tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post3638331603732306574..comments2024-03-28T12:16:58.318+00:00Comments on Paul's Beer & Travel Blog: The Kent Beer Festival plus a Surprise MeetingPaul Baileyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-59964742985921887162015-10-02T10:51:14.309+01:002015-10-02T10:51:14.309+01:00Hi Paul - I thought you and your readers might be ...Hi Paul - I thought you and your readers might be interested in his hop-pickers-line rail project in Kent. They are looking for kent based designers to create signage for the historic picker's lines (£2,500 commission for the work) - see more info here: https://www.big60million.co.uk/news/hopping-down-in-kent/<br />Best wishes<br />Larissa @Big60Million Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-85069188045159845042015-08-11T22:12:43.928+01:002015-08-11T22:12:43.928+01:00I’m impressed, Stanley. You certainly covered some...I’m impressed, Stanley. You certainly covered some ground, and sank more than a few pints! Glad you enjoyed your visit to this lovely part of Kent.Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-27894587541391842932015-08-10T01:41:54.146+01:002015-08-10T01:41:54.146+01:00Walked from Igham to Underriver and the White Rock...Walked from Igham to Underriver and the White Rock for three excellent pints of Dairy Top (?) Red and a Sunday roast then back to the Plough for a couple of pints then returned to the Old House where I discovered there are actually 7 different ciders on draught.<br />So had a pint each of all 7 and then back to my chum's house for two bottles of red wine and a couple of whiskey nightcaps.<br />Not bad for three 60-year-olds.Even hotter than yesterday but agrand day supping.Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-89043620080273850782015-08-08T21:37:55.386+01:002015-08-08T21:37:55.386+01:00The walks (and the pubs), sound excellent Stanley....The walks (and the pubs), sound excellent Stanley. Pleased to hear you enjoyed the Old House and the Rifleman. It’s a while since I last visited the Swan at West Peckham; lovely setting and some great house-brewed beers, but it’s always struck me as more of a food-oriented pub. Even so there’s no need for attitude from the staff. Perhaps you just caught someone on an off-day.<br /><br />Have to agree about the walking being good. You don’t always appreciate it when it’s right on your doorstep. I must dust off my boots and head for the great outdoors. <br /><br />Enjoy your walk tomorrow. Paul.<br /><br />ps. I too saw the Spitfire, whilst out in the garden; and a fantastic win for England in the Ashes series, of course!<br />Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-75165947130208868632015-08-08T18:27:00.847+01:002015-08-08T18:27:00.847+01:00And we got the Ashes back.
It doesn't get much...And we got the Ashes back.<br />It doesn't get much better than this for a couple of old soaks !Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-9074398585231040562015-08-08T18:25:05.608+01:002015-08-08T18:25:05.608+01:00Back from the first ramble - Ightham to the Kentis...Back from the first ramble - Ightham to the Kentish Rifleman( lovely pub)then to the White Swan in West Peckham ( nice pint of Golden Swan) with unfriendly bar staff,then a slightly different route back to The Chaser Inn for a pit stop and back to Ightham.Tonight it's back to the Old House and dinner at the Plough.Superb walking country,glorious weather and a Spitfire flying overhead as an added bonus. <br />What a day.Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-79867354223641710452015-08-08T10:32:10.618+01:002015-08-08T10:32:10.618+01:00Hi Paul,
Just heading out on our first walk - afte...Hi Paul,<br />Just heading out on our first walk - after a great night in the Old House.What a fabulous,eccentric pub with three country ciders on draft and everything poured straight from the barrel.<br />An excellent start to the weekend.Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-63126935891366925082015-08-01T09:22:47.695+01:002015-08-01T09:22:47.695+01:00My pleasure, Stanley. Enjoy your rambling and drin...My pleasure, Stanley. Enjoy your rambling and drinking next weekend. I look forward to hearing how you get on.<br /><br />Paul<br />Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-36202400724581943882015-07-31T23:05:04.907+01:002015-07-31T23:05:04.907+01:00Hi Paul,
