retiredmartin

You left me in Whitehaven, virtually trying on Regency costumes in the town museum and admiring the birds.

But, just as Mrs RM was here on business, I also had A Mission To Tick (unreleased Bond film starring Timothy Dalton c. ’89).

What would the Candlestick bring ?

Whitehaven has one really smart pub, a Spoons, and some gritty boozers that I expect Irish Sea Dave has done.

Plenty of potential for conversion to pub use here;

The Candlestick (top) looks all the world like a slightly upmarket Lakeland Robinsons house, but turns out to be a free house rescued from Stockport ownership.

It’ll be a bit modernised (“evening cafe bar/cocktail bar feel” says What Pub) for Stockport’s Pub Men, but better an all-rounder with daytime trade than a specialist with none.

The young landlord enthused about the cask (Cross Bay Red IPA was a gorgeous 3.5+) AND Staropramen, the new Stella, and we compared notes on Corby. It was a cheery place.

As was the queue for Fraser’s chippy next door, from which I sneaked a tray of squid and chips I forgot to share with Mrs RM. On the scenic outside table a grumpy lady stormed past, moaning about slow service. 18 months on, we have squid, we have cask, and still people moan.

and headed back to rescue Mrs RM from the French IT crisis. The Spoons looked like a bomb had hit it, a sea of dirty cups and breakfasts. But it had served its purpose.