please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Changed hands again
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Have been to The Squirrel for drinks in the summer as it is nice to sit outside, especially when the balloon rides are taking off. Usually a good selection of local and guest ales on draught, and the wine list is good however a little expensive for a "pub"!
We also ate there at the weekend for the first time and have to say it was a wholly disappointing experience! When we finally made a choice from the over-priced menu that was actually still available it turned out to be very mediocre food that was delivered to our table. The risotto was just a sloppy watery mess and had no flavour to it at all and the pancetta garnish wasn't actually cooked well. We conveyed our disappointment to the waiting staff who offered the obligatory lack-lustre apology but that was as far as it went, and we were then presented with the large bill for our troubles. As my wife so eloquently phrased it, her McDonald's Happy Meal the day before was more inspiring! Needless to say we will definitely not be eating there again..
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This used to be a pub and now doesnt really know what it is. Bar now made over and like leatherette lobby of a motel: much of the character has been sucked out of the place. Best to sit in the garden on a sunny day! Beer was OK the other night. Struck off my list of interesting locals worth the occasional visit for a pint.
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Beers look good . Food looks good but there is somebody with a heavy hand with the salt in the kitchen. Sent back one starter because of excess salt. Both mains were so salty that our tongues were tingling. You would have thought they might have got it right with the mains. Waitress said she would let the chef know. Not much consolation for ruining our evening though, as that was the only acknowledgement of our complaint. Should have paid more attention to the comments on this site before we went. Won't be back.
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Just a quick update on the pub. Think i posted something on here a while back when it was in different hands.
Popped in to have Sunday lunch last week. The layout and style is much better than it used to be, although it definitely appears to target the 'gastro' rather than the 'pub' aspect.
Plenty of staff about offering table service but i always think would be better to have 1 staff person looking after a particular table rather than getting different people throughout the meal.
Good beers on tap. Mains ranging around �9-�18 mark. Usual gastro food. Burger was very dry and lacked imagination, chicken pie pretty good. Kids food was very dry and worryinly salty. Not sure would eat again here but might for a pint or 2.
I know this is a pub review site so apologies if this turned into a food review.
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Having visited The Squirrel for Sunday lunch yesterday, I was interested to read the comments below. I had a very enjoyable time and agree that the pub has a very welcoming character. However, I would not have Sunday lunch again at this pub. As stated below, the Yorkshire puddings were black and also, the parsnips were undercooked, as was the stuffing. I have dined at The Squirrel twice now and although both times, the staff and the character of the pub make it a lovely experience, the food is not up to scratch. On my previous visit, I ordered mushroom risotto - the rice was undercooked and therefore the food not edible. I informed the waitress who did not report it to the chef and I expected me to pay for food which I was not able to eat - I put this down to the particular waitress' lack of experience.
Everything on the menu sounds delicious - but I would be wary to order food there again.
My rating for the pub setting and going for drinks - 8/10, but food 2/10.
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Started to drink and eat here more regularly as the beers, food and service are excellent. I've always been made to feel welcome and the ever changing ales keep me going back.
Visited on Thursday night, which was Tapas night and had a great time again. Food and beer was great.
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I really think Talbot must have been in the wrong county let alone this pub. I drink there on a regular basis and ino way is this price realistic As a local I find it quite incredible that some of the comments are so unrealistic. I can only believe that they are from people that hold a grudge or do not get out enought. Instead of posting vitreolic comments on this site have you actually discussed your problem with the management?
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As one of the owners of The Squirrel I am very concerned to read "Talbot" comments and have requested an opportunity to discsuss Mothering Sunday further, especially the comments about the food quality . In addition we must have made a mistake with the bill as we dont charge �9.50 for whisky & ginger ale ?? I am sorry that we were not able to deal with the issues on the day and hope that we get the chance to make amends.
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Four of us went to the Squirrel for Mothers day and were very disappointed with the meal. We all had a roast dinner, the carrotts were very hard, the roast potatoes were hard and black on the inside. The yorkshire pudding was over cooked and black as black on the bottom. The cost of a whiskey and ginger ale was over the top at �5 for the whiskey and �4.50 for the ginger ale, making it �9.50 per drink.
