Carling All The Way

A couple of trains quickly carried me to Old Roan, from where it was just a short walk to my first target, the Packet Steamer:

That's not a very attractive picture, is it?  I don't think I'll get a job as a photographer any time soon.

One always feels a little doubtful going in to a Beefeater, what will their attitude to drinkers be?

No problem here, turn right inside the door to the side with the counter.  All the tables in this side have only drinks menus, no food.  (Although, if you "wait to be seated" at the door you may be handed a menu and sit here, if you wish.)

In this comfortable pleasantly decorated pub there weren't many customers at one on a gloriously sunny Saturday afternoon, although having said that there were more outside. 

The cask ale I recorded in 2019 has disappeared, so I started today with my usual Carling. 

Next, not far down the main road is the Bakers Dozen:

Another pleasant "plastic" food-oriented pub, this time a Hungry Horse.  Once again, no problem getting a Carling for a non-diner.

There were two handpumps on the counter but they didn't look like they had been used for some time, purely decorative I think.  Cask ale has disappeared since my 2019 visit.

This one seemed busier than the Steamer, although that might be just the noise level due to some children.  Not that they were annoyingly noisy, just giving the place a more occupied feel. 

Next, a one mile stroll continuing along the always-busy Dunnings Bridge Road to another chain dining pub, the Netherton.  Not exactly a stroll as it turned out because the roadworks were carefully configured to avoid inconveniencing drivers, and so made me cross the busy road three times.  We can't delay car owners, can we?  Anyway, finally I reached the Netherton:

My notes from 2018 record poor real ale but today the handpumps are nowhere to be seen, so I had another Carling.  Again, busier than the previous tick - it's nearly three o'clock by now - but still not full at what I imagined would be a peak time.  Maybe evenings are better? 

Outside this would appear to be a classic inter-war roadhouse, I wonder when it was built.  I asked ChatGPT, my new best buddy since it (he?, she?) solved a software problem for me yesterday, but it didn't know. 

I scanned the menu.  Fish and chips at £9.29 is pretty good value nowadays. 

Another mile's march to Cooksons Bridge:

After three "plastic" dining places this is a more of a proper boozer.  One pleasant comfortable room filled with chatter, the classic soundtrack of a good pub. 

Two decorative handpumps on the counter but no cask so I had Carling number four.  All four so far have been in the proper glassware, by the way.  That's four consecutive pubs where real ale has disappeared since I was last here.  That's the way things are, I fear.  

This really is a great boozer, everyone who comes in seems to know the bar staff, and has a chat while their drinks are poured.

The music beneath the chatter was quite a good selection, lots of Kate Bush and not just the obvious ones, and then favourite Closing Time by Semisonic.

My next target is something of an architectural gem, if it is still open and still unspoiled.  It is also another mile or so to walk, will my ankles stand the strain?  The Jubilee Inn:

Wow, this is a historic pub and no mistake.  It has been redecorated over the years so only the multi room layout remains.  That is not to fault the decor which is very good, just not original. 

The front room was busy, I retreated to one of the other spaces with my Carling, it was very quiet, in fact I was on my own until two other blokes came in.  One was vaping creating a, I hate to admit it, pleasant strawberry waft.

I looked around.  Over the years one or two of the leaded windows have been broken and replaced with plain glass, but most survive.

I'm going to ask ChatGPT again, this time it knows the answer and it says that pub was built in 1935.  It replaced two older pubs nearby as part of a redevelopment initiative.  Back then there was a general push for so called "improved" pubs and breweries often had to agree to close two or more existing pubs to get permission to build a new one like this.

Well; five required ticks and a long distance walked.  I'm tempted to treat myself to an Uber home.  Otherwise it's another mile to walk to the station.

The Uber price went up three quid between when I wrote that and when it was time to go, so I decided to walk.  I got to the station with 30 seconds to spare for a train in to town.

Pub of the day: Jubilee Inn
Beer of the day: Five pints of Carling
Miles walked: 5.3
Maybe coming soon: Undecided