I took no notes, and few photos, but the Mansel Arms in Porthyrhyd in Carmarthenshire WAS a classic. Mrs RM parked up at 14:37 in the pub car park and raided the bag of cheese and pate from the village stores I’d already scoffed the Welsh cakes. There was already an Old Boy waiting patiently… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE MANSEL ARMS, PORTHYRHYD
Author: retiredmartin
Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.
WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, JUST ADD A PICTURE OF A CAT
The Welsh Wander lurched from Dylan Thomas land to the frankly undistinguished bit between Carmarthen and Llanelli. Five pubs for me (and you) here, and some seaside, and a cat. And Mrs RM’s lovely arm. Mrs RM was pleased to veer off the A48 towards the Smiths Arms in Foelgastell, or however you say it.… Continue reading WHEN YOU HAVE NOTHING TO SAY, JUST ADD A PICTURE OF A CAT
LLANSTEFFAN CASTLED
August 8th, 2027. Make a note of that date. That’s the day I’ll finally finish these posts from West Wales, a trip that’s now 3 weeks old. It was a great trip. Not just the ticks but a through exploration of hitherto unexplored pockets of coast not far from Dylan Thomas Land. Llansteffan (pop. 941)… Continue reading LLANSTEFFAN CASTLED
FELINFOUL ?
In the ’90s we made annual trips to Cardiff (top Balti) and beyond (less great curry) and fell a bit in love with Brain’s Bitter and Felinfoel Double Dragon. Felinfoel seems to have a reputation on a par with Arkells or Palmers these days, and having gone largely keg the GBG has little to do… Continue reading FELINFOUL ?
CRASS, CWRW, CARMARTHEN
A night in Carmarthen and with two (2) ticks in the bag by 18:00 I was at a loss what to do ? A train trip to Llanelli ? A curry with cress ? A tour of the Bethel chapels ? How about a pre-emptive tick of the town’s craft bar ? Shamefully, I once… Continue reading CRASS, CWRW, CARMARTHEN
DENYING I’M “A CAMRA” IN THE STAG & PHEASANT
Go on, lease the Queens, someone. It was in the GBG last time I was here, and could be again with Doom Bar and a mobility scooter outside. My second GBG tick (yes, two newbies) is another little corker. Not really a place to take photos, surreptitious or otherwise (see also : Boothstown), but you’ll… Continue reading DENYING I’M “A CAMRA” IN THE STAG & PHEASANT
Mild
Originally posted on Mine's A Pint – Reading & Mid-Berks CAMRA:
Mild: isn’t that what grandad used to drink? A beer without much, if any, in the way of hops that’s gone the way of the dodo? Up until a few months ago, most people who fancied themselves knowledgeable about beer and brewing would…
CARMARTHEN IN A CORACLE
I’ve found my notes from West Wales. Sadly they’re not that exciting, though there is some Shania Twain, which may appeal to some of my more mature audience. Our stop for the night had two (2) ticks. By the time you get to 94% of the Guide any town with a double tick is riches… Continue reading CARMARTHEN IN A CORACLE
UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED
Next stop, Pumsaint. Like the mines, it’s owned by the National Trust, voted British Country Pub of the Year 2019, so bound to be open all day selling cream teas and the odd lukewarm half, surely ? After all both What Pub and the pub’s Facebook say it’s open all day Thursday. So of course… Continue reading UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED
Oh Noes ! Doom Bar off in Lampeter
Well, I’ve just seen stop the Scouse bus wreckers denied the title (again) so am very happy. Here’s the highlight from the afternoon’s nerve-shredding action* at the Etihad. I’ll be honest; the last few months have been very stressful seeing City’s lead slipped away and I’ve let the blog slip a bit, too. But I’m… Continue reading Oh Noes ! Doom Bar off in Lampeter
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