The new Caley Sample Room

Hurrah! You might remember me and my drouthie cronie Gordon being more than a little worried that our favourite local pub, the Caledonian Sample Room (right along the road from the award-winning Caledenian Brewery near my flat, the finest brewery in the known universe) was in danger of shutting down. Then we heard from one of the barmaids who is used to seeing our drunken arses in there that it had been bought out and was closing down to refurbish. Well, it re-opened this weekend and Gordon and I trotted in for a couple of pints to check it out. Okay, a couple of couples... But yes, it is re-opened, repainted, repainted (still smelling faintly of fresh paint actually), new chairs (including some battered old leather armchairs which we settled into and just know are perfect for relaxing in over the coming winter while drinking Caley 80 and talking cobblers) a big food and wine menu added (hey, we may now get Mel to accompany us to it - she was never a fan before).

But it is still the Caley, still has the award winning ales from just along the road. Although the new barmaid didn't understand what I was asking for when I ordered two pints of 80, which in the Caley Sample, home of the Caley brewery ales, is a bit daft (both I and the regualr barman had to point out the requisite pump to her, and I could insert a rude joke about pumping and blonde barmaid here, but you will notice I am not, such is my maturity these days...). Anyway, couple of hours relaxing in comfy armchairs with chesnut-coloured 80 shilling ale being quaffed and shooting the breeze... Ahhhhh, we've come home... In a world gone mad with invasions, unlicensed nuclear weapons (as opposed to the safe, regulated ones we civilised nations have) and teachers in veils wondering why people think WTF we had our little space of relaxation and peace... Feck it, stick Kim Jung shortarse in there with Dubyah and a few pints of Caley and 4 hours later instead of arguing they'd be happy, drunk and telling each other how they were their best mate. That's my attempt at international diplomacy; it may not be sophisticated but it ain't as lame as the type our overpaid representatives are managing, is it? Worth a shot...