Probably an inadvisable title, but an irresistible one. Unless you can think of a better one. “Going off to croak in Basingstoke ” maybe ? Perhaps I’d be better off giving it the unofficial title of “Greater Hartley Wintney” But I come to praise the Base (as the kids call it), and the newish Premier… Continue reading AN OLD SOAK IN BASINGSTOKE
Month: June 2018
ITCHIN’ OVER THE ITCHEN
Reaching the end of the night now, via a scenic walk from Portswood to Woolston. You can follow my exciting journey below (the Pompey blue line). I’m sure you’ll know the point in a crawl when you consider going in a pub just because it looks interesting. So it was with the Hobbit. I… Continue reading ITCHIN’ OVER THE ITCHEN
MURKY, MICRO, MAGNIFICENT
Leaving night-time Southampton for quirky residential Southampton takes me past a mere 127 takeaways, and the famous “Portsmouth Child Turned To Stone” exhibit, arriving at the Bookshop Alehouse just in time to claim a seat (a bit of a rarity for a micro on a Friday). As per usual, I walked past it twice, mistaking… Continue reading MURKY, MICRO, MAGNIFICENT
LURED IN BY SOUTHAMPTON SPOONS. AND CRAFT.
Completing the Good Beer Guide requires professionalism and an ability not to be swayed by temptations outside the True Path. Just ask Pubmeister. So no Beer Festivals, no Proper Pub crawls round places you’ve done before, and definitely no bottles of DIPA at home. And pre-emptive ticks only if their presence in the next… Continue reading LURED IN BY SOUTHAMPTON SPOONS. AND CRAFT.
THE SAINTS ARE COMING
An uneventful trip from Fratton to Southampton, though sadly I failed to log in to the free WiFi to check availability of tickets for the big show next week. Oddly, looking at the flyer I was reminded that Micky Quinn used to play for Portsmouth Southampton is always a slight let down after Pompey, lacking… Continue reading THE SAINTS ARE COMING
SOUTHSEA’S (BELLE) ISLE OF LOST SOULS
The photo above was taken just before 4pm on Friday, in the Meat & Barrel on Southsea‘s main shopping street. Look on the bright side; at least it wasn’t called Sant Yago. Or John Lewis. It’s one of the two new Guide entries in Southsea, neither of which has a mobility scooter outside or… Continue reading SOUTHSEA’S (BELLE) ISLE OF LOST SOULS
POMPEY ! PRESLEY ! PUMPS ! PISH !
Petersfield endured, it was onto a bumper Hampshire derby showcasing the best and worst of the South coast. Starting in Pompey, which isn’t short of pubs. An admission. I was a teenage Pompey fan during the glory years (Div 4); an attachment based seemingly only on a visit to a Chichester convent and Bognor Regis… Continue reading POMPEY ! PRESLEY ! PUMPS ! PISH !
THE PETERSFIELD PROBLEM
A weekend away from the lovely Mrs RM in Portsmouth to clear the ten Hampshire Beer Guide entries, working WiFi and a tenner for Chinese takeaway; that’s my definition of FUN. Shame that one of those ten was in Petersfield. Some towns have a lot more Beer guide pubs than you’d expect, based on size… Continue reading THE PETERSFIELD PROBLEM
ANNOYED RETIRED MARTIN – RETURN VISIT
Those of you who enjoy the torment of us pub tickers finding pubs unexpectedly closed are going to love this. A successful (in ticking terms) couple of days in Wiltshire was to conclude with the attractive sounding Cross Keys in Corsley. Tucked safely away from the Killing Fields of Frome, albeit worryingly close to the… Continue reading ANNOYED RETIRED MARTIN – RETURN VISIT
“EXPERIMENTAL” BEERS IN THE TEST VALLEY
First of all, an apology to anyone who didn’t get to read “An old soak in Basingstoke” before it mysteriously disappeared from my site last night. It was one of my best, probably selling for 88p on the dark net. I blame the Russians. Or Russ. Or Basingstoke Tourist Office. If I can be bothered… Continue reading “EXPERIMENTAL” BEERS IN THE TEST VALLEY
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