Back to Plymouth from Totnes in time for a nightcap and Chinese takeaway from Lee’s (NCTSS 3.5) on a baking Thursday night.
First a little stroll up Notte Street and the vast University District, which seems to be doing a grand job of preserving double entendre and fun pubs.
I think I walked past four pubs with “Firkin” on the sign. Surely not all relics of the Bruce empire?
Away from the Barbican you can enjoy a 3 in a row of Walkabout, Yates, and Spoons for your Wu Wus. Which is great if you’re feeling homesick for Milton Keynes.
My next new Plymouth tick was the quaintly named “Pub on the Hoe“. I think the Hoe is a national treasure, you know.
Drake stands, glaring at the drunken debauchery in the Dolphin.
Japanese tourists, always the best gauge of how good a place is, throng the Promenade, entranced by a sunset as good as anything you’ll find in Ramsey.
The eponymous Pub is a little more workmanlike, with seating on the pavement.
But the 30 somethings have turned it into their own private Ibiza, and anything goes.
TV screens, grazing platters, confusing floor levels.
And no Doom Bar.
A bloke at the bar was refused service and got the hump, a cheery group of Marines turned noise levels up a notch, I took my frankly excellent Dartmoor IPA (3.5) for a quiet lie down in front of the tennis.
Only so much bare leg you can stand, so a wander down to the Dolphin revealed tonight’s busker playing Lynyrd Skynyrd.
Reader, quite how I resisted the Bass is still being studied at Plymouth University.
retiredmartin 
A thumping good read, Martin – nice to hear that the Marines were living up to their nickname too.
Let’s hope that the Royal Engineers steer clear.
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‘8 before 8’! Pubs presumably, a rare bit of reward for pub tickers everywhere. A shoe-in for. T-shirt I’d have thought.
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Does this mean “drink 8 pints before 8pm and win a t-shirt”? Can’t say I’ve ever seen anything like that in the States. Then again, in Japan they have flat fee “all you can drink” offers at certain bars, which is potentially rather more dangerous!
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I’m guessing it’s 8 pints over a period e.g. with a collector’s card, rather than one day.
(Almost) talking of which, do you think I should visit the Great British Beer Festival tomorrow?
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No!
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Correct answer.
Remember kids, Beer festivals kill pubs. Just like tasters and choice.
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The Hoe was my 10th pub before 8. I deserved more.
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Worthy of a Pewter Tankard at least. Get the full 12 before 8 and it’s the Golden Plant Pot.
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In Brighton recently I was on my fourth pint by noon.
Does that count for anything ?
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It counts towards my Annual Pubman of the Year awards, Paul.
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Or the “BRAPA inflatable railway station toilet”.
(apologies if that’s a spoiler for latest BRAPA).
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Oooh, not a bit of it Martin. The mind is all over the place with vivid speculation, as to whether a whole railway station might be inflatable, or just a toilet for one, for instance.
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Isn’t the staute of Drake on guard for BRAPA?
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He’s too late.
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