Jun 2024. Portchester.
I was on best behaviour with the in-laws (Mrs RM said so), attending to their every need, dropping them at every front door, and allowing them time to make their own choices from the Spoons menu. The model son-in-law.
In 2022 I’d have used two nights in Gosport to tick off half of Hampshire, perhaps even squeeze in a trip to the Isle of Wight (in-laws hate ferries). Now, I was content with a mere five GBG newbies, concluding with a “Taphouse” in Portchester.
An intoxicating bit of Google map there; zoom in above the famous ships to spot this future micropub.
The trip from Old Portsmouth to the Portcullis takes you from Penny Mordaunt’s constituency to that of Suella Braverman. Portchester has a gorgeous old part we’d visited a couple of years back, but the modern shopping arcade only makes you think;
“It’s Grim Down South“
This is the point when the in-laws thought “Why couldn’t have he taken us in that nice Fullers pub near the Spinnaker ?”.
They’d never understand the joy of ticking, of appreciating modern craft bars as readily as the Old Customs House.
And Father-in-law didn’t understand “Juice Forsyth” either, so that’s what he chose as Mrs RM surveyed the seating options.
The seating is the problem here; we could never quite feel comfortable.
Which was a shame, as the beers, were all good, the staff great,
and the tat an inspired mix of old and new.
I loved it, but the residents of Royal Tunbridge Wells looked a little less impressed.
retiredmartin 
I’m with your in-laws on this one. Us Tonbridge – Tunbridge Wells folk need to stick together! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
When it comes to seating Mrs RM and myself are with them as well !
LikeLiked by 1 person
I had the same thought as Paul. They aren’t really wrong are they?
LikeLiked by 2 people
On this occasion, absolutely right. But, hey, a tick’s a tick.
LikeLike
That dark beer looks great. Did you take them to Portchester Castle?
LikeLike
The pint jug was Pompey Bitter (good but not rich), the half was an excellent Wantsum stout.
We took a look at the castle but too late to go in. Had popped in the Cormorant in 2022.
LikeLike
Hello from the portcullis! Thank you for visiting our place. I’m sorry you all seem to dislike our seating, we haven’t had any other complaints about our seats before , we added padding to most of our seats and cushions along the long benches – but if people don’t tell us there is a problem we can’t fix it!
I’m sorry If this aspect dampened your visit to us. I hope in the future you may return to give us another go. We have just opened our own brewery on site so can sample some of our own portcullis beers!
LikeLike
Hi! Don’t take any offence. My in-laws are in their 80s and need more cushions !
LikeLike