I set off on what was going to be a rather hot day, perhaps I was unwise to plan a ticking mission which involved long walks. But maybe it won't. I took the train to Maghull North from where it was an easy stroll to the Old Post Office:
Last time I was around here it was unexpectedly shut, no such problem this time and I entered a pleasant single room shop conversion. Nicely decorated in the currently fashionable shades of grey, plus some bare brick wallpaper on one wall.
Five regulars were chatting and the friendly barmaid soon poured me a Carling.
It's happened before and it'll probably happen again: Why is that bloke staring at me, I wondered? Of course I was sitting underneath a screen on which the racing was being shown, and he was filling in betting slips. I must learn that it's not always about me!
Next, a bar I walked straight past without noticing shortly after it first opened. I'm hoping for some decent ale in what is effectively Neptune's brewery tap, the Neptune Beerhouse:
Surprisingly empty at two o'clock, with only two other customers who were chatting to the barman. My pint of Neptune Abyss was wonderful, as expected. And it came in a lined Neptune conic.
Next comes a long walk, or so I thought until I fired up Google Maps to tell me how far it would be, and it showed AJ's Cocktail Bar, just a few steps down the road. I'd never even heard of that, so let's give it a try first:
What I found was a tiny shop conversion, probably only one quarter of the space Neptune had. The decor, dark colouring, is very attractive, someone has obviously put a lot of effort in to the styling of this small space, and it shows.
Only two keg taps offering Estrella Damm and Poretti, I chose the former and it came in the correct glass. No sign of any other customers, just me and the young barman who was keeping busy cleaning and tidying up. Reading back what I've just written, I need to add that the place was already clean and mostly tidy, he was mainly sorting out cocktail menus and putting them on each table, and wiping the already clean counter.
If I'm allowed a minor negative comment, the array of mops, buckets and cleaning sprays in the front window would be better hidden out the back somewhere.
I chatted with the barman about why I was here and where I was going next, he asked the question I often hear, "Which is your favourite pub?" and I remembered the smart answer, which is "the one I'm in".
Now, just across the road is a rather odd looking place called Milly's which has been in my database, unvisited, for umpteen years. It has limited opening hours, I think, so I'd never been in. But it is open now, so let's go:
Well, that wasn't what I expected at all: A large bar, plus a roof terrace, I imagine it's packed late evenings but at half three on a Saturday it is ticking over with about half a dozen customers plus me.
The decor inside is totally over the top, sparkly ceiling and walls and lots of neon signs, and I have to say, rather well done.
Now, four pints to the good, do I trek miles across the desert in the blazing sun (Hyperbole) to the next target or do I choose the lazy option and go back to the station for a train home. I think you know me well enough by now; I took the easy way. I was particularly pleased with three brand new ticks bringing the grand total to 1,569.
Beer of the day: Neptune Abyss
Miles walked: 2.2
Maybe coming soon: Southport
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