I’d had Barmouth recommended to me by a Welshman, though to be honest the dominant accent there is Black Country, with faggots and Eccles cakes being sold by blokes in Wolves shirts to Baggies fans. In the sun, mind. Away from the funfair, I thought it was a pretty wonderful seaside resort, with just enough… Continue reading BARMOUTH
Month: August 2016
THE OTHER FFESTINIOG
I’ll be honest and say that quite a few of the Beer Guide entries for North Wales are both unpronounceable and hard for me to pinpoint on a map. Llanrwst Yes, Llanfair Ffestiniog No. I’ll bet the Good Beer Guide has got the multiple Talybonts mixed up over the years. We had to pass through… Continue reading THE OTHER FFESTINIOG
MACHYNLLETH – ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY, TRADITIONAL PUBS
I’d wanted to visit the Centre for Alternative Technology (CAT) for years, but Machynlleth isn’t a place you pass every day. The Dyfi Valley from down past Dolgellau was gorgeous, and a highlight of CAT itself was the range of views from the old slate quarry; as good as anything I’ve see in Wales. The… Continue reading MACHYNLLETH – ALTERNATIVE TECHNOLOGY, TRADITIONAL PUBS
USE OR LOSE IT – HARLECH REAL ALE
Our campsite at Min-y-Don was the most expensive of our Wales trip, but with views across to Llyn, and two minutes walk to sand dunes of Formby class it was worth it. What Harlech lacked was Wi-Fi, sun (possibly not its fault) and decent pubs, according to WhatPub anyway. But attracted by the Doom Bar glasses I unwisely popped… Continue reading USE OR LOSE IT – HARLECH REAL ALE
SLOW TRAIN TO PORTHMADOG
We stopped in Harlech to enjoy the gusts of wind depositing the contents of Tremadog Bay into our hair. I have a distant recollection of Harlech, as it’s famed for its ice cream and that must be unique. The walk to the castle actually made Snowdon, or even Lincoln, seem a doddle. Harlech’s main feature… Continue reading SLOW TRAIN TO PORTHMADOG
MIDDLETON’S FINEST ON ANGLESEY
I’m no fan of the grip glasses, but Lees is an underrated beer when served in decent nick. In a prime location next to the Menai Bridge, the Anglesey Arms is a classy place in a great little town for views and pubs, unspoilt by sticky menus. The MPA was the beer of the month… Continue reading MIDDLETON’S FINEST ON ANGLESEY
MOOR BEER IN CHESTER
We’d stopped our campervan overnight in the Little Roodee car park in Chester. Something to do with the adjacent racecourse ? It’s the best bed you’ll get in Chester for a fiver. I’d never really taken to Chester as much as you’re supposed, a bit too posh shops for me. The walk around the walls in… Continue reading MOOR BEER IN CHESTER
SNOWDONIA PARC
On the downside, I’ve been kept awake since 4pm by a chorus of cockerels outside my tent. On the upside, there’s a decent view this morning ahead of our ascent of Snowdon. Our campsite is pretty perfect. Clean, spacious and with steam trains and brewpub on site. I met the engaging Cem from Gwynedd A… Continue reading SNOWDONIA PARC
DAYTRIP TO BANGOR’S TAP’N’SPIILE
We’re camping in Snowdonia with no WiFi, so a tiny post today. Worse still, I’ve run out of Duran Duran puns. In 1979 that Fiddlers Dram single was one of the first ones I bought as a 14 year old punk, along with “Nuclear Device“. A less obvious place for a day trip I can’t… Continue reading DAYTRIP TO BANGOR’S TAP’N’SPIILE
NEW SPOONS ON MONDAY
I’m not sure when it’s going to get its Brewdog, but new openings and crafty upgrades continue apace in Cambridge. Meanwhile, Huntingdonshire makes do with a belated succession of Wetherspoons, which is clearly what people there want. The county town got its Spoons at the end of July. Ten years ago this would have been… Continue reading NEW SPOONS ON MONDAY
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