Why On Earth Do People Go Out For a Meal?

[Serial_Apologist]

.

https://www.fullers.co.uk/brewery

And Hogarth himself buried in the church of St Nicholas just nearby -

https://cemeteryclub.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/william-hogarth-and-his-neighbours-in-a-chiswick-churchyard/

.

When I was over there on the bike, a month ago, down that very lane I was delighted to discover one of the very few remaining estimated pre-1500 half-timbered dwellings in London:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiswick#/media/File:The_Old_Burlington_XVth_century_Church_Lane_Chiswick.JPG

[BBMmk2]

When I was over there on the bike, a month ago, down that very lane I was delighted to discover one of the very few remaining estimated pre-1500 half-timbered dwellings in London:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chiswi...e_Chiswick.JPG

mazing what you can see, when you are out and about. What was the 'however' about?

[Cockney Sparrow]

In 2016, after a few hours at Kew Gardens, I took the Fullers brewery tour, which was interesting enough, with my two, twenty something daughters (in fact it was a birthday present). Work was underway to improve the exposition (but I'm not sure to what extent it was to improve the understanding of brewing, the history etc - or whether it was to better promote the present day products). Typically for our family, we'd tried to fit in too much - as we had tickets for the the Vasily Petrenko/ RLPO Prom - Rachmaninov’s Third Symphony, Shostakovich (first) Cello Concerto where Alexey Stadler stood in at very short notice. Excellent evening at the R Albert Hall (joined there by Mrs CS).

Getting back to Fullers - the tour was made by a (semi?) retired brewery worker who had reasonable presentation skills. We did (at the time) understand the brewing process and the occasion was a reverential visit to the home of my very favourite brew London Pride - which at the time was only rivalled by the very similar, and then confined to Scotland, Harviestoun's Bitter and Twisted.

I'm not sure I would have preferred a person just trained to be a slick presenter, but afterwards both my daughters, immediately remarked on the sexist attitudes and remarks evidenced by the guide. (I hasten to add it wasn't offensive, I don't think - just evident - its no surprise to me that in the industry concerned, Fullers obviously haven't undertaken the rigorous, constant Diversity training which has been the norm in the public sector for decades).

In any case I/we should have allowed more time - a rushed sample of London Pride followed by a couple of their other brews, including their Lager brew (which the senior daughter adopted as a favourite) - well it didn't do justice to the occasion. I hasten to add I drink conservatively in volume and slowly - so the samples I requested were more of a wine glass volume . I should have allowed the better part of the day to look up (Pevsner, etc) that part of London and take my time to savour the experience (not the better part of the day to stand at the bar......).

Perhaps I'll repeat the experience, taking in Chiswick and the River, on a day out - as a "day out alone" - next Spring or Summer.

[Serial_Apologist]

Perhaps I'll repeat the experience, taking in Chiswick and the River, on a day out - as a "day out alone" - next Spring or Summer.

Oh yes, DO that!

I guess many people choose to travel far and wide, variety being the spice of life, and yet omit to investigate their immediate surrounds. Like vinteuil, I've fallen in love with that particular stretch of the Thames since making it a day's bike ride destination last year. I still have several pubs along that particular towpath to check out for a lunchtime half, and usually a few friendly locals to strike up conversation with - something to make next summer something to look forward to!

[Bryn]

Oh yes, DO that!

I guess many people choose to travel far and wide, variety being the spice of life, and yet omit to investigate their immediate surrounds. Like vinteuil, I've fallen in love with that particular stretch of the Thames since making it a day's bike ride destination last year. I still have several pubs along that particular towpath to check out for a lunchtime half, and usually a few friendly locals to strike up conversation with - something to make next summer something to look forward to!

Way back I worked for a while as a telephone sales rep. for a printing machine manufacturer in Eyot Gardens. My lunch breaks were usually spent exploring that stretch of the Thames.