Not intended to be a full blown pub survey today, but a couple of long overdue visits in a rural part of Merseyside were beckoning. A train to Garswood, where I noticed the Railway wasn't open yet, and then a very pleasant ride through the sunny fields in a minibus took me to the village of King's Moss. The 157 does a remarkable three point turn in the street right by my first objective, the Colliers Arms:
This well done out pub has, I'm pleased to say, not changed much since my previous visit in ... Checks book ... Good grief, 2007! Of course, I'm sure there has been redecoration since then but it is still a splendid village pub with multiple rooms. Nicely decorated throughout, and the stone floor is great.
Three real ales on, I chose Purity's Bunny Hop, a hazy pale which wasn't to my taste, oh well, you win some you lose some.
At three on a Thursday the pub was fairly quiet but ticking over steadily, of course everyone except me was a regular.
The menu looks good in here, and they were selling some food even mid-afternoon.
Next, a pleasant walk through the rural scenery to the Red Cat. Some of the roads had no pavement but all the cars gave me a wide berth.
Another attractive country pub not visited since 2007, again it is ticking over on a Thursday afternoon.
At the entrance I chose Bar against Dining, and found myself alone in a small pleasant bar room. I selected Landlord from the two handpumps, and it was very good.
In due course a couple more people joined me in the bar, but the pub remained quiet throughout my visit.
I didn't see a menu here so I can't comment on that.
Now, there is one more overdue tick in this general area because it was unexpectedly shut last time I tried it, but it is nearly three miles away and I can't be bothered. On further consideration, anywhere is a long walk from here unless I wait ages for the bus back to Garswood, so perhaps it is time for the lazy option...
Have I mentioned before in this blog that I am a great fan of Uber? We have all experienced the taxi driver who goes the long way round at a quiet time to maximise the charge, and so, even though that is rare, it is so much better to know the price before you book. I made plenty of use of them when I was in America a couple of years ago, and regularly in the UK since then. Today, my cab arrived promptly and on time as usual, and quickly took me to the Windle:
Not visited since 2018, this place hasn't changed much but it has clearly been well maintained and cared for over the intervening years.
I went in the small bar side which is nicely done out, from what I could see the lounge side, more aimed at diners, is also pleasant.
No cask in here so I reverted to my standard Carling. Three other customers, clearly regulars, were propping up the counter while I sat on the long bench seat under the giant telly showing golf.
Something of a classic, this place, a popular friendly local's pub in a fine late 1950s building.
What next? There are plenty of buses around here so no more Uber, but due to the rebuilding of the bus station I will end up some way from the station. Perhaps a call in to the 'spoons to finish my day off?
And so after the bang on time bus carried me to the temporary bus station, I headed in to the always busy Glass House:
Elgood's Golden Newt is an "ordinary" pale one, rather good I must say.
This Wetherspoon is very popular in my experience, perhaps even more so since the other branch closed. Still, I found a table to sit at and enjoy my third cask ale of the day.
There's not much to report about a Wetherspoon that you haven't already read, except to note, as I have before I think, that in St Helens almost nobody eats in the pub: I looked around the room and could only see two tables with any food.
So ends a rather good mini-survey, I'm meeting a friend on Saturday so won't be able to do any pub research then. (Of course, that doesn't mean I won't be drinking, just that it'll probably be in my local Wetherspoon.)
It was only after getting home that I realised I hit a milestone with today's trip: For the first time in a long time I can say that I have visited one thousand different Merseyside pubs in the last five years. This is a sort-of target which means I am near to visiting every open pub every five years.
Beer of the day: Elgood Golden Newt
Miles walked: 1.5
Maybe coming soon: Cains Brewery Village
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