Sometimes I have to go to a plain pub with plain people in a plain village and give you nothing except the joy of knowing that I’m one tiny step closer to completing the Guide. But the real point of ticking is discovering or re-discovering the gems of the UK. Like Stotfold in beautiful Bedfordshire*.… Continue reading STOTFOLD – STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
GOOD BEER GUIDE ’19 – THE TICKING AND THE DAMAGE DONE
Sorry. In a Neil Young mood. Harvest time in England, and this Old Man is preparing to reap the Beer Guide for ticks. I’ve just completed my GBG cross-checking to establish which pubs in the 2019 Guide I’ve already done, and how many I’ll need to do to make progress in the next 12 months. … Continue reading GOOD BEER GUIDE ’19 – THE TICKING AND THE DAMAGE DONE
THE PAKENHAM 5 O’CLOCK CLUB
It’s rare that “Suffolk” and “deeply unexciting” are mentioned in the same sentence, of course, but a mere three new Guide entries in the county enables me to bring you this lovely sight four days into GBG19; So no two hour trips to “Times Supplements on Sea“, no micro pub opening hours frustration, no frisson… Continue reading THE PAKENHAM 5 O’CLOCK CLUB
MANGO LASSI SABOTAGES SHEFFIELD SESSION
You left me in the unmarked Cloudwater Tap, waiting for the Trans Pennine Express back to Sheffield. Another hour on a packed train full of football fans, including a seated Lincoln City fan who reminded me why I resent that county so much. He’d taken his son to see the Imps (Imps huh !) stay… Continue reading MANGO LASSI SABOTAGES SHEFFIELD SESSION
EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
His Highness Sheikh Mansour recently wrote to me to highlight the progress made under his stewardship of Manchester City over the last decade. 40 points in every season, half-and-half scarf sellers for every game, folk who turn up in Colin Bell Stand 15 minutes after kick off looking for Row R etc. etc. No mention… Continue reading EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
LIFE’S A GAS (LAMP)
I’m writing this listening to Pellegrini’s West Ham beating Everton, so here’s some proper Hammers art I saw walking up Princess Street. On from the Grey Horse to the Gas Lamp, the sort of Beer Guide contrast you still get in central Manchester. A bit like going from the Templar to North Bar in… Continue reading LIFE’S A GAS (LAMP)
“AND YOUR OWN”
No post yesterday, just to see if Russ panicked. Actually, I was on a mission to deposit James back in Sheffield in his new digs down the road from the Wellington, and then see the Famous Fulham at the Etihad. More on Sheff later. Once I’d ensured James had settled in with the important… Continue reading “AND YOUR OWN”
