Following on from the CAMRA Kernow visit to the Blisland Inn on Saturday 11 March, the group were conveyed in the luxury minibus to Bodmin and deposited outside the Hole in the Wall.

The entrance to this pub is literally via a hole in the wall. You go through the gated entrance with its large sign and walk, via the garden to the pub door. As we perambulated the gardens we noticed on our right hand side the white lion in his glass fronted cave in the wall. After that we came upon the old shop style double bay windows standing guard of the front door with yet another pub sign, this time in iron proclaiming we had arrived at the right place.

Entering the pub and walking past the table we were greeted with a very welcome sight of seven hand pulls proclaiming a delight full variety of real ales. Included in the range were Bass, Sharps Special, and Dartmoor Jail ale. Quickly served, in turn, we all gravitated to different areas of seating and imbibed our wonderful beverages and enjoyed some lively conversation.

The minibus had left us at the pub to make our own way back to Bodmin Parkway. Some people took the early bus from Shire Hall and others stayed a while longer to partake of more refreshment and chat and catch the later bus to the station. All having spent an afternoon in the company of like minded enthusiasts of real ale and enjoyed the hospitality of two proponents of the style.

Thanks to Branch Social Secretary (East), Roger Webster, for organising the coach.

Words by Dugg Polman

Photos by Steve Barber