Lounging Around

It is quite difficult at the moment to find clusters of pubs overdue for a visit (Hence the taxi ride in the middle of last week's survey) and I was really struggling today, ending up with a plan in two parts with a train ride in between.

I started at James Street station, there are dozens of bars around here including two I have never visited.  My notes showed one was open all day and the other opens at one, so where did I go at half twelve?  Yes, the wrong one, what an idiot - I had a piece of paper in my bag noting the opening times but I still went to the closed one!

Anyway, a short additional walk soon found me at what should have been the first target, Brasco Lounge:

This is another member of the "something-o Lounge" chain, of which I see there are nearly 200 scattered all over the country.  I have ticked a few of them and I quite like their decor style, and although food-led drinkers seem to be welcomed.  Always popular, and they usually offer some interesting keg.

The standard formula of fun eclectic decor is what I found here, and this one has a bare concrete ceiling.  A good range of craft from which I selected Kaleidoscope from Wiper and True, which I've never heard of before.  As promised by the tap badge, it was a fruity IPA and I really enjoyed it.

The place was very busy at one on a Saturday, in fact I half expected to be rebuffed by the waitress guarding the door, instead she allocated me an armchair at a tiny table which would be totally unsuitable for dining.  (To be clear, that's not a complaint, I had said I only wanted a drink so my place was ideal.)

As I enjoyed my pint the room seemed to empty a little, there were a few free tables by the time I left.

So, time to double back and try again.  Can I be bothered?  Well, there are umpteen bars on Castle Street, but just one I've never ticked, so I was keen to complete the set at Cactus Bar:

This Mexican themed corridor bar is pleasant enough.  At half one I was the only customer, the barmaid who had rejected me an hour ago gave no sign of recognition.  The draft beers were Mahou, Corona and Camden Pale, I suppose I should have had pseudo-Mexican Corona, brewed in Wales, but I chose Mahou which Google tells me is still brewed in Spain, although I'm not convinced about that.  £5.50 for a schooner (2/3 pint) ouch.

The music was way too loud for an empty bar.  The barmaid busied herself sorting things behind the counter and waiting in vain for another customer.  I suppose if she's just an employee she might be happy to be idle all shift, if she's the landlady obviously not.

I rather wanted to criticise this place but I have to say it is pleasantly decorated and comfortable.  Out of place at the back of the room is an old stained glass window which looks more appropriate to a hundred year old boozer.  Is it original from a former use of the building, or bought in from reclamation, I wonder?

Next, back to the station and on to the second part of today's research, in New Brighton.  I started with another never before visited member of the o-Lounge chain, this one is called Marino Lounge:

Exactly the same as the previous one, once again I waited briefly in the doorway before being pointed to a table.  I repeated my Kaleidoscope as it was so good.

Again, the place was very busy, with just one or two free tables ready for the next diners.  The waiting staff were very busy bringing food out, and I have to say it was tempting.

I had a quick scan of the menu which looks very good.  They don't offer my standard price reference item, fish and chips, so I'll just report that the all day large breakfast is seventeen quid, so not the cheaper end of the market but, I suspect, worth it.  Mind you, one could have a 'spoons breakfast and a pint for half that!

Speaking of Wetherspoon, it seems odd to me that the financial news headlines last week included "Wetherspoon revenue down, profits down" and yet my shares have jumped up by 25%.  I'll never understand the stock market, this is why it's always a gamble!

That's it for new ticks, but there is one here which has passed the five year boundary, so I headed on to the New Brighton Hotel:

At first glance I thought this might be closed but fortunately I was mistaken.  One large attractively decorated room with half a dozen or so customers spread out in the space.  I think there's another room off to the side.

I had a cider here.  The next customer ordered Neck Oil but there was a glass on the tap.  The barman disappeared to the cellar to change the barrel and then poured umpteen pints of froth and eventually gave up and offered something else.

There is one more pub "in" New Brighton overdue for a tick but it's a mile walk each way to the Pilot Boat, so in view of the gale force winds and intermittently heavy precipitation I decided I couldn't be bothered!  Four required ticks of which three were brand new is enough, so let's go home...

Literally as I typed that the rain stopped and the sun came out, but I've decided now!

And, if I might be permitted a non pub related bonus report, my ride back to Liverpool was in number 777004, the only one of the new Merseyrail trains I hadn't yet travelled in.  TICK!!

