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Some of us had agreed to meet in the Vigilance, Brixham's Wetherspoons for breakfast at 11am. Our little party was arriving from Kingswear on the 18 Stagecoach bus. Although it is only supposed to take 20 minutes, we decided to catch the 10am bus. Perhaps as well, the 18 arrived 20 minutes late with unfathomable mechanical problems. The driver was unsure if it would make it to Brixham! So we boarded the 120 Paignton bus, got off at Churston, crossed the road (a dangerous activity in Churston!) and waited half an hour for the number 12 which runs every 10 minutes. Despite all these traumas we still reached the Vigilance before 11am. Just goes to show, you need to plan ahead with Stagecoach.

After an excellent breakfast we made our way to the Old Market House on the Quay. We were made welcome by the staff who, as there were 17 of us, arranged for us to use the upstairs room which would normally be closed. As it is a St Austell pub, beer choices were Tribute, Proper Job and Anthem.

After the Old Market House we split into two groups due to the size if the next pubs. Some went to the Blue Anchor and some to The Bullers Arms. London Pride was on good form in the Blue Anchor, unfortunately the Tribute in the Bullers had run out as we arrived, so we didn't linger and moved on to the Sprat & Mackerel. Jail Ale was the only offering here, but it was in good form.

Our next target was the Golden Lion, a pub recently reopened after a period of closure. Unfortunately it remained closed for us, apparently it wouldn't be opening until 3pm as opposed to 2pm we had expected. (it did open later and some members returned to it). On the way back we decided to call at the Brixham Conservative Club where Hunter's Devon Dreamer and Walker's White Gold were available. This club is open all day every day and allows non members to visit.

Next came the assault on Station hill with the Queen's Arms the final target, however we broke the climb at the Manor and enjoyed an excellent glass of Dartmoor Legend. After that the rest of the afternoon was spent in the Queen's Arms where a good selection of real ales was available as usual.

I won't bore you with the traumas of trying (and failing) to get home using Stagecoach, let's just say it wasn't one of their better days (not fit for purpose comes to my mind).

The Blue Anchor The Sprat & Mackerel The Golden Lion The bar in the Manor Real ales available in the Queen's Arms Relaxing in the Queen's Arms