Odd ones

[Captain Kong]

In 1995, another Odd pub I found was the Silverton Hotel, 1,200 Kms west of Sydney
We spent three days getting there, over the Blueys through Dubbo and Cobo etc. a long hot drive.
The Long Haired One was in Hospital in Sydney, been there for a week, so on the day she was being released I hired a Camper Van and parked outside the hospital. I brought her out and she says `What’s that?` I says `That is your hotel for the next few weeks, ` she goes mad, then she says `Where are we going` I says to the Pub, ` she says `And where is that?` and I say `In Silverton` `Is it far?` `Only a few days, 1,200Ks. `I say. She goes mad again, `Sydney is full of Pubs what is wrong with those?`.
Any way we set off and three days later we arrive in Silverton, I had two pints of Castlemain XXXX and then drove down to Broken Hill to stay overnight before heading for Mildura. and the Mighty Murray. She said I was crazy to travel a round trip of 3,500 kilometres to have two pints in a pub
Now Silverton was a ghost town, The Silver mine closed and the town was abandoned. But over the years it has some what recovered as a tourist destination, it is in the desert, flat as a pancake and you can see to the ends of the earth.
The Silverton Hotel was very run down, the paint was faded and peeling just a wooden shack with a three legged dog on the porch, every time I said `SIT` it fell over. The barmaid, Vanessa, was very good, I was served immediately, we were the only people in town. Inside the walls were covered in old photos so I gave Vanessa a photo to pin up on the wall, of me with two 2RAR Soldiers who I had taken to Malaya in 1955 on the Georgic from Sydney. One of them was `Lofty` from Broken Hill, around 20 Kms away.
You may have seen the pub a few years ago on the XXXX beer adverts on TV where a couple of guys load a lorry with dozens of cases of XXXX and his mate says ,`What about the Sheila’s` so he puts a couple of bottles of Sherry on board and the lorry capsizes.
He then says, `I guess we over did it on the Sherry. `
I found a strange thing in the middle of the dusty road, near the pub, a grave of a young lady, covered in Chicken wire to keep the Dingo’s out, and a few dried up flowers on. I had to drive round it.
Several dozen Camels, descendents from the Ghans, were wandering around town and sleeping in the road blocking our way even though` I nudged then with the van
I have looked on the GOOGLE today and the pub has new owners and I could not recognise it, all done up and posh, it also has four cabins to sleep in. Some of the old buildings have been turned into museums.
Quite a few beer adverts were made there and a few movies including some of the Mad Max films.
For a Pub that is different, it is worth a visit. Beyond the black stump.
Cheers
Brian.

[Jim Brady]

BP.Distributer Part Two.Capt Kong talks about his time in Cork,I was there on a sunday having arrived there from Foynes.I went ashore with the cook,all the pubs were shut.He was about 45 and I was a 20 year old smart ass,if I dump him I'l get in somewhere!!!I'm going back to the ship Taff can't put up with this,O.K scouse he said.I believed that there was a old Irish law that a traveller could not be refused.I was climbing up on pub windows and looking in, the places were chocka with people drinking.I would knock on the door and when it was answered I was saying I'm a traveller can I come in for a drink.Sorry sir Sunday the place is closed.Now that I am older I realise just how much the travelling community is hated in Ireland and I had no chance of ever getting in.I walked the streets,eventually met some old men sitting on one of the many bridges,where can I get a pint I asked.There is a Legion club up there where you will most probably get in,if you get in dont be flashing any 5 pound notes theres a gang up there that have been living in Liverpool and they have come back here as gangsters.Not a very good advert for my city!!!So the smart ass headed back to the ship sober and gasping for a pint.Entered the cabin(me and the cook shared) the cook sitting there drunk as a galloot with his old faithfull holdall in front of him full of the old brown pint bottles of guinness.
Did you have a good night scouse ( I could've strangled him)I did'nt get a pint I said.Should've stayed with me I ended up in a great pub.I had tasted guinness before but could,nt take it,but as you all know we drank some stuff in our time,anything for a drink.Get past the first few mouthfulls and you've cracked it.Fancy a guinness scouse,yes I said and lifted one from his holdall,"half a crown a bottle is the price"I put it back and jumped into my bunk not a happy chappy and that is my memory of Cork.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[Doc Vernon]

