An exciting looking travel map for a change,
though it’s been a quiet couple of weeks back from Wales, as I sort out Dad’s paperwork (it never ends), delete photos, and bring the blog completely up-to-date for the first time since COVID.
Seventy posts, fifty-three (53) pubs, from old (Bath Star),
to new (Alexandra, Newport). Pubs aren’t dead.
Bass from the jug (Beer of the Month) with Paul and Jon in Bath was the highlight; that South-West trip produced a genuinely unexpected treat in Frome’s cider driven Lamb and Fountain.
August was the month I got a proper look at Clifton, and realised that the Beer & Pubs Forum Proper Day Out crew really need to up our fancy dress game.
Pubs are all about people, and it was good to finally meet Rhys and Evo. Tick the Tickers is the next phase of RM’s ticking career after football grounds, GBG pubs and Chinese takeaways.
What about your cutting-edge music recommendations, RM ?
Well, obviously Olivia Rodrigo’s “serena soy“, a “smash the patriarchy anthem” for the ages, is the song of the month,
while August’s new album pick, the new Haley Blais project, harks back to Dolly, Nick Drake and Karen Dalton.
Talking of obscure new music, in September I’m off to Cranborne Chase for my annual dose of weird Americans and UK post-rock.
Matt is gearing up for Geese at End of the Road on a diet of Bass (top pic), and I wouldn’t be surprised to see more young hipsters wearing sweatshirts celebrating the UK’s Boring Brown Bitter after last year’s style winner.
I believe that September also sees the release of a popular annual publication. I forget the name.
retiredmartin 
I think you’ll find that it’s the carers who wear the high viz gear, not those who require shepherding.
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If you’re anywhere near Tisbury on your trip down to Cranborne I hear the long-shuttered pub by the station, the South-West Hotel, has re-opened under an energetic young landlady.
It’s been closed for 7 or 8 years and was sold at one point to the Co-op who ran into planning difficulties.
Fantastic location with acres of wooden decking out the back.
It’s also where I met my wife 35 years ago.
Prof
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Not quite passing Tisbury, Prof, sadly. Have drunk in the Bennett Arms and the Boot in the past, great village.
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Ron and Ruth ran the Boot for years but have handed over the reins to son Ollie who also has the Bennett now.
The late Pat Ost MBE had the South-Western for decades after leaving the pub in Swallowcliffe now part-owned by James May. Pat was a force of nature who ran a vibrant village pub in friendly rivalry with Ron.
The after-hours sessions were legendary. When Pat got tired she’d head off to bed and leave the bar open for a few regulars who religiously kept a record of what was drank and settled up next day.
The local village cop was also very discreet.
I do hope the pub survives. It has a lot of good memories for me.
Prof.
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Coincidentally just met 2 Belgians staying next to the Boot rather than camping at Larmer Gardens.
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Is it actually open yet? The “what’s happening in Tisbury” Facebook account was predicting opening at the back end of August, but no update to confirm yet.
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Yes, pubs and women, Prof.
I met the sweetest and loveliest whom I should have married but stupidly didn’t in one.
I won’t list the others 🙂
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Hey Marty Boy! I’m surprised you can still eat Chinese food what with your gammy leg. Oh and Mavis wants to know what you keep in your left pocket on a Tuesday?
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A Subbuteo table was dumped on my regular country path walk. Why people cannot dispose of such things responsible beats me. It’s only been a couple of days and its now in many more pieces due to the little local darlings disassembling it. Hurry up Council!
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