Pub of the day: Marino Lounge
Beer of the day: Kaleidoscope
Miles walked: 2.4
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,033

Town and Country

A bit of worry earlier in the week when I "discovered" there were no buses to today's destination.  Luckily it occurred to me last night that that was highly unlikely so I checked again and got the correct information.  And so I headed out on a sunny Saturday morning, in to town and then on a bus under the river and all the way to the Merseyside border in the middle of Wirral to commence the country part of today's plan at the Red Fox:

It's a Brunning and Price so you know what to expect, this is a beautifully decorated place.

In the bar room I found ten handpumps on the counter.  I selected Peat Bog from Big Bog.  29 beer miles according to the beer list.  A very good porter, but not quite as flavourful as I expected given that the pump clip promised liquorice root.

I have commented before, I think, that this operation does a really good job of being a posh restaurant but still welcoming drinkers and making them comfortable.  I sat in a leather armchair in a part of the room unsuitable for dining - Too many places would have cleared this corner out and put in some more tables.  Mind you, the building really is enormous so I doubt they are often short of seating capacity.

I resisted the tempting wafts of fish and chips and enjoyed my pint.  The bar room was peaceful, just a few conversations.  I could hear more of a hubbub of chat from elsewhere.

I was planning to walk the next leg of my mission but there's a bus soon so, in view of my dodgy knee, I think I'll wait for that.  (I'll try not to go on about my knee too much.)

On to Thornton Hough and the Seven Stars:

What a pleasant village local this is, ticking over at two on a Saturday with regulars chatting with the bar staff.  They are down to one cask, but one is plenty and my Trapper's Hat was spot on.  No one else seemed to be on the real ale.

I was in the "bar" side, I couldn't see how busy the restaurant part was but people were arriving so clearly it was doing OK.

What a nice village with a wonderful pub.  I don't think I could live here, though, unless I could afford car and driver to take me on pub surveys!

Next, a walk to the village of Raby.  As a lifelong "townie" I am always a little nervous of a country road with no footpaths, but my walk was easy and the few cars that passed gave me plenty of space.  The sun shone, the sky was cloudless, it was a pleasant stroll and I soon reached the Wheatsheaf:

This thatched gem hasn't changed since the last time I was here, which was August 2021.  An historic building with a multi room interior.

I selected something hazy and tasty from Thornbridge from a good range of cask ales, and settled in a comfortable corner.

No music in this pub, the only sounds were quiet conversations and the occasional clink of glasses at the counter.

Food came out, toasted sandwiches and a bowl of chips.  Very tempting.

That's three great pints in three beautiful pubs, what's next?  I think it is time to move on to the town section of today's survey and to go down market for a pint of Carling, and yet up market because there's no way I'm walking to the bus stop so I'm going to summon an Uber.  Will there be any around here ready to leap into action?  Yes is the answer, and I was quickly on my way.

The townie in me felt a little like I was coming back to civilization as my joby left the countryside and entered the council estates of Eastham.  He dropped me outside the classic sixties building that is the Rake Hotel:

Down market, maybe, but certainly clean, tidy, and pleasant.  Very quiet at four on a Saturday, I'm sorry to say.

This is a two sided boozer, I suspect the other half is not in use now but it appears to be available when required.

The "dance floor" in here was in use as a parking area for mobility scooters.  If my dodgy knee turns out to be something serious (Unlikely, three pints has pretty much cured it.) I might be on one before too long. There is a running joke amongst pub collectors which says that scooters parked outside is the mark of a proper pub, but here they park them inside which I would say is even better!

Odd?  The big screen was showing Now 80s, that's normal in this sort of pub, the volume was gentle so I'm all in favour.  Three blokes got their drinks and then sat in a row right in front of the screen.  Why?  They continued to chat.  If I'd come here for a chat with my mates I'd face away from the screen and perhaps enjoy the music .  Aha, the explanation:  The barmaid switched the telly to an England footie match which is obviously what they are here for.  I was enjoying the Proclaimers' 500 miles but I think I'm outvoted!

Next, a short walk to the Argyle & Sutherland:

In the past I have had some dodgy cask in here, no danger of that today as the handpumps have all gone.  I couldn't see Carling so I had a cider for a change.  Strongbow is about as "real" as Carling.  And a lot sweeter!

This large sixties construction is very well decorated inside and beautifully cared for.

I was surprised to see the big match wasn't on the many TVs, then one of the regulars asked the landlady to "put the footie on" and she switched channels.  The match still hasn't started.  I finally discovered it is Croatia v England.  I was going to say something stupid about "is it safe?" but I'm the idiot who, five pints in, confuses Croatia with Ukraine for some reason.

