August 2024. Plumstead.
A rare bit of leisurely ticking on a Thursday night in South-east London. Just a couple of newbies; Duncan managed thirteen (13) but I think he counts touching the door as a tick these days.
Maltmeister still ticks closed pubs from old Guides. I think this one was in the 1738 edition, Malt.
That one was just north of Shooters Hill, on my way to a bus for Plumstead Common, a walk in which lower Charlton (is that a thing) suddenly looks a little less dull and more like the nicer bits of Leyton stone and west Norwich.
I’d bought a rail return, but being frivolous with money wasted £2 on the Number 53 to Plumstead to save half an hour. And to think I judge folk who take Ubers !
The 53 takes you through the decidedly exciting bits of Woolwich (wot NO GBG pubs?). Take a seat up top for the best shots of pubs.
At the stop for the common my heart sinks.
The shutters half way down on the Plum Tree !
But fear not, there’s two Plum Trees, the deli shuts as the bar opens, and we enter a world of Thanet styled wall seating. Oh.
“What style of beer do you normally have ?” asks the nice young barman.
That’s like a red rag to a bull, like asking if I want a taster.
I have no normal style, I just drink beer. Bit like asking what style sausage roll I normally eat.
Blackpool Jane would have gone for the Yonder with mystery ingredient.
But never mind, the Kent Pale is crisp and chewy, a superbly presented 3.5.
And the music plays at a decent volume, the bass from “Number of the beast” rattling your feet under those seats.
Great loos, too.
But I sense Stafford Paul will head for the heritage Star next door.
retiredmartin 
If you really want Mystery Ingredients in your beer, then that’s easy – wherever they have autovacs.
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Boo, Etu, boo.
#AutovacsAreLife
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“Life”, Martin?
I’m with what Polly Garter said about that.
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“But I sense Stafford Paul will head for the heritage Star next door” – yes indeed, especially as “Changing beers typically include Harvey’s Sussex Best Bitter, Timothy Taylor Landlord”.
I should be in London mid October but that’s quite a way from Palmers Green.
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Out of interest, what style of sausage roll do you normally eat? What style does anybody eat, for that matter!
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I’m very keen on the one with sausage in, Paul. Left field answer, I know.
National Trust cafes have the best ones but they charge about £7.
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Probably about the same as for a pint in their Fleece at Bretforton.
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Correct answer, of course.
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Paul, I didn’t realise the Trust still owned the Fleece at Bretforton. My sole visit was in the early 80’s (probably 1982). It was pricey back then, but still well worth visiting.
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Yes Paul, every outlet for their scones is important to the NT. It’s not the pub it was in the 1980s though, interesting though for observing people unfamiliar with proper pubs.
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God to hear you found my local. Hope you enjoyed
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It was great, Brian. Love the music.
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