24/06/23 - The Masons Arms - Wadborough, Worcestershire

 A Good Beer Guide New Entry, in the Wilds of Worcestershire

There's an outside chance - given enough money and time - that I will tick off all the GBG entries in an issue. More likely, I will be able to maintain my home county as green.

Penultimate Worcestershire tick coming up for 2023, but where exactly is Wadborough?

I consult my database of walks and not a single entry starting from here. I'll have to go old school and look at a map.

It's deep in proper countryside between Pershore and Kempsey. From a walking perspective, heading west to Kempsey Common and the hamlet of Pirton looks best. I was right to expect rarely trod paths that often disappear into crops. Hottest day of the year, and I was further correct in wearing long trousers.

Path directly through the crops.  Alternatives not always available

Better walking across Kempsey Common - with views of the Malverns

Pirton has little apart from a church dating from 1200, with a striking wooden tower bolted onto the side. I would have attempted to explore inside, but access was fiercely guarded by a handful of busy gardeners. They are taking entry into "Worcestershire's Best Kept Churchyard" seriously.  With the pub to go to, I don't have time to be recruited to wield scythes, rakes and other unknown tools.

There was a Church Micro Geocache

Thirst worked up and onto the Pub.

First things first - its good to see such a small village having a working pub. And one open at the expected and should be legally binding time of midday Saturday.

Marstons No More

Information is sketchy and conflictory. A Worcestershire CAMRA magazine states that it re-opened in August 2022. The pub's Facebook page invites you to celebrate the 2nd anniversary of re-opening in August 2023.

I believe it's a community take-over pub - and they have a full list of events to encourage the community to visit.

Apart from Mondays and Tuesdays. 

Only animals go out on those days.

Whats On - Masons Arms

Two real ales on - both Wye Valley - and the HPA was decent but not as good as it can be. Two other punters on prosecco meant I was first of the day. The pub slowly filled up with regulars.

All on Carling.   

View from the Snug - Butty Bach and HPA

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Walk Inspiration - Self developed from the OS MAP

17/06/23 - Ale Trail - Heritage Pubs of London's West End

 Catching up with old friends in the Smoke

An intriguing Adventure Lab Cache (ALC) in London. The best heritage pubs of the West End. Will I agree with them? Will you?

For the uninitiated and ALC is an online treasure hunt. An app is used to navigate to a location and a question must be answered. I cannot resist the combination of psycho-geography and letting someone else do the planning for a day out.

Before I get started - and I've not nowhere else to put it in the blog - a new Good Beer Guide Tick at London Bridge.

Down a little alley and a tonic to the madness that is Borough Market, is the Old Kings Head.

Discreet but well advertised

A 10:30am opener with four real ales on. Missed out on Harvey's Sussex Best (I'm sure that can be fixed by the end of the day) and a Proper Job is a fair compromise. Must study both sides of the bar before committing.

Cricket on at a volume that misrepresented the sport.  I liked the windows and the art work detailing the history of the area.

Lovely way to spend a Saturday Morning

Art work lining the walls.

Onto the ALC.  

Pub 1 and one that needs little introduction to anyone that knows their beer and London Pubs.

You know it's The Harp at Charing Cross.

If you go - and are really lucky - you might get a seat on a high stool at the fully opening windows... one of the great spots to sit and watch the world go by. I do not recommend trying to perch at the shelf just opposite the pump clips. Unless you like apologising every two minutes to someone else who has bumped into you.

There is another oasis of calm, provided you have a head for heights. A narrow staircase leads to a quiet room where you can admire CAMRA's sense of inclusivity. The Harp wins London or National Pub of the Year in years that are an even number. Odd number years, they let someone else have ago.

Didn't take long to get my Harveys Sussex Best

 Another classic old friend next - The Lamb and Flag in Covent Garden.

Another small, yet perfectly formed pub

Dating back to 1772, with a history of bare knuckle fighting that gave it its nickname "The Bucket of Blood".  More history?  Mentioned in Oscar Wilde's novel, "The Picture of Dorian Gray". More?  John Dryden, a C17th Poet was attacked in the little alley to the right hand side.

It's another "jostler" of a pub, that again, has a narrow escape route to tranquility upstairs.

No, there wasn't a sale on.

My next two recommendations have been blogged before. In the interests of time and the fact that there is a notable omission, these are excluded from today's itinerary. The Salisbury and Dog and Duck are gorgeous, ornate Gin Palaces. They should be not excluded from your itinerary.

A similar fate almost awaited De Hems until I noticed that it was relatively quiet and unlike everywhere else in the West End, I had a chance of getting something to eat.  

Who wouldn't want to visit an 1890 cafe and oyster house built by a Dutch Sea Captain?

A window seat, a Duvel and a power point to make sure Chiltern Trains can see my return ticket.  Bliss.