Nitpicking pub collectors might want to note the name changes at this pub.  When I came here in 2003 it was the "Argyll & Sutherland Highlander Inn" (And I spelled it Argyle, wrongly I think.).  By 2015 it had become just "Argyll" and more recently it has regained the Sutherland.

Having nearly finished my cider, I looked around.  This is a really well done pub, attractively decorated (It was substantially refurbished in 2023 I believe.) welcoming plenty of locals, this is the formula to go with in the late 2020s.  While I of course miss cask ale I realise this is one of the ways to go forward.  I'm going to predict that this pub will be the same or similar when I come to re-visit it in 2031!  Good thing too.

On the original plan this was the end of the trip, but I discovered there's a new place next door, so I must try the Barrel Inn:

Only one cask ale on in this pleasant comfortable shop conversion, but the Timothy Taylor's Blonde was spot on.  Don't forget, one cask is enough, especially if it is as good as this.  And I got a discount for being a CAMRA member.  They also have a fine selection of keg, including favourites Budvar and Clwb Tropica, and even the famous but boring Hawkstone lager.

I reckon there were more people in this small space than in the whole of the pub next door.  That may be a slight exaggeration but it's not far off.

The background music was mostly drowned out by multiple conversations in here. Given the choice, this is the better place of the two in my opinion.

Six pints, four quality real ales, one new tick; time for home.

Pubs of the day: Wheatsheaf and Red Fox
Beer of the day: Peat Bog
Miles walked: 2.7
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,029
Maybe coming soon: Undecided

Good Beer Guide 2027

CAMRA's second attempt at sending me one was eventually successful and it finally arrived today.  I hope whoever ended up with the first copy enjoys it.

In Merseyside seventeen pubs have dropped out since last year, and seventeen have come in.  If you want to know which ones you'll have to buy the book.

St Helens

Where's the Good Beer Guide update, you may be asking.  My early copy was lost in the post so here we are on publication day and I still haven't seen it.  Hmph!!

Anyway, off to St Helens today to mop up a few odds and ends, starting in the Royal Tavern:

(Due to a camera malfunction I didn't get a picture today, this one is from 2021.)

This is a plain comfortable boozer and it was ticking over well at two on a Thursday.  I enjoyed my first Carling of the day, costing £4.10.

A quick scan of the glasses on the table showed that this is not one of the places I'm used to where everyone is on Carling.  I could see Coors, Fosters and Moretti just in my end of the knocked through space.

Cheerful chatter and banter filled the room, with muzac very much in the background.

I checked out the Wheatsheaf over the road.  Inside I could see a counter with beer taps, but there was no furniture, just a decorators ladder in the middle of the room.  I'm sure that's exactly what I saw five years ago as well?

Next, resisting the excellent ale as I passed the Sefton I headed on to the Ice Bar:

This one looks a bit run down, maybe, from the outside, but inside it is a rather stylishly decorated one room place.  It looks almost night-club style, I wonder what it is like in here at ten on a Friday night?  There is a tiny DJ booth in one corner.

At three on a Thursday there were four or five customers, just one conversation and very quiet music mixing with racing commentary from the telly.

Another Carling, only £3.40 in here.

Next, on to the Cornerstone, formerly the Sportsman and the Talbot:

This one's has been refurbished since I was last here, I think.  I entered the lounge side which has traditionally styled decor with wood panelling on walls and counter front, some bare brick.

I selected at random from the three cask ales, Bullet Tooth Tony was a sweet hazy one from the always good Tiny Rebel.  And only £3.40.

I was a little sad to see the place was almost empty, just three other customers in the lounge side and, I suspect, zero in the taproom side.  As I enjoyed my pint more regulars came in.  The beer snob in me tutted as one had Carling and the next Staropramen, but of course I'm wrong and just because I prefer cask ale doesn't mean everyone should.  If the lager drinkers keep the place going then I can enjoy my cask.

What great music.  Green Day's Time of your Life, then Steely Dan's Joker.  On Tuesday I went to see Jon Anderson who was wonderful, but I'm not sure And You And I is really pub music!

Just a couple of doors down was the Newsroom which I see is now the Copper Fox, but it's not open yet so I'll have to come back some time to try it.  Next door is a new one, the Townhouse, same problem.

