A little gem from Flowery and U Bend

... and their trail through Occombe Valley Woods was good clean running. The long was about 7 miles with a medium and a short for those of dubious stamina. The On Down was the Old Smokey House Inn at Marldon on the ring road and Teign Valley HHH recall this 'pub' well from two previous visits. On the first occasion, Teapot was told to stop the downdowns as three 'eaters' were being disturbed by the noise ... when asked later, the party stated that they were quite happy with the entertainment and hadn't complained. The last time we were there, we were told that we must all go in the back room (again, presumably, so as to avoid nuisance to any eaters) ...

At first glance, the beer seemed good with Greene King Abbot Ale and old faithful Courage Best augmented with a guest ale from Hydes (Manchester) Brewery - Loose Cannon which was what I plumped for ... and it was a good summer pint as well - a pale gold fresh citrus tasting ale ... BUT the price was a staggering £3.40 a pint - which would have been the finish of Pottsie (nearly had a seizure when confronted with a £3.00 tag for Badger at the Thatched Tavern) and many other hardened TVH3 imbibers ... This Shirley is a pint too far, though strangely, South Hams HHH appeared unperturbed, though it was whispered to me from more than one source that SH3 are the 'rich' hash ...

Once again, the hash was consigned to the back room but this proved to be ideal and very cosy indeed and everyone had a high old time and hash grub was laid on.

Horses for courses and pubs for hashes ... but one thing is fairly certain, TVH3 won't be visiting the Old Smokey until the rip-off beer prices are removed, Rodney ...