31/12/21 - Wormington Xmas Caching and the Bromsgrove Crafty Monkeys - In Evesham

Distance - 4 Miles

Geocaches - 10

Good Beer Guide Tick - #635

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A day of finals - final walk of the year, final geocache of the year and with a bit of dedication, final Good Beer Guide Tick of the year.  Here's the counts - 

• 1078 miles walked.  
• 1049 Geocaching found.
• 105 Good Beer Guide Ticks

Not bad - I exceeded my mileage and geocaching goals.  And 105 new GBG Ticks is a remarkable 1 every other day, when you think pubs weren't even open until April.  Shuddering as I type.

A small Christmas themed caching trail was laid in the dry village of Wormington - just over the Gloucestershire border.  The sun was shining, the mud was gloopy and all the caches were hidden to be found.   Nice to get some fresh air before before deciding whether we will stay up till midnight.  As usual, our fate rests in Jools Holland's hands.

Architectural Highlight of the Walk - abandoned Mill Farm 

Markers for Wyche and Isbourne Way

The xmas themed, bonus cache

Views over Wormington Grange

Blogfans will know that I am on a mission to actually complete a county from this year's Good Beer Guide.  There is an tick awaiting about 5 miles away in Evesham, Worcestershire.  I have read Martin's blog on how to find BCM.  Believe me, you need the instructions.  Head over the old bridge into the pedestianised area of town, turn left through a metal gate and at the far end of the courtyard is a C16th, Grade II listed building.  The council are accommodating.  Planning permission granted to place a monkey on the side.

Boozy Craft Monkeys?

Its a conversation starter and from my on-line banking, I am reminded that the landlord told me it stands for Bromsgrove Crafty Monkeys.  A sister bottle shop in Hanbury, the original in a chain, currently of two.

Inside, its a very pubby experience for a micro.  Proper bar.  Proper pub furniture.  Proper crisps.

Monkey Bar

I'd recommend you check the opening hours.  They are quick to respond to Facebook Messenger.  They won't be open on Xmas Day 2022.  Only four punters this year.

The beer?  I'd seen the previous customer take on a Castle Rock Midland Bitter and it looked a lovely nutty brown with a creamy white head.  Always keen to experiment, it lived up to it's looks.  A fine way to end cask in 2021.

Mrs M getting rattled

 

28/12/21 - Chiltern Chain Walk - Stage 13 - Parslows Hillock

Distance - 14 Miles

Geocaches - 4

Walk Inspiration

Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10, Stage 11, Stage 12

The hard part when planning Stage 13 of the Chiltern Chain Walk was deciding which pub to end at.  A potential 5 available on first double digit mile walk for a long time.

The reality was I need not worry - through a mixture of being too early (expected) and bad luck (unexpected), not a single one was open.

Too early for the Black Horse at Lacey Green and Red Lion at Bradenham.  The Boot at Bledlow Ridge has temporarily closed for Xmas - reopening two days later.  The Whip Inn at Loosley Row closed for refurbishment.

Too early for the this handsome freehouse - which may well be a Tearoom!

And that's lunch at the Boot cancelled.  An Xmas break

Most disappointingly was the Pink and Lacy, where I chose to start/end the walk.  I had passed it on Stage 12 and additional research showed that it is in the Good Beer Guide.  A 300 year old boozer with an historic bar dedicated to the war poet Rupert Brooke sounded just up my blogs alley.

The sign saying closed Mondays/Tuesdays was unnoticed until my weary return.  Even when a Tuesday is a Bank Holiday.

Timeless Boozer

Failing to find the "Except Bank Holiday" small print

A 14 mile route march in poor weather conditions, without stopping is how I spent my bank holiday.  On a positive note, the paths were good when not muddy and there was some variety between woodland and expansive views along the dry valley floors.  Revisiting the Ridgeway Long Distance Path is never a chore, even if I am going to have to look at the blog for a reminder.

Horsehoe Artwork at Kingswood House

Spirits not allowed to drop when there is festive cheer

Looking back over Bradenham from Slough Hill

The CAMRA GBG App came to my aid.  A quick look at the nearest (open!) pub showed the Golden Cross in Saunderton was not too far away.

The day saved by a Wye Valley HPA and Tuna Baguette - about three hours later than expected.