Hi Capt
Well that sounds great,i will look forward to meeting you in Feb. then,just keep me updated in case!
You are still welcome here if you find a day or so free! Mmmm!! Not likely!
We have Four Bedrooms so no prob with sleeping the three of you for a night or two!
But will play it by ear!
Wonder where that Bus will go,i am sure it may stop here in Blackheath and Katoomba as they are both very popular Coach Stops!??
Anyway as said Brian,keep me posted !
Cheers

[Captain Kong]

Thanks for all your kindness ,Vernon.
I will keep in touch and let you know of any changes.
Cheers
Brioan.

[happy daze john in oz]

Speaking of pubs as we were brings to mind an event that happened to me. Back in the early 90's we had a couple of old neighbours from UK out here with us for three weeks. We took them up to Sydney and the Blue Mountains and on the way back came over the mountains. It was hot, about 40 degrees and I had an air conditioned vehicle, if you kept the windows open. The road over the top still had about 50 or so KLms of unmade road so the dust was thick.
We pulled into Cooma nad I just wanted a beer. Into the pub the four of us go and i ordered four pots. Thjis crazy guy then asks the barman if he had any beer that had not been chilled! 'Bloody pom' was all he said as he pulled the four. After a couple we left for Albury. Got to a motel with a pool. Had a shower and made for the pool. Me and the ball nad chain got in as did the guys wife. He appeared a bit later dressed in white shirt and shorts. Get in I told him cool you off. No thanks he said I just washed my hands and face.
Now I know why they say here that Poms never wash.

[Gordon Turnbull]

Pretty close to home (for me anyway), The Sheriffmuir Inn. When I were a lad it was owned by a guy called Andy Robinson.Andy was a professional wrestler, probably better known for his sidekick, Hercules the bear. Interesting times with a bloody big bear walking around the pub. Was also excellent if you thought there was going to be a lot of snow. Get up there before it started then you were locked in for a couple of days!!!!
Talking of Karatha, I used to stay in the Karatha International Hotel quite frequently and used to, on occassion nip along to Port Headland to a pub but damned if I remember the name of it!!!!

[Ivan Cloherty]

Now I know why they say here that Poms never wash[/B].

That's very unkind and very untrue I can assure you I had a bath in October!

[Captain Kong]

Pretty close to home (for me anyway), The Sheriffmuir Inn. When I were a lad it was owned by a guy called Andy Robinson.Andy was a professional wrestler, probably better known for his sidekick, Hercules the bear. Interesting times with a bloody big bear walking around the pub. Was also excellent if you thought there was going to be a lot of snow. Get up there before it started then you were locked in for a couple of days!!!!
Talking of Karatha, I used to stay in the Karatha International Hotel quite frequently and used to, on occassion nip along to Port Headland to a pub but damned if I remember the name of it!!!!

Hi Gordon here is the ad for the Karatha hotel, Cant remember any Port headland pubs, must have had too much EMU I stayed in the Cooke Point Caravan Park.near the camp for illegals from Pakistan, and Afghanistan. [ cant get away from them ]
Cheers
Brian

[Pete Leonard (Bruno)]

There was nothing odd about the pub I am going to mention except that it was an oasis of peace and quiet And if I mention that it was in Southampton that probably makes it a bit of an oddity. The pub is (or was) The Spa and it was situated behind the Echo building in Above Bar. Even in those days ( 1950's) I hated crowded pubs, and if any of you had been in the most popular pubs in So'ton like The Bargate, Horse & Groom, or The Stag when one of the Cunarders was due to sail will know what I mean. The Spa was the most civilised pub in the town, populated mostly by locals.

[Gordon Turnbull]

That's very unkind and very untrue I can assure you I had a bath in October!

Which year?

Captain, had a look on Google and I certainly do not recognize any of the hotels mentioned there. The barmaid used to pick me up in Karatha and take me through there!!! No hanky panky obviously, just a nice lass who thought I was better off out of Karatha!!!