The Junction

Not a pub survey today, I travelled to Rainford to ride on the last ever trains between there and Kirkby.  Those of you interested in railways will know the details and those who are not won't care, so I will not describe this further.

However, finding myself at Rainford (Formerly Rainford Junction) station I took the opportunity to nip in to the Junction pub:

It's always good to visit a quality pub such as this, and I have long forgiven the incident many years ago when I came all the way here by train only to find the place closed when the signs said it should be open.

At six there were plenty of drinkers in the place, with gentle chatter mostly drowning the background music.

My pint of a rum porter from Wily Fox was excellent.  The menu looks good but I was surprised that I couldn't see anyone eating.

It is lucky they've got free WiFi because I had no mobile signal, and I needed to check the progress of my train.  As soon as I typed that, all the lights went out, along with the internet!  Someone said the pub is powered by a generator.  I know this is the middle of nowhere, but surely they have mains electricity by now!  Perhaps diesel is cheaper, although I don't think you can use the red stuff nowadays.

Anyway, brief power outage notwithstanding, this is truly a great pub, deservedly popular, and well worth a visit if you're passing - Or even if you're not.

Closer To Home

I headed out on a sunny Tuesday afternoon for a short walk to a new bar.

Soon I reached Bowring Park Golf Course, and their new nineteenth hole, the Coach House:

Apparently this has been open since last November but I only learned of its existence yesterday.  Inside the ancient building I found a very pleasant bar, pretty busy with only one or two free tables.  The attractive interior has a stone floor, bare brick walls and, above, naked beams.

My Guinness was slightly delayed by a problem with the contactless machine, soon resolved by the barmaid wiggling the wire.

Many of the customers were enjoying food, and the slightly echoey room was filled with happy chatter.  I can't quite put my finger on why but the whole place had the feel of a well run successful establishment.  Long may it continue.

I noticed the food from the kitchen seemed to come via outside.  Don't order if it's raining unless you like soggy chips!

Next, just a short distance back towards home is the Derby Lodge:

Nothing much has changed since the last time I was in here, fifteen years ago.  There's really no excuse for a gap that long on a pub an easy walk from my home!

The handpumps on the counter looked to be long out of use, last time I tried cask in here it was awful so probably just as well.

The decor, pleasant and well cared for, is, what do you call it, er, Ember Inns style, you know what I mean.  (It's not an Ember Inn, being a Table Table location.)

Just a few customers at two on a Tuesday, although I didn't check the restaurant end of the building.

Part of the same complex was a regular haunt of mine back in the 1990s.  Natterjacks is still there, looking like it only closed last week rather than 25 years ago:

Next on my walk homewards is the Stanley Arms, the eagle and child resplendent on top of the sign:

Unchanged since my last call three years ago, immaculately maintained and I think that might be a new carpet.

A disappointing lack of customers here, I suppose half two on a Tuesday is not a peak time.  I had the large back room to myself.

My Guinness followed today's trend of getting cheaper, £5 in the Coach House, £4.55 in the Derby and then £4.10 here if I remember right.

I noticed if you park here you have to enter your reg number on a computer, otherwise I guess you get a nasty bill.  I suppose pubs like this have to get their income where they can, but it seems a bit unfriendly.  It would be interesting to find out the ratio of 'customers who've failed to register' to 'non customers exploiting the car park' in this revenue stream.

Finally, the walk home passes the Crofters, it would be rude not to go in:

In the same Sizzling chain as the Stanley, this one was also quiet but not deserted, with just a few customers scattered around the well maintained interior.

A bloke at the bar had the biggest dog I've ever seen, no idea what breed but it was enormous.  Luckily it was well behaved and spent most of the time relaxed on the floor.  The owner said he weighed nine and a half stone.  (Er, that's he, the dog, not he, the owner.)

There seemed to be more locals that know each other in here than in the Stanley, I could hear quite a lot of chit-chat despite the place being mostly empty.  Many of the regulars said hello to the giant dog, before he led his owner out.

It was good to do an impromptu survey without having to worry about buses or trains: Rather relaxing, and it was also helped by the splendid weather.  I guess cutting the grass will have to wait another day!

