Somerset pubs on the edge

7/7/18 Another long bus trip to Milborne Port on another sunny Saturday. We timed our arrival to get to the pub while it was open. The Tippling Philosopher had a few regulars in early. We had pleasant pints of their own Best (4%) and Bath's Barnsey (4.5%) for £6.90 and a free game of pool. Then we started walking. Henstridge is not far away, but the shortest routes go through Dorset. We walked along some country lanes before taking footpaths through Inwood House estate. Then we crossed the A30, through some fields towards the church. The Bird in Hand was starting to fill up for the football. We had pleasant pints of London Pride (4.2%) and Sharp's Coast (3.6%) for £6.90 but left before it became even busier. The Virginia Ash was a bit quieter. It is on the A30 and is setup for the passing motorists and their meals. We had more pleasant pints of Wriggle's Golden Bear (4%) and Pedigree (4.5%) for £7.20. There were some locals in for the football and we left j

30/6/18 Early start to get to Marston Magna by bus on another sunny day. We were heading south west along the border but rather than walking along the road, we travelled via Rimpton. From there we headed towards The White Post . This pub has the border running through it, so it is possible we strayed into Dorset. We sat on the veranda overlooking the countryside with our pints of Butcombe (4%) and Hop Eye (4.8%) for £7.60. They did taste like the first pints drawn that day though. The border still needed to be avoided and so we went back through Rimpton and on over a large hill. Parts of the footpath didn't appear to have been used for some time, but a farmer assured us we were heading in the right direction to Corton Denham. The Queens Arms is in the middle of this peaceful village and did appear to be a place for people to drive to for lunch. We had pints of Yeovil's Hopkandi (3.8%) and Dorset's Legless Liz (3.8%) for £7.75. On leaving here, we tried to head up

23/6/18 The vagaries of British rail ticketing meant that our return to Yeovil Pen Mill dropped us at Yeovil Junction. The direct route to Yeovil would take us along a busy road, so we went via Jack the Treacle Eater instead. It was quite a pleasant walk along old footpaths, small open fields and woods into Yeovil Country Park. In there, we followed the old railway line towards Pen Mill. We are close to the Dorset border here. On the approach to the station is the Pen Mill Hotel . We had two pints of Tribute (4.2%) for £7.30. Just up the hill is the Royal Marine Inn . We were welcomed by some large dogs as we walked in and had bottles Newcastle Brown (4.7%) and Ringwood's Old Thumper (5.1%) for £5.75 and a game of pool. There was quite a contrast between these neighbouring pubs. The Pen Mill is a hotel/restaurant with a passing trade. The Royal Marine seemed to be a locals' pub. Both were welcoming. As was the Great Lyde . We had two pints of Palmer's I