“So, you’re the bloke who likes Doom Bar ?” asks the bloke who ticks beers when I’m introduced. Well, no, not exactly. But I do reckon there’s a decent beer almost everywhere (exclusions apply in the Cotswolds). And folk on Discourse petulantly saying they could NEVER score DB a 3 have probably not drunk it… Continue reading “Rather bland”
Month: July 2022
NEW QUAY, HEAVEN BY THE SEA
I wanted to use “New Quay, handy for a pee” but I sense BRAPA has an eye on that one. 2022 is the year of the big push towards the GBG prize, and it’s throwing up some real gems around the UK coast. We’d stayed in New Quay in 2005, in that sprawling caravan park… Continue reading NEW QUAY, HEAVEN BY THE SEA
NO STATUE OF SIR QUINNO AT LLANBADARN FAWR
The West Welsh Week wobbled on to the coast, and a noon opener at the Black Lion in Llanbadarn Fawr on the edge of historic University town Aberystwyth., which I can never spell correctly. Well, obviously it wasn’t open at noon; where would be the fun in that ? I took a stroll around the… Continue reading NO STATUE OF SIR QUINNO AT LLANBADARN FAWR
MID WALES HAS FALLEN – LLANGURIG BASS CLICK BAIT SPECIAL
It’s taken 28 years of a ticking career to finish Mid Wales, one of the most beautiful but frustrating of the GBG “counties” (I know). And it all ends at Llangurig, between the Beacons and the lakes, as we anxiously wait for noon opening at the Black Lion. I must have driven past it half… Continue reading MID WALES HAS FALLEN – LLANGURIG BASS CLICK BAIT SPECIAL
LOITERING IN LLANIDLOES
File this post under “for future historical reference only“. Lovely little Llanidloes (pronounced Lanny-Dee-Lowes, I believe), has 10 pubs for a population of 2,929, which is almost Isle of Man proportions. We stopped for a mid-morning saunter and cheese and sourdough; the cheese is still evident in the campervan a month later. Like nearly all… Continue reading LOITERING IN LLANIDLOES
NO CHANGE IN NEWTOWN, THANKFULLY
Probably 3 days into the West Wales Wander by now, and a break in Newtown, which I’d call Nice Newtown but it’s naff. They had free parking for the Jubilee and let me park the campervan in the attractively named “The Gravel” next to McDonalds. Newtown isn’t a must see, a bit functional like Atherstone… Continue reading NO CHANGE IN NEWTOWN, THANKFULLY
WAITING FOR THE BEEHIVE TO POSSIBLY OPEN
A penultimate Mid Wales tick in one of those “unimproved” rural pubs the Welsh specialise in. “Old man’s pubs” says Mrs RM. The Beehive in Manafon has taunted me for years with its “challenging” opening hours and shy social media presence, and when we arrive there is no sign of a Friday night opening. After… Continue reading WAITING FOR THE BEEHIVE TO POSSIBLY OPEN
BWLCH-Y-CIBAU….EGGS, SOOTY & NBSS 3.5 DOOM BAR
I’m not suggesting the Welsh don’t know their place, but a month ago I was aware some pubs weren’t taking the Jubilee totally seriously… Is that a giant avocado under that crown ? Luckily for the Stumble, tucked away in the gorgeous hilly bit of Montgomeryshire, it’s redeemed by its Doom Bar. And a giant… Continue reading BWLCH-Y-CIBAU….EGGS, SOOTY & NBSS 3.5 DOOM BAR
DOVEY VALLEY PORK SCRATCHINGS DISASTER
Into Mid Wales, always a bundle of fun, both the pubs and the opening hour traumas. Despite the occasional pashmina mum at the Machynlleth Alternative Tech place (it’s mostly toilets), I really like this blob of hilly villages between the Brummy seaside and Offa’s Dyke. Sadly this post is a bit short on the tourist… Continue reading DOVEY VALLEY PORK SCRATCHINGS DISASTER
LLWYNGWRIL, HANDY FOR THE HILL
Well, not far from Snowdon, anyway. From a jubil(ee)antly ticked North-East Wales to an attack on the North-West, the land of Helly Hansen, Patrick’s Bar, and some of the most glorious scenery in the world. And a cycle hire scheme to rival those electric bikes you rent by the minute from Cambridge station. More knitting… Continue reading LLWYNGWRIL, HANDY FOR THE HILL
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