03/07/23 - The Good Beer Guide Pubs of Cardigan

 Cask just doesn't sell

A blustery, rainy day where the best plan is to head to civilisation. A choice of two multi Good Beer Guide towns available - we head south along Wales answer to Route 66, aiming for Cardigan.

A mooch around, following an Adventure Lab Geocache and feasting on the local delicacies. What are those delights that smell delicious in the bakery?  Chelsea buns.

Historical highlights ticked off, its down to the river for the 11:30am GBG opener.

Down by the river

For pub #1

The Grosvenor is a neat enough pub, all polished floors, open plan and making the most of the location by having fine views over the river.

OK - Its quite gastro.  Special is dressed crab with bread and butter.  £18.95

Quite a theme - a LocALE stuffed in a Doom Bar Glass

So far, every pub we've visited has had a local brewery representative. Experienced pub goers will notice an unusual, previously unseen front pump clip is usually bolted onto a more familiar Doom Bar back bracket. You certainly can't miss the glassware. Today, its a hazy IPA called DAI-IPA from the Cardigan Brewery. 

200m away is the 2nd GBG Tick of the day. Advertised on Whatpub as an 11am opener but the door was only open at midday. I don't need to tell you the history, when signage can do the job for me.

1105 - beats Ye Olde Trip and the Fighting Cocks

Door Ajar

Well here's a first. I head to the bar to see all three handpulls reversed. A conversation ensues...

Me:  "Delivery Issues?"

Barkeep:  "No"

Me: "Heavy Weekend?"

Barkeep: "No"

A Pause.....

Barkeep: "Cask just doesn't sell".

I remember GBG Ticking in Plymouth in 2021 and the owner of Vessel, a micro-pub, telling me how proud he was to be in the bible. One of only 7 venues listed that doesn't sell cask, he said. Inclusion confirmed through a wide range of UK, German and Belgian craft ales.

I'd love to ask Ceredigion CAMRA what their thought process was. Tetleys and Brains Barry Island IPA on keg were the highlight of the Black Lion's offerings. 

Quinno, when reviewing on Pubs Galore, had a similar experience....

Being a GBG21 entry I was pretty disappointed to find no cask, and no real sign of it having been available lately either.

Mrs M and Guide Dog in Training Ivy - unimpressed with Storage Wars on TV

I've possibly been to a pub with a worse beer selection. But not one recommended by CAMRA.

I include a 1972 Map, should you wish to visit yourself.

Lots of Aggro

02/07/23 - Llangranog for the Pentre Arms

 A pub where they do not judge

A classic circular coastal walk. Windy lanes lead to the optimistically labelled "Free Park and Ride" car park in Llangranog. What they really mean is Park and Walk down to the sea front for a perfect little beach.

Of course, we are waiting for that reward until the end of the walk. Heading uphill at first, through woodland above Pigeonsford Farm to the Urdd Centre. The OS Map providing details of an unexpected feature.

Did not expect to find a Dry Ski Slope

It's here that we pick up the Welsh Coast Path.  Fine views in all directions, not least the headland of Ynys Lochtyn.

The eagle eyed will spot the life boat on patrol

Dropping down to Llangranog

The beach is a dream - golden sands, surfers under the watchful eye of a life guard, dog friendly.  Geographical features of caves and free standing rock known as "The Devils Tooth".

A view not totally dissimilar to that of my afternoon bath

Only 11:20am on a Sunday morning but Guide Dog in Training, Ivy, has been brought up well.  

Maybe, just maybe it's open, she insists.

Loving the optimism

Indeed, the door is open and the bar is manned.  "I know its early, but any chance of a pint?" is met with the response, "Of course, we do not judge here".

Bluestone Stone Cold

Walk Details

Distance - 3.5 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Jarrold Ceredigion, Walk 8

01/07/23 - Aberaeron to New Quay for the Black Lion

Once again, following in the Footsteps of Dylan Thomas

With the usual frisson of nerves, we wait for the T5 Bus to whisk us to Aberaron. This is a linear walk back to New Quay, so we will be committed. A mere 3 minutes late and we are off, winding along the coast road for an 18 minute journey that will take us significantly longer on the way back.

Aberaeron has something about it. Regency architecture, colourful buildings and a harbour that we are forced to walk around before the walk gets going proper. I hope to return. 

The Cadwgan Inn is a Good Beer Guide Entry.

Aberaeron Harbour

7 miles of linear walking should always be a joy. Lush green to the left, grey ocean to the right. Wind best described as "bracing". Alas, there is little along this section of coast. You know you are in trouble when there is not even a bench to sit on.

Following the Wales Coast Path Signs

Whilst keeping the prize of New Quay in sight at all times

Everything is forgiven on the final stages of the walk. At low tides, its possible to complete the last mile along the perfect golden sands of New Quay Bay. I'm still in wind battered fleece. Other users of the beach are in the sea.

Quite the arrival into New Quay

Despite Guide Dog in Training best efforts at getting us cut off, we make it across the final rocky section before getting swallowed by the tide. You cannot stop a puppy from wanting to play when there is a beach full of new friends available.

To the pub...

There's little doubt that over the course of the week, we will visit all of New Quays watering holes. Yes, I will use all my powers of negotiation to get Mrs M over the threshold of the Sea Horse.  She will come to like karaoke.

Today, it's the town's most famous pub. The Black Lion, a favourite of Dylan Thomas.  Referenced in his poem, "Quite Early One Morning".

‘Pink washed pub…..waiting for Saturday night as an over-jolly girl waits for sailors.’ 

Good Beer Guide 2023 Entry - Pink No More

Reputed.....

Dylan Thomas has been a virtual drinking companion of mine over the years. I've had halves in Soho's French House, where Dylan left behind his manuscript of "Under Milk Wood".  I've had pints in New York's White Horse Tavern, where Dylan has his final (18) whiskies before he died.

This sort of serendipity promotes conversation. Mrs M asks if I would die if I drank 18 whiskies, whilst mentally calculating the generous death in service benefit that I currently have until my imminent retirement.

The pub - bare floorboards, pub grub food where no one, not even those with salaries, can afford steak. A little alcove at the far end, called the Cwtch. Fans of Stella (tv series) and Tiny Rebel, will know this as Welsh for cuddle.

Purple Moose beers on and from last night, I can confirm the High Hops to be in great condition.

With the sun out this afternoon, it had to be ABK Hells lager.

Improvements?  Well, Mrs M hates pubs with a "No Dogs" policy. 

But when you have a view in the beer garden like this, that's a bit churlish.

Of course, we stayed for 18 whiskies

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geocaches - 1

Walk Inspiration - Country Walking Magazine, June 2003, Walk 16

 

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