retiredmartin

May 2026. Whitby. I’d told Mrs RM if she was ready to leave for Whitby at 6am that Wednesday morning I’d take her along. I even threw in the prospect of a campervan overnighter opposite Loftus Police Station, where I parked up, alone, at 9am. Ten minutes later I was on the X4, a picturesque… Continue reading A WHITBY WANDER

May 2026. Leeds. 3 hours between train in Leeds, time for the Freedom breakfast in Spoons (Becketts Bank), the culture, and a pint in a re-opened classic. Oh, they’ve got rid of the “Family” in the title. Sign of the times. Anyway, the Victoria, one of the Leeds gems, refurbished by the ubiquitous Kirkstall Brewery,… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE VICTORIA FAMILY & COMMERCIAL, LEEDS

May 2026. Leeds. A night in Bradford, then a descent through the ornate passageway in the Midland Hotel to Forster Square station, from which you take the Kirkstall route back to Leeds, not the most scenic. But Leeds is scrubbing up well, and that endless renovation of the station entrance may well be a cracker,… Continue reading LEEDS IS GOLDEN

May 2026. Bradford. Time flies. Five years ago I was sitting outside the Jacobs Well (aka Beer House aka Jacobs etc etc), waiting for BRAPA to be vaccinated. Simon was able to confirm that beer actually boosts the effectiveness of the Pfizer vaccine, or was it Sputnik ? I was BRAPA’s DES that momentous day,… Continue reading JACOBS WELL

May 2026. Bradford. You can always trust a person who likes Bradford, or Blackpool, or is torn on the virtues of Maidenhead. The Southworths always seem impressed by Bradford’s centenary square; the city hall, the fountains, the Wetherspoons, the view across to the Alhambra and the wonderfully revitalised Science and Media Museum, where we joined… Continue reading A PREEMPTIVE BRATFUD CURRY

May 2026. Bradford. We’ve been stalking the Southworths on their 2026 UK (well, mainly Yorkshire) Tour, which inevitably reached Bradford last Sunday. I’m sure Dave really comes for the marvellous street art, recently enhanced by the addition of Greggs wrappers, but in truth it’s the curry that brings the boys to the door. Mrs RM… Continue reading TINNED FISH. THE RECORD CAFE, BRADFORD

May 2026. Sheffield. A rare Saturday in Sheffield, and a designated “dry” day, which is quite an effort in my hometown. On a whim, I thought “about time I went to Bramall Lane“, and was a bit miffed to see the Cricketers Arms opposite the ground closed on match day. I took an aimless stroll… Continue reading HEINEKEN 0.0 – YOUR SOBER CHOICE ON MATCHDAY

April 2026. Cannon Street. London. I’m always interested in The Honest View on Beer Quality. Chris Dyson and Paul Bailey always give their beers scores; folk on the “We love Bass, us” Facebook page seem reluctant to admit Bass can sometimes be less than perfect (though it always seems to photograph well). Our American visitors… Continue reading £5.20 PINTS IN THE PELT TRADER

April 2026. Spitalfields. London. I had a sneaking suspicion that Dave had picked the King’s Arms for his post-museum pint as it provided a direct route to the Pride of Spitalfields, one of the London classics on his Pub Bucket List. The walk down Brick Lane is as exhilarating as ever, with the old Truman’s… Continue reading (STILL) THE PRIDE OF SPITALFIELDS