Rail Replacement Bus

Like Spiderman, I had a sixth sense telling me that I needed to get to the pub early, it was going to be a busy one. I'd aim to get there for about 4pm to give a 'helping hand'.

I left my uncles in good time, I had to meet my parents and grandma at an Italian restaurant in Kingston for 1.30pm booking. The day already had a hectic schedule, in stark contrast to the 'nothing' day before.

Of course, being a Sunday the trains were on varying timetables if running at all. It seems that the Kingston line is always having engineering works, how is it that the line constantly needs work?

I had to get a rail replacement bus from Clapham Junction to wherever I decided to get to. The Kingston bus was about fifteen minutes away and was calling at every rail station on the route, that would probably mean a lengthy journey. There was a bus destined for Surbiton about to depart. It was a direct service with no stops on the way. I hopped on as Surbiton was not a far walk from where I needed to be as the restaurant is on the Surbiton side of Kingston anyway.

On the bus I thought I'd look up the location of a pub that everybody kept telling me about. 'The Antelope' on Maple road. They had recently opened and had their own micro brewery on site with a few of their own brews on tap. As soon as I got off the bus I went to the pub, it was in the direction of where I needed to go so wouldn't have taken any time out apart from ordering and drinking the beer. I took it as the perfect opportunity to see what the place had to offer. I knew whatever it was would have been fantastic as the managers are the same guys that made a huge success of a beer pub in Twickenham, London called 'The Sussex Arms'.

I arrived just before the lunch rush so seemingly had the place to myself. Well, in comparison to what I imagined the place would be like during a very busy Sunday roast service.

I only had enough time for a cheeky half so went for one of their own brews, the 'Big Smoke Brew Cos' Pale Ale. Like most, it is what it should be. A very good representation of a well balanced and impeccably enjoyable cask pale ale. I would have loved to stick around for more but had a twenty minute walk ahead and only fifteen minutes to make it. I most certainly will return to the pub and sample more of what they have to offer including their food.

I had another pizza like the night before, failed in my continued search for whitebait and was embarrassed by a sing song and some cake after my meal. However I was given a free shot of Limoncello, a superb digestif.

link to the pub

theantelope

link to the Italian if you fancy decent food if you're ever in Kingston

alfornokingston