retiredmartin

April 2025. Smeeton Westerby Leicestershire.

We’re getting good use out of the campervan now, and that 4 pint container of Triple fff Moondance that serves as my en-suite.

It comes into its own visiting remote pubs like the King’s Head in Smeeton Westerby, tucked away in the posh villages betwixt Leicester and Harborough. This is the land of cows,

and canals,

and whatever flower this is.

And also Draught Bass, hopefully.

I left Mrs RM by the canal bridge with the remnants of our cheese and crackers tea, promised not to come back swinging a bag of crispy beef and Singapore rice, and set off on on a quiet country lane to Smeeton (pop. 357).

355 of them seemed to be in the garden of the King’s Head, a solid looking local with Ansell’s livery. Bring back Ansell’s Mild !

Noting the Bass signs, and not having bothered to read the GBG, I ask the jovial landlord the eternal question;

“Do you serve Bass ?”

“Bass ? Bass !!! We serve LOCAL beers here”

I decided against an argument comparing distances to Burton with those to Langton, Church End and Oakham.

But to be fair it’s good to see the indies (ugh) being promoted, and I always like to give Langton Inclined Plane a go, it’s like drinking Upham when in Hampshire.

It’s a good pint, too, rich and chewy in its own branded glass (NBSS 3.5). I’m served by an apprentice on her first day, and a fine pint she pulls. Young folk are the future.

And the pub is a gem; tiled floor and gentlefolk discussing the English summer, which this year took place in April.

I’m following the Cup semi-final on my phone, as City nervously see out a 2-0 lead, and stay for a pint of Church End Gravediggers.

“Stick it in the same glass, mate” I say.

“Can’t do that, sorry, against the law“.

Which may be the case, but it means you get a branded glass that knocks all the condition out of the beer (NBSS 2.5).

Or so I thought, until the pump clip gets turned round a few minutes later.

Never mind. City are running down the clock, they’re playing “Lola“, and I’m chatting happily about Wigston pubs with a lady who’s enthusing about the Grainstore St George’s, which happily brings the scores back into credit (NBSS 3.5). When did I last drink three (3) pints in the same pub ?

A customer sits down at the piano and starts playing a familiar tune. It’s definitely the Barry Norman theme, but common consensus is it’s Old Grey Whistle Test. I played the video I took to Mrs RM this morning and she said OGWT as well. Mrs RM has NEVER watched OGWT.

Back at the campervan, all was still.