A drunken wasp, surely, says Russ. Who knows. Before I start, the exciting news that my preview copy* of the new GBG (due for publication in October) arrived today via Ocado; Unless you’re one of my Patronised readers I’m afraid it’s embargoed, but I may dripfeed a few highlights. All I’ll say now is, they’ll… Continue reading “CAN I INTEREST YOU IN A DRUNK WASP ?”
Month: August 2020
DORSET SAYS “KEEP OUT !”
Two days in Dorset in the campervan. Coffee on tap, new road atlas bought from the Works bookshop in Basingstoke (ugh !) on the way, two days not being nagged about the garden. Like That Devon, Dorset delights in the unusual place names that thrill our readers. Sandford Orcas, Chilton Cantele, Yeovil… Sandford looks gorgeous,… Continue reading DORSET SAYS “KEEP OUT !”
ONE CASK BEER IS PLENTY
I’m enjoying BRAPA’s latest haul of ticks in the South-east, but also rather jealous. There’s hardly ANYWHERE I could go and visit six new pubs by train today. So I’m using my spare days to do a bit of father and son bonding; Dad on Monday, Son on Tuesday. James had to retake his Driving… Continue reading ONE CASK BEER IS PLENTY
IN SEARCH OF IPA
I’ll try to make this trip to a plain Greene King Cambridge diner for a late lunch sound more interesting than it was by giving you the arty photo of the Cam. On conservative estimates, I last visited the Boathouse 32 years ago, when the back room hosted cover bands called things like “Swingin’ Sheilas… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF IPA
IN PRAISE OF THE PUBLICAN. AND HIS PIE.
I’ve been pretty positive about the return of pubs, but this week in Devon I found myself a little (silently) irritated about a few of the ways Covid compliance was being applied. No admittance without a table booking, drinkers outside only, payment via the app only. Just for the record, that makes me a prat.… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF THE PUBLICAN. AND HIS PIE.
REDCAR RENAISSANCE
One of the world’s great views next. Crook, Hartlepool, Redcar…., what treats for you. It’s over four years since I made it to Redcar, and that was for an Ember Inn. Before that it was Spoons. So only fair that a micro gets the visit this time. Last time I noted the number of day-trippers… Continue reading REDCAR RENAISSANCE
HANG THE MONKEY
Never let it be said that us pub bloggers don’t take you on the road less travelled, eschewing honeypot UK. Simon is in bucolic Bromley, Duncan just back from Estonia, a suburb of Kilmarnock I think, and of course Life After Football is STILL struggling to find his way out of Coalville. I was in… Continue reading HANG THE MONKEY
GREAT TO BE BACK IN CROOK
Another successful weekend in the North-East (when isn’t it), though again I failed to drop in and catch the estimable Landlady and Landlord of your favourite Durham micro. My tick was in Crook, which you’ll remember from that time I was filling the Lockdown with posts about Amateur Cup Finals, at which Crook Town were… Continue reading GREAT TO BE BACK IN CROOK
LE67
BeerMat, who knows these things, tells us that Pfeffel has been in Coalville this week. We don’t know whether he found time for a Doom Bar in the Monkey Walk or a Pedi in the home of the UK’s most infamous golliwog. Legally, I should leave LE67 to BeerMat., who has exclusive rights to sell… Continue reading LE67
STREET DRINKING
Emma and Matt gave James and myself a guided tour of Manchester in August ’20. Gave ME a tour. I AM Mr. Manchester (joking, I think it’s a cob). I liked that; it’s a while since anyone gave me a tour. I think the last one were the tunnels below Nuremberg Castle. Baa Baa Toure… Continue reading STREET DRINKING