All in all to pay �103.00 for the four of us for the meal that we were served was unsatisfactory. The only reason we didn't complain on the day was because my son was paying the bill and we didn't want to offend him.
We certainly wouldn't want to go there again.
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Weel kept bitter with 5 to selct from. The food is not cheap but good value. Friendly and polite staff. The locals also support this pub on a regular basis
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Bit lacking in atmosphere but food and ale were good.
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What a lot of fuss. Yes, it is more restaurant than pub but they have a few decent ales and it's a pleasant environment. The unrealistic views of some on this page suggest they'd sooner see it closed down. If I have anyting negative to say, it's simply that the garden is a bit blighted by noise from the A3.
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Top pub, went there when the summer was sizzling & sat in the garden and sampled all the real ales (including Hogs Back). There was a bunch of us with several little ones, garden is child friendly and the food was fantastic. Had the calamari, served in big portions, just the right amount of Chilli sauce and a perfectly poured pint of TEA. Great for large groups and I believe they are currently renovating the adjacent cottages currently to rent out as accommodation? Great location, will be interesting if still as inviting in the winter months...
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I must admit that I have only visited once since the pub has been re-opened but I had a lovely meal, the food was great although not cheap, but to be honest where is around here anymore? I had the steak, which was great, flavoured and tender and cooked just how I asked. There were many ales on offer and the staff were friendly. So I would suggest to go and make your own mind up!
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Well as promised went back to the Squirrel last week, to see if it had improved after my last review. There was four of us that particular evening, and each one of us had heard bad reviews about the food here, but we decided to go with an open mind, hoping that things had settled down and the quality of the food had improved. I can honestly say that the food hasnt, and it is overpriced for what you get, I cant believe you pay �2.50 for a small bowl of chips, (I would guess about 20 chips!!) I dont mind paying over the odds for an excellent meal, but the food here is below average with expensive prices. As I said before what a shame they arent paying a little bit more attention to detail, no one asked us if we were happy with our meal, staff were polite, but not friendly. As everyone knows in this business it doesnt take long to get a bad reputation, and so many local people are saying the same as me, in fact I dont think I have heard one person say anything positive about it - come on Squirrel sort it out, you have loads of loyal ex customers keeping our fingers crossed that you will improve.
MG100 - 24 Aug 2009 14:02 |
Went to visit the new "improved" squirrel after a recommendation from a taxi driver (don't ask...haha) and was rather dissappointed. The menu was somewhat uninspired and the drinks were horrendously overpriced...�7 for a large glass of wine!? You'd expect to pay that in London but not in a country pub surely?! Though I must admit our friends from the US were very pleased with the selection of lagers on offer even if they did cost an arm and a leg!
The staff were helpful though not particularly warm or welcoming and though there's no debating how professional they are both the husband and our friends agreed that the staff and decor lacked any real soul. The food was ok though to be honest it was nothing I couldn't have whipped up at home. Whoever has taken over has done brilliantly but its not for us and if I'm honest, didn't live up to its hype in the slightest. I wish them well but unfortunately we for one won't be going back.
esj08 - 19 Aug 2009 00:56 |
No body likes an annoying neighbour so shush now mr godalming guy - try not to get too personal you'll just end up looking a little bit sad.
[ Haven't been yet so no rating - looking fwd to it ]
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There is a rumor going round the trade that everything is not all well with the team behind this establishment, the farriers is up for sale �60000, 1.5k a month rent.
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The squirrel at Hurtmore - now taking after your average gastro pub such as Albany and Farriers in Guildford. Worth a visit nontheless.
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deancassell you recommend this pub above what? youv`e not been anywhere else !!!! ( a member of staff per chance?).
Good to here it`s reopened shame to here its more a restaurant than the village pub it should be. You can still serve food in a pub you dont have to kill the pub atmosphere,,, you know.
anonymous - 31 Jul 2009 10:28 |
This place is superb what a transformation! Great atmosphere, good beer and excellent food - I thoroughly recommend it.