Next, back towards the station and a pub I fear might have closed (Google is no help.) but let's try the Union Inn:

Oh good; it's open.  A plain clean and tidy two sided boozer, this one ought, if any, to be a dump but it isn't.  Plain, yes, scruffy no.  The true dump has died out in the last twenty years, thank goodness.  Mind you, if I recall correctly this one wasn't a dump when I first came here in the year 2000.

Confirming that this is not a Carling town, the friendly landlady/barmaid poured a pint and a half of Carling down the sink before offering me a pint.  "Have a taste" she said.  I assumed it was the first out today.  She seemed rather surprised when I reported it was OK.  £3.40 I think.

I was a little worried that my lager would taste off as I drank the pint but it didn't, so no complaint at all.

Racing was on the telly, and I think all three of the other customers were watching it.

I was joined by a regular and had a good chat about pubs, the future, and what we miss from forty years ago.  If you are reading this, hello John, it was good to meet you.  He reckoned the Union wouldn't last much longer, I really hope he is wrong, we need proper boozers like this one to survive.

OK, now it's time for home.  Or should I call in to the Royal Alfred by the station.  Obviously yes:

Not a "required" tick, but a pint of White Rat is always good, and I haven't been in here since its most recent refurbishment.  [Memory failure!  Oh yes I have, I ticked it in April and indeed it was recorded in this blog.]  Today I sat in the back space on a comfortable bench seat.

At five on a Thursday this nicely decorated pub was fairly busy, I had no trouble finding a table at which to sit, but quite a few were occupied.  I couldn't see anyone eating although the menu looks quite good; fish and chips £14.95.

With a somewhat up and down history, this pub has at last settled into a great situation, I think, and I hope it continues for ever.

Definitely time for home, if Northern Trains can be bothered...

Pub of the day: Royal Alfred
Beer of the day: White Rat
Miles walked: 2.0
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,026
Maybe coming soon: Undecided

Some Classics in Rock Ferry

Off to Rock Ferry on a sunny Saturday afternoon and I started in the Refreshment Rooms:

This one is mainly food oriented but I was welcomed as a drinker, and was soon enjoying a tasty Trappers Hat.  I suppose I should have had the house ale - HMS Conway, brewed by Lees - to try it out.

I wondered if there was a drinkers' room but couldn't see one so I selected a table for three in the main dining room.

About half the tables were occupied at two o'clock on a Saturday, I think everyone else was dining.  I didn't see a menu so I can't comment on the prices.

I rather like this place, pleasant decor with quite a lot of bric-a-brac without getting cluttered.  I was pleased to note that the model Liverpool tram was still on the high shelf.

The waiters and waitresses were mostly kept busy bringing out food, clearing away, and chatting to the regulars; although I did notice one very brief moment when they were all standing idle at the counter.

Next, the Derby Arms:

Now this is a true classic locals' boozer.  Partly knocked through around the servery but retaining separate areas.  I tucked myself in a corner under a telly to down my Carling.

The regulars (I bet they don't get many strangers in here) were watching the football and, mainly, abusing each other with cheerful banter.  Quite a lot of swearwords!

I looked around:  Plain, very clean and tidy, what more could one want.

I felt a little exposed, sitting beneath a TV, but no one took any notice of the old bloke writing on his tablet.  Then, Aston Villa won and they mostly stopped looking at the telly.

On my way to the next target I noted the not previously recorded by me Star Hotel, long closed:

I carried on to the Lord Napier:

As I approached I was more than a little worried as the free standing building was covered in scaffolding.  Once closer I was relieved to see the door was open, perhaps it's OK or is that just for the builders?  I entered with some trepidation, opened the right hand door for the lounge, and was pleased to find a busy room full of cheerful people.  The counter was surrounded, I shouted my order for a Carling and reached through the throng (slight exaggeration) to pay.

There was some kind of betting competition based on horse racing I think.  A large whiteboard was covered in numbers, I couldn't work out what it all meant.  The landlady sat down and filled in a column presumably after a race finished.  The grid was about forty rows by twenty columns, good grief that's complicated!  If I'm being honest I would have thought drunk competitors would be for ever complaining about arithmetic errors!  I guess the people around here are more reasonable than that.

Another classic this one, perhaps more lively than the Derby?  If my memory is to be trusted it was pretty empty when I was here five years ago.  So, has it improved or was that midweek?

A regular moved away from the counter and I spotted a handpump.  No clip, of course, I bet it hasn't served real ale for years.

I noted some rather good comic signs.  Are you sweating whilst putting petrol in your car?  Feeling sick when you pay for it?  You've probably caught the 2026 strain of CarOwnerVirus.

