Originally Posted by
Llani Boy
Last Thursdays RATRun was from the newly and very expensively refurbished Ashford Arms in Ashford in the Water.
After inquiring as to when the cut off time for chips was and being told 21.30 the six of us set off up Pennyunk Lane to Monsal Head.
It was absolutely heaving in the Ashford Arms. Ordering chips for a number of people can be a lottery, especially at a new venue. Portion sizes and prices vary enormously. For example, at The Waterloo in Biggin a portion is £3.50 and there is enough for 3 people whilst at the Blind Bull in Little Hucklow a portion that is not really enough for one is £4. Unfortunately the Ashford Arms was more Blind Bull than Waterloo at £4.50! Before committing, I asked the youth behind the bar to show me the size of the vessel that they would be served in and on seeing it I laughed and declined to purchase, to which he replied " I don't blame you mate". One of our more affluent runners called me a "tight Welsh git" If we were in Scotland I'd have reported him to the Police ;)
I suspect these so called "higher end" places don't really want the likes of us there for beer and chips, especially now Easter has passed and the tourists are about. We shall not be returning, even in November when they are empty, but having said that they did serve a good pint of Farmers Blonde 4% from Bradfield Brewery albeit at a pricey £4.80.