Two trains and the 38 bus delivered me to the attractive location of Eastham Ferry. I learned from the chat on the bus that the reason it doesn't run here on Sundays is not lack of demand but because the place is so busy that the bus can't get in. It has to do a three point turn as there is only one road in and out. Not too busy on a Thursday, though, and I started in the Tap:
A sign on the handpumps advised that cask ale is unavailable at the moment, so I had my usual Carling.
The large beer garden was quite busy with many people enjoying another day of sunshine, inside was very quiet with just a handful of customers. The decor inside this pub is perhaps a little cluttered, but it's certainly pleasant.
Next door is the rather austere building that is the Eastham Ferry Hotel:
This one is more up market than the Tap, I think, and again lots of customers were outside while I enjoyed the peaceful interior.
Just one handpump had a clip offering Big Hand Brewery's Super Tidy, and I'm sorry to stay I didn't enjoy it very much. I don't think it was defective in any way, just that the taste was not to my liking.
This pub is very nicely done inside, I'm not sure how to describe the decor, it's an odd mix of historic features and contemporary styling but in any case I like it.
Now I've got a longish walk of about 1 mile ahead, unless I can finish in time for the next 38 bus, they're hourly. Here's a strange aspect of my character: If I don't like the beer I drink it quicker, to get it over with. How daft is that? So I was in plenty of time for the bus. With a few minutes to spare, to watch the passing shipping
... and to note that it's a bit of a shame that the beer gardens of the two pubs must be separated by an ugly wooden fence. Could they not agree to share the land?
The 38 took me up to Eastham Village where I skipped the Hooton Arms because I ticked it in 2021 and strolled round the corner to the Montgomery, last visited in 2015:
When I was in Eastham in 2021 I was caught out because this one wasn't open on a Tuesday, so I was particularly keen to get this tick today. I headed in to find piles of cardboard boxes covering the counter, and three fellas working on laptops. Not open, I asked? No, we're just doing the handover, we'll be open on Monday; if you want a drink the Hooton Arms is just up the road. Curses! Foiled again. I suspect I won't be round here for another five years.
Before my next journey I need a toilet break, so I followed the advice I'd been given and went in to the Hooton Arms:
This tiny pub is something of a gem, I think, although the real ale offer is down to just one this time. My pint of Lees' Bitter was very good, so no complaints.
A handful of regulars were chatting, topics included what is happening to the Monty, apparently the people who run this place are taking it over. No wonder I was advised to come here!
My next walk is a mile, perhaps another bus? But hang on; on the first bus ride I spotted a possible bar I didn't know about. So if I get the next 38 back the way I came I can check it out...
Victory from the jaws of defeat! A bar I didn't know existed, Hop:
This is a standard shop conversion micro-pub, deserted at four on a Thursday, I was the only customer when I arrived. Three cask ales were on offer, I selected Common Ground from Round Corner which turned out to be a rather fine pale ale.
One more customer joined me in the peaceful room. I eyed up the big TV screen to see where my beer came from. Oooer, there's my name up in lights, that's what you get for checking in on Untappd! The beer comes from Melton Mowbray, I learned. Shame they didn't send some pies with it!
What next? On my original plan there are two more targets nearly a mile away, but I'm tempted to take the lazy option and head home after only three required ticks (and four pints); there is a station very near here. Actually there is another "2021" tick between me and the station, maybe I should have a pint there to finish off my trip. Or in here they've got a 14% Imperial Double Pastry Stout from Edinburgh, perhaps I should try it? Probably unwise, let's stick to the pub nearby...
Why not? The Merebrook:
I entered this two-sided large pub in the "sizzling" chain expecting to finish on a Carling, and the bar side where I came in seemed to confirm this, but something told me to try through the door in the lounge. A couple of handpumps were available and I had a fine pint of Wainwright Amber.
Unlike all the other ticks today this one has plenty of people in, although there was space for lots more. Some were eating but not many, it's not yet five so maybe a bit early for dinner.
I checked the menu, fish and chips is under nine quid so pretty cheap. Talking of menus I was in my local Wetherspoon yesterday and noticed the new menu with no steaks nor mixed grill. There has been some whinging about this in the press, it will be interesting to see how it actually works out. Usually Tim's decisions prove to be right so I'm guessing this one will too. I made sure I had a "last chance" mixed grill a couple of weeks ago, and it was very good!
Only three "required" ticks today and the Montgomery loses out, but it was a very pleasant crawl on a sunny afternoon, with the bonus of a brand new previously unknown pub. And I didn't actually have to walk at all.
Beer of the day: Common Ground
Miles walked: Hardly any, thanks to the 38 bus.
Maybe coming soon: Undecided