Girlfriend. Had I ever spoken to Ross’ Sister – Kally – before? Tina, their Mother, I had not seen since Clive’s 50th Birthday Bash in Köln, ah the Singing Nun, who was not a Stripper…
All those who have ever been to Wolf were assembled for a photo including Locals – John and Jean. Jonathan presented the Sekt to Clive and Maggie who for obvious reasons did not make it this year. Next year…
A Buffet appeared, Hector was still full of Curry, just one Mini Sausage Roll? Our Company was relatively subdued early on. The DJ was playing Mellow Musik, quietly.
When the 1970s happened I know not, even The Hector was on the dance-floor for a minute until it was realised there was too long a gap before the next – good bit. There was no stopping Craig – London Calling.
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Jim produced a Bottle of Schnapps, Aileen was busy telling off her young brother, Alan. The Goffs’ Staff, who were Excellent, providing Plastic Shots Glasses.
The Mühlen was finished, the Pyraser was finished, the night was drawing to a close, or was it?
Around Midnight
Some took taxis, some walked, it was past Craig and Yvonne’s bedtime; nearly time for the Budgie Cage Cover anyway. Those still standing re-assembled at the Brewery Shades. David and Alison had missed the Party, they joined us. More Green Hopped IPA, then Closing Time.
(And thanks to the Staff here for finding, and looking after, my backup charger.)
The Bar, Restaurant-Bar and Social Club visited today:
Brewery Shades – 85 High St, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1BA
The Downsman Curry Club – Wakehurst Drive, Southgate, Crawley, RH10 6DH
Goffs Park Club – Old Horsham Rd., Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 8PE
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