Rainford

I headed out on a very grey autumnal Saturday and three trains brought me to Rainford, and the Junction:

No change in this rather good two sided pub, with four real ales on offer.  I chose Border Bitter from Magic Dragon, a classic traditional bitter from Wales.

Technically, I don't "need" this visit, because I was here in 2023, on a railway-oriented trip for the last train from Kirkby, but it would be stupid to walk past such a nice pub just because I came here only two years ago.

There isn't much to write about this one, good music in the background, a smattering of regulars chatting quietly, small kids and dogs running around.  What is it about dog owners?  He's not being friendly, he's being bloody annoying.  Keep it under control.  And your kid while you're at it.

Next, a pleasant scenic walk of a mile or so along the former railway line to Rainford itself, where there should be some nice pubs to visit.  Starting in the Eagle and Child:

Something of a classic this one, the old-looking building contains a partly knocked through pub, pleasantly decorated in traditional style.

I selected a great pint of Landlord from the small range of cask.

Rather busier than the Junction, with plenty of chatter over the music.  Somehow, a perfect example of a friendly comfortable local boozer.

Next, just down the road is the Golden Lion:

Now this one is more of a dining location, and was quite busy with families and groups eating, at half two.  Drinkers are welcome, though, and I selected Three Swords from Kirkstall from the two handpumps on offer.

Continuing today's theme, a dog in one of the side rooms went mad when a waiter delivered some food.  Didn't there used to be some hygiene rule about animals in places serving food?

I perused the menu; fish and chips £16.  A fairly standard price nowadays.

My notes from a previous visit refer to "contemporary decor", this time I want to write "traditional", it probably depends on where you sit!  Anyway, it's mostly obscured by Halloween tat, of course.

A woman spotted the book which I had "accidentally" placed on the table, and she's going to buy one.  Maybe I should carry a few copies to sign and sell?!  More usefully she advised me the food here is really good.

I should own up, I quite often make the book visible in the hope someone will notice it, but it is very rare that anyone does.

Another short walk to the Derby Arms:

Another one keener on dining but again drinkers are welcome and I had a pint of favourite White Rat.  It came in a weirdly shaped Sharps glass, but that didn't spoil the excellent taste.

Quite busy at three on a Saturday, and I may have committed a faux pas by taking a table in the dining end, but no one complained.  Oddly, it was laid for three although one could easily fit four around it.  Unlike the other free table I could see, it didn't have a reserved sign.

A load of food came out to the large group next to where I was sitting, I must say it looked, and smelled, tempting.

Unusually, no music nor muzac in here, (at least, not in the room I was in) just a gentle background of happy conversations.

I have a vague recollection that this place was a little dead last time I was here.  No danger of that today, in fact there were people looking round for a table, and I felt a little guilty for occupying one.  Not guilty enough to move, though!

I parked the book on the table again, but no one took the bait here.

Finally, there's one more Rainford pub to tick before I head for home, the Star:

This is a truly great pub, traditionally decorated, multiple rooms, good food, comfortable and friendly.  I sat in a quiet side area and enjoyed my Wainwright Gold.

The sound in here was some very low music almost totally drowned out by cheerful chatter.  What a fine pub.  The large dining area at the rear seemed quite empty at four on a Saturday, I guess it's busier later.  I didn't see a menu but the specials board included some tempting options.

Why do I always seem to tick this gem at the end of a survey, I really must start here in 2030 and work my way up to the Junction!!!   Assuming I'm still alive/drinking/mobile/compos mentis then.  Of course, the planner in me says the longer walk, between Junction and Eagle, is better done at the beginning of a survey!

Five pubs, five real ales, you can't say fairer than that.  So, time for home.  A bus to St Helens for a train, or the lazy option of an Uber.  I think you can guess which I chose...

Pub of the day: Really difficult to choose, I'll go for the Star
Miles walked: 2.0
Maybe coming soon: Mathew Street, Southport

Beer of the day: White Rat

Ainsdale

Two trains to Ainsdale, and then a pleasant stroll in the sunshine took me to the odd seventies-looking building that is the Spitfire:

It all looked a bit empty as I approached, but the door was open so I went in to find I was the only customer.

