Interview from The Anna Presents... Show

If you click on the link below you will be able to listen to me being interviewed on Phonic FM by the wonderful Anna, who invited me onto her show to help promote the site. It was a blast being back in the studio again and I had a great time. Check it out :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lp0WshjAslo

Hardy Cycles - In need of your ratchets being tightened or your forks re-aligning? You won’t get a friendlier service than here

Has your life ever flashed before your eyes? It’s a strange feeling, and one I experienced a few weeks ago for the first time. I was freewheeling down the steep hill of Dryden Road on the last leg of my journey across town to see my lovely lady. My mind was full of romantic thoughts about seeing her for the first time in a few days and holding her in my arms again, when I suddenly realised a car was about to pull out of the junction ahead of me, and the act of pulling on my brakes was having little to no affect on my speed. Time really does seem to slow down in these moments, your senses are suddenly alert to everything that is happening; I could feel the sweat forming on my brow, my heart thumping in my chest, I think I even remember seeing the flap of a bumble bees wings as it flew past. As my momentum plummeted me towards my inevitable doom I began to regret all the things I’d missed in life. Why hadn’t I been to Italy yet, why hadn’t I written that epic novel I had been planning for years, and what did Holly Race’s boobs look like when we were 16 and still in school? All these questions swam through my head as I made peace with myself and prepared for the journey across to the other side.
As you can guess, I’m not writing this from another ethereal plan, and I did manage to avoid being mangled with my bicycle and the back end of a Skoda Octavia. I did however  take one important lesson though from this brush with the cold hand of death, and that was to finally get my bike checked out and overhauled.

There are a number of cycle shops and repair workshops in town to choose from, and most of them are independent and local businesses. But I decided to go to Hardy Cycles at the bottom of Fore Street. The reason;  Rob Hardy, the proprietor, had come into the office where I work my lowly 9-5 job and handed me his card for his new shop that had just opened. He was nice, smiling, kind of chap and we had a quick chat about his new enterprise and what he had planned. This happy encounter stuck in my mind, and so the first day after being given my second chance on this world I carefully rode down to his humble premises to see what he could do

 

The place is compact and well organised, with no vital space wasted on luxuries or pointless amenities. In a busy working environment like this you imagine it to be dirty and greasy, but the place is spotless with neatly displayed accessories for sale and implements hung on the wall. You walk right into the workshop where bikes are hoisted up on racks to allow access to all manner of cogs, chains and gears, and a work bench has all the tools and parts that are needed to perform any manor of jobs on a whole array of two wheeled machines. My patient that I had bought along was in need of some quite major surgery so after giving the bike a quick, but thorough, check up I was given the diagnosis and what was needed to be done. Rob obviously knows what he’s doing and has been around bikes all his life and the relaxed; stress free atmosphere that he exudes is very reassuring. I was told to come back in a few days time and I would have a bike fit enough for Bradley Wiggins (ok, he didn’t actually say that but having ridden around now for a few weeks on my healthy, fit again set of wheels I recon I could give Wiggo a run for his money this year in France).

So I was surprised to get a call from Rob the day before I was due to pick up my machine. He had finished the work, only there were a few, minor, unforeseeable problems and he had not managed to get everything to his high exacting standards. He had even gone out and given it a test ride to check it was all ok. I reassured him that it was fine and that my cycling requirements were not all that severe. However it is nice to see someone take such pride in his work and courteous respect when it comes to customers.

Whenever you go and see a repair man about anything nowadays you always seem to automatically believe that they will try and swindle you somehow, by using complicated words and blinding you with jargon.  All these ‘consumer advise’ shows have scared us into believing that we are all hapless mugs, easily fooled into throwing money away at all these snake oil salesmen. Hardy Cycles, I can assure you, is not like that. It is friendly, and welcoming, and everything is laid out simply and explained properly. Rob is a genuinely nice guy who is only concerned that you are safe and are able to get the most out of your bike. With Spring in the air and good weather fast approaching you better dust off the old penny farthing and take it in for a once over so you can enjoy cycling around all summer hassle free, safe in the knowledge you won’t end up under a bus because the handle bars come off in your hand.

Call 01392 434997

Email contact.hardycycles@gmail.com

Hardy Cycles
35 New Bridge Street
Exeter
EX4 3AH

http://www.hardycycles.co.uk/

Phonic FM - The only place you'll hear Mozart and Motorhead back to back

Ok folks, this week we’re going to tackle something a little bit out of left field. Instead of a physical place I’ll be spotlighting, I’m going to focus on somewhere you can go anytime of the day, listen to great music, covering every genre and musical cul-de-sac that you’ve never heard of, and is full of interesting and colourful characters. Phonic FM, broadcasting on 107.8 on the airwaves above Exeter, and online, has been championing independent music and alternative style in the city on a daily basis for six years and has given everyday people the opportunity to voice their opinions, share their passions, and stick two fingers up in the face of the desperately nauseating mediocrity that is the commercial pop radio station.