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2 years since my last visit and it will be a good 2 years before we try again.It was poor on our last visit and it was the same now all thats changed is it`s had a lick of paint and the prices are much higher.Gone is the traditional pub feel, yes it`s clean and tidy but there`s no atmoosphere,much the same as the other pubs in this chain.
mylesgilbert dont say that you save pubs because you dont ,you change them (as said before by triunph) into restaurants that serve the odd beer all you care about is the number of people you get through the door not a toss about the history of the place it`s a wonder you didn`t change the name of this pub as well.
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I visited here on Saturday evening to sample the refurb and an ale or two and overall it was job well done. The ale I tried was tasty and well looked after. The food prices in my opinion were a tad high and would explain for the certain types of car / 4 wheel drives in the car park. As the weather was good I sat in the beer garden, however once winter is upon us, The Squirrel will take on its intended use - as a restaurant. Don't get me wrong, I hope it survives, but what we have here is a restaurant that serves beer, rather than a pub that serves food. Inside it does not have a pub feel and all tables are layed out for diners. "mylesgilbert" proudly states how many diners he has served rather than how many beer barrels he's gone through and seeing that this website is dedcated to - pubs, bars and drinking, it's inclusion on it is in question. I'm glad the building is back in use and as there are decent ales on handpump I will be returning. Perhaps we could have some more seating inside for drinkers only?
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I'm really sorry but the gentleman who has posted such a terrible review obviously has some alterior motive.
we have taken a closed rundown pub and transformed it into somewhere were, within a week, we are serving over 100 satisfied customers a day.
We have in our first week served over 800 diners and have had some constructive comments back which we encourage by offering comment cards on each table. We served over 200 free meals whilst training the staff and getting the food offering to a high level. To date I have not had anything but encouraging comments everyday. Yes we have taken elements of The Albany and The Farriers, why wouldn't we, they were run down pubs that are now glowing award winning successes.
Half of our main courses are below �10, and our drinks mirror the prices charged in most pubs in the area.
I find it incredible in a time when 7 pubs a day are closing that someone could be so small minded as to not give a one week old business a good chance, especially as its his local! well done.... I notice that his comments on The Squirrel in its last incarnation were equally non constructive.
I am and always will be more than happy to discuss any concerns a customer may have, we pride ourselves on being a small independent local business where you can always find a partner to chat with.
Oh and thankyou to the hundreds of other people who have made the opening of The Squirrel the best success for us to date...
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Going on a recommendation I went for dinner last night. I like it! Nice setting and nicely done. The food was lovely and the staff were helpful. It is a massive improvement from the previous incarnation, I will definitely return.
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What a load of rubbish this place really is, they have obviously spent a lot of money on the refurbishment of this place but have not taken into account what sort of pub this is, its not located in the middle of a busy town and i get the impression that they have literally transplanted features of the albany and the farriers in guildford to the middle of hurtmore! The food was rubbish, the staff were most impolite and didnt really know what they were doing and the atmospere seemed no existant. As the previous post said will try again in a few months see if they have improved but at the moment certainly wont be telling friends and family to go there ... another example of things done wrong!
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Well what a disppointment, went to the Squirrel today, as used to love the old pub, so was keen to give it a try. It has been turned into another bland trendy type pub, gone is the cosy atmosphere of the old pub, and the food was terrible, poor selection, undercooked burger, undercooked chicken dry and tasteless fish cakes. Lets just hope that its teething problems with having only been open a couple of days, so will give it another try and hopefully it will improve.
MG100 - 19 Jul 2009 18:34 |
The pub reopened for business on Friday 17th July 2009 under new management. The four guys who have bought the lease currently operate the Albany, which used to be the rats castle and Farriers which used to be the 3 pigeons both in guildford.
i am nothing to do with this or any pub and look forward to seeing what has been done since the pub has been closed in Nov 2008.
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I am told by the new landlord that the Squirrel will be reopening "around the 19 July" with four real ales on.
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Legodalming, you must be fairly confused as its been closed since before christmas?
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Went there mid-Sat afternoon for a swift half. There was a single member of staff behind the bar who could not have been more rude (I was greeted with a grunt and no pleasantries), was more interested in fiddling with empties and distictly displeased to see a customer. Otherwise, great setting and a decent jar of TEA. Won't go back, though, which is disappointing.
