The March Midweek Social consisted of a walk round the pubs of Salcombe and Kingsbridge. The majority of the party met in Totnes to catch the 11am 164 Tally Ho bus to Kingsbridge and Salcombe. Along with one or two more I joined at Kingsbridge, having arrived in time for an excellent breakfast at the Creek's End Inn.
By the time we left Kingsbridge the bus was full with standing room only. However Salcombe was soon reached and we set off to the first pub. There were three to choose from, the Ferry Inn having chosen not to open on a Wednesday. Members went in all directions choosing to start at different pubs. This worked quite well, the queues to get served were shorter in each pub, especially if there was only one pump available.
I started in the Fortesque, a pub operated by the East Street Pub Co, there were two beers available, Salcombe Gold and Doom Bar. As may have been anticipated the Salcombe Gold was very popular.
From the Fortesque I moved on to the Victoria Inn, operated by St. Austell Brewery, there were four beers available here, all from St. Austell, Tribute, Proper Job, Hicks and Broughton Gold, all in fine form. Further investigation upstairs revealed an enormous outside seating area, although empty for our visit, must get packed in the summer months.
Not far to the next pub, just across the road to the King's Arms, again a pub with lots of outside seating available. There were just two beers available here, Salcombe Shingle Bay and Doom Bar.
We caught a bus back to Kingsbridge at about 2:20 and all headed to The Hermitage on our arrival. Rev James was the immediate choice here, unfortunately the cask ran out and the pints were immediately changed for Exeter 'fraid Not. The party now split up again with some heading to the Seven Stars across the road and some to the King of Prussia. I elected to finish where I started, in the Creek's End where, possibly for the first time this year, it felt warm in the sun and we were able to enjoy our Abbot Ale sitting outside.
All in all an excellent day with good beers, good company and no rain! Our thanks to all the licensees for coping so well with us all and supplying good beers.

The bar in the Fortesque The Victoria garden The Victoria handpumps John buys a round in the Hermitage Fewer passengers on the return bus