Pub of the day: Coach House
Beer of the day: Guinness
Miles walked: 1.9
Maybe coming soon: Rainford, Rice Lane, Southport, Everton

Edge Hill

I had a bad feeling about today's excursion:  Was I going to be the fool who walked miles without finding an open pub?  I headed to Edge Hill station, and to my first boozer, the Durning Arms:

Well!  This plain pleasant pub has been done up inside since my last visit.  Unless my recollections are faulty they have knocked through so it is now one u-shaped room around a three sided counter.

About a dozen other customers meant that chatter was about equal to the music in the bright sunny interior.  The former back room, with a pool table, was empty.

The regulars were exceptionally friendly, at least three independently greeted the stranger in the corner.

Moving on, I walked past the Spekeland, long closed, never visited, and now student accommodation, I think:

On to the Boundary:

It looks a little tatty inside this imposing building, but the glorious ceramics and woodwork mostly survive.  Painting was under way in the larger back room, so clearly it is not totally out of use.

Only one other customer at two on a Saturday, which is a shame.

The front room is on a slope and the counter has a step in it.  Not as steep as the Globe in town.

The other customer and I enjoyed (or ignored) Murder She Wrote on the telly as I drank my second Carling of the day.  Unusually, in here I requested "Carling please" and the barmaid answered "pint?", normally that goes unsaid.

My mind wandered:  If I won the lottery and bought a pub to save it, this could be the one.  Spend lots of money on restoration and maintenance, put on a couple of real ales, and then run at a steady loss indefinitely.  I suspect most of the cask ale would go down the drain as I can't see the locals being fans of Oakham Citra!  Perhaps Titanic Plum Porter would tempt the Strongbow Dark Fruit drinkers?

Next, on to a pub that my researches showed had probably closed since my last visit to the area, the Newstead Abbey:

And indeed, it's now a Syrian shop.  I was amused to note that the shop sign still has Burtonwood branding!

So, just down a side street is the Earl Marshall:

As I approached, the blank signage and drawn blinds suggested I might be out of luck, but a closer look showed the door was open and inside I found a popular boozer with customers of all ages filling the bar side.

Another Carling was promptly served and I retreated to a side room across the corridor from the bar.

This pub has obviously had a good redecoration fairly recently, the paint work, upholstery and carpet are all in excellent condition.  A good measure of the quality of maintenance is antique-style lights with glass globes:  How many are broken - None here - and how many light up - I can't tell.

The football punditry gave way to music once the assessment of Liverpool's defeat had finished.  I thought the BBC were a bit unfair saying that Liverpool were thrashed, losing 4-1 away to a team above you in the league is hardly a thrashing, although I should own that (a) I didn't see the match and (b) I know nothing about football.    If you're a regular, dear reader, I expect you've already deduced the latter.

From where did I pinch the "dear reader" meme?  I can't remember and Google doesn't seem to know:  Uncle Tom's Cabin?  Pah, I've never read it.  While we're asking irrelevant questions, what did we call this sort of thing before the word meme was invented?  [Update:  The word I was looking for was motif, I think.  Or maybe trope?]

The barmaid plus a customer singing along with the jukebox produced some talented harmonisation.

I walked past the closed Earle 

... and on to my next target,  another one I think may have closed, the Ashdale Inn:

No, it's still open, with a well maintained unchanged interior.  Quite a few locals were spread about the split levels.  With the front door being open it was very chilly in here, I kept my jacket on as I consumed Carling number four.  (Pint by default here.)

I examined my surroundings;  they really are well looked after.  Just like the Earl, the carpet and upholstery are spotless.  On my previously stated measure, all the lights were lit, but a number of them had lost their globes.

So, on to my next target, first passing the closed Salisbury, Waldeck, and then the Railway, all three still displaying their pub signs.  The cool sunny day had changed to a very very grey sky and a bitter breeze.

Finally, one I never thought I'd visit, the Picton:

I only discovered the existence of this shop conversion a few years ago although it has been here for over a decade, and to be honest I feared it wouldn't survive lockdown, but I'm happy to report I was wrong so I got a brand new tick for my collection, number 1,432.

Just across the road from the Wellington, I thought they would steal each others custom, but apparently both have managed to endure.

