Back to Harbury for a missing, but dubious Good Beer Guide Tick
Considering the amount of road walking - this was a surprisingly decent ramble. I say road, traffic free lanes would be a better description.
Eyes on the prize, I make my way to the always in view peak of the Burton Dassett Hills, with its pepper pot Beacon Tower - a Medieval lookout post.
Two years ago, I walked this part the world extensively. A 150 cache trail, over four loops, the likes of which have not been seen subsequently. There was a bonus to collect but I never quite made it to that Ground Zero. A slight adaption - and you will be probably able to tell from the map where this was - and at last, I was able to claim the prize.
This leaves pubs. In 2018, I visited the Red Lion at Northend and predicted its demise. Wasn't hard, 2 punters on that Christmas afternoon and checking the usual sites - a series of closures and grand re-openings.
It is dead once more.
The hottest day of the year (so far) - so I fired up the Good Beer Guide App to find the nearest tick.
This highlighted a distinct lack of planning in the last stage, as the Crown in Harbury comes up. I had a choice of 3 but the Google Review stating "Avoid the Crown" put me off.
To be fair to the reviewers of Google - they were on to something.
Just three days before, there has been a grand re-launch, as a Cafe - Bar.
Ominous - but we have to support diversification, should it keep the hospitality trade surviving.
However, for this to work - there needs to be more than one member of staff.
I enter to an un-manned bar and wait. And wait. I engage in conversation with locals. And make jokes about self service. A harrassed man dealing with sandwich disasters tells me he will be with me in a minute. I wait. I exhaust all avenues of conversation. Another 5 minutes passes, by which time, I discover it is the day of the village carnival and I should consider moving my car, if I want to get home.
Knowing I have half a bottle of luke warm water remaining, I take the advice and shun the chance to determine if the Butcombe is deserving of its place in the bible.
Similar prediction to the Red Lion.
This won't survive another 5 years.
Unless it becomes one thing or the other.
Or employs staff.
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