Well, I’ve just seen stop the Scouse bus wreckers denied the title (again) so am very happy. Here’s the highlight from the afternoon’s nerve-shredding action* at the Etihad. I’ll be honest; the last few months have been very stressful seeing City’s lead slipped away and I’ve let the blog slip a bit, too. But I’m… Continue reading Oh Noes ! Doom Bar off in Lampeter
THE TRAIL TO TREGARON
The Great Western Tickathon continued after breakfast at the Seven Stars as we left the outskirts of Builth for the great forests beyond Beulah. The trail through Nant Irfon consists of a drovers track though logging works, with steep drops on either side and suicidal sheep blocking your ascent. It’s not a place you want… Continue reading THE TRAIL TO TREGARON
PUB LIFE, ABEREDW
More unpronounceable (if you can’t pronounce them) Welsh villages, as we leave a fully-ticked Herefordshire a fortnight ago for our Room at the Inn. I used to use that CAMRA guidebook to £45 B & B pubs in the 90s, before the internet made books redundant. We tend to mix up the nights in a… Continue reading PUB LIFE, ABEREDW
MY HEREFORDSHIRE GBG COMPLETION IS IN THE BALANCE. LUSTIN’ AFTER LUSTON
I know that some of you, fellow completists perhaps, can’t get enough of these little pinked in Beer Guide extracts, and neither can Mrs RM who’s determined to get me round the remote corners of the UK. I know this because the landlady tells me at length about the challenges of running a rural pub,… Continue reading MY HEREFORDSHIRE GBG COMPLETION IS IN THE BALANCE. LUSTIN’ AFTER LUSTON
SHROPSHIRE HAS FALLEN….A (HAMPTON) LOADE OFF MY MIND
A few miles downstream of Bridgnorth lies Hampton Loade, home to my final Salopian tick of GBG22. Hampton Loade sounds like a posh bit of south Shropshire, doesn’t it, and I vaguely recall the station as a stop on the Thomas the Tank Engine steam train (32 guineas each way, I believe). The route down… Continue reading SHROPSHIRE HAS FALLEN….A (HAMPTON) LOADE OFF MY MIND
A BRIDGNORTH JOULE
The Great Marches Meander took us over bucolic Corvedale via Much Wenlock to Bridgnorth. Not many pubs, not many people. It’s an essential trip. As is Bridgnorth, which despite providing me with thirteen (13) GBG ticks (and a Spoons) over the years I hadn’t visited the place in six years since a wonderful night of… Continue reading A BRIDGNORTH JOULE
NO BASS IN ALL STRETTON, BUT I DON’T MYND
I’m targeting a minimum of twelve (12) new GBG ticks a week now, with some problematic overseas ticking to come, so it’s imperative we make an early start to get to those midday openers on time. Which is fine if you don’t have make-up to apply and search for electronic devices before you hit the… Continue reading NO BASS IN ALL STRETTON, BUT I DON’T MYND
THE THREE TUNS – A TON OF FUN
Some of you have expressed your concern for Baa Baa Toure’s welfare after his “close association” with Colin the Cauliflower in the Three Cranes. Rest assured, he’s been thoroughly decontaminated. Press “PLAY” now for the action-packed video (children should seek parental guidance first). The sixth and final York pub of the day was another BRAPA-approved… Continue reading THE THREE TUNS – A TON OF FUN
AT LAST ! THE PUB LEGENDS MEET IN THE THREE CRANES
Looks like our BRAPA hasn’t bothered telling you about our emotional catch-up in York two weeks ago, either because a) he only writes about GBG ticking or b) he’s embarrassed by me. Or John or c) we’re such good company he failed to take any notes. Anyway, he seemed pleased enough to meet up on… Continue reading AT LAST ! THE PUB LEGENDS MEET IN THE THREE CRANES
UP AND OVER THE WALLS TO THE SLIP INN
Three pubs into the Great York Tuesday Topeathon (?) and time for me to stretch my legs on the walls while John has a Spoons lunch (Manager’s Special Curry, apparently). The Micklegate Bar Spoons is clearly at a key location in the city as the walls have been built just outside its doors, in fact… Continue reading UP AND OVER THE WALLS TO THE SLIP INN
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