Another trip west, another stay in the Budget Ibis on Malpas Road, Newport’s great accommodation bargain. As long as you don’t mind a chicken run across the M4 slip road and then a mile walk along the verge into town. I don’t. Pubmeister has just been to Newport (see here); he got a livelier reception… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE MURENGER, NEWPORT
A CHEPSTOW ANECDOTE
When I was here a year ago, my phone battery died, denying me the chance to bring you photos of Chepstow‘s historic Wetherspoons. This time, I was equipped with an emergency power pack. I didn’t need it. Chepstow is a solid enough place, but some way below Monmouth on the list of “essential border… Continue reading A CHEPSTOW ANECDOTE
BEERS OVER THE RIVER WYE
One of our great scenic areas, though we share it with the Welsh, is the Wye Valley. Beloved of Guardian readers and real people alike, it seems surprisingly down-to-earth, with amusement parks at Symonds Yat and relatively unpretentious pubs on both sides of the border (e.g. the Boat at Penallt, which I really ought to… Continue reading BEERS OVER THE RIVER WYE
CAERNARFON – BY REQUEST
P WordPress tells me my 1000th post is coming up soon; hopefully a review of a Brewhouse & Kitchen where I was asked if I’d be dining tonight. You know, a proper pub. If I can be bothered, I’ll do a piece on lessons learned from 2 years of blogging (East is to your left, how to… Continue reading CAERNARFON – BY REQUEST
BREATHLESS IN BETHESDA
Nearly all CAMRA branches have parts of the patch it’s difficult to get to. Even in Stockport, actually getting to Wythenshawe in one piece has its challenges. Bethesda* on the “historic” A5, seemingly built personally by Thomas Telford, isn’t hard to get to, but Y Sior is an awfully steep climb from the High Street. Mrs… Continue reading BREATHLESS IN BETHESDA
DAY TRIP TO BANGOR (SLIGHT RETURN)
This is a post about irrational lust for a pub tick, the sort of obsession that only completists like BRAPA and the Pubmeister will recognise. Perhaps not quite the euphoria of the visit to the Anchor, Anchor. But close. Patrick’s Bar wasn’t even my last tick in North-West Wales. But it’s a town I… Continue reading DAY TRIP TO BANGOR (SLIGHT RETURN)
BASS NECKED AT CAPEL CURIG
(Five points for the obscure song reference). One day into North Wales and already I’m getting my Llangollen mixed up with my Llandudno. That’s a bit like getting Wrexham confused with Wexham Park. Or Capel Curig with Chapel-en-le-Frith. Not many new GBG pubs in the interior of Abercolwyn CAMRA, but the Ty’n-y-Coed is a… Continue reading BASS NECKED AT CAPEL CURIG
DEAD PUBS IN CERRIGYDRUDION
Among the items on my To Do list are essential things like “Break into CAMRA HQ and steal the new GBG” and “Bring Mrs RM another beer“. Lower down the list is “Put NBSS scores onto WhatPub“. One of the reasons I record scores on this blog is so I can recall them later, but I’ve… Continue reading DEAD PUBS IN CERRIGYDRUDION
A PUNK-FUELLED PUB QUIZ IN THE SUN
Worryingly, I’ve become a bit addicted to my local. First, the Sun introduced Punk IPA. But while we drank the evil keg, it was noticeable that everyone else was on the cask; 10 pints in a row in the lounge. Then, last week, this; Look what just tipped up in my local !Cancel all plans.… Continue reading A PUNK-FUELLED PUB QUIZ IN THE SUN
SEVEN STARS FOR LAMBCHOP @ THE FLEECE
I need to admit to a lack of chronology here. I actually popped back to Bristol a week after that Cambridge drubbing at Rovers, but it makes sense to tack this report on to the end of the Brizzle run. Not quite sure why I chose Bristol to see US pop funsters (I jest) Lambchop on a rare… Continue reading SEVEN STARS FOR LAMBCHOP @ THE FLEECE
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