The tube strike and the bad weather and floods in the south didn't bode well for Fenman's recent trip to the south coast. However the journey down went without hitch and trains and tubes ran on time. Fenman was greeted at Pokesdown station by ex-Fenland member Ian who now resides in Southbourne.

The first port of call was a short wet walk to the Grove Tavern which has the misnomer of a sports bar - no sports being actually played there but 7 tv screens showing sport. Not a place you might expect to see real ale but 3 handpumps were on and we opted for the Joseph Holt's Two Hoots - a pleasant pale ale.

The next day was a train trip to Dorchester for the beer festival at the Corn Exchange and was a joint venture by West Dorset CAMRA and the Round Table, and sponsored by Piddle - brewery that is, who else. 85 beers were on along with 13 ciders and perry. A good mix of light, brown and dark beers with the majority from Dorset, Hants, Wilts etc. but several from further afield including a Grafters Wobble Gob. Like most other beer festivals in this region it is an all ticket affair and was sold out within a day of being announced. Good for business (all the barrels being sponsored anyway) but not encouraging the non Camra member/casual visitor - so little campaigning it is assumed.

A stop off at Poole on the return journey was called for and the Blue Boar, a Fullers house with its multitude of memorabilia in the passageways, dispensed Front Row at 3.7%. On then to The Quay, 'Spoons pub with 5 handpumps for a drop of Upham Punter a 4% dark fruity beer. The Brewhouse, an unpretentious pub, has a grand range of ales on and the Milk Street Brewery Mermaid and Winter Spice were in fine form as was the Dancing Duck 22.

The following day a trip to Portsmouth and after a wander round the quayside a visit to the Old Customs House, a Fullers house in Gunwharf Quay where HSB and Bengal Lancer were sampled - a little on the cold side but in condition. Miles Davis piped jazz provided real cool, for the aficionado!

No time to stop though as a mile walk to Southsea and the mecca of the day beckoned. The Leopold tavern has 10 handpumps all in use with a wide range of ales and Bowman Yumi, Flower Pot bitter, Harveys Best, Oakleaf Thores Oak were first rounds, followed by Goldmark Liquid Gold, Yachtsman DBC, Langham Hip Hop, and Oakleaf Hole Hearted. An extension had been "granted" but as this was nearing, along with the rugby kick off, it was time to leave. On the return journey a visit to the the Fish Inn at Ringwood, close to heavily flooded river and fields, was called for and Wadworths Bishop Tipple to wash down meals ended a grand day out.

A trip to Lyme Regis and the Talbot Arms at Upper Lyme offered Mighty Hop but was off so instead the very acceptable Otter Bitter was taken. A pleasant walk on paths and through woodland led to Town Mill Brewery, a micro set up in 2010 and operating next to the 16th Century Malthouse, and has a small bar area where Lyme Gold, Black Ven, and Lucy's Sledge - a Christmas Ale with spicy cinnamon, were all sampled- excellent ales served direct from the cask and in a lovely setting.

On then to the Royal Standard, a popular Palmers house for families and food, and where Palmers Dorset Gold and Tally Ho a black liquorice 5.5% were downed with relish. Final of the trip was the Volunteer for a quick half of the Donegal house beer on gravity brewed by Branscombe Vale, before returning homebound. Well not quite, as a journey via Kings Cross could not be made without a visit to the recently opened Parcel Yard which although a Fullers emporium does have guest beers on. Butcombe brewery had 2 of their ales there - Gold, and also Adam Henson's Rare Breed - named after the TV presenter who evidently worked in conjunction with the brewery and includes Maris Otter malting barley, Herefordshire hops, and Mendip spring water. Well, you learn something every day on these trips "abroad".