retiredmartin

May 2026. Whitby. A stunning walk along the Whitby coast, arriving back in town to discover Eddi hadn’t been yet. I can’t get my head round gigs 6 months in the future for artists and audience as old as we are. Planning 6 days ahead is my limit. The smart hotels on the cliff top… Continue reading NO RIFF RAFF IN THE ROYAL

May 2026. Whitby. Too many pub crawls artisanally curated exploration of public houses over-focus on beer and miss the point of visiting pubs. Always visit a Sam Smiths pub over a pokey micro called “11 o’clock craft bock” or something. Equally, never forget why you’re in Whitby, rather than Wokingham, say, or Walsham. You’ve come… Continue reading THE GORGEOUS WHITBY COASTLINE (PINT OF THEAKSTON OPTIONAL)

May 2026. Whitby. Whitby was busy enough for a Goth-free Wednesday in May, enough to keep the cake shops, and the pubs ticking over, though of course Sam Smiths pubs close for reasons unrelated to trade. “Still seeking a management COUPLE” says the advert for the Jolly Sailors, and that couple won’t be Mrs RM… Continue reading OBSERVING HUMPHREY’S RULES IN THE PLOUGH

May 2026. Whitby. Dave “US Dave” turned up just as Stafford Paul were contemplating the merits of the pubs across Whitby harbour. Slightly reduced merits these days in the Duke of York and the Board, as Whitby has gone full-on “small pub”. But our Wednesday was very “proper”, four pubs outside the GBG, starting at… Continue reading WHITBY’S STAR

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