Based in the lower, dungeon like, depths of the Phoenix in the heart of the city this plucky little radio station began life in 2003 when it was given a one month license to broadcast during the annual Vibrophonic music festival, which by happy coincidence is taking place this month as well. So check out what’s happening here: http://www.vibraphonicfestival.co.uk/

From these humble little beginnings a true pioneer in British broadcasting has emerged. This is not a station that is held back by satisfying advertisers and creeping to corporate conglomerates. This is not a station that is chained to popular playlists and the latest teen starlet that has been thrown from the conveyor belt of one hit wonders. This is a station that dances to the beat of its own drum, but not just one drum, a whole cacophony of them. With each show being hosted by an individual, and not just an meaningless voice with a stupid laugh, during the course of a day the rhythm, style and tempo of the output will change dramatically. One moment you’ll be listening to some classical concerto, recorded in Dusseldorf, and conducted by a man with Von in the middle of his name, the next; a reggae, carnival calypso that was taped through a haze of reefer smoke, and the next; a disconnected, abstracted soundscape made by a 13 year old on a laptop. If you’re after some Beyonce you better keep on walking girl.

I was lucky enough to be invited onto the airwaves one Sunday morning by a friend of mine; Anna, who is one of the merry band of DJs that help make this dynamic entity come to life. Her show Anna Presents (https://www.facebook.com/AnnaPresents) takes a relaxed look at life and focuses on the positives of what is going on in life. The show is very much about her. It is unique in that Anna’s own personality and vision is what is given off over the airwaves to the listeners and her passion and interests are what drive it all forward. This is typical of the output from this small, donation funded, community radio station. Every show is built around the hosts, their likes, their loves, their ideas and their energy. It is billed as Exeter’s Sound Alternative, and for once the advertising is bang on the money. Whatever you are into, you will find it being played here. Music, the arts, live sessions from local acts that are recorded in the sound studio next door, and no cheap adverts. All these musically creative minds in one place have also created a hub around which many live venues and acts in the city congregate. The station supports a wide range of gigs, festivals, club nights and musically related evenings out that are far too numerous to mention. But I think its fare to say that the live music culture in the city would be a lot poorer without the championing of Phonic Fm

 

And the best part is anyone can go and have a try themselves. All you need to do is sign up and pay the small annual fee, receive some training to use the equipment in the studio (I’m sure Anna won’t mind me saying that if she can work out how to use it, then anyone can!), and then put your name down for a free slot in the schedule. Then you can play, and talk about, whatever you like, within reason obviously. So if there is a genre of music you love and no one even knows about it, or you are fed up of the same cheesy disc jockeys and their inane banter, then get down there and do it for yourself. Trust me it’s great fun. I did it for 2 years and had a ball. Exeter hasn’t been the same since my show ‘The Church of Noise’ faded from the air waves (a huge sigh of relief was heard across the city I expect!).

Fast becoming both a nationally recognised and globally acknowledged voice in the broadcasting ocean, Phonic FM is a breath of fresh air and something this city should be truly proud of. Many places have community radio stations, but none are as professional and organised as what we have here. A beacon to those who aren’t happy with the same old homogenous, music by numbers, regurgitations that flood our airwaves and fill our radios. They don’t just give us an alternative, but a whole array of alternatives, and damned good ones they are at that. So do adjust your radio sets and open up a whole world of musical diversity.

Tune in on your radio to 107.8fm

or online from their website: www.phonic.fm

and like their facebok page: https://www.facebook.com/Phonic.107.8fm

The Angel - Weird and Wonderful; a home for the unconventional

The Angel, it think, was the first bar in the town that I ever visited. The reason I’m not sure is that I had just arrived in Exeter a couple of days before to start University; first time away from home, meeting lots of new people, having a good time, and the best, and only, way of doing this was by drinking a hell of a lot of cheap bear with your new housemates at home, and stumbling into town and into the first pub you came across. That place I have been told was The Angel.  Even though my memory of that first encounter is a little hazy, it must have left a lasting impression on me because it has become a regular drinking hole for me ever since.
 

