I couldn’t leave Leek without some more culinary highlights, starting with breakfast at the Green Man.
It really is staggering how readily Dick and Dave follow my lead; next year I’ll order a Phal (hot) in a Manchester curry house, washed down with conker milk DIPA.
Over cheese and ham oatcakes from Leek Oatcakes round the corner (“It’s legendary” said host Paul), we debated black pudding and Eccles cakes. Who says this blog is all about beer ?
I took a stroll round town before setting off for Ashbourne, admiring the WilliamMorris house and library.
and bought Mrs RM some meringues and Bakewell tart from Pronto Deli. I presume they were good.
Quinno seemed surprised by my reports of classic pubs.
It’s a bit like Bridgnorth, cut-off by lack of a mainline train station.
So I was thrilled to read the headline from the Leek Post, reporting the first 201 metre of track being laid down to reconnect the town with the modern world (well, Stoke).
On current projections, Stafford Paul will be able to get there on the train by 2071, by which time we can hope some more 10am Stonegate pubs will have joined the Spoons in offering 6% beers to the breakfast imbibers.
It’s a wonderful town, though there’s a worrying number of places up for sale in St. Edward St and beyond, including this Marston pub which provided a rare disappointing pint for our visitors.
The number of new crafts bars suggests there’s a bit of life left in the old gal yet though.
“Stafford Paul will be able to get there on the train by 2071” – I’ve got to get through 2021 first !
“a worrying number of places up for sale in St. Edward St and beyond” possibly including the ex Pound Pub / ex Lymestone pub.
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Ah yes I remember the Lymestone now.
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Your lead is often an interesting one. Loved those cakes. Best breakfast of the trip.
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“It really is staggering how readily Dick and Dave follow my lead”
A lot of us follow your lead. You’re like what’s his face in Guardians of the Galaxy; the one they call Starlord. 🙂
“Pink ones cost 20p more, subtle racism”
Nah. It’s all the extra food colouring.
““Drink all 3 in an hour and die in a ditch by 10am””
I did something similar visiting my brother one time in northern France. Went to a bar around 9am and had 3 bottles of Chimay Blue in about an hour. Didn’t die in a ditch but I was definitely intoxicated. 🙂
“The number of new crafts bars suggests there’s a bit of life left in the old gal yet though.”
Would the Butter Market by one? 😉
Cheers
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“Definitely intoxicated” !!!!!
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So Leek station might be open by the time of a BRAPA visit (2043). Sounds quite appropriate somehow.
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I am a bit curious about the fabled Leek Oatcakes. Is the typical version sweet or savory? What sorts of things are they served with?
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Dick and Dave had quite a conversation about that with the B & B chap!
You can add anything to them, Nutella, jam, peanut butter. I guess they’re the English crepe.
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To me those Leek Oatcakes look just like the North Staffordshire Oatcakes so often found in the Potteries.
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Oh no there’s a world of difference.!
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So I shall go and investigate – once they’re reopened Leek railway station.
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Give it a week or two.
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Surely there’s got to be an oatcake infused IPA on the market?
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Probably in the village you’re just moving to now 😉
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