No pubs on my Wednesday stop in Sheffield, which seems a bit of a national scandal. Just a long drive back from The (true) North with a veggie curry, a hot chocolate and an 1-0 win in the Cup. When you see it like that, it doesn’t seem very far to deepest Scotland. Only 7hrs… Continue reading SHEFFIELD ON A WEDNESDAY
Month: March 2020
WIGGED OUT IN WIGTOWN
My last night in Dumfries & Galloway, a revelation in terms of the scenery and some much better beer than I expected in the first week of March in Scotland. No GBG pubs in Wigtown, but an essential visit to explore Scotland’s book town. Smaller than Hay on Wye, but you’re less likely to bump… Continue reading WIGGED OUT IN WIGTOWN
“I can’t understand why Stranraer lie so lowly”
And finally, we arrive at the highlight of my short Southern Scottish saunter. NO-ONE had given me a good word about Stranraer, so you’ll know how Maidenhead feels now after Mrs RM and I dissed it. But, like Peterlee and Peterhead and Peterborough (there’s a theme here) that negativity only made me want to visit… Continue reading “I can’t understand why Stranraer lie so lowly”
PORTPATRICK – THE QUIET BEFORE THE BORIS BRIDGE
More holiday snaps from what felt like a forgotten corner of the UK, albeit one that will shortly see holidaymakers flocking in their millions to the Boris Bridge tentatively scheduled for early summer, which will make my ticking in Northern Ireland easier. Portpatrick is one of a select band of places in Wigtownshire with real… Continue reading PORTPATRICK – THE QUIET BEFORE THE BORIS BRIDGE
DRUMMORE – LIVING LA JOE DOLCE VITA
3rd March 2020 More brave exploration, a first-ever trip to the Rhins of Galloway, the bit in the South-West of Scotland that looks a bit like Italy. Just as I was drafting this postI noticed this tweet from the Great Tand, whose family come from Drummore. @NHS_Martin More spelling. pic.twitter.com/qsHY4rmg70 — Tandleman (@tandleman) March 8,… Continue reading DRUMMORE – LIVING LA JOE DOLCE VITA
NO SCARES ON ISLE OF WHITHORN
Getting into uncharted territory now, as I finally make Page 237 of the Navigator. In Windermere I met two blokes in their 30s who had never been to Wales (Wales !), let alone Bewdley and Ironbridge whose floods we were discussing, so I don’t feel too bad about never having made it to Isle of… Continue reading NO SCARES ON ISLE OF WHITHORN
DON’T DILLY DALLY IN (ST. JOHN’S TOWN OF) DALRY
3rd March 2020 Mrs RM has been a bit poorly, confined to her sickbed the last two days while I bring her Scottish pancakes, aubergine stir fry and black coffee. She’ll recover, and was devastated that my trip to sup Bass in Burton yesterday was cancelled. Thank you for your best wishes; I’ll survive. Just… Continue reading DON’T DILLY DALLY IN (ST. JOHN’S TOWN OF) DALRY
LANGWATHBY PUTS retiredmartin IN THE CORNER
And there’s more. An excellent day and a bit which took a big bite out of the Cumbrian GBG apple, and you know how vital it is to complete that before Si. More solid proper names like Kirkoswald and Langwathby; each with their own picturesque station. Great news for BRAPA. A really great bit of… Continue reading LANGWATHBY PUTS retiredmartin IN THE CORNER
NO “A” IN FETHERSTON
Still in Kirkoswald, with the Fetherston looking rather inviting, despite having more foliage than the Crown. Foliage often means a menu comprising “with a ragout of”. FACT. But it looks just as “locals pub” as the Crown, perhaps more so. Competition for the “Best beer mat display in Kirkoswald 2020” award is fierce. It had… Continue reading NO “A” IN FETHERSTON
KIRKOSWALD BEER MAT HEAVEN AT THE CROWN
More places you’ve never heard of, this time a gorgeous little village of 901 with TWO (2) GBG on either side of the road. Kirkoswald is in the heart of the Eden Valley (aka Lake District-lite), where apparently I have relatives, possibly in the Waterbeach rather than legal sense of the world. The only bit… Continue reading KIRKOSWALD BEER MAT HEAVEN AT THE CROWN
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