A chance to relax

The menu is authentically Dutch and initially, I thought very reasonably priced. Beef stoofvlees with chips for £13 in central London? Lets just say delicious but small portions.

Lunch - Fit for a (Dutch) Sea Captain

And next time, I will remember to check out the upstairs Shell Room - decorated with 1000s of Oyster shells.

That's the ALC over. Anywhere you would add?

No trip to the West End is complete for me unless I go to Norman's Coach and Horses. No need to repeat myself, my reasons are blogged here.

Delighted to report that it is exactly as I found it in the late nineties..... but the cask beer (and toilets) have improved immeasurably.

Sunny afternoon in Soho

The coach and Horses will Never Die

13/06/23 - West Bromwich High Street for a Book Launch Event

A Desi Pub Crawl, with a new book to tick

Last visit to West Bromwich was 5 years ago. Then, there were 5 Good Beer Guide Pubs to tick. Now there are just 2 and neither of them is along the High Street. 

Is there a new game in town? Desi pubs have been with us for an age, but this year sees the release of a first book to highlight their history and tell the stories of the people who run them.

Later in the evening, I am attending the book launch promoted by Birmingham Camra.

First - a walk from Dudley Street Tram Stop to Kenrick Park. Entertainment?  An Adventure Lab Cache showing architecture from an age when there was civic pride. A haircut, where I think they use different clipper grading to my home town. I've gone from suedehead to skinhead.  

The pubs.

The Old Hop Pole has lost its place in the bible. Its also seems to have lost a bit of the Albion paraphernalia that I enjoyed last time. But it may be I didn't explore enough, as on entry, I was engaged in a conversation with the other patron and the landlord. Three real ales on and I risked the heat to go for a decent conditioned Proper Job.

The Old Hop Pole for Proper Job

Over the road is the handsome looking Wheatsheaf.  Talk about unusual opening hours. Try Thursday.

On a Tuesday - as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike

I thought I might be in time for the Billiard Hall before JDW sold it off. Alas, it has already closed down. The Express and Star publishing one of those heart breaking human interest stories.  

I believe its going near full circle and becoming a pool hall.

Pat the milkman - now 60 - has been going here since he was 16. Where will he go now? My guess is the Sandwell just around the corner.

Clucking crazy - its next to PFC

Not a bad crowd of old boys for a Tuesday afternoon. Lots of smooth pour, lots of Guinness. Timothy Taylor was the only cask on and a part of me was relieved when I was told it was actually off. Always better to stick with keg in these places.

No sign of Pat. I would have liked to have congratulated him on being the last of his kind.

The Prince of Wales is next - a desi pub that gets a whole chapter in the book I will own later in the day. Over four pages, David Jesudason writes about this being the most authentic desi pub in the land.

"... is like a building that has been shrink wrapped and shipped in from India, without being touched by British influence..."

He then tells the personal story of the landlord - Jinder Birring Singh - and my day could only have been improved if I had heard him play the single string tumbi, as is his want on Saturday evenings.

PoW - Punjabi signage

I was reading the menu - loud and proud on the outside of the building - wondering what delights to have for the bargain main course price of around £8 when I was delivered the news that the Chef doesnt work on Tuesdays.

It was OK - they had peanuts.  A reassuring cheap (in here) lager.

Onwards to the book launch location. The Vine needs no introduction to me. I am a Baggies fan and rightly, the pub is one of the highlights of the day for both home and visiting fans. There is a new desi player closer to the ground, but I am not detailing that in case it gets as busy as here. The Royal Oak is my little secret. Damn.

The Tardis of Desi Pubs - Huge inside.

So what happens at a book launch?

Well, it wasn't as well attended as I expected - may have been the early-ish start of 6pm. May have been the fact that a tree had taken out the trams.

Whilst giving an extra half hour for people to make it, I was introduced to members of Birmingham Camra and the author himself. Oh, and of course, I also had time for a mixed grill.

The format of the event was a Q and A session, with plenty of audience interaction, including owners and families of some of the businesses detailed in the book.

From the brief chapter I have read on the Prince of Wales, and the way the Q and A went - this is a strong representation of the book.... tales from the newly located, how they got started (my granddad worked in Black Country foundries but alas, didn't think of opening a pub).  It was fascinating to hear from the next generation and how things have changed.

The biggest thing that encouraged the growth of desi pubs?

The Smoking Ban.

Great stuff and finishing in time for me to get home on public transport when the trams aren't running and the last bus home is 9pm.

Signed copy - I had commented on the Author's Twitter Check in at Marple Bridge

#desipubs book launch in #westbrom with the world famous @DavidJesudason of @CAMRA_Official book fame. Q&A coming up… pic.twitter.com/JpowlCHPJk

— Nina Robinson (@ninarobinson01) June 13, 2023

Why is this the first book on #desipubs in the UK?? Could it have something to do with the lack of diversity in the media industry? And a lack of recognition of the rich value of culture from communities of colour living on the uk 🇬🇧 @DavidJesudason @CAMRA_Official pic.twitter.com/OJc0uFkF0o

— Nina Robinson (@ninarobinson01) June 13, 2023

10/06/23 - Centenary Way - Stage 19 - Northend and The Burton Dassett Hills

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.

