June 2026. Yerevan. Armenia. Mrs RM had curated (ugh) an exhaustive, and exhausting, itinerary for our seven nights in Armenia, on the basis we probably wouldn’t be back unless Manchester City play FC Noah in a qualifier for the Conference League. So, barely having arrived at Yerevan “Boutique” Hotel the night before and we set… Continue reading TAKE THE FIRST TRAIN TO GYUMRI, BUT FIRST A PINT OF THE 379
DESCRIBING ARMENIA IN ONE WORD
I’m disappointed that I’m missing the 2026 UK heatwave; don’t get many of those, do you ? Meanwhile in Yerevan; Oh. On our tours this week all that visitors from the Netherlands, Sweden and Kaliningrad wanted to talk about was the World Cup the weather, yet another thing the UK cultural export. Can we blame… Continue reading DESCRIBING ARMENIA IN ONE WORD
MIDNIGHT IN ARMENIA
June 2026. Armenia. There’s no stopping Mrs RM. No sooner did Wizz Air start twice-weekly flights from Luton to Armenia than she’s booked bargain seats and got a full itinerary for the trip, 16 hour bus tours and all. The theme for Yerevan will be ticking camels. I haven’t seen a camel yet. Or a… Continue reading MIDNIGHT IN ARMENIA
“A pint of Timothy, please”
June 2026. Cambridge. Dad’s appetite was back on Sunday afternoon, and ours was raised by the sight of the Wrestlers opposite our £25 Travelodge on Newmarket Road, a rare Cambridge bargain. Charlie Wells have subtly worsened the sign after what feels like 30 years, but the menu is unchanged since my first Pad Thai back… Continue reading “A pint of Timothy, please”
THE CASK CAMINO DAY 2 – THE ABBEY INN TO APPERLEY BRIDGE
June 2026. Leeds to Bradford. Comfort break at Newlay’s Abbey Inn over, we resumed Day 2 of the Cask Camino with a route from posh Leeds to almost posh Bradford. Today’s “Identify the bird” is a tough one. Lots of interesting canal traffic, including the Absolute Madness tour boat on its way to a nostalgia… Continue reading THE CASK CAMINO DAY 2 – THE ABBEY INN TO APPERLEY BRIDGE
THE CASK CAMINO DAY 2 – ABBEY TO ABBEY
June 2026. Leeds to Newlay (er, Leeds). I bet you thought the Cask Camino had stalled at the first hurdle lock, didn’t you ? Never underestimate Mrs RM’s tenacity and desire for blog views; Saturday saw us parked up at Apperley Bridge station (free !), 3 minutes before the train to Kirkstall Forge from which… Continue reading THE CASK CAMINO DAY 2 – ABBEY TO ABBEY
NEW AND SHINY IN SHEFFIELD – ABBEYDALE AND LOXLEY
June 2026. Sheffield. Having just got back from Sudbury (the drives are now more physically than mentally wearing, which I think is a good thing), I had an actual day in Sheffield. Obviously, I’m not staying at home, that risks gardening or something worse, but a proper walk to Abbeydale Road and beyond. Why DO… Continue reading NEW AND SHINY IN SHEFFIELD – ABBEYDALE AND LOXLEY
A SUDBURY SAUNTER
June 2026. Sudbury. Suffolk. Mrs RM is, of course, correct in all matters (though she thought she saw Gareth Southgate playing for Australia v Turkey the other night), and is adamant that the only way you understand a place is with an overnight stay, whether the £227 Valley View, or my own more economical option… Continue reading A SUDBURY SAUNTER
A GOURMET SAUSAGE ROLL IN SUDBURY’S WHITE HORSE
June 2026. Sudbury. Now Sunnyside is sold I have to make other overnight arrangements when popping down to Cambridge, which seems to believe that £155 is a reasonable price for a night at a hotel. Luckily there’s still a few places you can park your campervan without enraging the locals, and Sudbury in Greater Lavenham… Continue reading A GOURMET SAUSAGE ROLL IN SUDBURY’S WHITE HORSE
PRAVHA IN THE PARK
June 2026. Sheffield. An aimless Sheff walk up and down hills to get those 15,000 calories in finds me at the string of public parks above the University, harassing ducks. I think they’re ducks. Floral Weston Park leads to the reservoir at Crookes Valley, and the studenty Dam House. Unlike the Sheffield Hatter I have… Continue reading PRAVHA IN THE PARK
retiredmartin 