North is one of the four cardinal points on the compass. It is the opposite of south. We've just spent a few days in The Highlands - Inverness to be precise. And it is very north. While we were there we pulled in The Bandstand Beer Festival in Nairn; without doubt the most northerly beer festival I've ever been to. But it was only when we went to see Ross County and Dundee kicking a pigs bladder around on Saturday afternoon that we realised just how far north we'd come (Ross ply their trade in Dingwall) - The Osvald Pub in Stord, Norway have an advertising hoarding on the main stand. If only I'd taken my passport.
Congratulations to Ross who have won the league by a country mile. They'll be toughing it out in the SPL next season; I'll be looking out for their results. And I really must praise the food in the tea bar at half time - their Haggis Pies were sublime.
Bet the beer's cheaper in Inverness, though. I was charged eight quid for a pint in Bergen a couple of years ago. I certainly made THAT one last...
ReplyDeleteHope you enjoyed yourself, I grew up in Caithness, which is even further north than Inverness. Further north than just about anywhere to be honest.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that County are going up, especially as they seem to have some of the most interesting advertising boards I've seen: that Norwegian pub and "Tool-up Total Asbestos Solutions" who presumably are there for ALL your asbestos needs.
Oh, and people knock haggis, but it is the king of baked potato fillings. *salivates*
honestly I've never tried Haggis... we are off to Edinburgh in Sept so I must rectify that. Been there twice before on work trips never as a Sasanac Tourist
ReplyDeletei'm much further north, on the edge of the world i'd call it and just a stone's throw from Norway. Like Thumper I'm glad County are going to the SPL, as for Haggis - there are good and bad, and I've had mine on Pizza just last weekend.
ReplyDeleteNext time you reach this far north, let me know I'll buy you a pint of Orkney ale.
Well well, so you have been to my neck of the woods and even sampled haggis pies (the local butcher is award-winning). As for the Osvald Pub I can only imagine it's because many of the locals work in the oil industry and many trips are made across to Bergen. The pub (sounds more like a music venue) must have been persuaded to pay for a hoarding.
ReplyDeleteI really must get hold of the recipe, Alyson - that was seven years ago and I haven't had a Haggis Pie since!
DeleteI think these butchers guard their haggis recipes well and I doubt you'd get hold of the ingredients anyway (you really don't want to know).
DeleteBack to the Osvald Pub, I have just booked my annual jaunt with my friend and this year she fancied Bergen! I'll have to save up though as it sounds as if the prices are mouth-watering, just like the haggis pies!
Please feed back Alyson. And do tell if Bergen's prices are eye-watering and/or mouth-watering.
DeleteNot going until the end of October (will be cold I fear) but yes I will report back - And yes, should have said eye-watering (d'oh) but was still thinking about haggis pies obviously!
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