Heard nothing but good things since the refurbishment, will have to give it a try CLB. Went to San Carlos in Birmingham last week which is owmed by the same people that own the Manchester one, very disappointed. The Manchester restaurant is absolutely fantastic IMO, never had a bad meal, spot on every time I've been, same can't be said for the Brum branch. Hardly any staff, which is in stark contrast to the Manchester branch which has more staff thatn customers! Signature lobster dish was awful, chewy overcooked lobster and far too much tomato, and the toilets were disgusting. Won't be going again.

I fancied going over, not to actually get into MGM Grand as you'd have no chance, but just to enjoy the atmosphere, nothing like Vegas leading up to a massive fight. But the flights have gone through the roof, over £1000 now and the hotel rooms are obviously expensive, so I'm giving it a miss.

Brilliant!Remember debs asking for diet coke first of all, then slimline tonic in the Fox and Hounds a few seasons back: "We're the fox and hounds love, A PUB, we serve beer and sprits only" Classic!

We're currently in the states and was talking to a massive Beatles fan from Lubbock Texas (where Buddy Holly was born) and he was telling us that Paul McCartneys playing in Lubbock in the next few weeks and tickets are priced at $680 each, that's about £425! And it sold out in 23 minutes all 12k seats. Now I can appreciate the Beatles and what they did for music, but over £400 to watch a man that can't sing anymore......supply on demand I guess but I stopped short of telling this guy he was being robbed. Talk about ripping your fans off and cashing in, I've even less respect for him than I had before.

Another thread on its way out due to this muppet, mods sort it out please.

I find you a touch bizarre TJ. A great find indeed Vintage, we'll be back for more.

I had mushroom ravioli with black truffle and mushroom sauce to start followed by the burger. Debs had Beetroot 3 ways followed by piri piri chicken. Superb

Gave this a try last week in the recommendation from vintage and I have to say it was superb. The building from the outside looks nothing special but as soon as you walk through the front door you feel like you're in central London not St Annes. Food was top quality, very well presented and not too expensive. If you're in the area at least nip in for a drink, you'll not be disappointed.

Didn't get over to the grand sadly but will next time. Have you tried the Cartford Inn at Great Eccleston, fantastic, best pub food I've had in years.

Been a few times myself, its pretty good fare and not as expensive as you'd expect for somewhere with his name attached. The building is wonderful also, used to be a bank and they've kept many original features, superb. We've eaten out a few times recently and discovered possibly the best pub food we can ever remember having, here: http://www.thecartfordinn.co.uk/ Its a bit off the beaten track but if you get over give it a go, simply fantastic. The menu had very much a French influence going on with French onion soup , Cassoulet , Bouillabaisse and A plateau de fruits de mer (24hrs notice required), all at gastro pub prices. These alongside ox-tail suet pudding, green beans and mash, very interesting menu. Beautiful setting next to the River Wyre and the bill was just over £50 with drinks for 2. If you get the chance give it a go, I’m sure you’ll not be disappointed, but I’d book at weekends. We also ate at Chez Lahou, Walkley in Sheffield, never had as much food in my life and the quality was exceptional. Sat reading the menu and owner comes out with a plate of chicken wings and garlic bread, for free, its all part of the experience.......no starters required. For mains I had fillet steak Wellington and Debs had a saddle of lamb, well it was more like half a lamb and half a cow, never seen some much meat on 2 plates in my life and the quality was very very good. 2 bottles of wine and all that meat, £24 each!! When we play at Hillsborough later in the year get booked in, its 10 minutes in the car from the ground, we'll probably see you there.

Gave in (wife made me) and went to the Clogg for the first time since its been renovated, must admit I like the new layout, much better than before. The food was good, although they didn’t have any partridge which was the main reason for going, but that can happen anywhere. Just a note about the service, still poor even in a deserted restaurant, didn’t get offered the chance to buy a second drink, had to go to the bar, and our plates never got cleared away after we’d finished, we walked up and paid the bill. This maybe being a bit picky, but you expect a certain standard of service and we didn’t get it, which is a surprise because the lad at front of house is very good and things have improved since he came back I’m assured by friends that have been recently. Oh well

I think we need to remeber that we've won 3 Ashes series and away in India, that's a tremendous achievement and one we should all be very proud of. That said I think the golden era has now well and truly gone, and some of the players from that era need putting out to pasture. Over to you Andy Flower.

Can't agree Pietersen has been awful, he winds me up with his me me me attitude but he's done ok on this tour, if it wasn't for his runs it would have been even more embarrassing. Bell keeps getting caught behind because the ball comes on to the bat much quicker in Oz, sadly he doesn't have the ability to change his game to suit the conditions which is poor in my book. But lets face it, the whole team is a shadow of its former self, Flower needs to get his act together and start doing his job again instead of keeping his future options open and filling the squad full of uncertainty.

I've got to say the Cook dismissal was amateurish at best, an absolute shocker, what was he thinking? Well he probably wasn't thinking that's the problem. Bells dismissal was also terrible, he's been found out and clearly doesn't have the tools to modify his game for Australian conditions. The upper batting order need to take a long hard look at themselves, simply not good enough.

Yes agreed about the field Bryan, but I think I'd have batted in those conditions though, taylor made for swing. Broad also sets his own field more often than not, senior player and all that.

He was setting his own field for the 10 overs, Cook should have brought a man in catching but never did, maybe he didn't want to undermine a senior player....He's had a terrible series Anderson, very poor by his standards, but today I had high hopes with the conditions and he blew his lines again, very poor.

I've got a lot of time for James Anderson, he's been a great servant to the England team, but I can't for the life of me understand what the hell he was doing for the first 10 overs this morning. Short pitched balling on a morning that was overcast and humid with a ball that's swings for 15 overs??? And his field setting was poor. I think his days are numbered, poor series Mr Anderson.

Thats the name of the place, you told us about that a while back, its now on the agenda.

Thats taking the wee wee! I don't mind paying for food but thats just daylight robbery!

Debs was saying we've never had a bad meal at the Clogg and I had to conceed shes right, but that said the service has often been poor and a number of times our order has arrived incorrect. When they get it right is good, but when they get it wrong its poor attention to detail, and its off our list also for now, better alternatives in the area for me. Be good to hear your thoughts on the Naga, its our favourite Indian at the moment, not the cheapest but very good in our opinion.

Not only do you have to contend with Aussies bowling at 90mph, but hundreds of flies seem to have got in on the act, than in itself was a war of attrition!

A bit late I know, but: Unfotunetly for me I was in The Olive press recently and it was terrible. Going the same way as the Bolton and Clitheroe ones did, downhill fast. Stay away would be my advice

You couldn't make it up Stuart!

The Golden Lion at Wheelton has just been taken over by new management, and if you like good cheap home cooked pub food then look no further, I can't say enough good things about it.

Dylan lost his voice in the 80's and had to learn to sing again. He probably can't sing the 1974 version anymore but has reworked it. Thanks Paul