Tried the Crown & Thistle at Grimehills, above Darwen, last night. For years this has been a good pub for eating but seemed to go downhill a couple of years ago. Now under new owners there is an expansion programme underway with dining now upstairs as well as down. There will also be further dining areas once an extension is complete. Very good food from an extensive menu and equally good value for money.

Shouldn't have a problem then, nowthen. Me and the missus turned up on a Saturday midday and were ok.

Yes, but quite a few years ago. Very good if my memory serves me. There is also another pub nearby that I think is called the Real Farmers Arms (?), also good. Again I was in there years ago.

Been there two or three times - very good food and equally good value.

Thanks - will give it a try!

Called at the Wheatsheaf in Croston yesterday coming back from Southport. Been here a few times now and the food is very good.

Thanks bb, we have up to now always finished in Waddington and as you imply the other two pubs there are preferable to the Higher Buck. There are 30 odd of us so we just wander around and choose to eat in any of the three. Col - which is the New Inn? I worked in Clitheroe in the mid 90s but can't remember where it is!

Mrs CLB and I organise a Ribble Valley pub crawl with a coach each summer. This year's route :- Quick pint in Darwen - Bonny Inn, Salesbury - Shireburn Arms, Eagle & Child, Bayleys Arms, all Hurst Green - Red Pump, Bashall Eaves - Parkers Arms, Newton in Bowland - Higher Buck, Waddington Arms, Lower Buck, all Waddington. Evening meal in Waddington. Vary the route each year, so in the past have visited - Sun Inn, Tillotson Arms, both Chipping - Hark to Bounty, Slaidburn - Moorcock, Waddington Fell - Aspinall Arms, Three Fishes, both Mitton - the four pubs in centre of Whalley - There's half a dozen from Manchester usually and they can't believe the scenery and beauty of the area. Nice!

What goes, beep - beep - beep - beep - beep - beep? Man United's open top bus reversing back in to the garage.

After a post like that Dave, you're entitled to use the name 'cayman' before your name. Eat proper bush tucker like those white grub things etc and you can upgrade to either 'crocodile' or 'alligator.'

Had a nice tapas afternoon today in El Rincon Manchester. Lovely food, authentic atmosphere and the pretty decent Cruz Campo. Unfortunately, to my right on the wall, was a collage of past Manchester Citeh players. Finally got in the Clog & Billy at the third attempt the other Saturday. Nothing more to add to the previous good recommendations on here except to say that their cheese & onion pie is a sodding world beater.

For the first time ever we have eaten out on Christmas Day - Marco Polo's in Darwen. Pricewise, the normal menu plus specials board. Excellent food, as usual and very welcoming. £165 for five. We had two garlic breads, followed by three courses each, two bottles of wine, a round of drinks and coffees and mince pies to finish. What's more, no washing up for me and a stress free day for Mrs CLB.

Shane was pure class last Saturday at the Pogues gig. At one point he staggered backwards and kept going until he landed in the drums. Had to be lifted out. Between numbers he simply muttered the title of the next song. Couldn't tell a word he said. The only other thing he said was, 'you lot look like a load a effing fat barstewards.' You've got to love him. The Stranglers, supporting, were very good. Never really taken any notice of them in the past but they were impressive and a 'Best of' album is winging its way to me as we speak.

Found out today that the Pogues are on at the MEN this Saturday. Have loved Shane and the boys for years but never seen them. Tickets booked, hotel booked, Italian early evening, the gig, then Christmas Markets on Sunday...... Can't wait, yeehaaaaaaaaaa!! (Who needs football?)

Went to Marco Polo's in Darwen again last night. Excellent. The owner (Mario, but a Turk not an Italian) is a nice guy and Fenerbache fan with a liking for Rovers and always willing to talk football.

Just finished reading, 'He Who Fears The Wolf' by Karin Fossum, a Norwegian Author. Although I read the book in Norwegian I actually spotted the English version in Waterstones a few months back and have bought it along with 'Don't Look Back' for my mum for Christmas. A crime thriller/murder mystery, I suppose a bit like a Scandinavian version of Inspector Morse. A horribly maimed body of an old lady is found up in the woods and a few local misfits are suspected. At the same time a bank robbery takes place in town and the robber takes one of the misfits as a hostage. Inspector Sejer and his side kick investigate.... This was the first of her books I have read and I'll now make my way through the other five or six. The presentation of her characters is excellent and I couldn't put the book down. Good reader reviews on Amazon.

Fair enough!

tony - if it was the 40 best gigs 'of all time,' why was the oldest one in 2004?

Was up at the Pack Horse, Belthorn again on Wednesday night for the midweek special. It's £20.95 per couple now but the menu has been extended slightly. Starter, main course, with either coffee or ice cream to finish and includes a smallish jug of wine which gets you about two glasses each. Very good value and the main thing is the food, as always, is excellent. And no, I'm not on commission.

The above was a review of Marco Polo's in Darwen, previously the Little Elephant thai restaurant, now mediterranean. Went there last night and I'm glad to say it was very, very good and can only presume they suffered one or two hitches shortly after they opened that have now been rectified. It's basically an Italian with a good choice of pasta and pizza plus meat dishes amongst others. From the menu with an additional specials board. Also tried the (bottled) Bombadier bitter at 5.2% which was excellent. Definitely one to go back to.

Went to the MEN last night to see Gabrielle. Not my normal cup of tea but I do really like her. We thought she was the main act but unfortunately she was support to Al Green. We arrived 10 minutes in to her set and it was obvious from the muted state of the audience that they were there solely for old Al. So, we got barely 45 mins of Gabrielle and then 'endured' an hour or so of the soul man before we left early. That'll teach me! £80 for the two of us. I've got to say that if you are an Al Green fan, he put on a damned polished show. But I'm not. Anyway back to the real stuff now and listening to Floyd, Gilmour, Genesis, Led Zep, Pendragon, Mostly Autumn, Karnataka.................

Was up at the Pack Horse (Italian) at Belthorn last week. Been a favourite of ours for years and for good food and particularly, excellent value, it's hard to beat. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays they do a mid week special costing around £17 for two and which includes wine. Mmm, nice!

Travelled over to Wath on Dearne last night to see Pendragon who, as always, were excellent. Thirty years now and we've been following them almost from the off. Supported last night by an accoustic set from Magenta a band I've been threatening to get into for a while. Damn, they're good! That'll cost me. Very enjoyable evening and for £17.50 a cool three and a half hours of Classic Rock.

There are a couple of (favourable) reviews on Amazon already.

English - see their website (and menu) at www.vinas-restaurant.co.uk