retiredmartin

A second Staffs tick,

and suddenly, it’s complete !

Look very closely and you’ll see a deeper shade of pale for those two most recent ticks. These things matter.

Now, Hednesford is a surprising place. One of the string of Staffs mining towns north of Cannock that have added a gem of a micro to an uncompromising (choosing me words here) town in recent years.

Hednesford celebrates its history,

but has smartened up its town centre a lot since my last visit here (the wonderful Bridge), and not just by acquiring a Spoons.

I had to dally in the Hedgeford Lodge’s bustling bar while working out why the Heddin’s Ford wasn’t open at 16:00.

Now, this really is the nightmare for us tickers. Long trip from home, tight opening hours, pub unexpectedly shut.

Oh, what’s this ? A note saying the staff have gone to receive a CAMRA award in Stoke today ?

Not quite. That’s a Saturday event. It’s (checks phone) Wednesday.

I phone Kelly, whose name is on Facebook. No answer. It’s 16:30. I consider a pre-emptive tick at Kraftt Lounge. It’s keg, but don’t assume that will keep it out of the Guide.

But I’m desperate to complete Staffs; a county with one tick left keeps you awake at night (or is that just six pints). I phone Kerry again. She’s on her way !

Blimey, how often is the last tick great. This is wonderful. Kerry (possibly not her real name) was a gem, chatting crisps, happy hours, and the return of the regulars to a great little pub.

I have a pint of the Backyard Bitter and a cob.

“Do you want to make that a meal deal ?“

When you reach 57 you always say “Yes“, don’t you ?

“There you go my angel” she said. She really did. That’s a first for that one, I’ll add it to “M’duck”, “m’lovely” and “you twit”.

The Backyard, a bellwether pint, was cool and crisp and foamy, a 3.5+ to end a reliable and entertaining county on a high.

I saved the cheese and onion cob, expertly matched with Corker’s cheese and onion crisps for the journey home.

But only after asking Kerry for permission.