ON THE TRAIL OF CAPTAIN COOK, THEN A DRIVE DOWN TELEGRAPH ROAD

The title of this may seem a bit obscure but read on. 

This week has been a case of visiting two pubs Ive never been to  before.

A friend of mine is over from Australia ; before he left to fly here he asked if we could go on a "bush walk" in the North York Moors ; just to revisit the area we used to walk in way back in the 70s. Looking at a map I came across Roseberry Topping, a prominent hill that overlooks Teesside. For a bit of a challenge, nearby is Captain Cooks Monument, a slightly higher hill. 

It seemed appropriate as Cook, as we all know,  did something famous in Australia.

Five of us set off, a bit like Last of the Summer Wine and parked up near the Monument, which over looks the village of Great Ayton, the boyhood home of Cook

"I thought this was a beer blog ? - Ed"

Patience. Most walks like this have a purpose, to end up in the pub. 

After a climb up to the Monument to admire the views over the Yorkshire Moors and Teesside, it was down the other side and through ferns, bushes and trees ( not unlike the film Deliverance) towards Roseberry Topping.

Walking through Airy Holme Farm , where Cooks father worked , we soon reached the summit of Roseberry Topping, with fine views of the Yorkshire Moors, Teesside and the North Sea.

I pointed out the market town of Stokesley, our next destination ( by car) to have a few beers.The pub in question was the White Swan, which you may well have guessed by now is the home of the Captain Cook Brewery.

The brewery produces some fine ales. Mr Oz and I started on a Black Porter, my recommendation ( see picture) . Soon he was pulling a face, " not sure about this"  Not used to the taste you see, although I noted he finished his drink before I had supped mine off.  

Then after a pint of Botany Bay, it was back to the car home,  then out again for our Tuesday night pub quiz in Durham. Well somebody's got to do it.

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Two days later saw Mrs Ken and myself on Embleton Beach in Northumberland. Fantastic vista with hardly any people there. We were parked near a golf course and clubhouse so  after a couple of hours on the beach, we nipped into the clubhouse  to use the loo, and noted they sold Marstons EPA on handpull.  Not one of my favourite drinks I'm afraid, so headed instead into Embleton village and the Greys Inn. 

This pub is in the Good Beer Guide and appears to specialise in local ales; three of them from Alnwick Brewery. After some research I later discovered Alnwick don't actually brew any beer, its actually contract brewed by Cumberland.

Anyhow back in the pub.  I asked if I could leave some of our CAMRA branch magazines. The owner must have heard me as he shot out from the kitchen, introduced himself and shook my hand.( I think he was  expecting someone else) 

 " One of your fellow branch members usually drops some off, he has a pony tail and goes diving in Seahouses". 

Although I know a few divers, but not knowing anyone with a ponytail, I was struggling to know what the hell he was on about. " Oh, well maybe he doesn't have a pony tail then "  I thought, you wouldn't be much good as a witness in a police lineup mate.

So after a pleasant pint of Alnwick Amber Ale in the back garden, we said our goodbyes. Andrew, the owner, said he was coming down to the Sunderland Airshow. 

"Ill see you there then", which must have been one of the most stupidest things I have ever said. Anyhow , we did agree to meet again at our Octoberfest in Sunderland.

The pub has 5 handpulls and I can imagine this is a place where locals come to enjoy their beer and have a good crack. Must return and perhaps stay over in the B&B next door.

Telegraph Road ? - Ed.

Leaving the pub, I slipped a compilation CD I had put together into the CD player. Soon, as we drove through the country lanes towards the A1, Telegraph Road by Dire Straits was booming out of the speakers. At 14 minutes long , this is the perfect driving song, as we drove past the telegraph poles at the side of the road. ( Lyrics here:- dire straits telegraph road )