14th April 2018 - The Elan Valley walk with overnight bothy stay - Part 2

Last week we had just arrived at Lluest Cwmbatch bothy, see here if you have no idea what I’m talking about. The bothy looked idyllic from the outside. Set on the edge of the reservoir with a babbling brook next to it. Going inside however revealed the true horror of what we were entering in to. Every surface inside had a beer can or wine bottle on it. It was clear our friends waving on the hill were in full party mode and were here to stay. To make matters worse, they had three friends on their way too.

A drink of wine in the setting sun to celebrate our arrival.

The bothy had three wooden benches to sleep on. We claimed one and left the 24 hour party people to fight over the other two. We couldn’t really take many pictures of the inside of the bothy as it was quite dark already and also it was an absolute tip. We had a quick chat with the soberest of the party who gave us a bit of their wine, which was one thing at least. Then we decided to try and get our heads down. The benches are not comfortable. The party people had lit some candles so it was fairly light inside. Then, to add to the chaos, three more people turned up to stay the night. Chuck decided that the party was too much for him and climbed up onto the bench to sleep with his Mummy and Daddy. 35kg of German Shepherd in between us left very little room.

A much gloomier day awaited us when we got up the next morning.

At around 3am the party finally died down. Around 6am the light started pouring through the window. We decided to carry out our morning admin outside as it was still quite dark in the bothy. After a nice breakfast and some mocha pot coffee brewed up on a camping stove we headed out back towards Rhayader. The weather was markedly different to the previous day. It was cold and damp and soon started to rain. There was no path and the only way was through a hilltop bog on a compass bearing, so make sure you can use a compass. We eventually got back to a reasonable track to follow. Again, there were sheep dotted about so Chuck needed to be on a lead. He was in one of those boisterous moods from lack of sleep.

After three hours sleep, filter coffee was a godsend.

After crossing the main road, the path climbed up again before dropping steeply down into Rhayader. There really isn’t much to report as the weather was so bad. There was very little to see. I’m sure it would have been very pretty in the sunshine. We returned to the car which was thankfully in one piece. We looked around Rhayader for coffee. The only place open this early on a Sunday is the Co-op, which has a Costa machine which is quite decent.

Smiles all round despite the weather and lack of sleep.

We were tired but had a feeling of immense accomplishment. We went into the bothy with an open mind. The party people had as much right to be there as we did so I didn’t feel it right to kick off with them as I normally would. That is the beauty of a bothy. You have no idea what you are going to get. We have decided we would definitely like to stay in another one but next time, one that’s further from a road, to prevent party people and also probably not on a Saturday night, also to mitigate against party people.

10th February 2018 - The Rose Inn Redwick

Apologies for the absence of several weeks but holiday and injury has kept us from you (a dislocated shoulder since you ask). Today’s walk started out as a walking blog but has now become a pub review due to the honking state of the weather. There is a small area of Severn Estuary on the Welsh side which requires you to buy the map which shows almost entirely the English side on the south, which is annoying as I had to buy a map of somewhere else to get a tiny bit of where I am. Anyway, since begrudgingly forking out for this map we have been making maximum use of it. Today we planned to walk the section from near Summerleaze to Goldcliff. However, the aforementioned weather made other plans. 

Lamb shank. Drool.

We parked at the end of a narrow lane that leads to a sewage treatment plant just past Pill Farm. There are usually several cars parked here so arrive early, unless of course the weather is awful. We followed the track down to the water and scrambled up onto the bank. We were hit in the face with a howling wind blowing freezing rain straight at us, so back down again we went. Out of the wind it was just dreary rather than completely miserable. Why we didn’t bring waterproof trousers I’ll never know. 

Every pub should be decorated like this. 

We decided to cut it short at Redcliff where The Rose Inn is situated. This is a great old fashioned pub. No brewery association as far as I could tell. The walls were covered in various brass objects like pubs used to be. It had a large car park and despite being in the middle of nowhere it seemed quite popular. Obviously, Chuck was made to feel very welcome and was fussed over quite a lot. The drinks selection was pretty good. Prices were reasonable too. But they cater to the ale drinker rather than the connoisseur spirit drinker. 

Specials board. And the lamb shank was very special.

After a few we decided time was cracking on and dinner wasn’t going to cook itself. So we decided to stay and eat in the pub. The food was home-cooked fayre of a good standard. It wasn’t going to win any Michelin stars but that isn’t the idea here. It was tasty, well cooked and there was plenty of it for the price. The menu was extensive and there was a specials board too, so plenty of choice. 

