125-3615 – The Swan – your village pub

This is the local pub opposite my sister house. It doesn’t seem to be open very often and closes quite early – apparently it focusses on letting out rooms these days. We went out to a pub for a nice British beer in the evening (something that us a must for me, each time I am in the UK), but not this one – instead going to The Crown in Bildeston.

Tue-15-Sep-2026

105-3144 – Horse in Bexley Square

Despite being tired (after seeing off our daughter and shopping in the Arndale for a wok), we stopped for a beer at the The New Oxford pub and I drew this. The pub has a huge range of beer – I had the house ale. This horse sculpture by Emma Rodgers (@rodgers_art.emma) recognises Salford as home to Englands first public library and it is covered with messages and sayings from famous Salfordians, poets and musicians. The visit Salford website (https://www.visitsalford.info/) also notes that “a dog cocking its leg against the lamp post is a tribute to Salford artist Harold Riley and his famous sketches of dogs”…you can just about see the dog in my sketch.

Sun-1-Jun-2025