The Caledonian, Carlisle

Had enough time for a swift one in-between trains so decided to chance a tick over the Spoons certainties opposite. An odd place this one - clearly refurbed not long ago and pretty plush, the awful snot green paint notwithstanding. Busy for a mid-afternoon weekday with a chunk of the clientele glued to gee-gees, clutching betting slips and copies of the Racing Post. A large part of the bar area was weirdly cordoned off, you had to stand either side of the barrier. No cask and incredibly basic drink selection (Amber Tavern pub, I see), so a John Smiths keg did me for the low abv. Could, if it pulled its finger out, be a fairly decent bet.