I asked the ticket inspector if I could break my journey home in Newton-le-Willows.
“It don’t bother me, mate” he said, in that charming Woollyback lilt.
I knew you could, bit I always get a bit freaked out when your journey involves multiple train companies. But no-one cares. Except Tom Irvine.
And not many care about Newton, even though it provides you with access to Haydock Park, Murky Mountain, Sankey Valley and the childhood home of the Rickroller himself.
I can’t actually believe it was four years since my last visit. Who knows where the time goes ? (don’t think that was one of Rick’s hits).
As you can see from the train times, 20:12 to 20:31 gives 19 minutes to leave the train, get stuck behind the folk on a go-slow, walk 4 minutes to the Kirkfield, and down a quick pint. Oh, and take a few pics.
Blimey, this was a posh one. Uniformed staff, silver-encrusted champagne holders (?),
and those local beers that smart gastropubs in Cheshire put on to show their artisanal credentials.
I expected the worst, despite the cheery and welcoming staff.
But after finding a proper seat under the Rugby League memorabilia it started to make sense.
What a cheery place, loads of groups out on a school night (do Woollybacks go to school ?), and a wonderfully cool and creamy pint of Big Bog.
Note how expertly I made a mess on the table (top).
And then admire the lacings.
retiredmartin 
I have never dared to break a rail journey ,but my son actually asked Thameslink yesterday if he was allowed to & they confirmed he could .We have friends who do it regularly on the trans Pennine route (for drinking purposes ) I guess it’s allowed then !
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I think it’s generally fine as long as it’s not an advance fare on a specific train but the safest thing is to pull the emergency cord and ask the driver.
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I might be missing something, but those train times suggest you had 5 minutes in Newton, which is some going!
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Blame the proof reader !
Wrong time table. See updated blog. Actually was only 19 minutes between trains. Wow.
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19 is impressive enough, or rather impressively efficient.
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I’d have preferred 49, but these days you catch the first train home you can.
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Though based on your training 5 minutes would have been plenty, Leon.
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You took all those photos and drank a pint of what appears to be a New England IPA in just 10 minutes? Have a Kudo. No, have two Kudos.
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Is that an Olympic sport. Yes, it was a pint. And yes, in 10 minutes.
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Aren’t those spittoons? If not, it explains a lot of weird looks I get.
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Ha ha !
Yes, they’re spittoons, Dave, and it’s rude NOT to spit in them.
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Big Bog? Well that pint is rather on the cloudy side….
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So if those were the only beers on (3 too many?), the choice would appear to be a pale ale or another pale ale or an IPA or another IPA? Where’s the Dark ones for those of us that way inclined?
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There are special pubs for dark beer lovers like you, Clive. Consult the internet.
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I daresay there are but it’s no fun if you don’t act as the trailblazer (guinea-pig?) to recce them in advance! ;oD
Even BBB ones would provide a bit of welcome variety.
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Yes, you’re right, Clive.
Thinking back, I had no idea at all what those beers in Newton-le-Willows were like, so I just chose one at random (and I thought I’d had a Big Bog beer before).
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