Can we go yet? Chuck getting excited over the pub stop as usual.

When we saw a gap in the rain we set off back for the car along the road. It hadn’t been much of a walk but at least we got out for a bit. We still did 90 odd minutes in the wet stuff, so not a bad effort. Anyway, The Rose Inn, Redcliff is highly recommended for both food and drink. I’d certainly head back there.  

26th June 2016 The Crown Inn and Lodges Crowntown, Cornwall review.

Well I hope you all enjoyed our little daily blog last week? I know I promised a blog from Tintagel but the weather and the traffic were equally appalling so we never actually made it there. We just trudged home behind the caravans and through the roadworks. But I realised I never really mentioned much about where we stayed, so I thought that would be a good post this week.

The lodge we stayed in. It was called Bramble.

The Crown Inn is just outside Helston and is aptly located in Crowntown. The pub itself is of the old fashioned family run variety. There doesn’t appear to be much brewery involvement here and the menus are printed by the pub. The drink selection isn’t huge but it’s very reasonable. They have mini bottles of wine for £3 a pop and Plymouth and tonic is £4.10 which is OK.

Blue steak. How it should be.

The food is home cooked and is generous. Well, it certainly is if you have the 16oz steak. I’m always slightly annoyed by these unnecessarily large meals. I always worry there must be a lot of food going to waste, a real pet hate of mine. I know that sounds hypocritical then ordering it but I ate every last bit. Bea had the ribs, which if I’m being honest was a much better than my steak. I’m not putting the steak down, it’s just that the ribs were something special. The breakfasts were also very generous. I asked for as much bacon and eggs as possible and I got four rashers with a good portion of scrambled egg which I thought was fair.

The ribs I had food envy over.

The rooms are actually in little chalets at the back of the pub. I really liked this idea as it keeps you away from any noisy drunks and it feels very holidayish. Our room was spacious and well kitted out with a spare bed, a kettle, an iron and a shower which was alright, no more. The bathroom floor was carpeted which I thought was a bit unhygienic. The beds were large and really comfy and it felt airy and fresh compared with and air conditioned hotel room. I’m not convinced they’d be that warm in the winter but that is pure speculation.

I got an extra bacon each day from my generous wife.

My one big qualm with the rooms is that there is no internet. No wifi. No phone signal. The wifi in the pub wasn’t great and trying to publish a blog with large photos every day was a hair pulling experience. It was only £80 a night but I expect at least some contact with the outside world. Overall though these are some very minor points in what was a great stay. We felt very welcome by family running the pub and they were very accommodating of Chuck which is always a plus. It’s also in a great central location for South Cornwall. I’d certainly book here again. If you want to check them out you can do so here. What are your main criteria when choosing a place to stay? Let us know in the comments. See you next time.

The London Inn, Molland

Time for another pub review I think. Just to set the scene I have now been to The London Inn twice. The first time just Chuck and me, the second time was to drag Bea along so she could see how good it is. We are planning on staying here overnight now so we can go for an evening meal.

Is this a sign?

It certainly doesn't look like much from outside. In fact the first time I got there I was disappointed as I thought it had shut down. The sign looks quite old and there wasn't much sign of life. On closer inspection however I realised it was open. Inside it is a completely different story.

Easy to walk straight past. The door is under the wicker veranda.

It's a beautiful Exmoor hunting style pub. Low ceilings yet surprisingly large inside. There is a mish mash of vintage decor that works very well. It's quite dark but certainly isn't dingy. There is a very well stocked bar. It also stocks Wicked Wolf Gin which is currently exclusive to the Exmoor area. I had to try one but in all honesty it wasn't really my cup of tea. It was very citrusy. 

Who is Capt. Agro?

On the second trip we had food too. Whilst it certainly wasn't cheap it was out of this world tasty. I had a 'bar snack' of a ploughman's, which was about £9. When it came however it was basically a beef roast with some chips and garnish! It was brilliant. There were all other sorts of chutneys and bread and stuff that should come with it but I don't eat that stuff so I asked for chips.

Gin, Cider and other drinks too.

The drinks were reasonably priced. I recall it was £3.65 for a Thatchers but don't quote me on that. The gins were expensive but that's gin. Chuck was made to feel very welcome despite laying in the main gangway. The pub owners have a German Shepherd too but he doesn't go in the pub as he's loopy apparently.

Just some of the available scran. Not cheap but very good.

This pub is an ideal place to use as a halfway point if you park at the top of West Anstey Common. It's a great walk down through the woods then back across the fields. It's about two hours to do the round plus however long you spend in the pub. I'd allow at least five hours and get a taxi home. Let us know in the comments if you've been.

