Weekend Away to Bournemouth

Friday 21^st October till Monday 24^th October 2011

North Cotswold Branch of the Campaign for Real Ale

Following the two successful trips to the Isle of Wight our Chairman volunteered to organise a visit centred at Bournemouth. Seven regulars booked in at the Savoy Hotel (Photo right) half board enjoying comfortable rooms, and excellent breakfast and evening meals for three nights. A welcome break after the beer festival season.
	< The first pub was the Goat and Tricycle
This was a short walk from the hotel in West Hill Road where the ten beers were in excellent form. (Photo right) Maps and Pub Data were provided by researcher Peter Rowe
	< On Saturday morning we set off along the front towards Poole
We walked in warm sunny weather along the promenade for 3 miles >
	< Arriving early to catch the number 50 bus to Studland over the Ferry we rested at the Jazz Café
The bus on arrival was full so we went directly to Old Poole via the bus station to the first pub of the day The Angel (Photo right) This Ringwood tap was past its best so we quickly moved on.
	Next stop the Brewhouse (Photo left). This Milk Street tap was much better with Mermaid, Beer, Cobble Wobble and Zig Zag on offer. Also a bonus was Grandma’s Weapons Grade Ginger Beer at 5.5% brewed in Cornwall and rarely available.
The Landlord had intercepted an extra barrel on its way to the Poole Beer Festival the following week end. Taster consumed we called back later for a take away.
	Next stop was the Quay on the old Poole harbour front, now a very busy area (Photo left). This Wetherspoon outlet provided lunch and a chance to visit the harbour sites afterwards.
The sites included a local small boat manufacturer > Back to Bournemouth on the frequent bus service with a quick stop off for some at the Porterhouse in Westbourne another Ringwood Tap but deservedly a top Bournemouth GBG entry offering the full range though the 49er proved elusive running out whenever we were close.
	Sunday was very windy with a strong southerly making walking unpleasant though we planned to get to the Lord Nelson at Mudeford. This was achieved via a bus to Southborne, a walk to Hengelsbury Head, a road train along the causeway
All aboard !
	We then took a ferry across to Mudeford Quay and finally a 20 min walk to the pub.
Our destination: The Lord Nelson at Mudeford >
	Chris the local CAMRA man was expecting us with three untapped extra beers in the cellar. We opted for Landlord and Bowmans Swift One, tasters of both duly arrived. Three others were on offer at the bar but fresh barrels were the order of the day with a fine bar lunch.
Our return bus was due at 3pm but Chris suggested a walk to Christ church over the salt marsh which we did taking in the sights.
	< Refreshment at Ye Olde George before getting the bus back
It was a coaching Inn and has a long history >
	A bus back to Bournemouth followed with a view of the surfers still enjoying rough waves as we walked back to the hotel.