Many thanks for your research,I really do...Hi Paul,<br />Many thanks for your research,I really do appreciate it.I'm going to print off your ideas and use them to form the basis of our weekend rambling and drinking next weekend and I'll let you know how we got on.<br />Thanks once again.<br />Stanley.Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-27691136136206659962015-07-31T21:27:49.952+01:002015-07-31T21:27:49.952+01:00Stanley, I’ve been thinking long and hard about th...Stanley, I’ve been thinking long and hard about this, and I’m not sure where to begin. Most of the walks I have undertaken in the Ightham area have been linear, rather than circular, and most have involved arriving and leaving by bus.<br /><br />As you will be walking at the weekend, a visit to the Old House is an absolute must. I’m sure your friend will know how to get there, and I guarantee you won’t be disappointed.<br /><br />In the past we have walked from the Old House to the Golding Hop, at Sheet Hill, to the north of Plaxtol. This is another superb country pub, although the beer can be a little variable at times. Its picturesque setting, in a wooded valley, complete with tumbling stream, takes some beating. From the Golding Hop, you can descend into the Bourne Valley and walk roughly due south towards Dunk’sGreen, where another fine pub, in the form of the Kentish Rifleman awaits.<br /><br />Then head due west towards Shipbourne. If you are thirsty, a pint in the rather upmarket Chaser might be a good idea, but if not there is a path leading roughly north-north west, towards Ightham Mote. From there you can make your way back towards Ightham Village, perhaps calling in at the Plough at Ivy Hatch. <br /><br />The above might be too lengthy to achieve in a single day, so you could cut out Dunks Green and Shipbourne, and do that loop separately. We have also, in the past, walked north along the Bourne valley, in the direction of Borough Green; stopping for refreshment at the Plough at Basted. However, I’ve a feeling that this pub may have recently closed.<br /><br />West from Ightham, towards the two pubs at Stone Street (Padwell Arms and the Snail), is unknown territory for me, as I have not been in either pub for many years. Going in that direction though might make a good circular walk if you want to end up at the Old House, but you may need to watch your timings as I don’t think landlord, Nick stays open all day.<br /><br />OS Explorer Map 147, Sevenoaks and Tonbridge, shows details of all the local footpaths. Have fun and enjoy exploring this picturesque corner of Kent.<br /><br />ps. The Ightham-Plaxtol area is quite hilly, so I’m not sure what effect it will have on your knees!<br /><br /><br />Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-74802292209395053962015-07-30T23:48:34.991+01:002015-07-30T23:48:34.991+01:00Hi Paul,
It's next Saturday and Sunday.I'v...Hi Paul,<br />It's next Saturday and Sunday.I've a feeling my chum who lives in Ightham will know the Old House ( knowing his fondness for a decent pint anyway ) so this would be a good final stopping point.<br />Knees are a bit ropey at our age so nothing to strenuous.<br />Thanks for taking the time.<br />StanStanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-73367206384018075412015-07-30T22:45:42.918+01:002015-07-30T22:45:42.918+01:00Hi Stanley. I need to study the map, and the local...Hi Stanley. I need to study the map, and the local pub guide, a bit closer, so will get back to you in the next day or so with some ideas. Are you planning a mid-week ramble, or a weekend one? I ask because the best pub in the area (the Old House at Ightham Common), does not open weekday lunchtimes.Paul Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09678639237696546268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-8157891438748064712015-07-30T17:25:54.724+01:002015-07-30T17:25:54.724+01:00Paul,I wonder if I might pick your brains. Heading...Paul,I wonder if I might pick your brains. Heading to Ightham next week to meet up with an old chum for a spot of rambling and real ale drinking. I don't suppose you could recommend a couple of circular routes for three fellers in their early sixties to do each one comfortably in a day.<br />Many thanks.<br />Stanley Blenkinsopnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6722137562852954269.post-88687715968493760092015-07-27T00:09:27.583+01:002015-07-27T00:09:27.583+01:00Sounds like a really nice day.Sounds like a really nice day.Neville Grundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10923209266005338452noreply@blogger.com