Our mid-week socials generally start at a Wetherspoon and the lucky pub this time was The Richard Hopkins in Newton Abbot. CAMRA members from South Devon, Exeter, Plymouth and Borneo descended on the pub for a brekkie kick off to the day.
The Barn Owl All fed and watered, the number 12 bus took us to the first stop, The Barn Owl, where we were joined by those spurning breakfast…or on a diet. We filled the bar to enjoy the Badger range and survey the 17-century history of this splendid pub/restaurant.
The Park Inn Time was passing so a brisk walk to the next stop, The Park Inn. No excuse for getting lost this year as the on-main-road pub sign had been replaced, and very classy it is. Their garden remains one of the best in the county so we took over outside seating as Bob had bagged the comfy chairs already, soon to be joined by the rest of his 4-legged group. As usual there were 3 beers on the bar, Bass and Teignworthy Thirsty Blonde and Reel Ale, all in good form.
We could easily have stayed all afternoon, but The Sloop beckoned for those fancying lunch so a contingent of Hungry Horses left to enjoy Greene King Hungry Horse fare and sample the IPA which they managed to drink dry, then moving on to the bottle conditioned stock.
The Lord Nelson The Lord Nelson had opened early for us. The landlady had offered this after reading our upcoming Kingskerswell blitz day in the ‘What’s On’ section of News & Brews, the South Devon CAMRA magazine. The The Hare & Hounds Naked Ladies went down well among the group which had occupied the garden to enjoy the village panorama from this relatively high altitude. Lucy has delivered a son since we last visited and he now sees himself as the new security dog, though he doesn’t seem to patrol the garden – guess it’s the stones under paws.
A short walk to The Hare and Hounds followed. We were on the tail end of a busy lunchtime trade but they had 3 beers on the bar which we enjoyed while relaxing in their splendid garden.
The Wighton The Wighton was two stops down on the number 12 bus and boasted Pedigree, Hobgoblin and Wainwright Gold with members now feeling the day and flaking out on sumptuous leather armchairs and settees.
This official end of the day saw those from the south catch the number 12 Torquay bound, while the rest headed for The Railway in Newton Abbot for trains home or prepare to face a mountain or two on the way home. Those further afield had the luxury of personalised collections.
A great day and not one bad beer. Congratulations to Kingskerswell (and Edginswell) publicans.
Andrew Thomson

The Happy Wanderers