Thank the lord for Technology

Much needed - and the likely last Good Beer Guide Tick of 2021

26/12/2021 - Falling for Micros in Swinton, Greater Manchester

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

12/12/21 - In Search of Bristol's Kebab and Calculator

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 20

First Geocache

Good Beer Guide Tick - #629, The Westbury Park, Henleaze

December's Geocaching round required a lot of preparatory work.   Around 12 hours to solve 18 on line jigsaws.  Many were black and white.  Some were 300+ pieces.  Despite being a veteran of many similar puzzles, my solve time was around double of the people on the leaderboard.  One day I will determine how people are doing them so quickly.

An example of the type of image rendered into a jigsaw.

With the co-ordinates updated, I was able to see the route that required walking.  A circuit of the disused Filton Airfield - slowly being consumed by the Cribbs Causeway Shopping Centre.  Easy car parking available at the Venue and the promise of a post caching KFC, if only it wasn't the filthiest thing I could think of consuming for a Sunday lunch.

A Circuit of Filton Airfield

Looking for Prizes like this

The Geocaches were hidden to be found and none too tricky.  The terrain was a little overgrown in some places and muddy in others but nothing too bad.  Interestingly, it is home to a family of foxes.  I saw three - including one sunbathing in the middle of the footpath on the return.

Thanks to Biggles for the creation and maintenance of an interesting trail.

Onward for refreshment.  Of course it wasn't going to be KFC.  I consulted the Good Beer Guide.  The nearest entry could have been the Drapers Arms - home to beer bloggers Boak and Bailey.  Opening times of 5pm are of little use to a morning Geocacher.

Then things got interesting.... the next closest is the Westbury Park in Henleaze.  I wonder if I would have recognised this circular pub from it's appearance in the most important TV Show in my life.

Architecturally Interesting

I need to take you back to a November Tuesday in 1982.  I was thirteen years old and had caught snippits of Kevin Turvey but knew more about him from conversations in the playground.

We had one TV in the house.  On BBC2 - a new show starring Turvey's creator - Rik Mayall - was being broadcast.  I had to beg my dad to turn the channel over and he said "If I don't laugh in the first five minutes, its being turned back over".  Possibly to Minder.  Or the news.

Thankfully he laughed like a drain - and with a BetaMax video recorder, I could tape the six episodes of S1 onto one 3hr Tape.  But only if I paused recording during the band performances.

I wasn't the only one in our playground who could recite the entire script verbatim. 

So, what's this got to do with the Westbury Park?  Episode 3 finds our student house bored out of their minds and they head off in search of entertainment to their local pub - The Kebab and Calculator.

Looking familiar?

The round was a pint of water, roast ox Crisps and a Babysham

Madness were the band in this episode and Rik's request for Summer Holiday by Cliff was met with Sugg's legendary response of "You hum it and I'll smash your face in".

Today - it's a smart Gastro Pub - offering 6 or so handpulls - Butcome, Purity, Tribute all noticed but nothing beats Timothy Taylor Landlord.

Ceremonial Chalice all that is missing

27/11/21 - A literary walk from Yarpole, Herefordshire

Distance - 6.5m

Walk Inspiration - 100 Walks in Hereford and Worcester - Walk 50

Geocaches - 0

The fifth installment of Ben Aaronovitch's Rivers of London book series - Foxglove Summer - is set in the fictional Herefordshire hamlet of Rushpole.  It didn't take too much detective walk to find out Rushpole is based on the very real location of Yarpole.  References to Croft Ambrey, Mortimer's Cross and Pokeshouse Wood gave the game away.

Yarpole - Inspiration for a book and a walk

Roadside parking at the Church - unusual for containing the village store and having a separate Bell tower.

Timbers dating to 1192.  Shop closed on my return

The walk takes me across the fields to the smaller hamlet of Bircher - where multi trailed common land is accessed.  As long as I am going up, I am heading in the correct direction.  

Although you have to question the sanity of walking in forestry commission land in the dying hours of Storm Arwen.  The Douglas Firs are just as impressive when they are horizontal.

The Gentle slopes of Bircher Common

I must admit to listening for timber creaks.  Plenty of clambering over trees

Views from Croft Ambrey Hill Fort

Croft Ambrey hillfort conquered, it's downhill into Fishpool Valley.  A pleasant series of man made pools containing brown trout, crayfish and and freshwater shrimps.  A pumphouse has been restored to include information boards and a viewing platform.