The Tors Inn Review

The outside makes it look tiny.

What a time capsule this place is. It’s like walking into your Grandma’s living room. If your Grandma is well stocked with whisky that is. It’s a charming little stone building on the outside that goes back much further than you’re expecting when you walk in. There’s a ramp for wheelchair access which is probably the only modern thing in there. It’s dog friendly which is great for us. There were two lovely dogs already inside who I’m guessing belonged to the bar.

Check the decor.

We were served at the bar by a polite young girl. We had a pint of Sam’s Poundhouse Crisp which was a very reasonable £.3.25 per pint. There was something wrong with the barrel and it took ages to pour. I think it’s customary to offer to bring the drinks over in this situation, especially when it’s not busy but maybe this is being picky? Anyway the cider tasted fine.

Quite a good drink selection.

The place started to fill up once we’d been in there a while (we usually have the opposite effect). There are about five or six tables so it doesn’t take much to fill but the locals all seem to line the bar. Everyone was friendly enough. We didn’t get the regulars giving us the hard stare and going quiet when we walked in.

The menu.

The drink selection was pretty large considering the size of the place. It was all quite possibly bought from Tesco as there didn’t seem to be any sign of any brewery affiliation. The food selection looked pretty good too and the food we saw being brought out looked nice, although we didn’t eat. The meals ranged from about £8 for simple meals to £15 for a steak. There was also a Sunday afternoon carvery for £8.50. We didn’t see it though as it was Saturday.

Fliers on the tables.

There was an advert on the table for the upcoming entertainment. Featured was the excellently monikered ‘Walter Shortage and the Hosepipe Banned’. Other entertainment abounded. This would make a cracking local if we lived closer. This seemed to be very much a community hub. Although it wasn’t particularly fancy it has a very homely feel. If I was in the neighbourhood I’d certainly like to check out their meals. Have you ever been? If so let us know your experience in the comments below. Cheers.

The Fountain Inn Review

A traditional coaching inn, this is typical of a North Devon town pub, it is tastefully decorated outside looking clean and well kept. The coach entrance has had glass doors across it making a great feature. The bar is cosily warm whilst having the appearance of the door being open to the elements. Nice touch. The interior decoration is a touch sparser. It has wooden floors and mixed furniture but is clean and tidy. The bar is very small but has a good selection. Their speciality seems is bottles of flavoured vodka displayed across the back shelf. They also have quite an extensive cocktail menu but this seems to be more for fuelling Friday nights than sophisticated sipping. There’s a happy hour 6.30 – 9.30 with two cocktails for £8.

The outside.

 The bar staff were all young and seemed fairly apathetic to their jobs but were at least polite. Our German shepherd ‘Chuck’ was welcome inside and seemed quite a hit with one local. We had two pints of Thatcher’s which came to £6.80 which is about average. Apparently this is one of the more expensive places in Okehampton. The table we were at had quite a comfy leather sofa and was next to the bar. This brought about conversation from ‘local bar prop #1’ who was quite friendly and very interested in Chuck. He didn’t outstay his welcome and left us to our conversation.

Looks like it should be cold but it isn't. Clever.

 After he had gone ‘local bar prop #2’ arrived. He complimented Chuck and went to sit in the corner whereupon he proceeded to have an argument with who I assume was probably his ex wife. This would have been fine if she was actually there and not just in his imagination. Thankfully it was not loud enough to distract too much from our own conversation. The other people in the room didn’t seem to notice much either so I guess they were used it.

Sooty propping up the bar. Flavoured vodka just out of shot.

There is quite a large restaurant in the back but we didn’t eat. I didn’t manage to clock the food prices either, apologies. Must try harder. It was mid afternoon so there was no one eating in there anyway. The toilets were clean which is always a good sign. A few people were checking out from their rooms whilst we were there and all seemed to be fairly contented guests from what I could gather from their mannerisms. This would be an ideal base for walks on north Dartmoor. Not having been into any other of the Okehampton pubs I can’t make comparisons but having been in pubs in similar sized towns across mid Devon this is one of the better ones I’ve been in. It’s clean, reasonably priced and has a good mix of locals and visitors.

Cider, Chuck and Noel Edmonds on a fruit machine.

 Have you been to The Fountain Inn? Did you eat there? Please add your own impressions to the comments below if you can.

The external picture of the pub is from https://media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-s/08/df/1c/4f/the-fountain-inn.jpg