There was some kind of problem with the jukebox, the landlady phoned up the support line and then turned it off and on again.  This seemed to resolve the problem and we were treated to the excellent Papa Was A Rolling Stone as I departed.

Now, back to the station and the Bedford which is also signed as Luke's:

A much larger pub than the previous two, but also a friendly boozer with plenty of regulars, with the extra plus of being next to the station.

A dozen locals were mostly at the counter, the rest of the pleasant plain interior in two sides was mostly empty.  Sky Sports News was just about audible to my right, with intermittent jukebox play at a reasonable volume.

Everton moved to 2-0 up and then back to 1-0.  I think maybe a goal shouldn't be displayed until all the processes have been completed.

"Only" four ticks today but that's good enough.  It is wonderful to see the "locals' boozer" doing so well, long may it continue.  Let's go home.  Will I get through the city before all the Everton fans come?  I did, despite finding all the up escalators and the lift broken at Lime Street.

Pub of the day: Refreshment Rooms
Beer of the day: Trappers Hat
Miles walked: 2.4
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,022
Maybe coming soon: Undecided

Crosby

I was watching the Great British Pub Crawl on YouTube last week and Dale came to Crosby.  I was somewhat miffed to see he ticked three places I've never been in, so it's time to rectify those omissions.

I set off on this historic date.  Was it really twenty-five years ago?  I was only fifty miles away from one of the sites back than, and it was a slightly surreal experience.  I struggled to phone the UK to confirm I was OK, presumably because everyone else was trying to do the same.  We were all sent home from work and the whole city was quieter than I'd ever seen it.  (A few days later they cancelled my pilot's license and never let me fly again.)

Today, I started at One Five Six:

I must confess I'd spotted this place last time I was around here but looking across the road I had decided it was a restaurant, so I didn't go closer.

It is certainly more of a restaurant, but I was welcome for a pint of Paulaner.  I couldn't see any taps, which initially put me off, but the beer appeared from the back so I'm guessing they do have draught. There were eight craft beers listed on the board. Er well, seven and Guinness. Special thanks to the Pub Crawl because even if I'd peered in the window I would have seen no taps and not come in.

The mainly green decor is rather good in here.  I didn't see anyone else drinking beer, plenty of coffees were being served.

It was quite quiet when I started but by the end of my pint it was nearly full.  In fact, I gave up my table for six and moved to sit at the counter so the large group could sit together.

I see from the sign that they have live music upstairs.

Just round the corner is Norseman which was Inside No. 4 last time I was here, in 2024.  I'm told they have cask ale but I'm going to have to give them a miss today as I already have six targets to go at, and seven would be too many, I think.

I strolled on towards the centre.  Hampsons is now Blue Bird, Rocksalt is now Salt Rock, and Angus is now Goose by the Green.  I skipped them all and headed for a new one, Ironman:

What an impressive space, this shop conversion on two floors. Bare brick and ironwork, and a nicely done wooden counter.

I selected a fine pint of Neptune's Ezili from the four handpumps.  It came in an Ironman branded sleeve.

I was disappointed to see I was the only customer at two on a Friday; where is everyone?  We need more customers in great pubs like this, or they will end up closed. (I see Whitbread have given up on pubs and their Beefeater and Table Table brands are closing, except to serve Premier Inn residents.)

Finally another drinker came in, at last customers equal staff, just fifty more and we'll be cooking!

Just over the road is a great pub, and it is overdue for a tick (Five years and two days!), so Stamps Bar is next:

Ah, White Rat, what more could one ask!  There were five or six handpumps to choose from, they've also got the excellent Jarl.

Not quite as empty as Ironman, but hardly busy.  A pleasant eclectically decorated space on two floors (I don't think I've ever looked upstairs)

Am I allowed a grumble?  I noticed a regular who was standing at the counter got a much more carefully topped up pint of ratty than I did!  (Even better, the next regular to come in got a kiss from the landlady/barmaid which I think would be preferable to a top-up any day.  I should be so lucky!)

More customers came in, and the barmaid was busy pouring more ratty.  In my sixty five years I have got used to my tastes being different to the majority of the population, but with White Rat it would appear that with one of my favourite beers I'm on trend!

Next, another one from Dale's video, Koko:

Odd this one; it looks like a restaurant/bar but there wasn't any sign inside of food.  I ordered a pint of Moretti, and sat at a table to enjoy it.

Only two other people in here, and the couple were clearly regulars.  Again, I ask where are all the customers on a Friday afternoon?  I thought 2020s office workers didn't go in on a Friday so surely they should be out for a drink by now?

