20th October 2022. I’m not going to get to the end of October before December arrives, am I ? Oh well, let’s not complain. Two (2) years ago I was reaching the end of the worst month of my life (so far), darkness and pub closure during the Second Lockdown and an on/off house move… Continue reading WELLINGTON (SOMERSET) GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE
GOING OVER THE HOUR ROUND LADYBOWER
18th October 2022. Mrs RM was chastising me for “only going to pubs” and insisted we actually visit some of the Peak District that we actually moved to Sheffield to explore nearly two years ago. Everyone seemed to be heading to Ladybower Reservoir to see the flooded village emerge into view, the biggest crowds since… Continue reading GOING OVER THE HOUR ROUND LADYBOWER
GREENE KING GLASS ATROCITIES IN TODWICK
More autumn pub exploration, this time to the odd area in what we professionals call the Sheffield-Rotherham-Worksop triangle. There’s been a few GBG entries in this mining area graced with a butterfly park and 1957 Ryder Cup course, but the only one left is a Greene King diner in North Anston. I took the train… Continue reading GREENE KING GLASS ATROCITIES IN TODWICK
BE BOLD, STOP IN BALDERTON
16th October 2022. I like to think of myself as an expert on the A1. OK, I can’t tell you what the road is made of (holes ?), but I know all the service stations and pubs from weekly trips from Huntingdon to Blyth and beyond. We’re just about to get a new services at… Continue reading BE BOLD, STOP IN BALDERTON
BROWN SUGAR (PORK SCRATCHINGS)
14th October 2022. Still ahead of BRAPA, which is all that counts, really. In contrast, there’s no point reading this as Blackpool Jane blogged about the evening, ooh, 3.7 years ago (here), but legally I have to post my photos so here goes; A Friday night as DES to Mrs RM, Aberdeenshire’s own Karen and… Continue reading BROWN SUGAR (PORK SCRATCHINGS)
THE MARMALADE THIEVES OF SHARROW VALE
You left me in posh west Sheffield having confirmed that Greene King’s plain looking Porter Brook would be an acceptable tea stop for Blackpool Jane. Knowing Jane, and Inverurie Karen and Mrs RM there would be time for other stops that Friday, so I popped in The Beer House, one of many micropubs with desperately… Continue reading THE MARMALADE THIEVES OF SHARROW VALE
A SPOT OF SHEFFIELD RECONAISSANCE FOR BLACKPOOL JANE
12th October 2022. Blackpool Jane was about to visit and rate our new B & B (free to Patronised readers) for her award winning blog called “Getting p****d at away games”. We were thrilled, and before she arrived I undertook what we are legally allowed to call “research” in a few pubs in upmarket Sharrow… Continue reading A SPOT OF SHEFFIELD RECONAISSANCE FOR BLACKPOOL JANE
STATION TO STATION (INN). A DERBY TREASURE RETURNS
I left the Old Boys in the Smithfield to their talk of “interesting” beers and Francis Lee’s gold Mercedes and crowds of 7,000 at Stamford Bridge, and wobbled back towards the station. Blimey, those cobbles look big. The Alex and the Brunswick lie over those cobbles, but I was headed for a re-opened classic with… Continue reading STATION TO STATION (INN). A DERBY TREASURE RETURNS
THE KEVIN HECTOR FAN CLUB AT THE SMITHFIELD
You left me in the Woodlark, where the landlady had just put Simply Red’s “A New Flame” on the jukebox to bring a Neil Sedaka streak to a sad end, and Mick Hucknall starts on a run. “Money’s too tight to mention….come on !” sings the Old Boy, emphasising the “Come on !”. “Cheers Ducky”… Continue reading THE KEVIN HECTOR FAN CLUB AT THE SMITHFIELD
BANTER, BASS AND BAPS; DERBY’S WOODLARK IS PERFECT
OK, cobs not baps. On with the Derby Bass hunt. As many will tell you, much that is good about the British pub lies outside the Good Beer Guide. I headed towards the Five Lamps, but then remembered this little gem. I’m not sure the Woodlark has been in the GBG, a bloke in a… Continue reading BANTER, BASS AND BAPS; DERBY’S WOODLARK IS PERFECT
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