 

 

And what’s not to like? With its dark woods and old leather sofas, low ceiling and lighting that Phil and Kirstie would positively describe as ‘moody’ or ‘muted’ the place can come across to those that are used to more modern, clean cut, pristine bars with their Ikea furniture and false character, as a bit intimidating or even rough. But this is what gives it its charm. The Angel attracts a crowd of waifs and strays, eccentrics and characters, dreamers and romantics, that have made this place their natural home

If you poke your head in during the day expect to find a laid back local, with a jazzy, acoustic and reggae beat flowing in the background while people sip their coffee’s and hot chocolates, as well as those getting an early start on a full diary supping, slurping and bar propping. With free Wi-Fi it has become a popular place for students and those looking to sit down and log on to the world wide web that don’t want the strictness of a library or the snobbyness of sitting in a coffee shop. With its open fire, fresh flowers, daily newspapers and a 50s TV set that’s been turned into a fish tank it’s the perfect place to unwind and chill.

Once the evening starts creeping along though the vibe shifts up a gear. The music becomes more vibrant and the place busier as those looking to escape their worldly worries and stresses are drawn in to the comforting bosom that The Angel provides. Thursday to Saturday nights play host to resident and guest DJs from across the country, and even the world, playing a varied and very eclectic mix of dance, hip-hop funk and soul. You can get up and dance, but you’ll have to holster those break dancing moves for another day because space is at a premium here and it does get very crowded. Luckily everyone is very nice so you can easily get chatting to the people you are rubbing up against in the jam for the bar, or when you are out grabbing some air on the hidden deck out the back. Here, even if you can’t make interesting conversation, there is a giant projector showing all manner of weird and wonderful videos; from skateboarding and surfing vids to classic cartoons to all manner of zany and bizarre visual feasts. On numerous occasions I have gone out there and got caught up watching something and completely forgotten the friends I was with.  I like to think that this shows the quality and uniqueness of what’s on offer here, rather than how rude and easily distracted I can be, especially when an old He-Man cartoon comes on.

5 reasons The Angel is a one off:

·         Don’t expect a locally sourced pie or trio of Italian vegetable risotto because The Angel does not do food. Unlike almost all pubs now, this place survives purely on beverages, which shows you how popular it can get.

·         The Star Wars themed toilet. I can only speak for the gents but this is a like a geeks Nirvana. With the walls plastered in pictures and posters of all your favourite characters (original trilogy only) you can stand there and relieve yourself while staring into the eyes of a Wookie

·          The Music. Playing some of the best underground tunes and alternative beats this is a rare haven for those not into the mainstream musical establishment. With the Open Mic Nights every Wed and regular special musical events with guest DJs spinning all kinds of genres, this is the place to come to find new music.

·         The Big Screen. As I mentioned before you can suddenly find you’ve been sat out on the deck for half an hour watching a nature film or music videos and have completely forgotten about your date you left inside. (Get around this by inviting them out with you and then using the films as an ice breaker! Full of good dating advice me)

·         The Locals. They may look like they haven’t seen a comb in 10 years and suddenly start talking to you about the evils of the welfare state but they are all very friendly and quirky and help give the place its ambience and reputation. You never know, maybe you’ll make a friend?

The Angel is one of those places every town and city should have. Not every bar should be like it, but there should always be one somewhere so that people who don’t want a synthesised, watered down environment can go and feel like they are part of the furniture, hang out with like minded people, have a good time, and not worry about staining the carpet. Relaxed and comfortable, but never boring.

Opening Hours;

Mon - Tue: 12:00 - 00:00

Wed - Thu: 12:00 - 01:00

Fri - Sat: 12:00 - 02:00

Sun: 12:00 - 00:00

Address;

32 Queen Street
Exeter
Devon
EX4 3SR

The Hourglass Inn - Everything that a pub should be

When I started this web site about 6 months ago I was inspired by a friend of mine over in the United States. She had started her own site highlighting quirky, unusual and unique places to go, and things to do, in Austin, Texas. (www.austinitetips.com – go check it out). This got me thinking about Exeter, and what makes my home city so distinctive, and some of the places I love to go and want to tell people about. Unlike Austin, Exeter doesn’t have an indoor skydiving centre, a video game museum, or a festival celebrating the fictional birthday of the Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore (this is what you get when a bunch of hippies move into a city in the 60s and never leave). So this blog isn’t as exciting as hers, as you can imagine, but I was thinking about where I would take her when she eventually visits this fair city, and the first place I thought of was the Hourglass.

