LEARNING THE ROPES IN IRONBRIDGE

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12th February 2020

Slightly out of sequence, these next two. But then one of my readers, probably called Derek, would no doubt have studied the next photo and declared “Sir, Jupiter looks particularly high in the sky for a visit after 8pm on a Thursday“.

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Severn encroaching

That’s the view over the flooded plains above Buildwas Abbey as I approached Telford, following in the footsteps of the great Quosh.

I haven’t been to the Ironbridge villages for six years, since I had a meeting with Telford GPs opposite the All Nations Inn. How I miss NHS reorganisations.

Telford

Jackfield is a mile east of Mr. Telford’s bridge, and approximately 7.2 million light years from Telford town centre.

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Down to the river
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Re-open Jackfield Halt NOW !

Best known for its tile museum and collection of “lifestyle” outlets that occupied Sis and Mrs RM while I popped in the riverside Boat Inn once.

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Tile museum

Great walking, loads of pubs round here, 3.7 per person. The GBG one nearest the bridge was shut, being a micro and all, but the Black Swan was keen for our business.

Telfordpubs

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Cute
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Hobsons choice, as other GBG entry was closed

Half a dozen retired gentlefolk ramblers, and me (oh), and a new member of staff on handpump duty.

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Interesting beer range

My notes always make disturbing reason, particularly when I subsequently leave my phone in my back pocket and sit on it.

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Both new girl and tutor were exemplary by the way. The Landlady explaining how to pull, let it settle and to pup, and how to advise customers looking for the dark or local beer. “And if they ask for bitter they mean John Smiths Smooth“.

Shame that the beers are called “Old Prickly” and “Wainwright” rather than things like “Bitter” or “Pale beer”, then.

It’s a pleasant small dining pub, the garden’s the star, and I would have had the Proper Food which was causing a lot of egg questioning at the bar (they weren’t interrogating the egg, that would be silly).

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2.5, improving to a 3, as often happens

Buildwas looked even more dramatic on the way out.

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But nothing compared to what was to come….

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Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

18 thoughts on “LEARNING THE ROPES IN IRONBRIDGE”

    1. Odd phrase.

      There’s certainly been better pubs new to this year’s GBG than I’d expect.

      And beer quality has been good or better for a while, even midweek.

      I think I’m seeing less handpumps on the bar, too. Coincidence? I think not.

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    1. Yes it is – it’s about ten years for me, visiting the Golden Ball with workmates, Paul.

      I see that its present day blurb, advertising its rooms, says – without the slightest irony – “The Wesley Suite – named after the nearby Wesley Road”

      I wonder after whom the road was named?

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