In here, a plain comfortable and warm shop conversion, with a lively gang of regulars blocking the counter.  The barmaid instantly spotted me behind the crowd and soon provided another Carling.

Certainly the warmest pub so far, which was very welcome after the walk from the Ashdale.

People came in and out while I watched The Chase on the telly.  I've only just noticed that this quiz, and the Tipping Point, are cleverly designed so that one can have a go at at least some of the questions in a pub without the sound on.  I wonder if that's by design.  Probably not, because we drunks turn away when the ads come on.

Now what?  The pub across the road is also overdue for a visit.  On a couple of recent surveys I've prioritised the tick when relaxation and enjoyment should be more important.  So this time I'm going to get it right and, because I feel I've drunk enough, head for home leaving the Wellington for next time:

Pub of the day: Earl Marshall, truly a classic urban boozer.
Beer of the day: Carling
Miles walked: 2.5 miles
Maybe coming soon: Rainford, Everton, Southport, Rice Lane

Forties Cromarty Forth Tyne Dogger Fisher

Just a few odds and ends in town today. I started in the Shipping Forecast:

Four handpumps but no clips, so I had a Guinness which came with a shamrock in the head.  I resisted the temptation to tell the barman that when I spent a week in Ireland last year this never happened.

Just a handful of customers in, most of them in a chatty (But not annoyingly noisy) group at one table.

Nothing much seems to have changed in here since my last visit which was in 2010, the industrial vibe remaining in the pleasant interior.  A bit lacking in atmosphere with so few customers, but I imagine it's more fun later.  I wonder if I ought to try the Hold, a music venue downstairs sometime?  I think I can use the excuse that it is "not a pub".

Now that most trying of ticks, the bar next door to a favourite!  By a great effort of will power I resisted the wonderful Red Lion and went in to the Spanish Caravan:

Quite a bit bigger than the branch in Prescot, and with a wider range of beers, I think.  I chose long term favourite Erdinger, which cost me £6.  Only after I sat down I noticed a pump for Delirium, I'm not sure I could handle a pint of their Tremens, or maybe it's Delirium Red?  I could see the appropriate glasses in the rack above the pump.

I suppose I should have chosen a Spanish beer really, they had Victoria Malaga and two more I couldn't read from my seat, but as I say, Erdinger has long been a favourite of mine, their Dunkel even more so but you don't see that very often (Ship and Mitre of course being one local outlet.)

The decor in here includes bare brick, wooden matchboarding, and a genuine tiled floor - I thought for a moment the floor might be vinyl with a tiled pattern but no.  I sat on a wooden bench seat, a church pew perhaps.  Is this Spanish style?  I've not done very many bars in Spain so I can't really say.  It's nice, anyway.

Two other customers, painters judging by their trousers, chatted with the barman, and then headed back to work leaving me as the only customer.

Later, a group of three came in, the barman knew them and soon provided a jug of sangria, to start their get together.

I called in at the gents on my way out and found a fiver on the floor.  Should I pocket it?  Oooh, a moral dilemma!  I "did the right thing" and handed it to the barman, who said he didn't know what to do with it. I said "if he comes back for it, give it to him, otherwise put it in your tips jar," which I think is probably the best answer!

Next, Fitzgeralds where I forgot to take a picture, here's one from last November:

Just a few minutes after opening (14:30 according to Google) there was no one in this one room Irish pub.  I was trying to remember what it was like in 2003 last time I was in here, when it was the Marlborough, a plain pub with no Irish styling, but I can't really recall that far back!

Now, it's very well decorated, not with "plastic Paddy" tat but with an impressive array of black and white photos of famous Irish people, ranging from James Joyce to Sinead O'Connor.  I could mostly recognise the actors and musicians, but not the sports stars.

No one came in while I enjoyed my Guinness, this rather fine place deserves to do better in my opinion.

Just next door is the Jacaranda, will it be open on a Thursday arvo? No.

Back down to Hanover Street, then, and the Empire:

"Only" five years since I visited this one, and it remains a plain comfortable one room corner house.  Just two other customers as I arrived, so not doing very well at half three on a Thursday.  Two more came in as I sank another Guinness.

