General - A Summer Weekend in Pensford and Beyond
After a quick pre journey pint at reading station we boarded the high speed train to temple meads in the lovely summer sunshine
On disembarkation at Bristol we hopped on a ferry and made the 10 minute journey in to the town centre. This was a rather pleasant and unusual way to travel but the breeze blowing from the river served to cool us down. It was nice to meet up with Sally again a girl with who I been at college. It was possible to convince her that coming over to Pensford for a few hours with Andrew and myself would be a good plan, so after a pint or two in the Whole in the Wall we took a cab and left the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
Pensford is a small village with 3 pubs, a shop/post office and a few houses. It also boasts two churches one in ruins and some beautiful scenery. The guest house was called the Hollies and it only cost us £15.00 each per night and this included a tasty continental breakfast. We were advised that the food at ‘the Rising Sun pub was of a high standard so we walked over and sat out in the field like garden and indulged in some middling beers but plenty of well above average food. I selected a home made Pork Chicken and cider gravy pie with lovely chips and peas. The pie has to be one of the best I’ve ever tasted and so good was the experience that it was repeated the next day.
After eating plenty and well we watched the dogs play in the long grass. Sally’s is a rather young lab called Breeze and she and Jaid were hidden from view such was the height of this relative jungle.
The George and Dragon
Was our next stop and though it was busy I rather preferred our previous pub, the George was just too hot and I didn’t feel comfortable as the pie was laying heavy so as Sally left us we took a stroll back to the Riser.
After a quick refresher and a walk to the Hollies B and B we new that it was imperative that a quiet state should be maintained since the time was after midnight. This all went extremely wrong though when Jaid took me to the wrong room and I disturbed the owners daughter and her boy friend!! This was embarrassing enough but on our retreat from the room Andrew knocked over a clay plant pot with a clatter. The owner came out and told us not to worry as she picked up the plant, but for some reason she dropped it again with an even bigger clunk. On getting to our room we were near hysterics but in the end got some good kip in. The place was littered with all kinds of trinkets including old tin toys and slightly disturbingly daggers and other war like objects. We were informed the next day that our room had been her Sons.
Paying for the room was a bit of an experience, they didn’t take credit or Switch so it was suggested that we take some money out of the post office using a cash card. This we tried but unfortunately our cards were not accepted by the PO as our banks didn’t have an arrangement with them so after explaining this to the owner we were given an envelope to post thru the door as he would be away for the rest of Saturday. We did get some cash back from the Rising Sun and took advantage of the splendid food once again. I also tried a pint of Thatcher’s dry Cider from the flagon and it tasted wonderful with no fizz at all and at a nee shattering 7 percent you really have to be careful with this stuff, especially at only £1.70 per cool pint.
Now, within a clowse proximity of the pub is a mil streem and an old but beautifully enjeneered viaduct. This audio recording taken with the internal microphone of my Braillenote PK is of Andrew Jaid and myself walking around while waiting for the pub to open so we could get some cash. A steam lorry drove past at one point and those of us outside the pub really enjoyed this.
We were unsure about what to do in the afternoon but decided in the end to take the west coast line to Preston. regrettably this wasn’t possible as the two cheaper accommodations I new of refused me because of the guide dog. Disheartened by this treatment we made our way back to Wimbledon. One of the pubs who refused apologised to me in the end, but this was on Sunday evening so a potentially good day was ruined anyway. I am in consultation with Thwaits brewery regarding the behaviour of the other establishment.
When we were back in Wimbledon it was around 6 in the evening and all the football fans disappointed with England’s los intermingled with the posh tennis types and the station was packed. Rather than going to Epsom we took a train to Claygate on the spur of the moment and sampled the delights of the Foley arms.
Not only are the beers kept in tiptop nick by the landlord but a good folk club uses the place as a venue each Friday. I’ve been to the Ram Club as its known a few times and always had a good evening. The pub also has bands outside in the summer along with BBQs add to this the fact that its possible to take out beer cheaply and this is a must visit establishment.
The rest of the weekend was spent in Epsom eating big chunks of meet cooked on the bbq both beef and pork joints. It was just too hot for a roast but the meets marinade differently went down well with chunks of buttered bread, salad and baked potatoes.