Heading towards to the Hills

Almost at the Beacon

The Views - Route all downhill from here

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.

Old School Storytelling Logbooks - Old School Cache Container

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.

Another Dead Soldier

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.

Important Information on the far sign

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.

Walk Information

Distance - 8 Miles

Geocaches - 2

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, Stage 13, Stage 14, Stage 15, Stage 16, Stage 17, Stage 18

09/06/23 - Catacombs and Craft in the Jewellery Quarter

 A hidden city walk unsurprisingly turns into a Pub Crawl

This is a proper walk. From a proper walking book. Yet a walk filled with distractions that could not be denied.

I'd been interested in the Jewellery Quarter's Catacombs since I'd seen organised tours advertised on Twitter. I'm sure an expert guide would have provided more of an insight but I need to save my pennies for craft beers. Deya are taking the pee, big time.

Respects paid to the perspex covered Banksy on the station's bridge and a quick tour of two graveyards.  Key Hill and Warstone, with the latter containing the catacombs - a Victorian plan for coping with overcrowding that surprisingly, took its last guest in 1982.

Art - Banksy at the Railway Station

Shade - Key Hill Cemetary

Death - Catacombs at Warstone Lane

My walking book tells me about the famous residents - from aboriginal princes to a policeman murdered by the Peaky Blinders to a purveyor of custard powder.

Birmingham has the lot.

As well as the guide I have an Adventure Lab Cache (ALC) of Birmingham Pubs with Food to complete. Most places known to me but not the Pig and Tail.

Grade II Listed - Formerly the George and Dragon

A solid looking Victorian Boozer that had a quite tasteful refit in 2016. Popular with teachers clocking off for the weekend, demanding their fix of Craft Beers, fine wines and cocktails (probably).  Pollys Brew Little Petal on keg looking like it will handle the heat better than a Wye Valley HPA.

The next stage of the ALC is 1000 Trades - A Good Beer Guide regular and therefore, well known to me. I can resist anything but temptation and have to see what is on offer.  A first Glasshouse Brewery Dahlia making up for their taproom being closed when I investigated the Stirchley Beer Mile.

A lovely keg Pale Ale, breeze from the open doors, 6music playing on the radio (Lamacq, can't have too much fun) and watching commuters make their way home in the heat. Come in for the craft is my sirens call. Those with lack of willpower, or were coming anyway, falter.

Come in, we have Craft Beer and Natural Wine

Back to the walking to the next destination - passing the Pen and Coffin Museums. Rarely a blog from Birmingham without a picture of a canal.

Not going to mention Venice.  Damn.

The Attic Barrel Store is the latest addition to the Birmingham drinking scene. Does what it says on the tin. A railway arch under Snow Hill for the Attic Brewery to barrel age their beers. I've been once to say I have. I may go again to impress friends with my knowledge of off-grid drinking dens.

Their tap room at Bournville has far more atmosphere.

Drinking next to the Barrels

A repeat visit to The Wolf brings back fond memories of when I gatecrashed #Summerfest from a well known podcast that I am delighted to say is back in operation. They announced their closure on the day I decided to join their gang. Make of that what you will.

I really like the Wolf. This was the only place where I had a proper greeting, where the barstaff asked how my day was going. Hats of to them for still looking interested when I told them I was investigating Victorian burial grounds.

Great choice of beers but something has gone wrong with the world.  A 6% Deya going for £8.40.

I'm saying nothing. Except Nothing Bound. Known in Stourbridge micropubs as the Deya Slayer and nowhere near as expensive.  I don't blame the bar - on the same weekend, the same pint was £7 in Kidderminster's Weavers. Kidderminster's Bear and Wolf rarely stock Deya for fear of riot incitement.

What would you do? Me?  Abbeydale Hinterland

The Desi Pub - Hen and Chickens - is over the road. It's a good sign when every single table is reserved. Using all my silver tongued charm - and promising not to order a Kulfi - I manage to blag a table, as long as I am away by 8pm.

Cask AND Curry OR Cobra

Best Chicken Jalfezi I think I have ever had.

Head back to the Station with a nightcap in mind. Lord Clifden appears to be temporarily closed but there is a pub window that cannot be denied.

Rose Villa Tavern - as if you needing informing

Walk Details

Distance - 3.5 Miles

Previous Birmingham AZ Walks - Walk 1 & 2

Pubs - 6 (but more can easily be added)

Walk Inspiration - AZ - Hidden Walks in Birmingham Walk 3