Brian Giles's leaving do at The Little Dry Dock, Spring 1999

Certainly a very unusual pub to visit as the bar is actually an old canal barge that they managed to squeeze into the building in the 1980's and the rest of the pub is full of barge memorabilia. A very friendly chatty landlord called Chris who told us all sorts about the pub. It used to be a boatyard and still lies below a junction in the canal network. There's clear evidence of old industrial activity nearby with an old building near the entrance to the Netherton canal tunnel but most of the area is now very green with lots of trees that have taken the place of the old industry. A popular area in the summer for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.

Ushers real ale is on offer in the pub at lunchtimes and during the evening and they sometimes have a guest available too. Tasty filling food is the order of the day. One of their specialities is a Cow Pie, a popular dish in Mad O'Rourke pubs in the Midlands (visible at this end of the table with pastry horns!). If you manage to eat the whole thing filled with steak and kidney and vegetables, they'll give you a certificate. Mine's proudly displayed on the wall above my desk here in the office.