On disembarkation at Bristol we hopped on a ferry and made the 10 minute journey in to the town centre. This was a rather pleasant and unusual way to travel but the breeze blowing from the river served to cool us down. It was nice to meet up with Sally again a girl with who I been at college. It was possible to convince her that coming over to Pensford for a few hours with Andrew and myself would be a good plan, so after a pint or two in the Whole in the Wall we took a cab and left the hustle and bustle of the city behind.
Pensford is a small village with 3 pubs, a shop/post office and a few houses. It also boasts two churches one in ruins and some beautiful scenery. The guest house was called the Hollies and it only cost us £15.00 each per night and this included a tasty continental breakfast. We were advised that the food at ‘the Rising Sun pub was of a high standard so we walked over and sat out in the field like garden and indulged in some middling beers but plenty of well above average food. I selected a home made Pork Chicken and cider gravy pie with lovely chips and peas. The pie has to be one of the best I’ve ever tasted and so good was the experience that it was repeated the next day.
After eating plenty and well we watched the dogs play in the long grass. Sally’s is a rather young lab called Breeze and she and Jaid were hidden from view such was the height of this relative jungle.
The George and Dragon
Was our next stop and though it was busy I rather preferred our previous pub, the George was just too hot and I didn’t feel comfortable as the pie was laying heavy so as Sally left us we took a stroll back to the Riser.
After a quick refresher and a walk to the Hollies B and B we new that it was imperative that a quiet state should be maintained since the time was after midnight. This all went extremely wrong though when Jaid took me to the wrong room and I disturbed the owners daughter and her boy friend!! This was embarrassing enough but on our retreat from the room Andrew knocked over a clay plant pot with a clatter. The owner came out and told us not to worry as she picked up the plant, but for some reason she dropped it again with an even bigger clunk. On getting to our room we were near hysterics but in the end got some good kip in. The place was littered with all kinds of trinkets including old tin toys and slightly disturbingly daggers and other war like objects. We were informed the next day that our room had been her Sons.
Paying for the room was a bit of an experience, they didn’t take credit or Switch so it was suggested that we take some money out of the post office using a cash card. This we tried but unfortunately our cards were not accepted by the PO as our banks didn’t have an arrangement with them so after explaining this to the owner we were given an envelope to post thru the door as he would be away for the rest of Saturday. We did get some cash back from the Rising Sun and took advantage of the splendid food once again. I also tried a pint of Thatcher’s dry Cider from the flagon and it tasted wonderful with no fizz at all and at a nee shattering 7 percent you really have to be careful with this stuff, especially at only £1.70 per cool pint.
Now, within a clowse proximity of the pub is a mil streem and an old but beautifully enjeneered viaduct. This audio recording taken with the internal microphone of my Braillenote PK is of Andrew Jaid and myself walking around while waiting for the pub to open so we could get some cash. A steam lorry drove past at one point and those of us outside the pub really enjoyed this.
We were unsure about what to do in the afternoon but decided in the end to take the west coast line to Preston. regrettably this wasn’t possible as the two cheaper accommodations I new of refused me because of the guide dog. Disheartened by this treatment we made our way back to Wimbledon. One of the pubs who refused apologised to me in the end, but this was on Sunday evening so a potentially good day was ruined anyway. I am in consultation with Thwaits brewery regarding the behaviour of the other establishment.
When we were back in Wimbledon it was around 6 in the evening and all the football fans disappointed with England’s los intermingled with the posh tennis types and the station was packed. Rather than going to Epsom we took a train to Claygate on the spur of the moment and sampled the delights of the Foley arms.
Not only are the beers kept in tiptop nick by the landlord but a good folk club uses the place as a venue each Friday. I’ve been to the Ram Club as its known a few times and always had a good evening. The pub also has bands outside in the summer along with BBQs add to this the fact that its possible to take out beer cheaply and this is a must visit establishment.
The rest of the weekend was spent in Epsom eating big chunks of meet cooked on the bbq both beef and pork joints. It was just too hot for a roast but the meets marinade differently went down well with chunks of buttered bread, salad and baked potatoes.
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