Monday April 5th – To / From Forest Green

Normally, dear reader, this blog concentrates on adventures involving beer, and so will the case with this blog (eventually.)



Easter Monday 2010 sees Tamworth playing away against Forest Green Rovers atop what always seems to be a small mountain on the outskirts of Nailsworth in southern Gloucestershire. Officially it was a chance to see an away game and have a day away from DIY / Gardening type activities (well its a bank holiday so bound to rain.) Actually it also gives one an excuse to visit a nice part of the country.



An early start saw us ease our way down through the Cotswold towns of Moreton in the March and Stow on the Wold (note to self, investigate public transport options for the summer) and eventually our first stop at Bourton on the Water. A sign points us to the “nearest car park to the Village” which isn’t that difficult given there aren’t from what I could see any car parks for public use in the village, only street parking which in any case was fully utilised so it was a sensible choice anyway. Bourton an idyllic Cotswold village famous for its numerous little bridges.



Too early to take in any pubs but some were noted for a daytrip later in the year (along with Moreton and Stow (they’re on the same bus route.)



Time to leave and although it had been planned to visit Sheepscombe (“most photographed pub sign in the country” states the GBG it took longer to get to Stroud than anticipated and so straight up (literally) to the football ground. There, however the Green Man offered a real ale and so a pint of Jennings Stickle Pike was consumed.



Tamworth went on to win 4-3 in a closely fought game after which it waqs time to find a convenient stop about half way home. Two options jumped out, namely the Weatheroak (been there done that) or the small riverside town of Upton-on-Severn – never been there so off we go.



Upton offers an excellent range of pubs with 7 or 8 within 5 minutes walk of the centre. We spotted Ye Olde Anchor Inn (circa 1601) which offered a couple of Theakston’s ales from which I chose XB (which I’m sure used to be more common.) A quick stroll by the river followed and thence home after an excellent Bank Holiday.