 

This might not be everyone’s first thought I grant you, but in my view this little pub encapsulates everything I love, not only about Exeter, but with life in general. Located on the corner of Melbourne Street, a small residential thoroughfare just off Topsham Road and above the Quay, it boasts a very unimposing facade as you walk up, with only its quirky rounded shape giving any indication of the distinctive surroundings that await inside. If you were to describe The Hourglass in one word then cosy would be it. Some of you might take this to mean small, and yes the place isn’t cavernous, you would struggle to swing an amply sized moggy around the bar (I still don’t recommend doing this though, even if there is enough room to avoid claw marks on the wallpaper), but this all just adds to the character. The old style charm that the place exudes isn’t musty and dated. Instead of being kitsch and ‘old-e world-e’ the décor and tone of the pub strikes that perfect balance between traditional and unique. You feel just at home here if you’re after a pint of real ale and a good book by the fire, or a bottle of vino with some friends after a day at the office. The very epitome of what a modern pub should be; relaxed and hospitable while also being smart and refined.

 

The warm and hospitable bar however is not the main draw to this place. The modest restaurant out the back has become recognized in the city as one of the best places to eat out. With a small menu that changes daily, sourced with ingredients that are predominantly local but most importantly of remarkable quality, the dishes that are served here are lovingly made and of exceptional quality. With a tendency to go for rustic and traditional English cuisine with a slight Mediterranean twist, the chef focuses on excellence over volume, but that’s not to say you’ll be left feeling hungry though. When I took my Valentine there earlier this month on a surprise date we both had pork belly cooked in cider, with chorizo, on a bed of lentils that was mouth wateringly good. I also have to give special mention to the desserts which my girlfriend was gushing over and wooing more than she was me!

Top 5 charming qualities about the Hourglass:

• Getting close and intermit. This might sound very romantic, and it can be, but expect to make some new close and intermit friends in the bar as everyone tries to squeeze in
• The food here is exceptional. I can’t over state this enough. Book a table in advance though as you will be unlikely to get one walking in off the street.
• The staff here are extremely friendly and only add to the genial atmosphere of the place. This shouldn’t be a noteworthy point in this day and age, and the standard of service has generally gone up in most places, but unfortunately genuinely gracious staff are still a rare commodity.
• Mistakenly trying to open the door to the cleaning cupboard every time I walk into the Gents bathroom. Every time!
• The incorporation of everything that a British pub and restaurant should be under one roof. Excellent quality, great atmosphere, a unique, quirky, flair, and a top reputation 

This is the first time I have written an article about somewhere on here and slightly regretted it, because now even more people are going to go there and make me spill my pint, book up all the tables and make it even harder for me to fight to the bar. So ignore all of this and forget I even mentioned The Hourglass. However, if you do go, it’s the perfect place to take anyone and give them a good, exceptional night out. Just be careful that they don’t try and ditch you and run off with one of the desserts!

Opening Times

Weekdays

12 - 3, 5 - 11

Sundays

12 - 10.30

Closed

Mon lunchtime

Address:

Melbourne Street, Exeter EX2 4AU, England

 

Tel: 01392 258722

Exeter's Underground Passages - Life underground is very cramped

I don’t know if you have noticed or not but it has been rather wet as of late! The worst does appear to be over and in Exeter we seem to have escaped the nastiest of the weather. However we did have a lot of very wet and miserable days and, this being England and all, it is a pretty good bet we will see a few more in the future. So what to do and where to go to escape the weather and explore somewhere fun and interesting? The idea I came up with was Exeter’s Underground Passages.

I’ve lived in the city now for over 10 years and in all that time I have never been down into the passages to have a look. So one particularly dark and stormy day my fair lady and I dodged the rain and got blown to their doors on Paris Street, just round the corner from John Lewis.  There are regular guided tours throughout the day so you may have to wait a little before you are let loose into the tunnels themselves. Luckily there is a wonderful museum/exhibition area to go around to fill the time, that explains how the passages were built and the interesting part they played in the history of the city. Having been closed for a number of years while the redevelopment of the Princesshay shopping centre that lies above them took place, they reopened a few years ago with this brand new set up that now matches any modern tourist attraction in the country. There are lots of interactive elements, which are great for kids, or adults; if you’re anything like me and push all the little kids out the way because you can’t resist playing with buttons and levers and slidey things that make noises (so what I made your kid cry because I pushed in front of him, I’m bigger and I called dibs first)

 

When you do get to enter the tunnels you have to each wear a very snazzy hard hat, which makes you look like a reject from the Village People, and leave any bags you have in one of the lockers provided. There is a very good reason for these precautions: there is not a lot of room down there! Being quite a tall and broad chap this did pose a bit of a problem (much to the delight of my partner whose small and dainty figure caused no such problems), however this isn’t any kind of extreme sport, you don’t need rock hard abs, or chiselled calves to get around, and there’s no risk of hacking off trapped limbs with a set of car keys . The worst you can expect is a crick in the neck from ducking down quite a bit.

Your guide will show you around the different passages and explain more of the details and interesting history that surrounds them.

