retiredmartin

  Almost a Morrissey lyric as we cross the famous border separating North-West and North-East Wales, the subject of ferocious battle between Abercolwyn and Vale of Clwyd CAMRA branches over many years. An abandoned tin of Wrexham lager at Ty’n-y-Llyn marks the border. I’ve already lost some of my subscribers this week with a succession… Continue reading AM I STILL (IN) RHYL ?

  Who’d have guessed it ?  Almost overnight the string of North Wales coastal towns beloved of holidaying Scousers has become Small Pub central. Well, anyone who’s been to Middlesbrough or Thanet will understand the phenomenon. Of course there’s an emerging schism between the “Herne model” micro appealing to blokes aged 57.86 who drink local… Continue reading ABERGELE : JAM JARS AND COCKTAILS BUT NO SCRATCHINGS

By rights I should refuse to tell you about the Crafty Fox in Old Colwyn.  They MADE Duncan and I stand like this. Incidentally, if you were wondering if all those thousands I’ve spent on IT skills have been worth it, look at how I make myself disappear; You can never have enough Duncan. And… Continue reading NOUGHTS AND CROSSES IN THE CRAFTY FOX

Anything was going to be a bit of an anticlimax after the Black Boy, but the Caernarfon GBG newbie was, excitingly, hard to find down the tiny streets off the castle walls. Ah, here it is. “Smallest bar in Wales” apparently. That probably says more about the paucity of micros in Wales than anything else.… Continue reading CHRISTMAS TV GUIDES IN CAERNARFON

I mean. Just look at it. Who needs words? A flying return visit after 20 years. Yes, I was right the first time. It’s gorgeous. Oh yes, there’s Bass. Actually, sometimes the Bass sign is a red herring. And or course, not all Bass is Good Bass. This was good (though not cheap) Bass. Rich,… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – BLACK BOY, CAERNARFON

A bit of pub-free tourism at the most northern town in Wales.  Wow. I’m sure there’s been Guide pubs up along the north Anglesey coast, probably Lees or Marston, but not this year. So Amlwch’s tourism rests on its gourmand credentials, their Proper fonts, and their upmarket shopping offer. It’s not Southwold is it ?… Continue reading NO SLEEP ‘TILL AMLWCH

Next up a wholly unremarkable pub, rescued by an incident of customer segregation rarely seen these days. A rare trip into Anglesey, and a sense of guilt as I shuttled past Patrick’s Bar on the mainland. Anglesey always promises much but I must be missing out something as it seems to be an island of… Continue reading “CAN I SIT WITH THE ELVES ON ANGLESEY”