I’ve done all the easy counties now.
Time for the remote ones (West Wales, Devon), the ones with micro heaven/hell (Hants, Lancs) and the one with gastro dreadfulness. Yes, a return to Cheshire, so much less since they lopped off Stockport and gave it to the Mancs.
I start at the place which can console itself that at least it’s not Hartford.
Here’s what you think Northwich, Cheshire will look like;
And it does. But there’s also this;
As an aficionado of shopping and leisure centres, I reckon Barons Quay is a cracker. Not that I’d ever do any actual shopping or leisuring (?) there, but it’s smart and functional and integrates well with the long pedestrianised High Street.
I’d only ever been to Northwich a few times, last time for the Spoons (the only recent Guide entry) and a solid 1-0 Cambridge win at the Vics.
But I’m here for the (inevitable) new micro, albeit a micro with possibly the most ornate frontage so far.
Actually, less micro, more gig venue-cum-café bar. A Krakatoa (keep reading this blog) for the cappuccino crowd.
Some top BRAPA faves coming up soon, including the attractive Vibrators w/Vomit.
A pleasant atmosphere for an 11am coffee, but what about one of those unpredictable pale beers from Cheshire’s endless range of microbrewers.
I “ummed” and “ahhed” and randomly chose the Spellbound, presumably by Merlin, just hoping it wasn’t soup. It wasn’t soup, it was lovely (NBSS 3/3.5), so that’s told me.
I admired the gig posters, I identified the rockabilly (always the Stray Cats), I applauded the pubiness of the back room with pool table, I contemplated a new feature for Mr Crilley’s famous YouTube channel.
“Thanks” I said, returning my glass.
“It’s a pleasure mate” said the lovely barperson.
It really was.
retiredmartin 
I love places like that -lots to look at & the music element is interesting although not sure I would turn up to watch Vomit
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vomit are a Chris De Burgh covers band.
LikeLike
Chris De Burgh certainly has that effect on me.
LikeLike
“I’ve done all the easy counties now.”
The shaded area looks a bit like a goose.
“A butchers called Birtwisle’s – note lack of a “t””
I was just thinking that.
“Future Brunning & Price, surely ?”
Or they could rent out the top bit to re-enact a certain scene from Romeo and Juliet. 🙂
“Faded adverts from the 1930s (guess)”
Surely they’ve been banned since 2007?
“Rare clear signage on a micro”
That’s a micro?
“including the attractive Vibrators w/Vomit.”
Now I can’t stop thinking about using a vibrator in such a way as to induce vomiting.
“Possibly not that Mark”
Argh! Took me a second to get that (blush).
Cheers
PS – I take Norwich lost out in the naming department as it’s just a bit further south than Northwich? 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m thinking a turkey blowing a smoke ring.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Surely any rockabilly band who isn’t the stray cats is a psychobilly band?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for the shout out, Martin. If I do start a “question the mark” feature, you’ll know where I got the idea!
Please don’t tell the bands I said this, but “The Vibrators” and “Vomit” sound like names a middle aged comedian would come up with, trying to poke fun at band names that are deliberately meant to shock people. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure that’s exactly right, Mark. No-one would have fussed about the Sex Pistols if they’d been called the Six Epistles.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I recall having this sort of conversation with a mate, many years ago, proposing we formed a spoof covers band called ‘Flamboyant Vomit & the Big Bits’, quoting Tony Blackburn (that dates it!) as saying ‘I like the big bits’. Funnily enough, once we’d sobered up, it never got off the ground.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I see Kent is pink on your map. Could you direct me to the relevant part of your archive for the Ashford area? Curious to know what you made of my local GBG pubs.
LikeLike
Well, John, have a look here;
https://retiredmartin.com/2017/03/24/take-the-first-train-to-ashford/
Quite a balanced piece I feel. There’s only been two Good Beer Guide pubs in Ashford in many years, the Spoons (County) and the Pheasant, but some very good village pubs (Kennington, Great Chart, Mersham) over that time. I’ve only time (and liver) to visit the GBG pubs.
What have I missed ;-0
LikeLike
That’s Ashford!
LikeLike
Hopefully that’s you agreeing with my assessment, John, rather than someone confused by Ashford in the Northwich post!
Actually, pub wise there’s similarities. Only a Spoons troubling the Beer Guide for years.
LikeLike