Top 5 facts I learnt when I visited:

·         The Cathedral paid for and built the original tunnel to bring fresh water from a spring outside the city walls to the clergy so they had clean, fresh water (no such luxuries back then for the plebs)

·         To prevent digging up the road constantly to make repairs they built the tunnels to allow access to the pipes without disturbing the traffic (a system that certainly has a lot of merits, especially when you’re stuck in a traffic jam because of constant road works!)

·         The passages were blocked during the siege of the city in the Civil War and were used to store gunpowder for the Parliamentarian defenders to defend the city against Royalist forces

·         The tunnels served a great public fountain that stood at the top of Fore St. and was opened by King Henry VI when instead of water; wine flowed out of the Great Conduit (I bet that was a wild night in the town!)

·         300 citizens sheltered there during the German bombing raids of the Second World War. Surprisingly very little damage to the tunnels was caused by the bombs (those medieval masons built stuff to last back then)

 

So go and explore a bit of the city’s history and don’t get your brolly blown inside out or drenched through while you do it. But watch your head though and don’t blame me if you get stuck.

 

Opening Times:

October - May

Monday Closed

Tuesday - Friday 11.30am - 5.30pm (first tour half hour after opening, last tour 4.30pm)

Saturday 9.30am - 5.30pm (first tour half hour after opening, last tour 4.30pm)

Sunday 11.30am - 4pm (first tour half hour after opening, last tour 3pm)

June - September

(inc. school holidays outside this period)

Mon - Sat: 9.30am - 5.30pm (last tour 4.30pm)

Sun: 10.30am - 4pm (last tour 3pm)

Please arrive at least 10 minutes before your tour starts.

 

Tel: 01392 665887

http://www.exeter.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=2914

Dart's Farm - It's very Middle Class but still down to earth.

When I was a lad, all bushy haired and short trousers, when my entire world revolved around Thomas the Tank Engine and the bottom of the garden felt like the other side of the globe, we used to walk up our road to a small farm on the edge of town to buy some eggs and fresh veg. There wasn’t really a shop, just a small area at the end of a barn, with a counter, and a till that looked like it had come from the Victorian age. The cheerful farmer with a big, bushy, grey beard (who for years I thought was Farther Christmas) always made me laugh, and we would always buy a carrot to feed to Linda; the old donkey  that lived in the field by the farm gate, on the way back. This was what a farm shop used to be. A way for local farmers to sell some extra produce, get a little cash in hand, and probably avoid a bit of tax into the bargain. No fancy marketing. No designer labels. No posh shoppers.

 

Times have changed…

Darts Farm on the edge of Topsham is a modern day business that uses modern day business practises. Originally begun by Ronald Dart back in the 70s with similar humble beginnings to those I remember from my youth, this now nationally regarded local food and lifestyle hub is still a family business; today being run by his three sons.

 

The main focus is nonetheless on food, this still being a working farm, and the truly massive food hall at the centre of the business is what draws most people in. The focus is on local food that has been grown, reared, baked or caught either on site or within close proximity. Boasting an onsite master butcher, fishmonger, baker, deli, and cider maker, the vast majority of the fresh food on offer is handled by experts who obviously know a lot about what they are making and selling and are more than happy to guide and direct you as to cooking tips and flavour matches to whatever delicious delicacies you’re going to be stuffing your face with. I used to work in deli back in the day, and I love food, and to see it being given the respect it deserves and the opportunity to show to people how much pleasure quality food can really give when it has been treated the right way and not just processed into quick and ready to go container, is fantastic. Yes it is a bit on the expensive side, and a lot of the people that shop their look like they’re being sponsored by Jack Wills, have probably owned each and every Apple product since they suddenly became cool in 2007, and look like they developed their own home on an episode of Grand Designs, but if I could, I would shop there every day. They even sell Marmite.

 

What has also been built up over the years is what Guardian readers would describe as the Lifestyle Section. This encompasses everything from outdoor clothes and kit (most of which seems rather over the top considering we live in a country that only gets snow for about 7 days a year and isn’t that prone to hurricanes or severe droughts), toys and games for the kids, that generally aren’t seen in garish ads and made of cheap plastic, home ware that can give any room that chic, rustic farmhouse look, at almost the same cost as buying a chic, rustic farmhouse, and a health and beauty section to pamper yourself with after a week of getting your hands dirty at the office.

I’m sorry, enough with the middle class jokes (I can get away with it though because I am actually one of them). Seriously though, as you take your time to wonder around the various sections of the main building you will see they have supplied a space for a number of small local businesses, such as Orange Tree, Sarah Pepper Florist and The Treatment Loft that would have otherwise had to try and fend for themselves. Whereas here they get to benefit from each other’s unique appeal and create a richer and more sustainable shopping experience for everyone.

