Be Nice…We’re Tripping In Nottingham

Wetting the baby’s head on a Tuesday afternoon?  In these ‘unprecedented times’ where there has been an ‘exponential rise’ in pubs being shut then ‘the new normal’ is Tuesday lunchtime celebrations.

I think the phrase anything goes is probably more apt and now the shackles are off it is great to see the people of the Midlands embracing pub openings in their masses.

Having spent yesterday in Derbyshire then under the #visitapubadayforaweek ruling, it was a great opportunity to pop into Nottinghamshire and a classic boozer.

612 – Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem NG1 6AD was the pub of choice for the dad who, by rather good fortune for the other two members of the party, was happy to be designated driver and let us sample the local delights!

I think this is the first time I’ve ever booked into a boozer but, needs must, and convincing Mrs BB that this was an essential trip always looks more feasible with a table booking…

Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem is a pub that most bloggers will have been to but it’s still mightily impressive and even sitting outside is one of the best views of a city boozer.

It’s built into the rocks of Nottingham Castle and there are caves galore inside and underneath the pub whilst it claims to be the oldest inn in England (along with a few others I suspect) but there is no doubting its history.

It’s Grade II listed and the first recorded landlord in 1760 was William Marriott whilst the current incumbent Karl Gibson, is nine years into his rein

and it looks like it will be hosting drinkers for a few hundred years more if this afternoon was anything to go by.

One of my pals negotiated with the barmaid who said we had a seat in the shade by the road but, once he had been round the houses, he persuaded her to put us in the sun. It was classic pub shenanigans/being a blaggard in order to get our way.

The atmosphere was crackling as lots of tables were taken with glasses raised at least three times to celebrate the arrival of a baby boy eight weeks ago!

(Stafford Paul’s front room)

Legend and EPA (Nottingham Brewery) were on top form whilst Gammon, egg and chips proved a good sideline as my first pub chat with pals post lockdown ensued…

Again, a good mix of society were in and I even saw ‘young people in a pub shocker‘ as a couple of groups of early twentysomethings were in (out) and enjoying themselves. This doesn’t fit with the national narrative of all youngsters house partying – surely national media outlets haven’t got it wrong…

(these weren’t the youngest punters!)

However, that didn’t stop one bloke from being a bit of a numpty as he arrived with his son on a bike for two and when he was told he had to book he shouted loudly “there’s loads of empty tables. Why can’t I have a quiet pint?”

His point might have been valid but the barmaid was top notch all afternoon and the adage is…Be Nice!   It’s not her fault you don’t like the rules and there are other boozers you can stroll into for a pint…

To make matters worse his bike had a bit of a wobble as he pedalled off still chuntering and everyone else had a chuckle and subsequently breathed a sigh of relief.

It’s not perfect but moaning at bar staff who are just following rules isn’t going to help.  However, that interlude aside, it was a marvellous afternoon of head-wetting and I think it is important these sessions traditions are maintained in constantly evolving times.

With five days off till I go back to work I will be trying my hardest to convince Mrs BB of more reasons to go the pub every day – all ideas welcome!