This is a small upstairs venue (holding up to 50 people) that every four weeks produces an evening of excellent music - usually with three acts for £5, which is value in anyone's book.
This week saw the latest line-up with Dan Wilde and Sadie Jemmett amongst those taking part. I wouldn't say that this was my favourite Grapevine evening as there was a similarity to all the music played - strict singer-songwriter pieces. But it did once again illustrate what a wonderful amount of talent there is criss-crossing this country to play at low key but rather wonderful venues.
Sadly the menu at Bedfords has changed. The prices have risen to an unacceptable level for what is a city pub, the quantity of food has diminished and there was virtually nothing on the menu that tickled my fancy. I ended up with an expensive pork belly dish which just didn't justify the cost and which left me still hungry at the end. We won't be eating there again until the menu reverts back to something a little more acceptable both in quantity and quality.
In contrast had lunch the following day at Wymondham Railway Pub where the food is excellent value and plentiful and the menu is extensive.
Today we have been back to one of my old haunts - Lowestoft. Main reason for going was to watch Lowestoft Town play Chorley. Harry B who used to live with us when he was with Norwich City Academy now plays for Lowestoft in the National League Northern Division. For the uninitiated that's the sixth tier of English football or two divisions outside the football league. Lowestoft made heavy weather of things but eventually recorded a 2-0 win.
Being at Crown Meadow brought back memories of my days as a reporter on the Lowestoft Journal when I was responsible for covering The Blues. The ground hasn't changed all that much, but the team are now playing at a much higher level than in the days of the Eastern Counties League.