The Bell, Studham

We were looking forward to a quiet afternoon drink in a friendly village pub - but that's not what we got! We noticed a few balloons & streamers so asked if there was a party. We were told yes but it was ok - it was the landlord's 50th & it was out in the back garden. As we were sitting inside the pub, we thought it would be fine. However, after ordering the (over-priced) drinks, we sat down & only then noticed the huge bouquet of 50th balloons on each table, which blocked our view of each other as we tried to chat.
We then noticed the band! Quite possibly the worst singer in history started up singing the most dreary songs possible (starting with Phil Collins Another Day in Paradise, a song about homelessness!) for the birthday boy! The joss-stick burning in the bar caused all our drinks to taste rank (who burns joss-sticks in a pub, especially one that serves food?!) What with the endless balloons, streamers, birthday cards, & dire band, we felt like unwanted guests at a private party - and for that privelege we paid for a round of drinks we didn't finish due to the taste of joss-sticks! It was a real sour note to what, up until we entered that pub, had been a lovely day out!

2 Jun 2011 11:18