Two or three staff were setting up Halloween decorations, I resisted the temptation to complain that it's only the second of October, I suspect that horse has long bolted.  At least it keeps the Christmas decorations away for another month!

Anyway, fake cobwebs, inflatable witches and ghosts aside, this is a nicely decorated pub in one open space, partly divided.

The clips were turned away on the handpumps so I had a Guinness to start my day.

The tellies are showing Australian football, I think.  The game with the double goal posts.

The landlady tried to sell their kids Halloween party for my grandkids, I had to tell her I didn't have any.

Next, on to central Ainsdale and the Mallard:

This large free standing pub building was Champs last time I was here, and the Railway before that.  It has had a thorough and very well done refurbishment and almost all of Champs' tellies have gone.

Just one handpump was offering Wainwright Gold, which was very good.  In this sort of situation I wonder if it is "fake" cask, I don't really know how you can tell.  I enjoyed it anyway.

Another very empty pub although at least they have got more customers than the single one (me) in the Spitfire.  In fact, at one point the chatter was briefly louder than the gentle muzac.

I idly looked out of the window.  The Barr, what is that?  The internet reveals a cocktail bar, a new one to me.  So let's try that next:

This tiny shop conversion is very nicely done out, I particularly like the wooden banding on the counter front.  They are aiming at the cocktail crowd but one can also enjoy a pint, I chose something tasty from Brixton.

For the second time today custom, just I, was outnumbered by staff, two.  This is why I try to avoid weekday afternoons for my researches, because places may decide it's not worth opening.  But as often happens I've got things to do on Saturday so it's a weekday or not at all.  So far, I'm pleased to have found everywhere open, albeit empty.

Eventually two elderly ladies came in.  Their order was two teas.  So it's not just cocktails and beer.

A third target within ten yards is Morrells so let's tick that next:

Continuing what seems to be today's theme, I was the only customer inside at three on a Thursday, the barmaid leapt up from her seat to serve me a Carling.  If we're being accurate, there was one bloke sitting at a table outside so technically there were two customers.

I rather like the decor in here, wooden floor and ceiling, naked air conditioning ducts and faux-industrial lighting.  But the place really needs some more customers.  I've said it before and I'll say it again:  Come on folks, I can't save the hospitality industry on my own.  Use it or lose it!

As I relaxed on a comfortable leather sofa and enjoyed my lager, someone else came in, but he only chatted to the barmaid and didn't buy a drink, so I don't think he counts.

I looked across the road.  A shop offered Acrylic Extensions.  My first thought was that it was selling conservatories, especially as the next word was Builder.  Further study revealed that it was actually a nail bar!  It's odd the things one thinks after a few pints.

Back to Morrells; the outside customer departed so it was just me and the barmaid.

Next Tipple:

This small pleasant corner bar is not completely deserted which seems to be good for around here on a Thursday.  There were two other customers.

Their outside area was being rebuilt, with stacks of timber ready to be installed.  In the very pleasant and comfortable inside, I selected Erdinger for a change.  The barmaid required assistance from a colleague to pour it, but the result was fine.

As I enjoyed my beer, more customers came in, so either this place is doing better than the others, or maybe it's just because time is moving on, it's now almost four.

My gaze wandered around.   This bar is really well decorated, the (totally fake) bare brick walls look good.

So, time to go home, but there's one more new one on the way to the station so perhaps I should check out Pebbles before I leave:

It's always good to visit a bar I didn't know existed, and this is the second one today!  And it's a very nicely done shop conversion, where I selected a pint of Pebbles Crystal from the range of keg brews.  I always think it's a bonus point for any place that has a house beer.

Not quite no one but me, but not far off, I'm afraid Thursday is the new Tuesday, so I'm relieved they are open.  Having written that, more people came in as I swigged my lager.

So, six ticks, two brand new, that's a fine result.  Current scores are 2,072 pubs in the database, of which I have visited 1,575, 910 of those in the last five years.

Pub of the day: Mallard
Beer of the day: Wainwright Gold
Miles walked: 1.5
Maybe coming soon: Southport, Rainford