retiredmartin

What a beautiful week we’ve had here in the UK. Unless you live in Glasgow, presumably.

Rotherham never looked so lovely, and I’m not even being sarcastic.

I’d picked the Fitzwilliam in Parkgate (£37) because it was cheap ideally placed for the Rawmarsh Two and on the doorstep of the Parkgate metro.

Parkgate is basically a giant retail park (Primark !) and light industrial unit with a brand new stop on the Sheffield Supertram network.

But it’s not Sheffield, oh no, as the gent found out when trying to use his Sheffield Area ticket. Luckily the tram wasn’t moving very fast when he was kicked off.

But tonight I took in the South Yorkshire air and walked the Don.

Yes, it was crowded empty, and yes, you wouldn’t do this in the dark.

But there’s duck ponds and scriptural art. And what is life if not duck ponds and scriptural art ?

In town. it’s all about the churches and the Spoons.

From here you’re on the cusp of the New York quarter and its eponymous stadium, but I headed into the centre for my thrills.

I bet even Maidenhead would have looked good on this night.

If you’re after a good comparator, think Wigan. If you’ve never been to Wigan…

No new pubs, so your GBG choice is the gorgeous Chantry places or the Spoons.

Despite my having used up my quarter’s 50p vouchers, I chose the Bluecoat.

The beer was superb nearly 20 years ago when it opened, and the Elland 1872 Porter was another NBSS 4 tonight.

No voucher, but on “VAT reduction” day it was only £1.97 anyway.

Bliss it was in that sunset to be alive.