I was impressed with the Foley arms Wetherspoons in Great Malvern. In town centre but a nice walk.

 
In the latest escalation in the Middle East, a major airport in Saudi Arabia has been atacked, presumably by houthi rebels.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cqy7lxd104xet

Of little direct relevance to to the UK, but increases the risk of regional instability.

EDITED TO ADD that a second attack has occurred.

 

The two town centre Wetherspoons in Swindon are not that close to the station, so much so that some people struggle to find them - let alone try any black pudding.   

 
I think part of the problem with the trolley getting through a train is down to it making a late start.

It often seems to take a long time to check stock after a crew changeover or replenishments being loaded.  I don’t know what is involved in the process but it can seem lengthy.

 
A member of the public noticed, and alerted the local authority to the defect in the lining that had developed as a result of work to the road above the tunnel. (Navigation and towpath were then closed as of Friday afternoon...)

https://i.postimg.cc/Vv3S749S/Sydney-Gardens-number-two-tunnel-roof-issue-1600.jpg

 
Good to have an account of the Ship at Brimscombe. I think I'm right in saying that the local authority bought the building and promoted its use as a pub - to safeguard it during the interim time before the navigation is re-established.

 
In a slightly different way, I concluded my day out yesterday with a mini "canal ale trail" before stumbling onto the train home at Stroud Railway station.  This comprised of:

The Ship Inn, Brimscombe.  Not yet quite back on the restored canal (until the forthcoming phase 2 restoration stage) but a popular place nonetheless with a pleasant beer garden and apparently a good reputation for food. 

The Stroud Brewery, Thrupp.  Situated at the current eastern extent of the restored section of the canal this is a modern industrial building successfully adapted to its combined brewery/cafe/bar purpose with beer garden next to the towpath and upstairs balcony overlooking the newly built "winding hole" where canal boats can turn around.  Very popular with an understandably good reputation.

Bowbridge Arms, Bowbridge.  Situated just above the canal lock.  Perhaps without the pulling power of the above two outlets, it nonetheless has a generous beer garden with the views of the valley above the canal. 

The restoration of the canal to the west is moving apace.  I managed to have a look at the impressive works going on west of Eastington including the deviation from the old route to get under the motorway, the completed channel running under the A38 roundabout and the pipeline diversion project near Occupation Bridge.

 

 
From National Rail

A fault with the signalling system in the Ladbroke Grove area means that trains have to run at a reduced speed on some lines. As a result, Elizabeth line trains running through London Paddington may be delayed by up to 10 minutes or revised.

Disruption is expected until 12:30.

 
Salisbury to Exeter Rail Ale Trail

https://www.blackmorevaletrains.com/rail-ale-trail/

 

 

The Railway Inn at Westbury ... three hostelries at which I have partaken refreshment and met with fellow advocates for public transport whilst awaiting a timed happening - such as a train departure to Melksham or a meeting concerning said transport.     

I've not got a current close-to-station place to mention in Chippenham - Google Maps suggest the Old Road Tavern there, but meetings there tend to be at the Rivo Lounge which is a fair step from the station, or at the Hearty Hare at the station which is cafe rather than pub.

 

Reminds me of the old Virgin/XC service from Manchester to Brighton which from memory ran:

Brighton, Haywards Heath, Gatwick Airport, East Croydon, Clapham Junction, Kensington Olympia, Reading, Oxford, Banbury, Leamington Spa, Birmingham New Street, Stoke on Trent, Stockport & Manchester Piccadilly.

In the beginning it was Mk3 carriages and ended up as a Voyager when the service sadly ended in 2008. I liked that service as it saved going to Euston even if that was quicker.

 
Actually, thinking about it again, JayMac, I may reconsider that approach - on two grounds:

1. The Wetherspoons in Nailsea is not particularly close to our local railway station, but it's the closest you get;

2.  I may be basing my apparent aversion to black pudding on one bad experience elsewhere, many years ago.

I shall therefore call in at our local Wetherspoons for a Freedom Breakfast and add black pudding for an extra 95p.

I'll let you all know how it goes. 

 
They've boisterous teenagers, not battered Mars Bars, for goodness' sake

. . .

For context to some of our possibly puzzled members and guests here on the Coffee Shop forum, see Wikipedia.  

CfN. 

 

Posting personally (again), I always decline any offer of including black pudding to my breakfast meal. 

 
Just fry the little sods that did the damage,actually as it’s in Scotland deep fry them.

 
1. 

2.  Rose & Crown, Trowbridge (an excellent hostelry);

3.  Queen's Tap, Swindon (another excellent hostelry).

I can't quite place the first one.  Not The Railway Inn at Yatton, I assume? 

CfN. 

 
I was down there today. A ticket machine has been installed next to the portacabin cemented into the ground and a big train information display on the platform by the temporary access ramp. There are two ticket windows in the portacabin so those buying a ticket will not get wet if it rained; those queuing will. The train in the platform was at the old stopping marks.

This arrangement looks like it is for the long term. No idea what GWR are thinking maybe in conjunction with the council who have long term plans for the station and station car park.  If GWR are just planning reinstatement then planning permission wouldn't be needed. I not sure if any changes GWR wanted to make would even need it if on railway land.

I don't know if the new depot at Exeter required planning permission. Edginswell did as it also used non railway land. The permissions for that expire November 2026.

 

I don't think it will affect airlines using Heathrow, but possibly foreign carriers that can't afford (or don't like idea of paying for) expensive London airport slots might be interested.   

My guess those doing Long haul at Gatwick, might like the idea if price is right.   HS2 from Birmingham Interchange to Old Oak is estimated at 31-32 minutes, bit faster than Gatwick to Victoria.

There are quite a few potential airlines who are at Gatwick, eg : Air Arabia, Air China, Air India, Air Mauritius, Air Zimbabwe, Azerbaijan Airlines, China Eastern, China Southern, Ethiopian Airlines, Gulf Air, Jet Blue, Kenya Airways, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Turkmenistan Airlines, Uganda Airlines, Uzbekistan Airways, Westjet etc.

 
Previous topics and posts on the particular subject of pubs (including Wetherspoons) have now been moved and merged into one definitive topic, at https://www.firstgreatwestern.info/coffeeshop/index.php?topic=15910.0

I hope this helps.  CfN. 

 
Previous topics and posts on this particular subject now merged here. 

 
There is every chance, ChrisB: I am already looking into merging Kernow Otter's post with posts from two of Grahame's topics into one new topic and renaming it accordingly, in a definitive topic.

I shall update our Coffee Shop members here when my work is done.

CfN. 

 

What a radical suggestion!