soubriquet

A better place. I've been drinking legally in the UK for over (ahem) 30 years. For all that time, cold beers (lager, keg bitter, bottled beers etc.) have been almost universally available. My IQ jibe was at the "journalist". When confronted with a choice in addition to icy, (cellar temperature, how do you like your red wine sir, chilled with an ice cube?) all brain functions cease, thus initiating the program loop: "Warm beer! Warm beer!....". Sorry to hear about the difficulties, hope it's all settling down now. Glad you were able to finish the day with a beer which satisfied. It's

"It's not hard to tell the difference between a ray of sunshine, and a Scotsman with a grudge" (P G Wodehouse). Nor, it seems, London based Australians incapable of finding a decent beer. Lange was right: mass emigration to Australia raises the collective IQ of both nations.

Thanks Toque. I'll try plan B then. Trouble is, I don't know anyone with a dryer. Why tumble dry your clothes when you can put them on a hanger and watch them turn green?

Close to the end of July.

Thanks team, you're very kind to the new boy....

I have an old but good quality GoreTex shell (Canadian, Mountain Equipment), but it ain't waterproof no more. I tried washing it and ironing it dry, but natch. Can Gore Tex be revived, or do I need to spray?

To me yes, but I'm a deviant. For breakfast, I brew a pot and drink three mugs. Leaves give a bigger, fuller flavour without the need to make it too strong. I use a pot where the water passes over the leaves, but they don't sit in the tea. A coffee plunger makes an excellent substitute.

"Sebastian Coe is a tosser! It's clear as day. His Tory allegiances are just the icing on the cake. " He's an effective politician, and succeeded in turning around a bid that was going nowhere . Maybe it comes with the territory.

Having mastered the arts of warm beer, and fish & chips, we had no problems teaching you foreigners our language. Don't bother coming, just send your money.

No tea bags for me either. Real tea made in a proper pot. If BOP is your, errr, cup of tea, the best I've found in Japan is Dilmah Supreme BOPF. Imported and distributed by Yamaya.

Should have added, I'm nearer to Jangle Jungle than Onikobe. Either would be fine, roll on winter.

Sorry, sorry. It's the war wound. 15 years of reading Sydney food critics travelling to the land of uk, and finding it is not Sydney. I grew up in posr-war UK. Vegetables were boiled for half hour, or longer if not soft. Oranges were a christmas treat. Peaches came from tins. Life is better now. Love it.

Why did you choose warm Stella? Why did you choose Pizza Express? Why didn't you find a pub which sold fresh food and and decent beer? I've been turned away from a half full restaurant in a small town in regional France. No lunch for you here sunshine. French beer? Far out.

Kintaro. If you're in Sendai, have you tried Onikobe?

I'll sit with BPC on this. There's no such thing as bad beer, just some are better than others.

Nice one 69, gave me a good laugh. I was serious about the Sam Smiths, then when I checked the site, it was second UK beer after Fullers. Both great beers, so check out what you can get locally. Cheers

Here a a few words to drop into the conversation next time you have a chat with your boss: debu (fat) chibi (short) hage (bald) kechi (stingy). Good luck

Fosters? That's an anagram for frosted horse piss, isn't it? Make mine a pint of Sam Smith's, please.

It's a pejorative for "fatty".

" I can't remember if I told that story or not from the Hachimantai Royal Hotel about me and slippers.." Ok, can I hear it? Gisalarf.

Thats because we are supposed to be in our rocking chairs. I need a class for over 50.

Megan Spencer gave it a good review on Triple J today, fwiw.

Dunno. I take a 9, and can only just find sizes to fit. I bought some new ski boots last spring, and in the end I just had to ask them to bring all of the biggest boots they had. Eventually they dug out a size 29.5-31 pair that fitted just fine. Two season old stock, out of fashion, 66% off. Call me cheap, woo hoo.

Try this: http://www.idler.co.uk/ Cheers

Skiing for, err, 30 years.