Being retired now for 10 years or more, keeping myself busy with hobbies and jobs has never been a problem for me. I’m sitting here now, multi-tasking between scanning old photos, writing this and researching a couple of technical issues. Updating our Branch History. Then there is the Grandchildren, but that’s another story.

For my sins I’m the longest serving Committee member of the Branch being elected to the committee in 1979. I think I’ve done every job going over the years. So I’ve seen it all. But what I’m really missing from this lockdown is our weekly trips out. At least once a week we would be going out somewhere, usually by train. In another life I was employed by British Rail and still retain concessionary travel facilities. So it’s nothing to pop up to Manchester for a Lunchtime beer (or two) to meet up with old colleagues and friends.

Another casualty of this lockdown is holidays, we had a planned trip to Germany in May this was obviously cancelled, we were all gutted, having planned this 9 months ago we were looking forward renewing our acquaintance with Bamberg’s smoke Beer or Rauch bier as it’s known. So I had an idea why not have a virtual smoke beer session using one of the video sharing apps that everyone is using these days to keep in touch. We just need to source the beer. Not that easy when you can’t get out. I found that Amazon were selling it, also Shume locally so that was sorted. I was a little apprehensive that the American contingent, who were coming, they might struggle to get it in the USA, but I thought I had seen some on our recent visit. Sure enough I was right, no problem, if fact they nearly managed the full range!

But then disaster struck. I came down with symptoms of the dreaded Bat Flu. Luckily it was mild, but to my horror I lost my taste. I was drinking a Sour beer flavoured with Lemon and I thought to myself this tastes a bit bland!. Sure enough everything tasted the same. This lasted for a week, but thankfully it came back before our virtual German beer session, which by the way, went very well even with the time difference. So yes, you can drink with friends, but just not in the same room.

Cheers, Roy