Before and After.

Now that we have been open for a month or so, I should really attempt to show people some of the difference between how I found the building, and what we have done to it. I did methodically take a series of photo's from specific points, when I first took the keys, in October, so that I could highlight the difference with exact before and after pics. But, of course I'm highly disorganised with a memory like a goldfish, and I must have forgotten where I was stood. In due course I shall post many more of the before and after pics, if I can, but for the moment I shall just post these two pics up.

 Pretty much everything has changed. We took all of those sad looking pump clips off the walls, (more about that later. Much more.), changed the weird seat in the alcove into the place where the record deck now lives, and lit it properly. Threw that horrible fake Bristol Heritage Pubs poster away, that you can see on the far wall. Obviously we have painted the walls of the pub what I like to call 'Light Terracotta', but as you can see, is actually pink. And we hung some sexy wallpaper, which has gone down considerably better than I thought it would. The photo in the oval frame is something that I picked up for a song, from a Clifton antique shop, called 'Focus On The Past', as is looking up Bristol High Street, somewhere near the turn of the century. Mr Hitler put paid to all the buildings on te right, sometime in 1940, but most of the rest is still around. I painted the pillar with magnetic blackboard paint, and this is where the now famous Rules of My Pub reside. 

Back into the swing of things.

Firstly, please let me apologise to the people who have been following this Blog, for not updating or writing anything for the last month or two. This shall change, and hopefully I shall be posting a few times a week to catch up on all the things that have happened over the last few months. Life began to get hectic in late October, building up to a crescendo of activity and stress in November as we approached opening day, followed by much hard work, and activity and energy through December as I tried to keep a really disorganised pub afloat in it's first working month, for the busiest month of the year. 

I must say thank you to all the friends and customers who have supported me and the pub, and come through the door to help make the place work. Without you it would have been a massive balls up.

Right then. So the most important news that has happened since we opened is a little fluffy thing called Malcolm. A month or so ago, Hayley asked me if I wanted a nine week old kitten for the pub as she was unable to keep him. It took me almost a second to say, yes, yes, YES !!! Since then Malcolm has become very much the most popular and favourite living thing to set foot in the bar. Along with all kittens, Malcolm has three modes which he can switch between in less time then it takes him to jump on your thighs and draw blood. These are Sleep Mode, Attack Mode and Affection Mode. He is at his most sweet in sleep mode, and you may see him curled up in his box next to the radiator, near the record deck, and in his most cutest pose will arch his back nearly 180 degrees backwards, showing off his exquisite clouded tabby belly. Do not be deceived by this apparent slumber. He can switch from this to Attack Mode quicker then you can remove your fingers from his belly, and many people have been so far caught out by the switch.

Anyhow, this is one of the first photo's that we have of the little monster, from mid December ish. He has grown quite a bit since then, but his cuteness has not diminished at all yet. 

 Now that I am back into the swing of things properly, I shall ensure that I update this blog properly and regularly from now. Cheers.