 

This is still a rural farm don’t forget and there is plenty to do outside once the shopping is over, or if you don’t even fancy doing any shopping at all. There’s the animal corner where kids of all ages can get up close to the wildlife on the farm, including Alpacas. Take a walk among the fields and see the crops change through the seasons and explore the wildlife in this picturesque valley above the River Clyst. There’s fishing all year round as well, for Carp, Roach and Bream from only £6 a day, and in the summer you can enjoy pick your own fruit and veg, including Sunflowers, and a Maize maze to get lost in. Bike hire is also available so you can go off and explore the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail that runs right by or just kick back and relax with a spa treatment or pilates class.

 

It’s great to come across a business that has taken off and is doing so well that has come from such humble roots. Unlike a lot of businesses though that sell out to a certain extent and become homogenous and banal, Dart’s Farm still retains that air of authenticity and genuineness that you only get from a well loved and well run family business. Don’t let any preconceptions about how places like this are simply modern day temples for the aspiring middle classes put you off. We should be proud of success stories like Dart’s Farm and we shouldn’t be jealous of that success, or of those that like to go there.

 

Opening Hours:

Monday to Saturday: 8am - 7pm

Sunday: 9.30am - 4.30pm (9.30 - 10.30am viewing time only)

Bank Holidays: 9am - 7pm

 

Address:

Darts Farm, Topsham, Exeter, Devon,

EX3 0QH

 

http://www.dartsfarm.co.uk/

Al Farid - A True Moroccan Experience at the heart of the City

I went on holiday once just because I ate here. I was sat with my best friend Graham in the upstairs restaurant of Al Farid about 4 years ago and we were discussing where we should go on holiday to catch a bit of winter sun.  As we were tucking into an array of mezze dishes (we had ordered far too many as usual) our conversation turned from flights and sand-castles to how good the food was and how much we both liked North African cuisine with its blend of traditional African techniques and Middle Eastern flavours and spices. Then it hit us. Why don’t we go on holiday somewhere where we can eat this every day?  A month later we were on a plane out to Tunisia and it was all down to the inspiration and atmosphere at Al Farid.

Tucked away in the South Street corner of Cathedral Green, Al Farid is a Moroccan Bar and Restaurant (I know, I know, we should have gone to Morocco on holiday, but Tunisia was cheaper and I’m a man on a budget I’m afraid to say) that gives you a truly authentic flavour of that part of the world.  The ground floor, as you walk in, has been turned into a splendid, cosy little bar area. Thick carpets and rugs are underfoot and drapes and linens hang from the walls and ceiling to transport you hundreds of miles away to the warm, balmy airs and mysterious allures of the back streets of Marrakesh. Low seats piled high with brightly designed cushions surround the walls where you can sit with a hot tea, or strong coffee, or perhaps a glass or arak; the traditional aniseed based spirit that will definitely put hairs on your chest! The lights are dim and the soundtrack of hushed conversation and laughter from the clientele wafts over Arabic and Berber music creating an air of mystery and enchantment.  It’s a great setting to while away an evening with some friends and a few drinks, while picking at plates of mezze and tapas when you want. Plus you can lounge around while you’re waiting to meet people before going up stairs for a more ‘traditional’ sit down meal.

The upstairs space keeps the ambiance that you have just left, however you will have to negotiate one of the steepest, narrowest, and most treacherous staircases you will ever come across. Going up isn’t much of a problem, but going down after a few glasses of wine and a full stomach can test your coordination and head for heights.  There is a truly delicious menu though waiting for you at the summit. The centre of it, as I’ve mentioned, is the mezze selection; a smorgasbord (I love the fact I got to use that word) of small dishes that you can pick any number of to share. This gives you the option of trying a whole host of different dishes and flavours in combination that can lead to some very tasty results. Try dipping the Moroccan ‘Keftas’ meatballs into their homemade hummus.   I warn you now though; your eyes and your mouth will want to try far too much and in my experience you will end up with lots of little bits of leftovers. But that is the reason why the good Lord invented the doggy bag.

Don’t let these scrummy morsels completely steal your attention. There are also some delicious individual main courses such as the chicken or Lamb Tagines served with couscous or for the vegetarians; Persian “Ghemieh”- a Split pea, tomato and dried lime stew with grilled aubergine served with saffron rice.  Save enough room for the handmade Baklava for desert or the Mhallableyh; a rice pudding with rose water.

