Sunday 17 March 2024

Centenary Way - Stage 25 - Ilmington

 Ian McCulloch Was Here


Penultimate Stage of the Centenary Way. The drive in shows us what to expect. From the water running in streams down the lanes and some giant puddles, it would appear we have had another overnight monsoon.

Mrs M cursing as to whether a Sunday Lunch is worth the muddy sheep fields of Ilmington. We actually feel sorry for the sheep..... can they catch trench foot?

The walk is as dull as the Centenary Way can deliver.... fields to Blackwell and then Darlingscott. We choose the lanes on the way back, in desperate hope to save our trousers.

There must be something to report...... Well, we are just into the Cotswolds AONB and Ilmington is a pretty honey stone village, the highest in Warwickshire.

Into the Costswolds
Centenary Way enters the Cotswolds

Its made of three streets - Back and Front surrounding the pedestrian only Middle - where you can see why the location is used for film. Manor House, the vicarage, a fairly hole and the church all located next to the ancient fish ponds.

Its made of three streets - Back and Front surrounding the pedestrian only Middle - where you can see why the location is used for film. Manor House, the vicarage, a "fairly hole" and the church all located next to the ancient fish ponds.

Ilmington Church
View of the Medieval Cross from the Church Porch

Surprisingly for a small village, there are two trading pubs. The Howard Arms was chosen on my last visit. A gastropub servicing dodgy pints of TT Landlord leaves me in no mood to find out what you do get for a £26 Sunday Lunch.

Instead, we book for the Red Lion.

The Red Lion, Ilmington
A more traditional Hook Norton House

Possibly more spartan than I was expecting. The Sunday Lunch is a "bargain" £22 here. Dining in either the front or rear bar - both with roaring open fires. Impressive quality, quantity and service.

Other punters match the 4 cask on offer but with Guinness patronage in full force for St Patrick's day, I am the only one on Old Hooky. Again, this exceeded expectations caused by worry of lack of turnover. 

The Red Lion, Ilmington
Inside the Red Lion, Ilmington

The twitter jury is still out on the artwork - but the perspex cover makes me think its legit. Part of me needs to know how the lead singer of Echo of the Bunnymen ended up here.

I am sure it wasn't for the Centenary Way.


Walk Details

Distance - 5.5 Miles

Geocaches - 2

Pub - The Red Lion, Ilmington

Previous Stages - Stage 1Stage 2Stage 3Stage 4Stage 5Stage 6Stage 7Stage 8Stage 9Stage 10Stage 11Stage 12Stage 13Stage 14Stage 15Stage 16Stage 17Stage 18Stage 19Stage 20Stage 21Stage 22Stage 23, Stage 24


Saturday 9 March 2024

09/03/24 - The Liverpool Waterfront and some Good Beer Guide Ticking

 Falling back in love with Geocaching, always loving the Merseyside Pubs


Third recent visit to Liverpool, wondering what pubby delights will be revealed. Eventually, I'm going to have to run out of previously undiscovered gems, but not today, the City delivers again.

My walk is straightforward and treads on ground previously skirted. After City deviations to find the last Adventure Lab Caches, I reach the Waterfront at the Royal Liver Buildings.

Liver Building
Landmark 1
The Liverpool Waterfront
This is my walking view for most of the day

There is a high volume of Geocaches along the stretch down to Toxteth. I kind of expected a lot of micros attached to signs, but the fun factor is significantly higher. Most made me smile, none more than the one that required a magnetic extendable baton to retrieve a "dog from its kennel".  

Geocaching Fun
Spice up a walk by treasure hunting
View from South Queens Dock
Or look at the view - the Cathedral looming behind South Queens Dock

The walking adventure ends at Brunswick Station. An arrow straight route back to the City and the first pub of the day.

My last visit to the Baltic Fleet was at night - nicely packed, with an amateur group singing sea shanties. I mentioned this to the bar staff, who were too young to even know what a sea shanty was. Helpfully, the one other lunchtime punter piped up to say that nautically based sing songs hadn't happened for at least the last five years.

A relatively new brew from Neptune, mine the 46th Untappd Check in of a Scottish Bitter called Firth and rather murkier than other's photos.

A chance to explore internally, but the best photo's from outside.

The Baltic Fleet, Liverpool
A Survivor - view from a Geocaching GZ opposite
The Baltic Fleet, Liverpool
Ship Ahoy - Its the Baltic Fleet

Next up - The Bridewell. Most cities have their unique pubs and drinking in the former cells of a Police Station may make this Liverpools. Each cell, a little booth with a TV screen and of course, occupied. Everton were losing to Man Utd.

The Bridewell, Liverpool
No sign of the Taxi rank

Deya's Steady Rolling Man taken outside - to presumably, the world's smallest jail exercise area.

Good Beer Guide Pub of the Year in 2022 and 2023 and certainly one for the beer tourist (like myself).

My Pub of today is the Red Lion in Slater Street but I've been hoodwinked. Fool me once, outside offered culinary delights, such as "Pies and Cheese". My "are you doing food?" inquiry met with a more prosaic "Crisps and Nuts".

The Red Lion, Liverpool
New A Board required

Fool me twice - this has only been a pub for two years. Converted from a terraced town house but haven't they done a fine job!

The Red Lion, Liverpool
Timothy Taylor Landlord in fine condition

A corporate choice next and from a value perspective, I make the wrong decision. The 'Spoons Lime Kiln has passed in preference for the Head of Steam. Staff that couldn't help make me make my decision by offering no advice to their extensive menu. A complete a full circuit of the central bar before settling on a Brew York Lupu Lion pale ale.