I spotted the tea and coffee menu.  Have I complained before (probably multiple times if I'm honest) that 2.5 is not a valid price, if it's £2.50 then write that!

Next, a traditional pub and another five years and two days tick, the George:

Dale really liked this one and I had to agree, it looks great inside.  I changed my mind when I tasted my pint of Bass, which was well past its best.

The place was busier than the previous ticks, so clearly cask quality is not the way to get customers.  Pity.

Years ago I grumbled about the brewery tat and decor in here, today there was none of that, it is a great historic boozer and if only they could serve a decent pint they would deserve to do well.

I abandoned my terrible ale and headed out.  Finally, Frankie's.  Ah.  No.  It's gone.

So, I could do with a proper boozer to finish on.  Nowhere better than Larkins:

(Picture from last year)  Now this is a proper place; a tiny space hidden on a side street.  There were only two other customers at four on a Friday.  My Carling (In a Carling glass) was spot on, just what I needed to wash my mouth out!

Once again, I'm concerned that this one is not busier on a Friday afternoon, where is everyone?  On the other hand, as people left, others came in, at least they're ticking over. Looks like the ones who departed and the new customers all knew the landlady so are clearly regulars.

Time for home, 3 new ones and 2 overdue revisits; that'll do.

Pub of the day: Ironman
Beer of the day: Ossett White Rat
Miles walked: 2.0
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,022
Maybe coming soon: Undecided

Old Swan

I headed to Old Swan for a few required ticks, starting at the Millfield Inn.  But it isn't there any more.  Instead I found what I think is the same location, signed as a "Bakery club" but the shutters were down so I don't know what that is.  Google hasn't heard of it.

Next Hoggin's:

Very hard to photograph in Saturday afternoon traffic!

This is a plain nicely done out shop conversion.  The population of four or five regulars were a little noisy as I enjoyed my Guinness.  (No aggro, just a lot of cheerful shouting.)

This place was a pleasant surprise five years ago when I didn't know it existed.  It carries on pretty much the same in 2026.

The music was a odd mix including Irish comedy, folk music both Irish and Kate Rusby, and then Ave Maria.  Not too loud so no complaints.

Next, a short stroll northwards to Cask:

For some reason I haven't visited this excellent place since 2017 - A very foolish omission.

Thirty seconds after opening time (I had wondered if I would have to wait, but the door was open.) there were no other customers.  I selected a pint of not seen before Moorhouses NZ Pale, which was excellent.

I wondered when customer number two would come in.  The answer was 15:12, number three at 15:16.

This is a pleasant shop conversion nicely decorated.  The diorama around the top of the walls that I had admired nine years ago has gone, although the long shelf seems to have survived. I seem to recall it was busy in here last time, unlike today.

I got chatting to one of the regulars and once he had spotted the book I had casually laid on the table I got a number of updates for my database.  Most interesting, perhaps, was the news that the Angel on Bold Street is now open.

Back to Old Swan next, and the Old Tavern:

Well, this is a bit different compared with the previous two visits.  Because it is busy.  Not so packed I couldn't get a seat, so I was happy.

I eyed up the range of standard kegs and chose cider for a change.  South West Orchards, it said on the glass, and I must say it was rather good.

There was sixtieth birthday celebration, the twenty or thirty people were what was making the place feel full.  If I could have got that many people to celebrate my sixtieth I would have been very happy - And very surprised!

What next?  I have done the three main targets around here, but there are plenty of other pubs that are technically not "required".  I think I might treat myself to the Wetherspoon so I can finish with another decent ale.  So, on to the Navigator:

And you can't get much better than Jaipur!  And only £1.90 with a CAMRA voucher.  The spoons was, as one might expect at five on a Saturday, pretty busy.  Although not so full that I couldn't get a seat and a table.  The soundtrack here was simply lots of cheerful chatter. Drinkers were drinking, diners were dining, everyone was happy and comfortable.  What more could one ask for?

It occurred to me that I ought to bring an audio recorder one day, this sound is not as common as it used to be.  It has been the soundtrack to some of the best parts of my life and I need to preserve it before it is gone for ever.  On the other hand, you need the smells and other senses, so maybe just a sound recording wouldn't be enough?

Time for home, three required ticks, two real ales, that'll do!

Pub of the day: Cask
Beer of the day: Jaipur
Miles walked: 2.4
Merseyside pubs visited in the last five years: 1,020
Maybe coming soon: Crosby