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Visited a glacier today, so obviously went for a plodge in the run off water. T-shirt and shorts obligatory for such a trip. At Briksdalsbreen Glacier with Gill & Sam.

Two idiots (me and Sam) walking barefoot in the glacial runoff waters. Glacier is up the mountain behind us.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Flight! Molo - Chef Zero 0% Stout Molo - Dusklord 7.6% Doppelbock Molo - Lunchbox Legend 5.2% PB&J Sour Molo - One in a Melon 4.7% Watermelon Sour All rather spiffing but favourites are the Doppelbock and PB&J sour. The Chef Zero appears to have been brewed with a local school or college #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

0.5L! Molo - Hellelujah 4.7% Nice Helles is a refreshing thirst quencher after walking around town all morning. They are currently brewing and the smell of warm malt as we came in was divine. Gill is on the peanut & vanilla porter 5.5%

0.5L & 0.2L of golden helles and dark porter. Brewery & taps in the background.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

T-shirt and shorts weather in Alesund today. Gill current has trousers, 4 layers on and zipped up 🤣

Me terrifying the population of Alesund with the sight of my legs in shorts. Mt Aklsa in the background.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

The view from the office today…

The view from our balcony on the ms Rotterdam as we sailed into Alesund, Norway.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

The view from the office today. Holland America Line ms Rotterdam.

View of the ship from the embarkation gangway.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Pint! Uiltje - I Like Big Butts in a Can of Limes 3.8% Session IPA. Quite the quaffer with a smack of lime, as you would expect given the name. Would have worked wonders in yesterday’s brilliant sunshine but still a bit of a joy. At Proeflokaal Reijngoud #Bskybeer

Pump clip giving the beer name, brewery and abv

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Can! Hofbrouwerij Reijngoud - Je Bennie Weiss! 6.0% A bit of orange but not in the same league as the La Trappe yesterday. Gillian on the Boon again, this time the Kriek 4.0%. At Proeflokaal Reijngoud again #Bskybeer

Glass & can of Hopfen Weizen & glass & bottle of Kriek

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Spirits! Free pour rum and coke. This free drinks in the lounge malarkey is something I could get used to. It is right that you put the largest ingredient first, no?

A deceptive looking glass of what just looks like cola but is about 60% rum.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bottlle! Leffe- Blonde 6.5% Back at the hotel and in the lounge with free beer. Never been a favourite but fine when gratis 😁 Rotterdam Hilton #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Pint! La Trappe - Blond 6.0% Again an absolute banger. Fresh, bready, lemony goodness. The holiday can only go downhill from this place. Gillian once again on the 7.0% good stuff. At Proeflokaal Reijngoud, Rotterdam #Bskybeer

Two beers with a gorgeous blue sky in the background.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Pint! La Trappe - Witte Trappist 5.5% Much needed and bloody gorgeous. Very easy drinking with loads of soft orange flavour. Perfect start to a holiday. Gillian is on the Boon Oude Geuze…hardcore. At Proeflokaal Reijngoud, Rotterdam #Bsybeer

Glass of amber beer in a glass that says Dare To Drink Different. Geuze bottle standing empty next to it.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Yeah! Transfer car has broken down on the way to Rotterdam. Currently sat at the side of the motorway awaiting a repair or replacement. Destined not to get on this bloody holiday 🤣

Current view of our holiday. The verge of the A4 motorway somewhere near Leiden.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Delayed by 90min because of course we are. They waited until we were all sat in a roasting hot plane before informing us, obviously. easyJet apologises…

easyJet safety information which isn’t needed because we are currently just sat here. Waiting. In the heat.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

The view from the office this morning. Amsterdam to Rotterdam and eventually, on Sunday, heading to Norway. I suspect I won’t relax until I’m on the ship.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Spirit! Finest Old Demerara Skipper Rum 54.5% Overproof Dark Rum. Wonderful, chocolate laden sipper. Recent purchase from Durham during our food tour.

Bottle of dark, almost black, rum next to a glass of said rum. CD shelves in the background,

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Can! Seven Bro7hers - Buzz 6.0% Honeycomb beer. A truly bizarre drink, and I’ve had several of those. A little like drinking a Worther’s Original with the slightest hint of floral hops. At the Ritz, Wallsend #Bskybeer

Yellow can of beer with a floral pattern next to a glass of golden ale.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Can! Thornbridge & Stone Brewing - West Side Glory 7.0% West Coast IPA. Bitter and somewhat resinous. Not the best, not the worst. Still very much appreciated today. In the Ritz, Wallsend #Bskybeer

Colourful (reds, oranges and yellow) can of beer with a tropical island motif.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Can! Siren- Paloma Gose 5.0% Grapefruit & Lime Sour. Does the salty, lip tingling thing and it’s much needed after today’s tribulations at work. And relax… At the Ritz in Wallsend #Bskybeer

Red coloured can from Siren Brewery next to a glass of golden beer.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Half! Maryenszradt - Sourtime Gooseberry 3.5% Lip smacking one for the road. Like drinking a gooseberry crumble. Bloody lovely. At @thefreetradeinn.bsky.social #Bskybeer

Half pint of golden beer. Looking out of the window up the river Tyne.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Half! Cloudwater & MUD - Wheelbarrow as a Chair 5.2% Pale Ale to break up the walk back home from volunteering at the Town Moor juniors park run. Additional coffee for the hit. At @thefreetradeinn.bsky.social #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Working the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation charity tent (66) today for the Great North Run. Pop in and say hi if you are around.

