Dave, Ed and I had originally planned to do a spot of punting on the not unreasonable date of 18th August. However, the large quantities of rain that had fallen previously and that were falling that day made things a little tricky and so we had to resort to Plan B which involved drinking in some pubs instead. Getting the bus into town, we had wanted to buy a day pass, but the machine was broken so the man let us on for free. We had been intending to do a couple in Headington, but as per usual this was a trifle optimistic and we instead just decided to stay around the centre of Oxford.

The Kings Arms was moderately busy, but we managed to get those wonderful seats in the snug bar by the side door that are usually fairly quiet and have that hatchway allowing easy service. The beer was up to its usual high standards. As it was pissing down, we didn't get very far and soon ducked into the Turf for a swift half which became two as we saw the rain set in. The Turf beers were actually of a greater standard than those at the Kings Arms and the atmosphere was added to by the fact that we were sitting in those nice bay window seats in the front bar.

The time finally came to peel ourselves off of our seats and beat the short and well-trodden path to the White Horse where yet more excellent beer was quaffed. It was also good because most people were leaving whilst we were there so there was plenty of room, apart from some people with a very large and middle class pushchair who were in our way. In actual fact, it was exceptionally empty by the time we left, although the wonderful raised seats in the snug at the rear of the pub were still occupied. For some reason I was feeling a bit odd in there, perhaps as I was on a stool and would have preferred a seat with a back to support my aching bones.

It was still raining and with time pushing on and Headington well and truly off the agenda, we made our way (past the whisky shop so that Smiley could have a look) to the Bear. I avoided the Hancock's HB in this place as this is not a particularly adventurous beer although it is indeed a little different. I think I had something of the Bombardier/Pedigree ilk. We managed to find a suitable seat in the very hot and steamy room with all the ties and without too many knobheads around. Assuming that there are no visiting knobheads from the richer and more pretentious Oxford Colleges (e.g. Oriel, Christchurch, Brideshead), this can be a pretty good pub for a swift one despite its size. Seats in the front room are perhaps better than those out back.

Soon it was time to head to the Head of the River which was pretty busy for some unknown reason. As I recall, they had some football scores coming through which was good for us as we were obsessed with our Fantasy Football performance as per usual on a Saturday. I think Spurs had won which was annoying. I'm not really that keen on this pub as it has no nooks and crannies and instead is a large cavern strewn with wooden furniture. The pretty extensive choice of Fullers Ales does at least partially make up for this though.

Next on the list was the St Aldates Tavern. You used to be able to get really cheap beer in here. Not any more, the prices have got quite high although the range is still at least quite good. I bought a pickled egg because I was a slight bit hungry. It's not looking quite as cared for as it was in the past either. Dragging ourselves back up into town, we then went to the Three Goats Heads to sample some of their fine wheat beer at an extremely reasonable price. It's a shame that the real ale has now been banished from this pub although the cheap prices and cramped toilets remain as talking points.

A day sampling the ales of Oxford is not complete without a trip to Far From the Madding crowd which was pretty empty at the time of our visit but otherwise up to its usual high standards with about six decent ales on. Neither is a day out in Oxford complete without a trip to the Lamb and Flag for some Old Peculier or other sorts of quality ale and again we were not disappointed.

A telephone call to Richard Walker scheduled a meeting with him and we headed to the Radcliffe Arms which is normally famed for its rapid food service. On this occasion however we were to be disappointed because they were showing rugby and there were a large number of hungry people in there, although at least as we had no interest in this 'sport' we didn't have to hang around the TVs. The food however was served at glacial pace much to our great annoyance (although I am pleased to say that on a subsequent visit they have returned to their prompt service), and caused a further rethink to our plans.

We did however get the opportunity to have a fine pint in the Harcourt Arms and then further fine ale in the Bookbinders' Arms, preferring to drink at both those hostelries rather than go back to watch Match of the Day (which would also have left Dr Walker in the lurch). We finally left for the bus and with some irony, missed the last Oxford Bus Company vehicle and had to resort to a post midnight Stagecoach N7 with inflated fares although we weren't that displeased as we hadn't paid anything on the outward journey. A toilet tally was also kept. I won as usual with 14 visits, followed by 5 from Dave. Smiley was driest with 3.

No ill effects were reported the following day in the Red Lion in Kidlington where we had a couple of shandies whilst watching Man City beat Man Utd (though without any contribution from Bianchi).