| Breakfast at Gatwick airport... the 2010 trip has begun.... Jackie Fran Lee Eileen  |
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An overcast morning this year, once again at stupid-o-clock, on August 4th 2010, found four members of the branch (this year myself, Eileen Bougourd, Lee Bougourd and Jackie David ) checking in for a 7.00am flight for our annual trip to Day 2 of the the GBBF. Our plane was again on time and we were soon starting our day at the Wetherspoons Village Inn, Gatwick landside, with a breakfast bloomer sandwich each and the first pints of the day. This year one of the staff kindly offered to take a group picture of us too. We purchased tickets for the Gatwick Express and caught a train around 9.30am getting us into Victoria just after 10.00am. We had our second pint at the Wetherspoons at Victoria before Jackie and I set off at around 10.45 to find and check into our hotel, as this year we were staying over for the first time. We arranged where we would meet the other two inside . As soon as we arrived at Earls Court we saw Gillian from the Isle of Wight and at the hotel, Paul Hurley from Jersey. We were delighted how close the Ibis was and we were checked in a bit earlier than the 12.00 official time. We were straight in then with our fast track tickets just after 12.00 and met up with the other two on a great table.
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I then had, as last year, a wonderful real ale Cornish pastie for my lunch. We went and visit Paul from Jersey, the now called Liberation Brewery and tried his Blonde Ale which was delicious. Credit where due, they again had flags up of the four major Channel Islands and a lot of Guernsey Tourism brochures. We were delighted to catch up with Steve Netherton, an ex branch member who joined our table and we had visits from old friends of the Branch, Alan and Vicki Stacey, in turn as baby Sam was up in the family room cared for by them in turn. All too soon it was time for Lee and Ei to start their trip back to the airport and we parted ways. Jackie and I stayed at our table until 6.00pm when we went to find the other ladies on Melissa Cole’s” Girl’s Guided tour” that evening which was excellent, we had tasting of 6 beers of assorted styles and some entertaining chat. After this it was more food, curry for me and noodles for Jackie and we were lucky to find a couple of seats in the area by the stage where we really enjoyed the second set of Hank Wangford. At 10.00 we strolled back to our hotel and slept well. Despite looking all day, we never managed to find Marc Holmes, GBBF organiser, so no free beer, Jackie, however, collected her free Tee Shirt from the Facebook competition. |
| Enjoying my Liberation Blonde... Guernsey flag for the Offshore Branches Social on table behind.  | Steve Netherton, a ex branch member joined us for the afternoon. |
Melissa Cole leads our Girls Guided tour, which was excellent! |
Another year was over...
And the technical stuff....
Channel Island Beers that were at the 2010 GBBF
Randalls ( Guernsey) Bar B5 - Nelson Bar
Patois Ale (4.5% ABV)
Amber in colour, with a hoppy aroma. Bitter and hoppy both in the palate and finish.
Liberation (Jersey) Bar B3 – Churchill Bar
Liberation Ale (4% ABV)
This light golden ale has a floral, citric (orange-grapefruit) hop aroma and a zesty flavour.
Liberation Ambree (4.2% ABV)
Crisp-fresh-slight grapefruit and biscuity notes in Liberation's Spring seasonal ale.
Liberation Blonde (3.8% ABV)
This very light, refreshing/easy drinking Summer seasonal beer from Liberation has lager and ale malt with Tettnang and Saaz continental hops.
Liberation Noire (4.8% ABV)
Full but rounded in character.
Liberation Rouge (4.5% ABV)
Deep ruby colour with blackcurrant notes coming from Bramling Cross hops. This is the Autumn seasonal from Liberation.
Mary Ann Best (3.6% ABV)
A dark bitter ale with a pronounced chocolate character, but with the roasted maltiness perfectly balanced by a floral hop provided by English Fuggles and Goldings.
Mary Ann Special (4.5% ABV)
A pale ale with a sweet, fruity taste with malty-biscuity undertones provided by the use of crystal malt