I plotted my big pre Christmas tour on Bing Maps last night. If you look at it with a squint you can imagine it clearly resembles BRAPA taking a leak at Newark station. From Durham I said hello to the Angel, and whizzed along the A69 towards the Wall. Or as Simon calls it, the… Continue reading OVER THE (HADRIAN’S) WALL
Month: December 2019
DOUBLE MAXIM, A SINGLE IN DURHAM
The plan after Swalwell had been to jump off in Chester-le-Street and tick the irritating Masonic Club with its 7.30pm opening and initiation rules. But some trains from Newcastle neglect C-l-S, pronounced Le Street, and I cut my losses at 10. Durham is marvellous, isn’t it? My niece’s boyfriend is doing a Post Grad there,… Continue reading DOUBLE MAXIM, A SINGLE IN DURHAM
ALL’S NOT WELL IN SWALWELL (LOST IN A SUPERMARKET)
Greetings from the most chaotic Starbucks in the UK, one of New Brighton’s most exciting features. At least the WiFi signal will hold up long enough to do this short post to complete Tyne & Wear in the picturesque Gateshead suburb of Swalwell. Picturesque compared to the Gomorrah of the Metrocentre, where hordes of late… Continue reading ALL’S NOT WELL IN SWALWELL (LOST IN A SUPERMARKET)
I’m gonna leave old Durham Town. When I’ve finished my Landlord.
Well, it’s been a great birthday (did I mention it) so far and I haven’t been stabbed in New Brighton yet. Can I sneak a Chinese takeaway back to my £18.94 room? There has been Bass. Just in case you wondered, this is the itinerary for The Birthday Week, so far. Wednesday – Durham Thursday… Continue reading I’m gonna leave old Durham Town. When I’ve finished my Landlord.
SUPER SOUTH SHIELDS
Happy Birthday to me! I get to do 10 minute posts in Starbucks near St Asaphs. Back to the Grand Tour of the North. You can just about see South Shields in the top right hand corner of the map I used last time, so it’ll do again. A quick search of my own blog… Continue reading SUPER SOUTH SHIELDS
AFTERWORK PERK IN RYHOPE
You’ve joined me on my near week long pre-Christmas crawl round The North (and Wales), getting pubs done before they shut for the whole of January to combat Dry****** or because snow makes them inaccessible. I start on the edge of Sunderland with a confession. Ryhope has a world-renowned Engines Museum that I know you’d… Continue reading AFTERWORK PERK IN RYHOPE
A STOKE STUMBLE
Enough of the recent present, here’s the recent past. It’s Stoke ! The Beer and Pubs Forum have been at their AGM in Maidenhead debating future Proper Days Out. Newcastle-under-Lyme has everything to commend it apart from a train station, something we can’t blame entirely on former resident M, Lawrenson. I suggested walking from Stoke… Continue reading A STOKE STUMBLE
(ALMOST) LIVE BLOGGING FROM THE GOYT ON BLACK EYE FRIDAY
Back in January reader Fred (not Flintstone) asked for a live blog. I definitely did one, but I can’t remember what it was, which suggests it was rubbish. But never give up. Here’s a nearly live blog from my last Derbyshire GBG tick in the Goyt valley this evening. I couldn’t post it in the… Continue reading (ALMOST) LIVE BLOGGING FROM THE GOYT ON BLACK EYE FRIDAY
HORSLEY SAYS DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
The Good Beer Guide taketh, the Good Beer Guide giveth. For every identikit modern beerbarmicrotap in a run of dull shops there’s an unexpected Proper Pub in wonderful Amber Valley countryside. Horsley Woodhouse has given us the wondrous Old Oak,where Si went a bit maudlin on me this year. Not much chance of being maudlin… Continue reading HORSLEY SAYS DON’T WORRY, BE HAPPY
ASHBOURNE – 3rd TIME LUCKY
Just a few more posts and you’ll have caught up with me, suffering for you in a £24 Guest House with faulty locks in Workington. In complete contrast to Workington, here’s a pashmina craft bar in Ashbourne. I’d attempted Maison du Biere TWICE already, the first causing some anguish. The second visit, which I won’t… Continue reading ASHBOURNE – 3rd TIME LUCKY
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