The decor in here is rather busy, with every inch of wall covered with pictures, shipping signage, gig posters, and so on.  Gosh, An Evening with Pink Floyd at the Empire Theatre.  If only I could go back in time...

There's a small "stage" at the end of the room, so I guess live music must be on offer, I bet it's fun in here then.

I listened to the music:  "You're as smooth as Tennessee whiskey" went the song.  What an insult to the lady!  Their whiskey is about as smooth as sandpaper.  Ouch!!

Pub of the day: Fitzgeralds
Beer of the day: Erdinger
Miles walked: 1.2
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Wavertree, Everton, Rice Lane, Edge Hill

Moreton

On a remarkably warm day I took a bus under the river to Moreton, where I first headed to the Grange:

With the exception of a surfeit of Irish decorations (Is it a special day today??) this pleasant friendly boozer hasn't changed since my visit five years ago.  

Five minutes of fiddling in the cellar failed to fix the Carling supply, eventually I gave up and had a more flavoursome lager instead.  I did wonder if this would come at the Carling price, but sadly not.

The pub was very quiet considering it is two on a Friday afternoon, one group finishing their lunch were the only other people in the "lounge" side where I sat.  I could hear some chatter from the other end of the building, but the five bar staff were hardly stretched, even with two of them busy working on the Carling pipework.

Next, to the centre of Moreton and the Vineyard:

Not much sign of the bistro I recorded five years ago, and I think they've knocked down some walls, maybe?  Anyway, a pleasant open room with a counter on one side, the decor is plain and not over the top.  Any fool can add lots of decorations, it takes taste and skill to produce plain attractive styling.

The landlord disappeared to change his baby's nappy, asking me to field any customers.  Meanwhile, the bloke fixing the light over the door finished his free drink, "that's the easiest pint I've ever earned".

So, I was the only customer until two younger blokes came in wanting to watch something on the telly.  Cheltenham I guess.  The landlord turned down the music and up the commentary, but to a quiet non-irritating level - Well done.

Now, just across the roundabout is the Coach and Horses:

The traffic makes it really hard to get a good photograph of this pub!

It was very busy in here and I toured the whole pub with my pint before squeezing in a corner.  "Got any tips?" asked the lads at the next table.  Apparently they'd spotted me as I came in and I look a bit like a famous tipster.  We soon established that I'm not him!

Ordinary pub decor in here, unchanged since my visit five years ago although clearly well maintained in the mean time.

This place is really doing well at three o'clock, so much busier than the previous two pubs.  Racing commentary was drowned out by the happy chatter of dozens of customers, despite the 'speaker being just above my head.

The Irish decorations were fairly muted here, just a few balloons, although the barmaid was wearing St Patrick's Day deely-boppers.  Is that the right word for those springy things on your head?

I looked around the room as the 2.50 at Cheltenham was run.  Clearly the majority of the people were here to watch the racing, but by no means all of them.

Next, off down a side street or two to a pub which might not be open, let's see...

I was looking for the Sandbrook, but now it's the Clipper:

So it has switched back to the original name, but nothing else has changed in this classic 60s estate boozer.

Just as last time (2018) the lounge is closed off and the happy team of regulars are clustered at the counter chatting with the landlord and landlady.

I waited patiently for one of the regulars to go to the toilet, so I could find out where it was.  No one did so I had to guess.  While on my way there I glanced through the lounge doors, it would appear to be ready and waiting for use perhaps at busy times or for functions.

Lots of banter and shouting as the Gold Cup was run, one of the regulars had a bet on, and his horse fell, I think. I worried that everyone was staring at me until I realised one of the tellies was right above my head and that was what they were watching.  

Finally, I returned to the middle of Moreton, to Greene King's Farmers Arms:

Gosh!  Even busier than the Coach and Horses, with a massive throng at the counter being served fairly well by the bar staff.  It has been said that "who's next" is an admission of failure by bar staff, they ought to be keeping an eye on the crowd and should know who comes next.  Nonetheless, I was soon served with a decent Greene King IPA, I didn't see any other pints of cask sold while I was waiting.

I was given a "buy five get one free" card with my pint, I don't think I'll manage to fill it, at one visit every five years my free pint comes in 2048, age 87!