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We live literally next door to the pub and it is all boarded up!! As i have said before it was way overpriced with to many staff, not surprised they have gone bankrupt!
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I hear the landlords gone missing and the pubs shut,anyone know more??
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Just how a country pub should be! Warm friendly staff. Good food. Who needs more! The squid is the best I've ever tried and I've tried a few! Will be going back again and again!
jojob - 25 Nov 2008 19:58 |
The landlord's selection of two guest ales alongside old favourite 'London Pride' continue to please the most discerning bitter drinkers. In addition there is a selection of 'real ciders' from the cask as well as perry.
Just returned from an excellent Sunday lunch, the place was packed - despite the credit crunch - and was warmly greeted by the landlord's usual bonhomie. Whilst they were stretched by the number of customers the friendly staff didn't keep anybody waiting for long.
A contrast to the vociferous and petulant comments of godalmingguy - it must be a personal grudge. The Squirrel never fails to deliver the goods for myself or those who continue to support it, whether for food or just a drink.
No I am not their PR agent, somebody more important than that, a regular and satisfied customer!!
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I love this pub, the food is excellent, and the atmosphere is just right - not many pub in the Godalming area have both. I have always found the staff friendly and helpful. Have been to most of the local pubs in the area but keep coming back to the Squirrel.
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Right as i promised i have revisited the squirrel to have a taste of the menu.
I had a fish soup which if i closed my eyes i could have thought that i was at a seaside restaurant in france, amazing quality. I follwed with a seard venison which was cooked to prefection and the chocolate sauce was to die for being heathen scum i had chips with it instead of veg which was �1.95 for a sizeable portion.
well pudding im a sucker for chocolate and the home made choc tort was perfection and the ice cream was very special.
staff were a bit relaxed but very helpfull and charming, i managed to chat to the owner Nigel, quite a quirky character, but in a good way i guess the decor reflects his presonality. very homley pub and made very welcome. will recomend to all my friends.
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Having worked in the public house industry for nearly 20years now i am amazed at how this place stays open and makes a profit, on a weekday evening i must of seen more staff in the place than customers and they didnt exactly know what thay were doing, i would expect the average age of the staff to be no more than 20. Good selection of alcohol but at very expensive prices, i for one am all for spending a little more money for a better quality product but this place takes the biscuit.
I have now been to this pub on three different occasions thinking that maybe i was being a little harsh and i caught the place on a bad day but now i believe that this is a truly rip off place with un friendly staff (unlss your a local) and prices that would match an up market bar in the city... which this is certainly not. The decor of the building is a bit mix and match i wish they would make there mind up if this is to be a modern bar or an old fashioned pub, at the moment it seems as tho they are in limbo.
I think the thing that clintched it for me was when i was talking to the young lad behind the bar and he said he wished he didnt have to work as tha landlord was an arseholse and then asked me if i had a spare cigarette.
As you can probably tell i have not recomended this pub to anyone and would warn others to approach with caution.
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hidden little gem barely noticed it as i drove past last week generally a good experiance. not sure about the baby chandeliers on the terrace tho, had a great pint will go back to try some grub some time soon
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New Menu just launched using where possible local produce and we now serve 3 real ales, 5 draught ciders, 5 lagers, a wheatbeer and of course Guinness, we also now serve wine in three sizes, small (125 ml) medium & large
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oops - sorry - stay over.
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Nice pub but a glorified sevice station on the A3 with unhappy staff, accomodation was good. will be back for a stay ovet
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A very interesting pub, a traditional good old English pub with a very good selection of lager and an ever changing range of bitters. The meal i had was delicious, better than most chain restaurants in the area which the food is all pre packed!
The staff were very friendly and seemed to have good knowledge of what they were serving. I had my 2 year old daughter with me and she loved the owners vine runner 'casper'. which kept her quiet while we ate our lunch.
All in all a very friendly place and great to take little ones, will be back very soon,
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Popped into this pub a few weeks ago with my family, looked like a nice place, large garden and good sized car park. Unfortunatly we were asked to leave as our kids were making to much noise in the garden and the landlord got the hump about it, instead of asking nicely to keep the noise down he was arrogent and rude, after all i dont think they were being overly noisy... its not as if they were putting people off the drink my making a lot of noise i think at the time there was only one other person sitting on his own in the garden. All in all i think this place is far to expensive and i hate places that say they welcome families and when you do take your family they act as if they would prefer you didnt.
