I’ve been trying to use a Cyndi Lauper reference on this blog for years. “I Drove All Night (to get a half pint and kebab in Scunthorpe)” is still on my reserve list, and “She Bop” is being saved for a special occasions. But Goonies, Goolies ? Close enough. There was a huge crowd of… Continue reading THE GOOLIES “R” GOOD ENOUGH
Month: November 2019
THE DRAX FACTS
There’s been a bit of coverage of Drax Power Station lately, mainly bemoaning the loss of the Ferrybridge towers that brightened every ticker’s journey up the A1. Oddly, I’ve never seen “Visit Drax” on the Yorkshire Tourist brochures left in my hotel rooms in Harrogate, Wakefield and York. So it falls to the Good Beer… Continue reading THE DRAX FACTS
KOMMUNISTS
No, not a political comment, just a lunchstop in Sheffield before that shopping ordeal from hell. Kommune was the recommendation of the cheery micropub owner in Brimming with Beer in Brimmington, yet another Greater Chesterfield micro. I’d recommend a visit here as much for the pre-emptive picks as the Pale from Stancill, which was a… Continue reading KOMMUNISTS
THE PEAK BEFORE THE FLOODS
From Oxford I headed up to Sheffield on an errand for James involving shopping for clothes. As you’ll imagine, errands involve shopping for clothes are high on my bucket list. On a beautiful Autumn day I wove up through the area known as BeerMatLand into Matlock, looking all hilly and industrial and lovely as I… Continue reading THE PEAK BEFORE THE FLOODS
THE BULLINGDON CLUB
Yes, Oxford. No, not the Bullingdon Club with the pig “menu”. But close enough. First time in our second University city since last year, music not pubs this time. No new pubs, and nothing new in a city centre still clinging to the 1500s. You were hoping I’d go back to the Lamb & Flag,… Continue reading THE BULLINGDON CLUB
KING OF THE MANOR (PARK) – MY FIRST E12 GBG TICK
All-day gigs test your patience, don’t they ? I managed the lovely Winnie Raedler and Stoner at the Roundhouse before deciding I needed a walk and a tick. Or two. Let’s finish East London, shall we ? Overground to Stratford, past the craft enclave of Hackney Wick, then underground to Leyton. The Hammers are playing… Continue reading KING OF THE MANOR (PARK) – MY FIRST E12 GBG TICK
TOP SERVICE IN LONDON GBG DESERTS
One for my craft readers now (Hi Derek), as I tip up at Chalk Farm with an hour to kill before a Mirrors All Dayer at the Roundhouse starring all your favourite alt-indie-alt stars. As always, the GBG App is your friend, highlighting with a big red marker the recommended places in the giant swathe… Continue reading TOP SERVICE IN LONDON GBG DESERTS
SWING LOW, SWEET CLAPHAM
Autumn brings falling leaves, an England defeat in that interminable rugger tournament, and the necessity to visit South West London if I’m going to complete the GBG for the capital by Christmas. The first Saturday in November gave me an all-day gig in Camden, with just enough time to brave Clapham. Or £10.45 for a… Continue reading SWING LOW, SWEET CLAPHAM
WATERBEACH CONTEMPLATES THE HEAD ON THE BEER
It’s a shame the Southworths missed the chance to visit my local on their visit last year. When they, inevitably come back they’ll find Waterbeach a beery boom town village. Not only is The Sun deservedly back in the Guide and selling “interesting” beer, the Brewery Tap was serving Landlord this week, the White… Continue reading WATERBEACH CONTEMPLATES THE HEAD ON THE BEER
MAGICAL CHANGES IN DEBENHAM
Debenham, not Debenhams, though there was a House of Fraser in the GBG in Darlington once. Odd GBG history in Darlo. This is the Debenham that sits uneasily at the heart of Mid Suffolk, a mere five miles from Ed Sheeran-owned Framlingham. Fears that Ed has given up his burgeoning musical career to retire to… Continue reading MAGICAL CHANGES IN DEBENHAM
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