The next port of call was Alberts Bar on Skunu Ilea. This was an English bar and although we never went back after watching United retain the Carling Cup, it was ok. The barmaids were well worth looking at and the beer was ok - Azagus Aldaris at 1.40 Lats for 1/2 litre and Kiss Cider at 1.50 Lts. I don't think it was cider - more a perry but it was very refreshing.

After we'd fed our faces and had a couple of pints we headed towards and Orish pub called Paddy Whelans. What a shit-hole. Televisions all over the place but it was full of ignorant wankers from London watching Spurs on tele. We made the mistake of having a pint in here. Three of us had Guiness for 2.50 Lats whilst Norm chose a Leffe Brun at 2.40 Lats. Utter shite so we quickly left.

Latvia - March 2010

It was an early start - especially for me as I had to pick up NL, JH and JP before driving to John Lennon aiport for our early morning flight to Riga. We arrived at the airport at 4 am and remarkably even though JP had been up most of the night he was not that much under the influence.

The first couple of pints were the awful Carling. I abstained but the other three decided to start as they meant to go on.

Norm and I spent most of the time asleep on the flight except when we were interrupted by the irritating announcements for scratch cards and crap cans of Carlsberg for £4 for 33cl. I wouldn't drink that if it came out of Cheryl Cole's minge but JP bought 2 cans and almost threw up the contents after just one sip.

We landed in Riga without mishap and JP quickly grabbed a taxi to take us to the fantastic Hotel Konventa Seta in the heart of Riga Old Town. The exchange rate is currently around 75 Lats for £1. The taxi ride cost 9 Lats.

Twenty minutes later we'd booked in and had to find a pub to watch the United v Aston Villa Carling Cup Final. Normally we don't venture into the ubiquitous Oirish / English bars but if we wanted to watch the match....

The first pub we found was Alus Seta on Tirguna Ilea. I'd been in this place 6 years earlier and rated it highly. It didn't disappoint.

It serves traditional Latvian food, kebabs, roast tatties, a variety of stews plus salad. All were tried over the five days and were highly recommended by each of us.

The beers were Ventspils Lazavas at 1.30 Lats and JP tried a Kiss cider at 2 Lats. Over the next few days we also tried Aldaris and Uzavas Gaisais (pale unfiltered lager type beer), Aldaris Zelta and Uzavas Tumsais a dark unfiltered beer. The background music was apparently traditional Latvian Folk music. It didn't bother me but JH found it annoying.

Passgen - Koln

Just time for another few 25 cl of Kolsch. This is very different to Alt and is similar to a pilsner. This pub was incredibly busy, serving huge portions of the normal Germanic fare. We only came for the beer and it was worth coming.

Another beauty of a pub in Koln. This is in a huge square and even though it rained throughout our visit, it didn't stop us standing outside with the locals supping a fantastic Kolsch or ten. They even laughed when Tededned nudged the umbrella stand and drenched one of their party.

This fine little boozer can be found in the Altstadt in Koln about two minutes walk from the banks of the Rhine. We chacned on this pub after trying unsuccessfully to get into a pub that boasted that it sold 100 different beers. (It was closed and it was Saturday afternoon).

I thought the beer in here was excellent, again priced at 1.70 euros for a 25cl glass but we were served by the most miserable horsefaced cow we've ever had the misfortune to meet. She made us feel most unwelcome although this was quite probably her normal German demeanour. (See below)

Beer Mats