THE LION AT TUDWEILIOG

[Jeff Thorpe]

This is the story of a pleasant encounter at a pub during a recent visit to Wales.

We lodged at Llyn Peninsula, a district in North Wales,
a rural region off the tourist track.
T'was coming on to winter and the hay was rolled in bales
to carry all the stock until the springtime grass came back.

"Rhianfa" was our cottage, the walls stood two feet thick
and panelled woodwork spread along the ceiling.
Ambience was evident, the whole place seemed to click,
the presentation set our hearts a reeling.

To find out Llyn's attractions we scanned the visitor's book
and many entries preached a similar blog.
The place to go for food and drink should you not wish to cook
is a pub that's called The Lion at nearby Tudweiliog.

The Lion seemed just the place to be, our curiousity grew,
we'd have to go and see what they provide.
So, off we set on foot one day, The Lion to pursue,
Tudweiliog two miles away, we'd do it in a stride.

Forty minutes walking saw Tudweiliog in sight,
a pleasant village decked with homes of stone.
There stood The Lion on edge of town, a handsome pub all right,
oozing loads of character, standing there alone.

Up unto the door we strode, all thirsty from the tramp,
thinking of the drink that soon we'd swig.
Quite a sweat we'd worked up, the under arms were damp,
and certainly the first gulp would be big.

But, what was this, the door was closed and nothing could we hear,
The Lion in truth, was silent as a tomb,
had we trudged forty minutes to a pub that had no beer?
Our day descended swiftly into gloom.

We could not comprehend it, The Lion was shut up tight,
it seemed that we would get no food or grog.
Wherever was a pub with doors closed in broad daylight,
surely dented our impression of Tudweiliog.

Just as we were leaving though, at last we heard a voice,
the publican enquiring of our need.
"A cold and frosty beverage would firstly be our choice,"
we answered, "closely followed by a feed".

"Alas, it's out of season" she said, "we get no trade,
so, Sunday lunch is all we open for".
Made no sense she reasoned, for wages to be paid
when customers weren't coming through the door.

It must have been our accents, for she asked from where we'd come,
recognising we were not from Wales.
"Australia" we did tell her, "half a world away and some,
a place where pubs all day provided ales".

"You'd best come in" she said to us, "I'll open up the bar,
while food's not on at least you'll get a drink.
A shame to leave here empty as you've travelled from afar"
she uttered with a nod and with a wink.

Thus, we drank like royalty and chatted with our host
who told us all in Llyn there was to see.
Porthmadog, Pwllheli, Aberderon on the coast
and Nefyn in the close vicinity.

We stayed there for a while but, with two miles still to stroll
on Shank's Pony weakened from the drink,
forty minutes came and went, no need for cruise control,
two miles this time much longer than you'd think.

Back at the cottage we endorsed the comments in the book
about the welcome at The Lion Inn.
Any time of year it seems, the pub is worth a look,
one of the attractions of the Llyn.

So, any would be travellers with a whim to visit Wales
keep Tudweiliog village in your sight.
Remember that the Lion Inn's a pub that tips the scales
to fill a thirsty visitor with delight.

Jeff Thorpe, November 2010 ©

[Heather]

A delightful story Jeff. Often it's the people we meet and experiences like this one that make a holiday a good one.

Heather

[Jeff Thorpe]

Hi Heather

Yes, it was a pleasant interlude. She even left us to our own devices in the bar for a while while she ran an errand.

Cheers, Jeff

[Neville Briggs]

Almost " The Pub with no Beer "


Neville

[Trisha Patterson]

Good story Jeff...and I'll bet you had a bit of trouble pronouncing some of those locations after a few drinks!
Cheers,
Trisha

[Jeff Thorpe]

Hi Neville & Trisha

Nearly no beer but, a satisfying visit overall. Once we did get inside, The Lion did have loads of character and I took a few photos of the bar. The Welsh pronunciations are certainly tricky even before a few drinks.

Regards, Jeff

[thestoryteller]

Heading that way in October and will keep an eye out.



Merv

[Jeff Thorpe]

Worth a look Merv although October getting a bit late and you may find the Lion's closed up as we did. Nice enough country around there in a part of Wales not really on the tourist trail. I remember Nefyn in particular had an impressive golf course beside the sea. Enjoy your trip

Cheers, Jeff