Friday, 27 May 2016

27/05/16 - The Harbour Inn, Arley

Distance - 3 Miles
Geocaches - 5
Pub - The Harbour Inn, Arley

At the end of a single track lane just outside Bewdley, is a little free house that is unchanged for decades.

The Harbour Inn can only survive through passing trade from the Severn Valley Railway - with a stop just up the hill - and from like-minded Ramblers.

This simple three mile walk is a joy, offering variety and a chance to earn your drink.  We start by crossing the footbridge and heading downstream along the Severn.

From the Footbridge
View from the Arley Footbridge
This is a walk that I have completed many times.  This is the first time back for around 3 years and there have been some changes.

Clearing
New B&B has created a beach on the Severn
New Signage at Trimpley
Trimpley Reservoir has a new sign
There's also some new geocaches.  I would have achieved six new smileys, if it hadn't been for some muggle picnic'ers having lunch right next to a GZ.  Instead, settle for just the five.

The Reservoir
Trimpley Reservoir stays the same
A circuit of the reservoir before heading back along the river.  If you time things right, you can get a wonderful view of the steam trains crossing over the Victoria Bridge.  You either need to be lucky or patient.  I was neither today.

Victoria Bridge
The sadly empty Victoria Bridge
Before we know it, we are back at the pub.  This is the definition of a simple boozer.  The first task is to summons service - there is no-one in the pub apart from the yellow canary caged up in a lounge that looks exactly like you remember your Nan's.  Eventually, after much hello-ing, someones Nan does come.

One real ale on - its from Wye Valley and labelled "Harbour Ale".  From the colour and taste, I am going to bet this is re-badged Butty Bach.  It was typically high quality.

Drinks taken outside, where the past menagerie of animals appears to be reduced to a couple for goats.  We look at the menu,  We don't know what grey peas are either.

The Harbour, Arley
Unchanged for decades
Wye Valley - Harbour Ale
Harbour Ale or Butty Bach?
Menu
The Menu


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