Having done the Spoons and the local boozer, here’s the community village all-rounder bursting back to life. Those of you who pay attention (Mark) will recall an attempt to visit the Woodman in the first month of GBG20, thwarted by what the Landlady called “winter hours“, as the sun beat down in September. It said… Continue reading THE JOY OF PUBS aka BURNESTON BURSTS INTO LIFE
SUN ARISE
By the time I got back from Blyth on Saturday afternoon (3:55 hours) I was emotionally drained. Not JUST because pubs are back, or because I’d once again proved that Doom Bar is our No.1 cask beer (#FACT), but due to stumbling on this as I passed, er, Grantham Downtown. That’s for Michael from… Continue reading SUN ARISE
DODGING THE DOGS AND DOGGERS IN GOSFORTH
If the economy can recover post-pub Lockdown as quickly as my blog views, all will be well. Clearly, you folk want to read about open pubs rather than 1960s football and Fed Edge thatch. Me too. The trip to Blyth was a joy, and not just for the Doom Bar in a Spoons at… Continue reading DODGING THE DOGS AND DOGGERS IN GOSFORTH
WELCOME BACK TO SPOONS (YOUR VOUCHERS ARE STILL VALID)
A few thoughts on the New Normal for pubs, and where better to see it yesterday than in Blyth Spoons. I was always going to start back at Spoons after seeing these tweets; And those were the nice ones. This was re-opening day, of course, so you might not get the queues on your visit,… Continue reading WELCOME BACK TO SPOONS (YOUR VOUCHERS ARE STILL VALID)
BLYTH SPIRIT
What a wonderful day. Pubs are back, there’s another tick in the Guide to pink in, and I have more evidence that Doom Bar is the connoisseur’s beer. But what about Blyth itself ? Last month I gave you memories from the Spartans’ finest hour, but failed to give you a feel for the town.… Continue reading BLYTH SPIRIT
YES, CLIVE, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT
“So, was it worth it ?” says Clive, of my 4 hour trek up the A1 and restless night in a campervan surrounded by dogs and doggers in Cramlington. Four hours to stand in the rain and queue for the Wetherspoons to open. I wasn’t even first in line at 7.45, 3 lads buzzing about… Continue reading YES, CLIVE, IT WAS WORTH THE WAIT
THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION
It’s here. I haven’t been so excited since the 13th May 2012. And we know how that ended. Today is the day we’ll see “carnage”, a “bun fight” “Sodom and Maidenhead” rolled into one. If you listen to the BBC, most of whose reporters consider the Ivy to be their ideal pub. Well done to… Continue reading THE EVE OF DESTRUCTION
BE NICE TO THE PUB STAFF TOMORROW
One sleep to go. At 8am tomorrow I’ll be in a queue, in the rain, waiting for life to start. Yes. An actual new tick. Will it be a pint in a picture postcard village boozer, bench seating and BBB? Find out tomorrow. Here’s a very minor clue where I’ll be. If you’re going to… Continue reading BE NICE TO THE PUB STAFF TOMORROW
ANYTHING GOES IN PRICKWILLOW
My older lad James is recovering from being locked in a Sheffield flat for 6 months by taking bracing walks round the Fens with me. I’d like to think I was planning trips to Corfu with my mates at his age, but the truth is rather different; I was taking a bus to Peterborough… Continue reading ANYTHING GOES IN PRICKWILLOW
BARTON GOES THROUGH THE HOOPS
In the summer of 1988 I walked the 7.1 miles from Milton to Barton to meet my then girlfriend (NGSS x)at the end of her bar shift. I’d just failed my driving test for a fifth time, all the fault of over-zealous no entry signage in Cambridge, and only a fool uses taxis. Not even… Continue reading BARTON GOES THROUGH THE HOOPS
