May 2026. Elsecar. Barnsley. An aimless lunchtime in rural Barnsley, but now with a tummy full of fish, chips and curry sauce; what to do ? Elsecar is a pretty village, exemplified by the Long Row of late 18th century* miners cottages commissioned by the Earls Fitzwilliam, whose name dominates the area. 20 years ago… Continue reading HEAVEN IS A PUB IN ELSECAR
KING STREET FISHERIES, HOYLAND
May 2026. Elsecar. Barnsley. Whenever I get bored of being at home, generally after being in the house more than 3 hours, I’ll walk down t’station and hop on the first train stopping somewhere I haven’t been for a year or two. Inevitably, that Cross Country service will be late so I’ll catch a different… Continue reading KING STREET FISHERIES, HOYLAND
YE OLDE VIC
May 2026. Stockport. Having a son living in Stockport presents a challenge; will I impose on him to put me up in his spare room after a night out in Manchester ? In honesty, I’m grateful our two lads still seem to want to meet their ancient parents so often and I wouldn’t want to… Continue reading YE OLDE VIC
HELLO STOCKPORT, GOODBYE PEP
May 2026. Stockport. Back from Romania, we dashed off to Stockport the next morning to help Matt and Emma with their move from central Manchester (Emma’s Dad had already done the hard yards) to Heaton Norris. Just look at the stress on Matt’s face on the Magnet’s balcony; Yes, we turned up just in time… Continue reading HELLO STOCKPORT, GOODBYE PEP
A HUB OF TRANSYLVANIAN CRAFT ? I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUJ
May 2026. Cluj. Romania. I could write far more about Cluj’s architecture, but you’ve got the idea by now. How about the bars ? All the attractive looking cafes in the cobbles off the main square seem to have a craft beer in a can; I really liked Opium by Cluj’s Hophead Brewery in Brasseria… Continue reading A HUB OF TRANSYLVANIAN CRAFT ? I HAVEN’T GOT A CLUJ
SALINA TURDA
May 2026. Turda. Romania. I’ve enjoyed spending time seeing unsung Romania, away from Dracula and the bears and the brewery taps. The cities are colourful, spotless and efficient, though of course efficient isn’t always a good thing in itself. By far the biggest “tourist attraction” round here are the old salt mines of Turdu, half… Continue reading SALINA TURDA
CLUJ DAYS 2026
May 2026. Cluj. Transylvania. Another nervy wait for a mini-bus at Targu Mures bus station, regretting that morning craft beer/coffee combo before a 2 hour trip to Cluj to complete our Romanian road trip. It’s not so much that the buses don’t turn up (eventually); it’s not knowing when they’ll turn up, and where there’ll… Continue reading CLUJ DAYS 2026
TOTAL TARGU MURES
May 2026. Targu Mures. Transylvania. Targu Mures was the surprise of our Romanian week, as classy as anywhere we’ve been in Europe, and in the Palace of Culture (£5) you’ve one of Europe’s undiscovered gems. A startling collection of stained glass, three floors of modern art with obligatory pretentious narrative, and a concert hall with… Continue reading TOTAL TARGU MURES
MAY ’26 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
A month after the relief of selling Sunnyside, the joy of seeing Matt and Emma move to Stockport. I am so jealous. Forty-four pubs (plus whatever in Romania) in May, not a dud among them, though that heatwave was affecting cask quality this last week. Next week CAMRA scraps the centuries old beer scoring system,… Continue reading MAY ’26 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
A LAST KISS BEFORE THE TOWER
May 2026. Târgu Mureș. Central Romania. An early night in Medias, before a 6am start on Wednesday morning . Only (great) coffee and ice cream on sale at the kiosk at the Autogare before the early bus to Târgu Mureș, where we arrive with early check-in at Pensiunea Select Central (£40) for reasons I can’t… Continue reading A LAST KISS BEFORE THE TOWER
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