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Improved menu recently to offer a range of vegetarian options including nut roast and mushroom wellington on a Sunday. Not really real ale pub although the proliferation of beer mats around the upper section of the bar suggest so. Being a former dripsologist (collector of drip mats) I find the display most interesting but usually go for a pint of Heineken which is one of the cleanest I have tasted. The ales that they do offer a really the usual suspects which appeal to the older drinker but leave me a little cold as I dont enjoy the so called summer ales, (cannot compete with a good cold lager on a hot day), and prefer the heartier, robust ales in winter ie Old Peculier, or a Porter.
Idiosynchratic layout and pretentions of being a restaruant rather than a pub can be a bit offputting and the amount of staff that they employ is staggering even though not one of them seems to know what they are doing at any given time.
All in all a good pub for the odd visit and the food is good although very expensive, I noticed that many of the reviews below compare it to the Cyder House in Shackleford, it is much better than that, the Cyder House makes you feel like you've just invaded someones personal space as soon as you open the door and the food is overpriced and poorly presented, the staff unfriendly and the carpet is abominable.
Back to the Squirrel, not a TEP (Traditional English Pub), but well worth a visit.
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Strange pub, but nice. A range of seating from comfortable sofas to sink into to restaurant-style tables to eat at. Good selection of beers with tasting notes, which is a nice touch. They do know their beers, too, which is always nice to see. Food has some odd quirks - burgers served in wraps? - but it's all to the good. Service isn't spectacular, but it's far from the worst in the area. It's just a shame it took the downfall of the Cyder House for us to find this one.
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Nice cosy pub, can relax on the nice comfy sofa with a glass of wine or two. Have eaten there once in the evening but wasn't that impressed. Do nice sarnies and food at lunch time though. Agree that the staff are easy to confuse, overall not a bad place.
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Beer ok and food not bad but told we could not order food at the bar, then waited ages for anybody to provide a menu and take the order. Staff were friendly but seemed a bit confused, asked 5 times by three different members of staff whether we were enjoying the meal - while we were eating it. Once would do!
Would not agree previously that this place had a better atmosphere than the Cider House but probably has now the latter is increasingly frequented by the "up their own backside set". Conversation overheard in the Cyder House recently - "of course my husband and I were thinking of buying a place by the coast, but because of global warming we've decided against it"!? Says it all.
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Went for Sunday Lunch. lots of parking. More interesting inside than out. Food good (above average) and friendly staff. Only thing that lets it down is the service. Table waiting staff need a little more training. Other than that no other comments. Overall an enjoyable pub with good beer and food.
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I agree, better than the Cyder House (and lacking its pretensions).
The beer was great, the garden is wonderful. The pub makes excellent use of its location.
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I had heard that this place once won the "pub of the year" can not see it myself.
I found the food ok,
the beer ok just,
the sevice average.
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sorry, this pub is better for food value and atmosphere than the Cyder House
anonymous - 22 Mar 2007 00:01 |
good beer selection, alas no more stella but the amstell tasted very good, roaring fire and free newspapers, comfy chair feet up by the fire just what you need on a winters night
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used to enjoy the squirrel about twice aweek and allways had a good meal, ice cold coke and good dessert (although sometimes had to ask for a bit more hot choc sauce with my icecream !!)
large carpark
large garden
and loads of space inside
sure it wont be to every bodys taste but if you like it you'll love it !
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Nearly hideous - should be a decent pub, but nothing like as good as it thinks it is! I suppose that the piped music drowns out the noise of the A3, but after a pint you'll want to head for the hills (I suggest the nearby Cyder House in sleepy Shackleford).
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my husband and i popped in for lunch this saturday and enjoyed our lunch very much. i had the freshly picked crab salad and my husband had the homemade pork & apple burger which were both excellent and very good value for money.
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good beer selection , nice garden watch out for the cat
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Over rated & im my book over priced
anonymous - 1 Jun 2006 19:15 |
