On the Sunday morning after that IKEA debacle (rated NLESS* 2, where NLESS 3 is death by spontaneous combustion), I took Mrs RM for a walk round round the Ashton Canal basin, near Matt’s new house (lucky sod). It’s changed a bit since 1849; And is a bit underpubbed (with worse to come). We took… Continue reading BREAKFAST AT THE ASHTON CANAL
MRS RM FINALLY VISITS THE JOLLY ANGLER
You left us in the car park of Ashton-under-Lyne IKEA, my dreams of a night in Fierce, Cask Ancoats and the Hare and Hounds in tatters. By the time Mrs RM had freshened up at the Ikea Budget it was flippin’ 8.30pm. Only an hour and a half to cross Great Ancoats Street, check in… Continue reading MRS RM FINALLY VISITS THE JOLLY ANGLER
STUCK INSIDE OF IKEA WITH THE ASHTON BLUES AGAIN
Another long drive on Saturday morning, with only a panini break in Tuxford on the way to Matt’s new house. I’ll save “Panini and Prosecco break in Tuxford” for a future blog. Mrs RM fulfilled a bucket list ambition by taking Matt and girlfriend Emma to the giant IKEA in Ashton-under-Lyne. Regular readers will know… Continue reading STUCK INSIDE OF IKEA WITH THE ASHTON BLUES AGAIN
SHIPSHAPE SEAHOUSES
What a great way to finish Northumberland’s new entries in GBG20. A Proper Pub in Seahouses on the gorgeous Northumbrian coast, home to stuffed penguins that you can buy instead of actually making the hazardous half hour boat trip to the Farne Islands, home to a very sick unretiredmartin in 2007. If Holy Island is… Continue reading SHIPSHAPE SEAHOUSES
FISHING FOR HOLY ISLAND TICKS
I somehow forgot to tell you that Duncan had already been to these Northumbrian gems last month, after our meet up in the Craft Union bars of Chester-le-Street. That time I overdid it on Doom Bar and chickened out of a joint trip up the Northumbrian coast. I DID remember that his post took in… Continue reading FISHING FOR HOLY ISLAND TICKS
ALL MASKED UP IN ETAL
Masks, eh ? Whatever. It’s just a mask. Next up is my first pub where I had to wear a mask on entering a pub. The rather fetching Black Bull in Etal. Or Etal with Ford as the poshos prefer it. Just south of Coldstream, and those funny Scots with their sensible leader, lies Etal… Continue reading ALL MASKED UP IN ETAL
WOOLER, WOOLER, WOOLER, UH, TELL ME MORE
The problem with having an early night (22.30 rather than the usual 01:00) is you wake up at about 04.37, see that Russ has written you an essay and never get back to sleep. Six hours sleep is plenty, sometimes more than enough. I emerged from the campervan with one of those craft beer carry-outs… Continue reading WOOLER, WOOLER, WOOLER, UH, TELL ME MORE
ROTHBURY STAGES THE METALLICA v ADELE SHOWDOWN
Before I get to the next open pub, here’s a kinda closed one; You do better hanging out of a car whizzing round a corner at 70mph. That’s The Star Inn at Netherton, one of the classic Basic Unspoilt Pubs of Great Britain. Only open Friday and Sunday evenings these days, and since Thursday even… Continue reading ROTHBURY STAGES THE METALLICA v ADELE SHOWDOWN
SUNSET OVER ALWINTON
More isolated Northumbria for you now, just up the road in Alwinton. Wikipedia tells me more about Alwinton and its 71 souls than it does about some southern dormitory towns of 71,000, and gives me this lovely photo by Chris of St Michaels and All Angels. At 7pm I couldn’t see anything except a row… Continue reading SUNSET OVER ALWINTON
5 HOURS UP THE A1 FOR A HALF
An unfinished half and that view of the Northumberland National Park, to be fair. 4hr 12 says Bing Maps, which can only mean Mr Bing doesn’t stop for diesel at the Ram Jam services or drive a steady 62mph in their new campervan. You break the journey into segments. An hour to Grantham (ooh, new… Continue reading 5 HOURS UP THE A1 FOR A HALF
