Camra agm. Without us bar was empty at 12.45. 15 of us made the difference. 4 cask beers on, all low gravity.

1st visit of the outing: A cancelled train to Rochester brought me here just minutes after it opened at mid-day. I was their first customer on this day and so no waiting for the immediate and friendly service. Not my first visit but even more bowled over and by its colourful makeover on the outside! The pub is also known as the Monty, also spelt Montie and Monte, and named after local Victorian financier and philanthropist, Sir Moses Montefiore, former Sheriff of London, campaigner for Jewish rights, philanthropist and local benefactor. He lived on Ramsgate's East Cliff and died in 1885 at the very ripe old age for that time of 100. It would be nice to think he was a good regular. Talking of ripe, the inside of this backstreet corner street pub was exuberant on the inside with a garland or two of the still very ripe hops picked just a month ago hanging up around the bar. Many were harvested and without drying first so as to go into this year's green hopped ales. Gadds’(the Ramsgate Brewery) acquired the freehold of the Montefiore Arms earlier this year and this was behind its makeover. The pub's new ownership was celebrated on 5th September with a formal revealing of the mural by Ramsgate-based artist and pub regular, Dani Flowerdew. Hops and the sun shining feature for me on this wonderful to behold mural from head to foot, as in at least from the roof to pavement level. The artist has shared: "The final design incorporates the suggestion of landscape, sea and of course the ingredients for beer." I had to praise the beer I was supping here, the cancelled train that got me here by another route and the pub's new lease of life here onwards!

Early evening visit. Wonderful makeover on the outside of the building - a real piece of artwork. (Will send Andrew a pic). So good to have a decent pint and a good choice at a good price (£4.00). Busy and pleasant. One or two other ales on not noted.

Pub no. 6. And this is where it all went Pete Tong (as Gary King would say). We were the only people in, and Matt behind the bar turned out to have lots in common with Ian, so they nattered on about that whilst the rest of us drank pints of no. 7 (well, I did). Excellent pub and really sunny out so I got to stand at the bar with the sun on my back.

Cant remember how many beers were on

4 Gadds beers on. Eddie was trying to repair a handpump.

Shortly after mid-day and one other customer but within 20 or so minutes filled up round the bar with friendly locals for my hour's stay.

5 beers on ranging from £3.60 to £4.80.

A fair few in. 5 beers on. Huge difference in prices between the beers. Gadds no 7 at £3,50 and green devil at £5.60!

5 beers on.