FRESH AIR

What a busy weekend – actually had a little time outside the house and away from the shop. Sunday was spent walking in Allendale, starting from the market square and quickly hitting the moors for a good 13 mile walk over barren and moon like fells. Perfect! The day was finished with a half of Allendale Brewery’s “Callew” real ale at a local hostelry. Roll on retirement! The only thing that spoilt the day was the thick blue haze of smoke which clouded your vision and clung to your clothes as you entered the pub. I for one will be glad to see smoking banned in pubs, but then again I’m a non smoker. I dread to think however, what effect this will have on the traditional working men’s clubs in this region. Their survival is perilous enough as it is without alienating the vast majority of their clientele. Pubs in Scotland have suffered as a result of the ban, and it will be interesting to see what happens in England and Wales.