Cornwall CAMRA celebrated the end of the calendar year with our now regular Twixmas social pub crawl in Falmouth on Friday 29th. A good crowd turned up by foot, bike, bus and train (a bit late due to cancellations). Dan got the prize for furthest travelled from Cardiff, no Plymouth really. Geoff came second from Trelawne near Pelynt. As usual, we started at the Seven Stars which had a good range of beers on gravity including Treen's Cloud Cuckoo, a yummy strong mild.

It was quite strange to see the bar empty as we arrived at opening time. That was soon to change.

We raised a glass to our good friend and expert brewer, Pete Elvin of the Star Inn at Crowlas, who passed away after a long illness on Christmas Eve. Cheers, Pete.

After more beer and more chat, we moved on to the Moth and the Moon, run by Matt Reay formerly of the 'Front.

Matt had a tempting range of beers on handpump including Firebrand Patchwork Rocket, Tintagel Castle Gold and Treen's Kelyn which is a stronger festive version of the scrumptious Krowsek brown ale.

After much jollification and banter, it was onward to the Beerwolf Books up Bells Yard. Another super range of cask beers were offered to spoil us. I went for Penzance Scilly Stout at 7%ABV, rather silly on a long pub crawl but I could not resist it.

Then it was along and up to the hillside Oddies, or Oddfellows Arms to be correct. This small pub was fairly packed, not least because the pool table takes up much of the back room.

More lovely beers on offer, including Sharp's Special, sorry Sea Fury. More banter, more beer. Twixmas is probably our best event for talking to as many members as possible because people never get settled down for too long and can reform into new groups at the next pub.

Fortunately a downhill stagger to the 'Front for our last pint or two of the crawl. Another, even bigger, range of lovely beers. My choice this time was Wye Valley Butty Bach, a sensible 4.5% bitter.

Then we made our way home through the December gloom, full of memories and beer!

Thanks to Jan and Vince for leading the trip.

Blydhen Nowydh Da!

Cheers, Steve Barber