The best thing about Kent pubs is they’re dotted along the coast at regular intervals. So 5 minutes from Deal and I was in Walmer, and a short hop from another new micro. Is it possible that Walmer is more than The Berry ? SPOILER: YES
Looking at that map I do wonder if I’d have been quicker walking from the Farrier to the Freed Man, rather than back to Deal station. Russ can work it out.
There’s no question it’s a micro, is there ?
I warmed to this one straight away, the tat and humorous touches reminding me of both the Black Dog and the upmarket micro in Dover (really).
Proper seating makes it feel pubby, despite the scatter cushions (controversial view there).
The beer engines are for show, sadly.
By the time I’d digested the options I was a bit dizzy. And just who is that footballer on the right ? BeerMat will know.
Three regulars sat at the bar, one celebrating a birthday in style, so I enjoyed a decent Burning Sky next to the Python (books).
But that’s not what made this place a bit special. Nor the flowers, pretty as they were. It was the banter at the bar. All about the wedding.
“Well that’s the fuss over till the divorce”
“What IS Vicky Beckham wearing”
“It’s bad form to have a beard, Harry”
And on and on about fascinators and the vagaries of fashion. Proper pub life.
I turned to view the wacky Walmer window on the world. (Well, there’s a post box, anything can happen).
SMASSSSHHH !
A crash heard in the Butchers Arms, probably. Our Birthday Boy looked momentarily perplexed and apologetic, but all was swept up without fuss.
I suspect they were still at those seats when the Cup Final started.
The poshest micro so far, and that’s a good thing.
retiredmartin 
“Russ can work it out.”
Oh most definitely.
30 minutes to walk from the Ferrier. 17 to walk back to the station and then another 12 for the ride. So, unless you got there JUST as the train was leaving… 🙂
“Definitely not a Mersey Micro then”
I like how the sun is shining on The Sun. 😉
“Corporate bicycle for taking customers home ?”
I’m trying to figure out why the fire bucket has ice in it. Surely it should have fire?
“Typical Kent humour”
If you look at it another way, he’s made the same mistake over and over (since he dates, one would hope, but never follows through). 🙂
“Python”
Was going to say, that seals it for me. 🙂
“(controversial view there).”
Pfft. The beauty of scatter cushions is… you can scatter them somewhere else!
“next to the Python (books).”
According to the one in your photo, that should be ‘boks’. 😉
“SMASSSSHHH !”
Taking a page out of Mrs RM’s ‘bok’ was he? (LOL)
Cheers
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The bok is for my South African readers, Russ.
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Weirdly, I meant to use that exact line about Mrs RM and her bok.
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“Weirdly, I meant to use that exact line about Mrs RM and her bok.”
Great minds think alike. 🙂
(or some folks might say ‘fools seldom differ’) 😉
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I used to own a copy of that Brand New Monty Python Bok– I read it over so many times I had bits of it memorized.
Wait, now there’s an acceptable level of throw cushions?! Next you’ll be telling me you’re making allowances for decorative piles of logs and a certain number of posing tables. 😉
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As in all things, I take my guidance from the master, though given how much Simon drank in Cornwall today I don’t expect much sense.
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“I used to own a copy of that Brand New Monty Python Bok– I read it over so many times I had bits of it memorized.”
I have a cherished copy of “All the Words” (Vols 1 and 2 combined) which, sadly, I can’t locate at the moment!
Luckily I have the Complete DVD collection as well. 🙂
Cheers
* – I mean, that’s what Father’s Day, Christmas and birthdays are all about… asking for gifts you would never buy for yourself due to the price. 🙂
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Found it! (phew!)
It was buried under my pile of Pratchett, Flashman, Travis Magee and Guy Gavriel Kay books. 🙂
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You have time to read books as well as pub blogs ? Who knew ?
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A cracking micro, so good I have been there twice (the first an anticipatory tick). On my first visit I am pretty sure the beer engine worked as he took great pride in the restoration of it. Entirely probable that my recollection is once again flawed. Well done for resisting a Deal pun in the title.
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Your recollection is rarely flawed, I find !
Pub bloggers are only allowed a maximum of 71 Deal puns in a lifetime and I’ve reached my limit.
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That’s not what Rikke says. Some towns produce last numbers to visit over the years. Done 35 in Lancaster for example, though usually a high standard of beer there. My highest in Kent is more modest- 16 in Tunbridge Wells. What % are up to?
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85%, 90% in England so hoping for succession from the CAMRA union. Shame there’s no system of pub ticking pairing as I’d like those ticks Simon getting this week.
Interesting point on different pubs in town. Lancaster has a lot of consistent if unexceptional pubs, and quite a few one-season wonders. I can’t believe there’s many pubs in Durham that haven’t reached the Guide in last 20 years !
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Impressive stats! You seem to be making relentless progress.
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As you’ll know, there’s a law of diminishing returns…
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Indeed- this is going to be my lowest annual total of pubs for many years.
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Those cash register pumps are beautiful. Would love some of those. Looks to me like they’re in use, there’s a puddle of beer in the drip tray!
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A thing of beauty for sure.
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I still have the Bok ! never been to Deal on the train -I think it takes an age from the ‘Stone -perhaps we should give it a go -as you say this micro has a feel of the Black dog which we like !
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1hr 37 with a change at Asford Intl (bonus !). Deal is really gorgeous in the sunshine, one of my favourites.
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I have to confess I’m not sure who it is! Any clues? Great little boozer by the look of it?
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