The handbrake is overseas with work so I can't make this one either.
WE ARE THE BREADMEN - UP THE BEES
Ok, with the summer crawl looming on the horizon I've been having a look at the possible candidates and route, still trying to figure out the timings as there are some unhelpful opening hours involved combined with the best pubs are complete compass points apart and involve a bit of walking, anyway heres a list of pubs in a possible running order for starters, anyone please feel free to chip in with other suggestions or ideas.
Old Gaolhouse (Spoons) for early arrivals
Overdraft (craft keg only)
Westgate
Fulflood Arms*
St James Tavern
Old Vine
Eclipse
Wykeham Arms*
Black Boy* (opening Times 12.00-2.30 - 5.00-11.00)
Alfies (opens 6.00)
Hyde Tavern * (opens 6.00)
The Albion*
I've starred the pubs I feel are must do's.
I've omitted The Queen Inn as It is yet another walk but I guess its do-able for those that fancy it.
Also another wild card is The King Alfred close to The Hyde Tavern but time may be running short by then except for anyone staying over.
I shall try and fine tune some timings over the next couple of days as I'm aware some may want to be on their way home by 7.00
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer."
-W.C.Fields
The Albion used to be an early opener but alas no more, else I'd have suggested that one as the start point.
That looks like a fair route to me.
If Alfie's and Hyde both open at 6, I know which one I'll be doing...
Right this is my best stab at timings plus a bit of route editing, I'm under no illusions it will be this smooth though.
11.00 - 12.15 Old Gaolhouse, meet up in the Spoons.
12.20 - 12.45 Overdraft , keg only
12.50 - 13.15 The Westgate
13.30 - 14.00 The Fulflood Arms*
14.10 - 14.30 The St James Tavern
14.40 - 15.00 The Old Vine
15.00 - 15.20 The Eclipse
15.30 - 16.00 The Wykeham Arms*
16.15 - 16.45 The Queen Inn*
17.10 - 17.40 The Black Boy* ( opening times 12.00 - 14.30 and 17.00 - 23.00)
(Wild Card Alfies) 10 mins walk from black Boy and 10 mins to Hyde Tavern, opens 18.00.
( Wild Card The King Alfred) 2 mins walk from Hyde Tavern.( open 12.00 - 23.00)
18.00 - 18.30 The Hyde Tavern* ( opening times 18.00 - 23.00)
18.35 - 19.00 The Albion*
I've included sensible walking times in the timings but not with much leeway, for those with a more limited time frame I'ved marked what I consider the better pubs with a *, still a fair hike between them though. The Old Vine and Eclipse are quite small but very close to each other so maybe wise for the group to split visits.
"Everybody's got to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer."
-W.C.Fields