Surprised by joy!
I was looking for a bargain for a business trip & found it at the Boot & Shoe - in Spades!
A pretty ordinary, traditional facade fronts an open but still traditional bar area.
It's definitely a pub with rooms - & what rooms! My double was large, with views out onto the market square. It had easy chairs, coffee maker plus a kettle, if preferred. It has bebefitted from a lot of investment. Landlird Chowed me to the room personally & explained the TV's operation in detail. He could have saved his breath - I never got a chance to watch it!
I went down to the bar for for a well-earned drink. I'm from Wiltshire & was pleasantly gobsmacked by the price of its beer, especially the "own label" brew. Try it; it redefins value for money.
Turns out Thursday is Open Mic & Karaoke night. The Open Mike session was interesting, with several veterans displaying their skills on guitar. The singing was ok, too.
I was thinking about popping out for a meal when the karaoke started. Seems like most of those present were regulars. The singing was sometimes v good, often hilarious & all warmly applauded.
It became a really fab evening. I've never been to Darlington before but I was made to feel very welcome. The meal went by the board, I was enjoying myself so much.
Would I go again? In a heartbeat.
What I would ask, is: Chris, could you find a karaoke track of Tumbling Dice that's in my key, for next time? It will help improve my performance.
Cheers, The Lodger 😁