So how do you top all of that? Well, for those who have travelled across the Middle East and North Africa, you will know the best way is to sit around with your friends, chatting, and digesting your meal into the small hours, while sharing a hooka pipe. In an age, and a part of the world, that seems to be allowing us to do less and less, and with so many flashy gadgets and gizmos that let you do so much while at the same time reducing what you actually experience, taking the time to share in an ancient tradition that people have being practising for thousands of years is a rare treat and something I think should be cherished.  Sat out in their secret courtyard the aromas of sweet flavoured tobaccos create an exotic, intense environment where time and your surroundings can easily be forgotten.

Al Farid is the epitome of a hidden gem. Hidden away, with no obvious, outward signs of what lies behind the white washed walls with blue adornments, this restaurant is known to but a few, but to those people it is a true delight. This isn’t a place that is trying to be akin to something it’s not, much like a lot of themed pubs and restaurants. This isn’t a cheap charade, a thinly disguised veil, or a second rate facsimile or what a Moroccan restaurant is. This is the authentic, real deal. If you fancy a trip to North Africa this summer, come here for the perfect inspiration.  


Opening Times: Saturday 12pm till late
                           Sunday -Friday 5pm till late

Address : 3 Cathedral Yard ,Exeter, EX1 1HJ

Tel: 01392 494444

http://alfaridrestaurant.co.uk/ 

The Beer Cellar - New, Overdue, and with plenty of Great Brews

Beer is cool. However I’m not talking your fancy European Larger with their expensive, feature film, quality adverts, slick marketing campaigns, and fancy pumps on the bar that look like pieces of contemporary sculpture that wouldn’t seem out of place in the Tate Modern. No. I’m talking Ale’s. Real Ales. What your dad, and granddad drinks. These beers are now the cutting edge of chic, and the hottest place in town to be seen with one of these is the Beer Cellar.

 

Brand new to Exeter, only opening a couple of weeks ago, the city’s latest bar is located at the top of South Street on the corner of the entrance through into Cathedral Green.  Don’t think for a minute though that this is some dark, musty, hushed, conservative establishment full of old men with beards discussing hops and brewing temperatures. This is a modern looking, streamlined bar, with no frills and gaudy paraphernalia hanging from the walls,  that wouldn’t look out of place in New York or London, and is full of men with beards discussing hops and brewing temperatures! These are some impressive facial hair displays though, that have made, in a similar way, as an unexpected and extraordinary comeback into the fashionable circles as proper beer has done over the last few years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Originally started down in Cornwall as a purely specialist bottled beer shop, the Beer Cellar became popular enough to start to offer tasting sessions and draught options on a lot of their range. This has lead to them taking the plunge full on by opening their first, purpose built bar here in Exeter.  I’m a big fan of beers, as you may have guessed, and I think this new approach to it, from a younger generation who don’t mind bringing a bit of modernity to the cause, and who aren’t frightened off by the image of what drinking Ales and Stouts might give them, can, and will, open up this tasty and refreshing world to a whole new audience. I was travelling in the States last year and over the Pond the thirst for old fashioned beer brewed in micro breweries has just exploded. There are dozens of bars like the Beer Cellar in every major town and city and they are crowded every night with young people(most admittedly with strange hair, thick rimmed glasses and a hipster fashion sense)  who want to experiment and try new and different beers from all over the world. So it's about time something like this has come to Exeter.

The Beer Cellar has embraced this way of thinking, with currently 12 taps dedicated to draught beers (with the chance of three or four more being added very soon) that don’t just boast signs on them advertising local Devon and Cornish brews, but Ales from all across the country and the world.  These are constantly rotated with new beers arriving every day. I’ve been in twice, a week or so apart, and was amazed that almost none of the same beers were still on tap from my first visit, so there are always plenty of reasons to keep going back. All of the beers are handled with great care and attention. They are all treated uniquely, with every aspect of their storage and delivery, no matter how minor, carefully considered and taken into account before they reach the taste buds of the discerning clientele. All this is done by the very knowledgeable staff who are eager to pass on their wisdom to anyone who is either unsure about what to try, or wants to discuss the finer points of individual techniques or subtle flavours.  There is also a healthy range of bottled beers, some you might know but plenty ready to be discovered, and for those who still can’t be convinced by all this old fashioned brewing malarkey, they have a fine line in high class spirits and a few very cheeky white and red wines. Even though it might not be beer, everything has been taste tested to bring you the best flavours imaginable.

If you do discover a favourite brew that you like, then they are more than happy to sell you a polly pin of 4-6 pints to take home with you to share with friends, or to just enjoy on your own if you don’t have any. They also plan on doing a small amount of food, bar snacks and nibbles mostly, once the place is fully operational, and during the summer months, when the rain clouds have melted away and the warm evenings seem to stretch on until morning, they will have outside seating overlooking the Cathedral and Hog Roasts supplied by a Cornish farm whom they have a strong connection with; they feed their piggy’s on recycled malt and sediment from the bottom of the casks.  So look out for that.