Top Pool - Fishpool Valley

Pumphouse Machinery

All of this endeavour was to provide food and water to Croft Castle.  Sadly, the steep sided valley renders this out of view - and a check on google suggests what a splendid view it would have been.

A walk for another day.

Cock Gate provides access to Green Lane.  I had completed my homework and I knew the Bell had recently closed down.  Facebook rubbing salt in the wound.  A last post on their page suggesting a Halloween 2022 drink off of the remaining stock.

A Dead Pub Walk

But all is not lost

Closest alternative refreshment - Orelton's Maidenhead.

22/11/21 - Exeter Pub Crawl

Pubs - 6

Good Beer Guide Ticks - #624-626

Another day, another guide book.  Exeter is detailed in this 1999 tome, although the beer scene has moved on considerably.  I honestly can't even remember the Firkin chain, where the Fizgig and Firkin is no more.

A lot can happen in 21 years

With it being a Monday lunch in late Autumn, I'm sure that many of the 2022 Good Beer Guide entries will also be closed or opening at a time when we're not passing.

The best thing for me to do is to load the pubs from both books into Google Maps and see what we stumble upon when completing the Psycho-Geography that is Adventure Lab Caching.  The final stage drops us off at the pretty quayside.

That's the Topsham Brewery on the RHS - opens at 2pm.  Its midday.

A case of what we could have won, 2 hours too early for the Topsham Brewery.  Never mind, we'll have a walk along the Exe to the Mill on the Exe - a functional St Austell Pub, where the staff wear jaunty sailor uniforms and they have Hicks on cask.   A reminder from our trip to Cornwall this time last year, at the height of the ill-fated Tier System of lockdown.

Functional.  Nice Patio are over the Exe.

All the gang are here.  And a little Gem.

From there, Mrs M leaves me to go shopping.  Dangerous stuff.  I have a lot of inspiration and its pay-day tomorrow.  

Unfortunately, the unfortunately named Fat Pig becomes my 2nd GBG fail after the Topsham Brewery.  I checked Google Maps this morning and it said open at midday.  A check whilst outside at 1pm shows the listing has been updated and it's now closed Mondays and Tuesday.  

I swear they just wait for me to turn up at a new city and change the rules.

Looked my sort of place

With Mrs M not in tow, I could have broken my solemn vow to her that I won't spend money at JDW.  To be fair, the coaching house on the opposite side of the road looked a more interesting prospect.

Georges Meeting House

Or the White Hart - A Marstons (a long way from home)

Now I am too early for an Ale Club

Marstons Sunbeam in lovely condition

I finally get a non dubious GBG Tick at the Ship Inn.  Its positioned down an alley near the cathedral that makes for an impossible photograph.  The alley is too narrow.  There are too many shoppers.

It's one of those low beamed, ancient pubs that I instantly feel at home in.  And so did Francis Drake, according to the history.  The Otter Ale was absolutely perfect and enjoyed that much, that the only photo taken was my untappd checkin.

Waiting for Mrs M and her post shopping baggage handlers

Looking at the way the afternoon is going and of course, planning our evening meal around our location, we have time for just one more.  I'm out of pubs close by in the GBG and the pub crawl book.  The Great Western/Imperial double tick will have to wait for another day.

On the fly research shows that the Turks Head has just re-opened and is scoring high on the Google Review checkins.  Just around the corner from the Ship - we have nothing to lose.

It proves to be an inspired choice.  Easily pub of the day and I'll put money on it being in the 2023 Bible.

Next to the Guild Hall

Its a delightful place - maintaining both an old school charm and new craft bar feel - if such a thing is possible.  Sited over a couple of floors, there's even a brewing rig setup at the far end.

I learn how to say Red Ale in Welsh.  Tiny Rebel Cwtch rhymes with Butch.  I enjoyed it that much on cask that I very quickly went back to the bar for a repeat.

Then I found they had Deya Steady Rolling Man on keg.  

Learn about Beer Styles at the Turks Head

Enough to set us up for the ill-timed student-special train back to Exmouth for our tea.

I was sanguine about Exmouth's premier fish restaurant, Rockfish, being closed on Mondays.

Eating, as well as drinking, not the easiest at the start of the week.

And I knew the Globe is over the road.