Our campsite at Min-y-Don was the most expensive of our Wales trip, but with views across to Llyn, and two minutes walk to sand dunes of Formby class it was worth it. What Harlech lacked was Wi-Fi, sun (possibly not its fault) and decent pubs, according to WhatPub anyway. But attracted by the Doom Bar glasses I unwisely popped… Continue reading USE OR LOSE IT – HARLECH REAL ALE
SLOW TRAIN TO PORTHMADOG
We stopped in Harlech to enjoy the gusts of wind depositing the contents of Tremadog Bay into our hair. I have a distant recollection of Harlech, as it’s famed for its ice cream and that must be unique. The walk to the castle actually made Snowdon, or even Lincoln, seem a doddle. Harlech’s main feature… Continue reading SLOW TRAIN TO PORTHMADOG
MIDDLETON’S FINEST ON ANGLESEY
I’m no fan of the grip glasses, but Lees is an underrated beer when served in decent nick. In a prime location next to the Menai Bridge, the Anglesey Arms is a classy place in a great little town for views and pubs, unspoilt by sticky menus. The MPA was the beer of the month… Continue reading MIDDLETON’S FINEST ON ANGLESEY
MOOR BEER IN CHESTER
We’d stopped our campervan overnight in the Little Roodee car park in Chester. Something to do with the adjacent racecourse ? It’s the best bed you’ll get in Chester for a fiver. I’d never really taken to Chester as much as you’re supposed, a bit too posh shops for me. The walk around the walls in… Continue reading MOOR BEER IN CHESTER
SNOWDONIA PARC
On the downside, I’ve been kept awake since 4pm by a chorus of cockerels outside my tent. On the upside, there’s a decent view this morning ahead of our ascent of Snowdon. Our campsite is pretty perfect. Clean, spacious and with steam trains and brewpub on site. I met the engaging Cem from Gwynedd A… Continue reading SNOWDONIA PARC
DAYTRIP TO BANGOR’S TAP’N’SPIILE
We’re camping in Snowdonia with no WiFi, so a tiny post today. Worse still, I’ve run out of Duran Duran puns. In 1979 that Fiddlers Dram single was one of the first ones I bought as a 14 year old punk, along with “Nuclear Device“. A less obvious place for a day trip I can’t… Continue reading DAYTRIP TO BANGOR’S TAP’N’SPIILE
NEW SPOONS ON MONDAY
I’m not sure when it’s going to get its Brewdog, but new openings and crafty upgrades continue apace in Cambridge. Meanwhile, Huntingdonshire makes do with a belated succession of Wetherspoons, which is clearly what people there want. The county town got its Spoons at the end of July. Ten years ago this would have been… Continue reading NEW SPOONS ON MONDAY
TOP 100 PUBS – PRINCE OF WALES, LEDBURY
The last photos before my phone battery died were from Ledbury. I reckoned the street above would be easily recognised, but Mrs RM’s rapid identification of the pub did surprised me. I then recalled an infamous afternoon in April 2013 when I was driven round rural Herefordshire to tick 16 pubs in an afternoon, including the whole… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – PRINCE OF WALES, LEDBURY
JULY STOCKTAKE
The bad news is I still haven’t seen “Finding Dory” as we’re saving it up for the wet day next week in Wales. That will be my third trip over Offa’s Dyke in a month, as I hope to make some overdue inroads into the 170 Welsh Beer Guide pubs I’ve still to do before… Continue reading JULY STOCKTAKE
PUB FOOD IN THE MARCHES
Tandleman revisited the issue of pub food this week, following his trip to the Black Country. Whether it’s pies and cobs or trencherman meals, that area seems to get it right. I recommend the Harrow in Coven (posh Wolves) for cobs. Contrary to comments expressed by C. Tevez and believed by most Londoners, Manchester has… Continue reading PUB FOOD IN THE MARCHES
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