The Reform Inn My chosen route to Barnstaple was via Totnes and Exeter, I arrived at Totnes station in time for the usual breakfast in the Signal Box, always a good start to the day! I soon learned that not only were there few trains going towards Plymouth but also delays and cancellations going towards Exeter. GWR was not having a good day! Fortunately my intended train was on time, however, when it arrived not only were there no seats available, it was also difficult to find somewhere to stand. Exeter is only about half an hour away so the discomfort was endured, just glad I was not heading for Paddington. I cannot help but feel it would be illegal to transport animals in such conditions.
Rant over! I arrived in Exeter and met up with the rest of our party for a far more pleasant journey along the Tarka Line to Barnstaple. We arrived on time and set off to walk into the town, The roads seemed much busier than on my last visit several years ago.
Beer Matters We decided to travel to the furthest pub and work our way back. The taxi driver we approached to take us persuaded us we could walk it in ten minutes, an unusual approach for a taxi driver, perhaps he just didn't like the look of us! Not surprisingly it turned out to be more like 20 minutes, so, on arrival at the Reform Inn we were ready for a beer or two.
The Reform is the brewery tap for Barum Brewery and, as one might expect, had a selection of their beers on offer. The Barum Original proved very popular.
We set off back the way we came passing the Cork & Bottle before reaching Beer Matters, a micro pub. There was a good selection available here and we perhaps stayed a bit longer than we intended as a result. I found Brentwood's Hope & Glory very much to my taste.
Eventually we moved on with a recommendation to try the Corner House. There appeared to be some sort of charity event taking place here, it was so crammed with customers we decided to move on the the Panniers, a Wetherspoon outlet. The usual 'Spoons regulars were available along with five guests including Exmoor Beast, Titanic White Star and Adnams Ghost Ship.
Our train back to Exeter left at 16.35, which meant we needed to head back to the station. We called for a last half at the White Gate, another Wetherspoon outlet, but left disappointed following an unfortunate trivial altercation with the bar staff.
The trip home, for me, went without a hitch and I arrived home at about 8pm. So my day's drinking consisted of about 6 hours travelling and 4 hours in Barnstaple, sometimes one forgets how big Devon is. There is talk of a trip to Okehampton, I think that may be similar time wise....we'll see.

Reform beers Inside Beer Matters Happy drinkers Pannier's beers