I hope you will investigate this latest, independent, addition to the city and discover for yourself a quirky bar in the centre of town, that takes great pride in what it serves and isn’t ashamed to break the traditional ideas and prejudices that go along with they serve. Try it for yourself and I bet you’ll find something you like.

Opening Times: 11.00 - 23.30

Address: 2 South Street, Exeter, EX1 1DZ

Phone	01392 757570 / 07830260423
Email	exeter@beer-cellar.co.uk
Website	http://www.beer-cellar.co.uk

The Royal Albert Memorial Museum - Discover something old and something new, for Free!

Happy New Year to you all. Christmas is over with for another year, the celebratory parties are a distant and hazy memory, all the presents are have been used or are broken, and you have finally polished off the last of the turkey and your mother in laws Christmas cake that could have been used as a cheap alternative to that fire retardant house insulation you plastered your attic in last year. So, with the weather getting you down and the thought of summer holidays being a long way off it would be easy to just stay indoors and hibernate like a Blue Peter tortoise and wait for spring to arrive. But I encourage you to go and spend just an hour or two, maybe an afternoon perhaps, or even a whole day, wondering around the Royal Albert Memorial Museum (RAMM) on Queen Street. After being closed for almost 4 years while extensive, and I have to admit very much needed, renovations and re-organising took place, this splendid collection of historical pieces and artefacts tells you both the story of Exeter and the surrounding area as well as presenting you with extensive collections from civilisations from all across the globe. Take a look at Stone Age tools that were used by our ancestors over 5000 years ago (that’s your great, great, great, great... ×200 grandfathers knife!), a set of Samurai Warrior armour, a whales skeleton and videos of the area from the 50s and 60s. From the geological formation of the globe to the invention of the microchip all of life is covered in this great tour through history.

If history isn’t quite your cup of tea though, there is the stunning collection of wildlife on display with exotic animals from across the globe including an African elephant, polar bear, tiger and of course the iconic Gerald the Giraffe who, who, after encountering the big game hunter Charles Victor Alexander Peel, has been the mascot for the museum since his inclusion in the 1920s. There are also rooms with impressive collections dedicated to wild birds from across the world and to discovering the tiny world of insect life.

Great! A history and natural history museum all in one, what could be better? Well how about an art gallery as well. Boasting an impressive collection of local artists and pictures dating back hundreds of years there is an ever constant cycle of world famous art to view in the main gallery on the ground floor. On top of this there are three galleries for temporary or visiting exhibitions that can range from collections of wildlife photography, to modern, experimental art works, to themed assortments of art that can include just about anything. Even if you don’t know your Rembrandt from your Emin, which if your anything like me includes you (my artistic skills and knowledge haven’t progressed past potato printing when I was 3), then you can still have a wonder around, looking at some nice pictures, and occasionally say something about ‘emotional boundaries’ or ‘juxtaposed colour palettes’ so that those around you think you are an expert about what you are talking about.

Add into this heady mix of knowledge and fun a great coffee shop and lunch time cafe run by those fine folks from Otterton Mill (I will cover this in more detail in a later post), loads of interactive exhibits to get those brains going, spotlight tours on Wednesdays and Saturdays about each of the different areas of the museum, a display featuring ordinary peoples weird and wonderful collections, and so many kid friendly activities and features that you won’t have to worry about them moaning that there board after only 5 minutes.

And how much is this going to cost me you ask? Well it’s all for FREE!!! With no admission charge you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city any time you like, for as long as you like, and discover something new, without having to pay a penny.

Plus, for the price of a little bit of money, you can go along to one of their adult learning courses throughout the year for those wanting to improve their artistic or writing skills, as well as special lectures and evening events that both highlight some of the terrific pieces on display and give you a detailed insight into their origins and raise much needed money and awareness for the museum charity itself.

So as we usher in 2014 we all take our time, both looking forward to what the future might bring us all, and as a chance to reflect on the year that has passed and where it has brought us to now. History is something of a passion of mine. I studied it for a number of years and am fascinated by both how the world and the people in it have changed so much over thousands of years, but also how much we have stayed the same and share in common experiences that connect us through generations. You get a great sense of this at the RAMM, together with many other things, that combine to make a great day out for all ages and interests. It is a rare luxury that we have such a fine institution within our midst and it would be a great shame for it to go unappreciated by anyone who has the chance to experience it. So make the most of this quiet period and go explore some culture and history, you will learn something and you might even enjoy it.

Opening times: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm. Closed Mondays and bank holidays.
Free Admission

Address: Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery Queen Street Exeter EX4 3RX

Tel: 01392 265 858

http://www.rammuseum.org.uk/