Quiet commentary from Cheltenham was drowned out by umpteen animated conversations; as I had commented to the gentleman next to me at the counter, it's good to see a busy pub nowadays.  The customers ranged from boozing blokes to dining families - appealing to both is the secret of success nowadays, I think.

My table was reserved for "entertainment" from 7.30, I wonder what that means. Does the performer sit here or do they move this table away to make some space?  In any case, I'll be home before then.  

I watched another race on the telly in my eye line.  One fall, I hope neither horse nor jockey were hurt.

Time for home, I think, so I strolled up to the station.

Pub of the day: The Clipper, a classic.
Beer of the day: Greene King IPA
Miles walked: 2.6
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Edge Hill, Wavertree, Rice Lane

New Ticks In Town

On a cold snowy day I started my researches in a new one to me, Alberts Schloss:

Actually not completely new, I came here last Saturday afternoon with a friend for lunch, but we were turned away at the door, no tables for eaters available.  We took our custom elsewhere.

The door guard was off duty so I could wander straight to the counter today, and anyway I was only here for a drink this time.

A waitress had to chivy the barman away from his chat before I could be served, he then redeemed himself by offering a napkin to wipe my misted up and wet spectacles while he poured me a lovely pint of Budvar Dark.  I suspected this might be one of those card only places, but no, cash is also taken.

The large open room is decorated in, I suppose, bierkeller style.  There are some long benches in the middle, plus booths and other smaller tables scattered around.

All very pleasant, bright and cheerful and comfortably warm.  (I notice Northern Rail, having tired of cancelling trains, are running them without heating now. I know the price of electricity has gone up, but even so...)

Background music mixed with cheerful conversations as I enjoyed my pint and perused the menu.  Pretzels, wursts (sic) and burgers.  Er, isn't the plural of würst würste?  Not sure I approve of this Deutschglish or whatever you call it.

I wanted to dislike this totally fake pastiche but actually it's rather good and I look forward to trying the food some time.

With one new tick under my belt it's time to try for another, the Duke Street Market:

Much bigger than the small frontage suggests, this is a classic warehouse conversion with the usual rough brickwork and exposed steel joists.  There are six kitchens along one wall offering various food styles, and I must say it smells good.

I was pleased to learn from the "greeter" that if I didn't want to bother with the QR code and internet ordering I could just go up to the kitchens and order directly.  I wonder if she only says that to "older" customers?

The place was doing OK, I guess, for a Thursday afternoon at the end of lunchtime, but a number of cooks and waitresses seemed to be idle.  Having said that, it seemed to get busier as I sank my pint.  The slightly too loud music mixed with chatter.  

Time for a proper pub, I think, or at least something in that general direction.  McCartneys Bar:

Goodness, is it really eleven years since I was last here.  I have to admit I don't recognise the pleasant interior at all, has it been remodelled or is my memory failing?  In any case, a plain pub with one long main room plus one or two side areas. Decorated with a Beatles theme, nicely understated.

Sadly the hand pump had gone since my last call, so it was Guinness for me.

Just a few customers were creating a quiet background of conversation to mix with the music.  There was also the occasional click of pool balls.

I noticed an area of the main room with no tables, surrounded by various disco lights, so I assume this place is party central on a Friday night.

Can I get another new tick?  What about Lounge 69 across the road?  Is it within my purview?  I don't think I can be bothered if there's no draft beer.

No worries, I could see a dozen keg fonts on the counter, so in I went.  The greeter wanted to know if I was eating, and then she transformed into a barmaid when I said no.  My first choice was off, but I was soon served with a pint of Stella.

I looked at the cocktail menu.  Given that this claims to be a cocktail bar, only having nine options seems a bit limited.  My favourite, bloody mary, isn't on the list.  When was the last time I had one?  Twenty years ago an ordinary airport bar in America would do a bloody mary, complete with a stick of celery, for "breakfast".  And I seem to recall having one on the plane as well.

The decor in here is rather wonderful in my opinion, I don't know how to categorise it - Lots of mosaics and ceramics, and a fun use of brass pipework fittings as table legs and handrails.  

