Distance - 5 Miles
Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Lancashire Walks - Walk 6
Geocaches - 1
Good Beer Guide Tick - #632
Christmas in Manchester - usual rules apply.
Xmas Eve - pubs. Would you be shocked if I told you that nearly all central Manchester ones were closed by 6pm? Maybe its normal in a City Centre. Maybe its just peak 2021.
The Big Day - eat your own body weight. Drink double digit Belgians. Promise yourself you will leave some of the port in the bottle. Do Karaoke.
Boxing Day - attempt to walk it all off.
But nothing too strenuous. This is a flat, simple walk that starts almost directly under J13 of the M62. A small amount of road walking to reach the golf course attached to Worsley Old Hall. The disused Eccles to Wigan railway line has been converted into an excellent walking track. Mud free, via a metalled path and maybe not the best place to take (yet another) Guide Dog in Training on a walk. The aptly named for the area Bee, is not allowed free runs but Mrs M has fixed this issue by buying a 20 foot lead from ebay. A perfect opportunity to lasso the Manchester multitudes who are making use of the same facilities.
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| Easy Walking along the former Eccles-Wigan Railway Line |
Arriving at Monton without getting into a fight, we spot that everyone else is coming towards us is armed with Costa Takeouts. Google maps shows the position but provides no indication of the wait time. I am sent off to get supplies, the queue making the fact that the Blind Pig pub over the road was open near unbearable. Would I have been told off if I came back with takeout Cloudwater?
A final stretch back along the pretty Bridgewater canal.
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| Boat yard on the Bridgewater Canal |
Plenty of post walk refreshement in Worsley but we have left a party member back at home in Swinton.
Where they have a new Good Beer Guide tick. Unsurprisingly, it's a Micro. Surprisingly, its not the only one in town. And in a theme that is emerging strongly in the 2022 guide, the wrong one has been selected.
Not that there is anything wrong with the Wobbly Stool. A strong welcome from the patrons, who had been on a regularly organised dog walk from the pub. Thanks to a strong social media presence, I was aware of this jaunt but felt I had taken too much port on board to complete a 10 miler.
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| The Gang - with GDP Bee showing the way |
The reason the Wobbly Stool has made the GBG is more than likely because it does cask. Usually there are three on but today, just the one. The Bank Top Pavilion Pale ale was recommended by one of the walking party and he knew his beer.
With variety being the spice of life, I notice via Google that the House of Hops is just around the corner. Its worth checking out - even if an external photo is not worth taking. A converted shop that wasn't even on the main road.
Its packed to the rafters and I think that we won't get a seat but unbeknownst to us until exploration, there is an additional back room. Our query on whether dogs are allowed is met with the most perfect of answers. "We prefer dogs to people".
Both my regular blogfans will know that I haven't really got on with micros over the years. I love classic pub architecture. I love the anonymity of finding a quiet corner and watching the world go by that classic boozers provide. But if one micro is going to make you change your mind, this could be it.
It's run by total beer enthusiasts that are doing it for the love of what they serve. This can be the only reason why they have Ayinger Winterbock on draught. Wow - Little Bavaria in Swinton.
The punters are also in appreciation. Before long, there's not a seat left in the house and there is a hubbub of chat, as people compare their flights of thirds and what other gems exist in the help-yourself but remember to pay fridges.
Where I went full oaky smokey Dopplebock.
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| When travel is banned, travel virtually |
The micro where I had my epiphany. Who knows, maybe the local CAMRA branch will make a rare exception for a caskless venue and recommend it for next year's guide.
They should.
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