Last time in Machynlleth (was it really 3 years ago), I raved about the Alternative Technology Centre and the chocolate ice cream. Sadly, the ice cream has gone. But it still feels like a town on its uppers, with lots of independent shops and a fair few day visitors from the Midlands. And further afield.… Continue reading FOLLOWING THE AMERICANS TO THE REAL ALE PUB IN MACHYNLLETH

I’m typing this in Fitzgeralds in Sunderland. The beer, especially for a Monday outside Uni terms, has been excellent throughout. There you go, cask saved. Not sure about Wales, though it was doing well in Dolgellau when I visited several weeks ago. According to Google I could be there in just 12 hrs 39 minutes.… Continue reading A TORRENT OF DOLGELLAU

More incriminating material to prove us elite GBG tickers don’t stick to cask in Guide pubs. Leaving Patrick’s at a quarter to midnight on Sunday with two long days ahead on Wales :The Great Tick 2019, surely only Horlicks and Scottish shortbread awaited. Just like BRAPA in Cornwall, Duncan can’t walk past an open pub… Continue reading DON’T DO BANGOR STUDENT PUBS AT MIDNIGHT ON SUNDAYS, DUNCAN

A third raid on the Fiddler’s Dram classic, the second single I ever bought. Can you guess my first ? And a third trip to Bangor in three years; is it the Newport (Gwent, obvs) of the north ? It’s not even as if the Uni accommodation is that cheap, though it was superb. But… Continue reading NIGHT TRIP TO BANGOR

The alternative title, proposed by my intern, was “Craft Cabbage“. Not the beer; the beer in Conwy was fantastic. The first time I’ve had two consecutive NBSS 4 pints since I drank two glasses of Bass in the Star, which is cheating. The refurbed and renamed Erskine Arms is a bit shy, tucked away in… Continue reading PEOPLE IN SHORTS STANDING AROUND

Someone who reads this will remember where I was where the debate about Llan-Dud-No or Llan-Did-No was raging. Luckily you don’t need to be able to pronounce it when you’re there, and everyone is English anyway (except when the Southworths visit). The Southworths managed rather better shots than I did on a dreich afternoon that… Continue reading TIP TOP TAPPS, LLANDUDNO

Next up in Colwyn Bay, the posh dining pub. It must be disheartening for a northern town to not have its own Brunning & Pricey in 2019, but the Station does its best to compensate. “Wait here” signs, Sunday carvery, free range children, gin, tapas, Prosecco contests. I really took against that white tiling, too.… Continue reading CRAFTY COLWYN

An hour between trains in “corking” Colwyn Bay. Enough time for three pubs, but was there enough material for three posts ?  We shall find out together. But first, a flat white or three in one of Tim’s best coffee houses. Last time here with my Dad in 2015 I was being followed round the… Continue reading LONELY PICKLED ONION MONSTER MUNCH