Good decoration notwithstanding, the place is not doing very well at three on a wintery Thursday, I might be the only customer or perhaps there's one or two out of my eyeline?  I hope they do better at busy times, as I really do like the styling.  Mind you, they could do with turning the heating up a bit, there was no way I was going to take my coat off in here.

Three new ticks should be enough for anyone, so I think I'll head for home before the snow gets too deep (joking).

Pub of the day: Alberts Schloss
Beer of the day: Budvar Dark
Miles walked: 1.2
Maybe coming soon: Rice Lane, Southport, Edge Hill

From Everton to Tuebrook

I headed out towards Breck Road, Everton on a very chilly Saturday afternoon, starting at the Brunel:

My pre-flight checks had warned me this closed in 2021, and it would appear to belong to the local Baptist church now.

A little further along is the Royal:

At first glance I thought this might also have closed, but through the steel grills I could see people moving about inside, so I went in and sure enough found a plain two sided boozer with a fair number of customers.

The interior seems to have lost the fake beams I noted last time.  It's a little tatty, perhaps, but clean and tidy.  And comfortable, albeit a touch chilly.

The spelling on the various notices is appalling:  "premesis" indeed!  I blame the teachers education system.

On to the Lutine Bell:

This one looked closed as well:  Shutters down on the front door and a man on a ladder working on the side door shutters.  But no, there are people inside.  Advised by the shutter menders, I headed round to the back yard entrance and in through the smokers area.

Once inside I found a plain beautifully maintained pub, well occupied by regulars at half one on a Saturday.

The rather bright mustard yellow paintwork I recall from my last visit, in 2017, has become a cheerful but not over garish red.  And it's warm in here as well.

There were enough people in the place to make the main sound a hubbub of cheerful chatter; of course they all know each other.  This really is the archetypal friendly boozer, long may it survive.

It was pleasing to see a barmaid kept busy all the time I was here, an almost non stop flow of drinks over the counter.  She did occasionally have time to stop for a chat, but mostly she was pouring.

A little further along is the Windermere:

Another one that looks to be closed, and this time it is, I'm sorry to say.  With the benefit of hindsight I wonder if I should have pushed on the door?

I carried on, passing the long closed but still standing Richmond Arms, last ticked in December 1998, when they had hand-pulled Walker's Bitter:

And on to the Cabbage Hall:

This is a nicely done family dining sort of place, very different from the Lutine - And just as successful.

A well decorated and spotlessly clean interior with nothing historic remaining in this fine 1920s or even earlier (guess) building.

Quite a few family groups were eating, although I wouldn't call it busy.

I've heard of "doggie bags" for taking left over food home but the group sitting near me had plastic glasses for left over lager when they departed, I've not seen that before.

I'm not sure if I've discussed the odd name previously:  It is said that a large manor house nearby had the wall on the street decorated with stone pineapples; this was fashionable in Victorian times - And nowadays as well.  The local people had never seen a pineapple and so named the house cabbage hall.

The closed Brunel, expected, and Windermere, unexpected, leaves me short of targets so now I have a choice:  Go home after three, redo a pub done last year, or go for a slightly longer walk.  I looked at my map, there's one isolated target in Tuebrook, so walk it is...

I last visited the Flat House in 2017, I wonder if it has changed?

The answer is it is basically unchanged but a little cooler and, I'm afraid, a lot emptier.  I remember last time I was here - in 2017 - rejoicing over the discovery that "proper" traditional boozers like this were continuing to do well.  I had to perch at the corner of a table, because there was nowhere else to sit.  Today I had the same table to myself and there were plenty of others available.

It would be warmer in here if the smokers would "put wood in't hole" when they went out the back for a smoke.  Actually, after I'd written that they mostly did, and the room felt a lot more comfortable without the icy draught.

There was a steady flow of customers in and out, and many of them knew each other and/or the rather attractive barmaid / landlady.

They've got that mysterious "Caines Lager" here; where does it come from?  Only £2 a pint in February.  I guess my Carling marked me out as an idiot, because Carlsberg is also £2, but I paid somewhat more.

OK, only four ticks today but I think I'll head for home...

Pub of the day: Lutine Bell
Beer of the day: Carling, again.
Miles walked: 1.9
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Everton, Edge Hill