Fenman has been, not abroad as such, just across the border into Nottinghamshire. This time he didn't take to the tracks but boarded the bus and using his bus pass was able to visit, free of charge, several nearby towns and villages to sample their pubs and ales. The excellent hourly bus service to Eastwood (Mon- Sat) provided Fenman with the opportunity to take in the sights of DH Lawrence's home town and then check out the local hostelries.

D.H.Lawrence's birthplace in Eastwood

First on the agenda was The Lady Chatterley an impressive Wetherspoons house containing various reminders of the author, along with a good range of beers including Buffalo, gluten free organic (4.5%) from Fire Island Brewery, Robinsons Citra (3.4%) and Blind Jack (3.7%).

On then to Three Tuns Road where the Three Tuns pub, a regular haunt of DHL, apparently. Unfortunately on this occasion only had London Pride on.

The Gamekeepers micro pub looked very inviting but was not due to open until later, so on then to Mellors Mews - a bit of a theme here - another micro pub - which thankfully was open and had 5 beers on. Fenman selected the Snake Eyes (3.8%) from Black Iris and 36* North (3.9%) from Lenton Lane. the other beers being 5G Mosaic Munch, Citra and Inferno.

A trip to Arnold for jazz at the Bonington Theatre necessitated a pre concert pint at the Robin Hood and Little John, a large Lincoln Green establishment. Four of the brewery's regulars were on - Tuck, Hood, Archer and Daylight along with Everards Sunchaser. All in good form.

Fenman meets up with a fellow jazz fanatic

The half hourly bus service to Newstead was not to be missed and after Fenman had exercised his legs to walk from the village to the impressive Newstead Abbey, grounds and gardens, he wended his way back to the Pit at Newstead to sample Ringneck and Excitra from Pheasantry along with Matte Black (4.7%) from Beermats Brewery. All in excellent condition and worth the high beer scores Fenman later awarded them.

On the same bus route as Newstead lies Hucknall and Byron's Rest. This micro pub is Nottingham pub of the year 2022 and always has an excellent range of beers including several that are LocAle. The Byrons Best and the Moot Ales Blonde were selected and supped serenely in the snug.

It was then on to the Station Hotel, a Lincoln Green establishment, where Tuck, Table Works and Buttermuch were enjoyed in the side room, where a game of chess was in progress and where bar billiards / skittles games could be played.

Time then to catch the bus to return to Annesley Woodhouse and to call in at the Moody Squires Micro Pub, formerly known as Squire Musters. Three beers on offer here and the King George best bitter from Little Brewing Company and Automation were selected and didn't disappoint.

Excellent bus services and ales - don't forget your bus pass, and CAMRA card of course for the discounts.