No, NOT a check-in on Un****d ! What do you think I am, a beer blogger ? I’m not even a fan of Doom Bar, really, but it is a useful measure of beer quality between pubs. I’ve had really good DB, as well as a lot of under-conditioned sweet nothingness in Spoons. Whenever folk… Continue reading A DOOM BAR CHECK-IN FROM INSTOW
NO TRIP TO LYNTON IS EVER WASTED, EVEN WHEN THE PUB IS UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED
During July I spent over a week parked up in Devonian campsites (mainly council car parks near Crediton) completing the South-West, and realised how much beauty there is in North Devon. I mean, look at the mushrooms on toast and haricot beans at Eggesford Crossing Cafe, a gem. As is Lynton/Lynmouth, which provides one of… Continue reading NO TRIP TO LYNTON IS EVER WASTED, EVEN WHEN THE PUB IS UNEXPECTEDLY CLOSED
ONLY OPEN WHEN THE CHEF IS IN
The Great Tick of Devon & Cornwall in July 2022 was a life highlight, the culmination of months of planning and psyching up for the trauma of posh copter rides, dining pubs and a (well-desered) hatred of tourists. As you’ll know by now, it all ended well, but not without the sort of irritations that… Continue reading ONLY OPEN WHEN THE CHEF IS IN
THE SCILLIES HAVE FALLEN. AND SO HAS BAA BAA TOURE.
Summer 2022 has seen trips to the Isles of Man, Wight, Orkney (Mainland), Rousay, Uist (North & South), Lewis, Harris, Skye and ALL of the Channel Islands in pursuit of The Goal. But the Isles of Scilly was possibly the most nerve-jangling trip of the lot, and not just because I’d be out of my… Continue reading THE SCILLIES HAVE FALLEN. AND SO HAS BAA BAA TOURE.
TENSION BUILDS AT PENZANCE HELIPORT
Wednesday 13 July. A critical day in the quest to complete the Good Beer Guide. Baa Baa Toure joined me for McDonalds finest breakfast (pancakes and sausage with hash brown and maple syrup), and wondered if he could dress like Paddington. I’d decided to take the copter, after horror stories about the Penzance ferry, not… Continue reading TENSION BUILDS AT PENZANCE HELIPORT
FIVE STARS IN ST. ERTH
The night before the defining moment of the Cornish Tick 2022, and I decided I’d better spend it in a hotel rather than the campervan, as I wouldn’t want my fellow travellers to the poshest place in the UK complaining about the smell. Cornwall in mid-July isn’t the best place to look for B &… Continue reading FIVE STARS IN ST. ERTH
DECISIONS PENDING IN PENDEEN
Cornwall’s fortunes haven’t always relied on the production of the nation’s most popular cask beer and shark tourism; well into the late 20th century the area was renowned for its mines. If Blackpool FC play AFC Penzance in the FA Cup I’m sure Jane will tell you all about Geevor Tin Mines, which would make… Continue reading DECISIONS PENDING IN PENDEEN
BRUMMIES BAKE IN THE HALZEPHRON
Another tick in the Lizard, one of my favourite parts of the South-West, this time in Gunwalloe. In 2020 I’d caught Lizard Point at its blustery best, bit mid July saw temperatures touching 30 degrees, and the Halzephron trade was all on the benches. With an hour till teatime the interior was empty, but still… Continue reading BRUMMIES BAKE IN THE HALZEPHRON
A PUB TICKING WIZARD ON THE LIZARD
Back to that glorious summer of 2022 (was still pretty sunny in Sheffield yesterday, mind), with the Campaign to Conquer Cornwall about to reach its crescendo (CCCC). I have a niece near Helston (denoted by Blue Anchor below), but not wishing to scare them with an unannounced visit I whizzed down to The Lizard for… Continue reading A PUB TICKING WIZARD ON THE LIZARD
Cheers, Taff. The end of a legend at the Railway in Newtown
I’m not generally sentimental about change, but when Mudgie kindly copied me in on the news that David “Taff” Jones had finally retired from Newtown’s Railway Tavern today my heart sank a little. I was surprised to see I’d made three trips to the Railway since 2016 alone, so it must be one of my… Continue reading Cheers, Taff. The end of a legend at the Railway in Newtown
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