In what sounds like our personal dream holiday, a Plymouth man has driven from the northernmost pub on earth to the southernmost in an old Chimaera. Because, why not?
The idea for the Pub2Pub Expedition was conceived by Ben Coombs, an automotive writer and adventurer, whilst enjoying a pint in a pub in Dartmoor. In a noble quest to bring back the lost art travel, Coombs described the nature of his unique mission as, “a very British blend of elegance and eccentricity”. And, of course, it wouldn’t be very British if it didn’t involve a pub or two.
The first port of call took the team less than 700 miles from the North Pole, in an abandoned mining settlement called Pyramiden, on the Norwegian island of Svalbard. With the population of the settlement coming to a grand total of 4, all residents live together in the town’s old hotel – which just so happens to have a functioning bar. And since the requirements for an establishment to be classed as a ‘pub’ were to be 1) licensed, and 2) willing to sell a beer to any member of the public, the expedition was officially underway!
The Chimaera, nicknamed Kermit, was then driven through Europe to Southampton before being shipped to New York. Then began the long journey through the Americas to the southernmost bar, located in Puerto Williams in Tierra del Fuego, Chile. Which Mr Coombes told the BBC was “…a bit of a dive actually” – but we can’t have everything in life, I suppose.
During his expedition between the 2 bars at the ends of the Earth, Mr Coombs, and his various companions who joined him along the way, covered a total of 3 continents, 24 countries, and more than 20,000 miles. With a new clutch for Kermit being the only major repair of the trip. You can read a full account of the epic journey from the man himself on the Top Gear website, which we would highly recommend.
Now, as the quest comes to an end, our protagonist and his team are heading back to where it all started to celebrate their achievement – and you’re invited! Writing on the Pub2Pub Facebook page, Ben Coombs has requested friends and fans of the trek join him at the Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor to, “meet the Pub2Pub crew, hear about the adventure, gaze upon the legendary Kermit and find out what’s next for our unique brand of automotive adventuring.”.
So, if you happen to be in the area this weekend (Sunday 15th April) why not pop along and be regaled with tales from the ultimate pub crawl! You might find yourself feeling inspired to take on your own…