18/12/21 - Cobs at Caunsall

Distance - 5.5 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Good Beer Guide Tick - #630 - The Anchor, Caunsall

Once again, I continue to make plans at the most inopportune times.  As all bon vivuers desperately refresh twitter to see just how grim all things pub are going to be, I decide upon a new goal.  By the time the 2023 Good Beer Guide thumps on the doormat, I will have ticked all entries my home county - Worcestershire.

12 left to do.  It's going to involve a clandestine bus trip to Redditch for a JDW.  But only when Mrs M is away.

Babysitting a Guide Dog Puppy called Parker for the weekend provided a perfect opportunity for the fine walking available on the Worcestershire/Staffordshire borderlands.

From the sleepy hamlet of Caunsall, we head north along a lovely section of canal to Whittington.  Parker enjoyed the new sights/smells - taking particular interest in a cow/geese party in the opposite side of the water.  Thankfully, he is not as keen on swimming as both our long term guide dogs have been.

Parker - our Weekend Guest

Whittington - the End of the Canal Walking

No more walking photos but that is no indication of the quality.  A short period of lane walking takes us to the Staffordshire and North Worcestershire Ways in the shadow of Kinver Edge.  Broad sandy paths that in the main, are free from mud.

Onto the pub - The Anchor is a lively village local, packed with the old boys ruminating on how much longer we will be able to do this.  They are all agreed that it must be let to rip through the communities and we'll just have to see how many are dead.  These boys do not want their cider supplies interrupted.  A cursory check revealing that I was the only patron on the beer.

Look at those classic opening hours

If there was a "Good Cob Guide", this place would be a shoe in.  With the exception of home made pork pie, its the only food that's available and you certainly a lot of onion for your dollar.

Hobson's Town Crier.  A great big flat slice of cheese.  And Onion.

As I write the blog, things are looking increasingly bleak for pub ticking.  Time will tell if my January visits to North Wales (unlikely) and London (more likely but outside with a scotch egg) will be allowed.

Can we do lockdowns again?  

I best check the Belgian Trappist supplies left in the beer shed.