We left our teenage sons in the care of their overjoyed Grandparents and shot off for a romantic (i.e. drunken) night in Glossop. It turned out to be the wettest, but probably the best night of the year, apart from IndyMan/Jane Weaver of course. Even my wife couldn’t place Glossop on the map, and she’s been… Continue reading GLOSSOP IN THE RAIN

Just back from Glossop (report to follow), and a chance to show Mrs RM how Manchester has changed in the year since her last Christmas shopping binge in the Arndale. After a night on the craft in Glossop, I thought she’d appreciate a quick schooner in the Piccadilly Tap, as the one in Euston has… Continue reading NEW & NEWER IN PICCADILLY

Mrs RM is getting the hang of our day trips now.  She gets to go to unheralded parts of the country and drink beer, as long as she walks a few miles when we get there.  I get to define “a few”, and to cross off a pub or two from my giant Beer Guide… Continue reading BOHEMIA IN BARNET

WARNING TO NON ACCOUNTANTS – CONTAINS SPREADSHEETS I’ve been asked about my travel itinerary, possibly on the mistaken belief that I’m literally on a permanent journey. I do have a home, much as I resist being stuck in it for any period of time. I don’t plan much into the future, trying to align fine waking weather, Eurostar/Ryanair/hotel… Continue reading AN ITINERARY

Despite Basingstoke*, I rate Hampshire as highly as any County, if I can’t call Greater Manchester a County. The big cities are surprisingly good cultural centres, St Mary’s and Fratton Park are great, contrasting, places to watch football. Ignore the New Forest; walks around the commons, downs and valleys of Yateley, Whitchurch and Swanmore are varied and feel… Continue reading FULLERS & WATERCRESS

    West London between Brentford and Windsor is a bit of a struggle for me to rave about. The odd Spoons shop conversion apart, only a few very dull Fullers pubs have made the Beer Guide over the year. Even Brentford doesn’t seem quite the beery paradise it did five or so years ago, when… Continue reading AN OTTER FAR FROM HOME

  A couple of days in Hampshire, taking advantage of some sunshine by the coast. Accor Hotels are my new hotel friends; some of  their Ibis Budget range are going for £30 or less, and not just on Sundays. Last week I attended the funeral of a friend from our church, who in his youth… Continue reading POMPEY CHIMES

The Vale of Belvoir is the small but posh bit between Grantham, Melton Mowbray and Bingham, and so a bit of the 3 dullest East Midlands counties.  It’s relatively hilly, at least where the castle is perched, but would appear very flat to anyone north of Belper. There’s been a Beer Guide pub in virtually… Continue reading IT’S PRONOUNCED BEAVER