Head of Steam, Liverpool
I could have been in any City

I missed out on the Window facing Chesterfields by seconds. No doubt, my enjoyment would have been enhanced by viewing the mayhem of a Liverpool afternoon from behind the safety of glass?

Is there a City that can get anywhere close for all day boozing? The cocktail bars have the velvet ropes up by 2pm, with orderly queues forming for what my daughter described as "bottomless brunches". Stag Do's of Umpalumpas. Hen Do's of rodeo riding cowgirls. Live music pumping from all of the Irish Bars. 

My return train is at 4:30pm.

I can only imagine what the City is like when darkness falls.  


Walk Details

Distance - 6.5 Miles

Geocaches - 20

Walk Inspiration - Liverpool A-Z City Walks, Walk 4

Previous Liverpool A-Z City Walks - Walks 1 and 2, Walk 3

Sunday 3 March 2024

03/04/24 - Father Ted Geocaching from the Lion Inn, Trellech

 The first of 2024's goals ticked off


You may think a single Geocaching round is unworthy to be on a goal-list that includes other challenges such as achieve 1050 Good Beer Guide Ticks and walk 1000 miles. But there is more to this than meets the eye.

The 25 caches presented are "Mystery Caches" that require solving.  Here's an example;


So, that's 25 episodes of Father Ted that needed to be watched to get the clues.

As one of the best comedies of all time, this was no hardship. Although sobering to see that I now have nine years on Dermot Morgan unlucky innings.

Over a couple of months, all the information was gathered. A spare Sunday earmarked to head down to Trellech, South Wales, with no consideration to the conditions.

Oh no.... the Geocacher's Nemesis.

Snow in South Wales
Snow in South Wales

Mrs M tag's along. 7 miles of Tupperware hunting in the woods is not her idea of fun, but a Sunday Lunch out is promised. She's under the strict instructions not to moan, which she is keen to remind me off when I kick off. Digging boxes out of snow and ice - when you are lucky enough to spot the Geocaching hint - is not necessarily conducive to a happy day out.

So we give up, and concentrate on a fine walk. Trellech Common more a forest than my definition of common land, but fine tracks under blue skies.  Where's that meme of Kolo Toure saying "there is no need to be upset"?
.
Trellech Common
Caches in them, thar woods.... usually under stumps.

Onto the village - and the pub.

Trellech - a fascinating village filled with history from the ancients to the Normans. I've visited twice before and been subject to the panel of dubious ticks, as both times the Lion Inn has been closed.

Not today, we have a table booked in this Good Beer Guide stalwart.

Trellech, Lion Inn (2019)
Fitting Finale

It's popular, packed and thankfully with more than enough staff running around providing quick service. A two roomer, with roaring fire in each and the Sunday lunch was perfect.  Its always going to score highly when cauliflower cheese is part of the base deal and not a five pound surcharge.

Walk Details

Distance - 7 Miles

Geoaches - 25 available, 11 found.  Blame the Snow





Saturday 2 March 2024

02/03/24 - The Slow Way to the Shrubbery Cottage, Stourbridge

 The 2024 Challenge?  Walks from Holden's Pubs


Having walked from all the Bathams Pubs, I might as well repeat the challenge with their Black Country Rival, Holdens. I make it 19 tied pubs in their estate, but I am sure this will fluctuate.

Holden's Brewery, a family-run establishment since 1915, brews traditional Black Country real ales in the heart of England. Located in Woodsetton, West Midlands, they are known for their commitment to local ingredients and time-tested methods. Their core offerings include Black Country Bitter, Black Country Special Bitter, Black Country Mild, Golden Glow, a stout, and a winter warmer.

I'm going to hit the closest to home, the Shrubbery Cottage. I can use Slow Ways to find an urban route from exactly where I left off last time, Roberto's Bar, Halesowen.

Its past the midday opening detailed on Google Maps but when the Number 9 bus drops me off practically outside the front door, I find it barrier closed. Roberto is quick on his social media, letting me know that Cia is having bus trouble and it will open soon. True enough, I get to see the magic of a micro opening for business, whilst taking on a keg Kernal Bitter Simmonds 1880.

Onto the walk. Once the mid-rise flats of Halesowen are navigated, this a fine rural walk along the bridle paths of Lutley and Foxcote.

The Lutley Gutter
Crossing the Lutley Gutter
A bridepath in Lultley
The Clent Hills from a Lutley Bridle Path

Stevens Park welcomes me into Stourbridge. A meander, as the stages of an Adventure Lab Cache are collected.

Stevens Park, Stourbridge
Park Life

Onwards to the Shrubbery Cottage. A simple local's local where there are questions that need to be resolved. Will there be cobs? How hard will the scratchings be? How old is too old to visit a pub wearing in-line roller skates?

Answers - Yes, Hard (and Hairy) and "Don't Know" but 35 is too old, especially when you need to keep getting up for a smoke.

The Shrubbery Cottage, Stourbridge
Need to work on my pub photos
The Shrubbery Cottage, Stourbridge
I'm always special

The walk back to Stourbridge Junction had to be via the Severn Stars. Black Country Ales can wait for their themed walk series before blogging.

Walk Details

Distance - 5 Miles
Geocaches - 2 and an ALC
Pubs - 3
Walk Inspiration - Slow Ways