SBRI banner and smoke trail from the Red Arrows

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Scran! Lovely day spent in Durham on a food tour. Loads of food and boozes with nice company.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Obligatory coldest place known to man photo. Headed to that there Durham today for a food tour. I imagine the occasional libation will partaken of too.

Platform 4 at Newcastle Central Station looking towards the castle.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Pint! Amstel 4.1% Much needed after the rush hour tube heat. #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Today I am mostly doing this. At the Royal College of Surgeons and it is a sweat box!

Screen welcoming us to the RCS breast cancer trials day. Nice bookcase in the background.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Obligatory coldest place known to man photo. On my way to that there London.

Main concourse at Newcastle Central Station looking towards the “new castle.”

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I’m unfortunately in Norway otherwise I’d be there in a heartbeat. Andy is an amazing host serving exceptional beers so do yourself a favour and get along. You won’t regret it. Prost!

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I’s bin influenced by @misterquartet.bsky.social and his rather spiffing podcast. #NowPlaying

Streaming The Mirkwood Spiders on Spotify (I know)

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Boozes! The evening’s libations. All from the Donzoko tap, all wonderful. #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Pint! Donzoko - Keller 4.0% Pale ale that has been banked. Lovely stuff; easy drinking and quite the quaffer to start proceedings. #Bskybeer

Pint of golden ale with the usual banked head.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Introduce yourself with 10 acts you’ve seen live Hawkwind Roy Harper UFO The Unthanks Satan Joan Baez …And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead Wildwood Kin Jethro Tull Public Service Broadcasting

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Cocktails! Field Landing (Aviation offshoot) for me and East Side for Gill. Jolly nice indeed.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

Cocktails! Martinez for me and a French 75 for Gill. We deserve it 😁

Martinez in a coupe and French 75 in a flute.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Can! Kirkstall - Judicious 4.8% Juicy Pale which has plenty of citrus and a touch of mango to smooth it out. Not a bad pre match refresher at the Ritz, Wallsend. #Bskybeer

Glass of hazy, golden beer next to the can which pictures lots of fruit around a stylised tropical bird.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Obligatory coldest place known to man photo. Additional chill most welcome today!

Newcastle Central Station concourse looking toward the “new” castle.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Obligatory coldest place known to man photo. Additional chill most welcome today!

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Scran! Once again, a veritable feast of flavour and texture. Totally and utterly recommended. At the wonderful Miso in the Quayside, Newcastle.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Wine! Sabina Viura Blanco via Navarra Obviously not the sensible thing to do at this point, but who’s into sensible? Scran will follow.

It’s a bottle of white wine with a glass next to it. Can’t be more florid because I’m getting squiffy.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Bottle! Cantillon - Kriek 6.0% 100% Lambic Bio. Absolute lip smacking classic. One of the greatest beers in the world.

Bottle of Kriek in the best beer garden in the world.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

The pictorial definition of bliss…

View up the river Tyne from the Free Trade Inn.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Pint! Left Handed Giant - Pink Lemonade Radler 2.5% Still pop and still perfect for a sunny day’s drinking in the beer garden 😎 @thefreetradeinn.bsky.social

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Cocktails! Negroni for me and a Gimlet for Gill. Not sure what recipe they used but they taste fine. In Fire, Newcastle.

Negroni in a tumbler and a Gimlet in a Nick & Nora.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Pint! Sureshot - The Procedure will be Parliamentary 4.0% Hazy pale ale. Nicely balanced brew with a soft mouthfeel. Some soft citrus pithiness with a balancing sweetness. At the Wobbly Duck, Newcastle.

Pint of hazy pale ale with the Wobbly Duck pub in the background.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Half! Pastore - Semifreddo 4.0% Cherry, Plum, Amoretti Sour. Tastebud tingler in the style of a liquid Haribo Tangfastic. Quite a decent amount of fruit in this too. Jolly nice whilst waiting for Gillian to get her hair done. In the Wobbly Duck, Newcastle.

Half pint of beer which has a nice blush colour to it.

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Half! Left Handed Giant - Pink Lemonade Radler 2.5% Pop, I tell you it is pop. But, obviously, don’t serve it to kids. Perfect summer drinking juice! @thefreetradeinn.bsky.social #Bskybeer

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Chris B @merely-chris.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Half! Newbarns - Best 4.4% Lovely brown ale which has the perfect balance of bitterness and smoothness. Top beer. No photo because I forgot. So sue me. @thefreetradeinn.bsky.social #Bskybeer

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