10. Post punting stupidity in the Jericho area, Saturday 18 May 2002

A merry afternoon's punting was undertaken from the Magdalen Bridge punt depot in the pleasant company of Messrs. David Wacey, Graham Buckley and Edward Lewis and Miss Eleanor Maddison. Miss Laura Robinson joined us at the rollers soon after. After a leisurely punt up the Cherwell [stopping at G's poo stop], we decided to reward ourselves with a pint of Wadworth's beer at the Victoria Arms near Marston. Mr. Wacey and I had previously frequented this pub in the late winter – it was now much warmer this time. A pleasant stop was had, and rude conversation added to the experience, notably the provision of chocolate flavoured condoms in the ladies' toilet.

We reboarded the punt and consumed the remainder of our Old Peculier on the way back to the boathouse [again via the poo stop]. The ladies departed for more worthwhile pursuits whilst we headed towards Jericho, pausing at Wadham College bar for some light refreshment in the form of cheap and slightly substandard Guinness. Feeling the need for something decent, we made our way to the Radcliffe Arms for a spot of pie rich dinner and a couple of pints of good, if slightly pricey beer. Fortunately, fodder prices made up for the beer prices.

The next stop on the agenda was the Bookbinders Arms where there is a rich tapestry of real ales, though in common with the Old Ale House on Iffley Road, they are on the pricey side. The surroundings are rather pleasant, and the bar snacks are good – a barrel of free monkey nuts and assorted pickled treats [though these weren't on at the time]. Well worth a repeat visit. No longer do we mourn the passing of the menu toastie, a feature of the pub in about 1995 [Menu Toastie = a fry up between two doorstep wedges of bread for a quid].

The final port of call was St. Cross College bar [why did I suggest this?]. Most beverages were off apart from rather lively Murphy's which we were forced to drink in quantity. We also played a number of games of pool, but were disappointed that the barman refused to play the 80s CD again – apparently it had been played to death and he had an allergy to it. Leaving at 3am, the rest of the crowd were still in high spirits, but our party were tired, so decided to stop at the Univ 'bab van for some nourishment. Yum yum.

Although only five pubs were completed, it was adjudged that consumption of Old Peculier in the punt should count as an honorary pub thus meriting documentation of this crawl. As a footnote, I believe that I ended up at the Isis Tavern for a swift six the next day ...


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Dan Lovegrove
dan@doctor-lovegrove.com

Last updated 26th July 2002.