“You need to slow down, retiredmartin”
Oh.
And that wasn’t even the whole of it.
But that map of September travels shows a relentless focus on the South-West (4 trips), and the Plague-lands of the North. And Preston, which is a law unto itself.
With clusters of new GBG pubs now as rare as good news on the BBC, I only managed thirty-eight (38) new Guide “ticks” from 68 visits.
Just enough to clear Hampshire, Lancashire and Northumberland in this unexpected Indian Summer of GBG20.
Just for Duncan, here’s a sneak preview of The Spreadsheet.
NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS
Grief, no football or live music for six months now.
Despite the masks,
and the rules I continue to (accidentally) break, I still enjoyed the pubbing this month.
As always, pub staff are the stars, coping incredibly well against the odds. No more so than in Portishead;
PUB OF THE MONTH – The Ship, Portishead
Old School landlord, tremendous Bass, and some gorgeous walks.
Return visit of the month was to the Piper in less gorgeous Kettering, though I caught that in the right light.
BEER OF THE MONTH – Sorry Robbie’s, it’s Plum Porter in Preston
OCTOBER PREVIEW
The big plan was to spend the autumn in a series of Highland Clearances, but Mrs RM’s non-stop work schedule and those family dramas of Summer scuppered those thoughts.
Frankly I reckons Wales and Scotland are best left till the virus has left; I’d hate to have to isolate for a fortnight in Carluke or Caersws. Or would I ?
So I’ll probably focus on trying to get as much of England done as I can before the new GBG21 plops on the doormat, hopefully before the plebs get it with my Priority status counting for something.
Some wonderful views this month. Eskdale looks outstanding.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Isolated in Maidenhead….
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wouldn’t mind being isolated in Caersws, three decent pubs to choose from. Marginally more civilized curfew in Wales too, bar shuts at 10.00, chucking out by 10.30.
LikeLike
Fair enough, Cwmbran then.
LikeLike
Ooh no!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Actually, looking back I see I’ve done the Bush, Mount Pleasant and the Spoons there and they were ALL good !
LikeLike
Bill,
I remember the Unicorn as a proper lively pub many years ago.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“With clusters of new GBG pubs now as rare as good news on the BBC”
(slow golf clap)
“I only managed thirty-eight (38) new Guide “ticks” from 68 visits.”
Don’t tell Si that! He’s in his cups as it is for only getting 23 ticks in September.
“NATURAL HIGHLIGHTS”
Teignmouth slightly edges out Eskdale.
“BEER OF THE MONTH – Sorry Robbie’s, it’s Plum Porter in Preston”
This is my shocked face. (LOL)
“Frankly I reckons Wales and Scotland are best left till the virus has left”
Agreed. But… will it ever leave? 😉
“So I’ll probably focus on trying to get as much of England done as I can”
England! (hums one of the many patriotic songs)
Cheers!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Will the virus ever leave ? Dunno, but it’ll be something else after that like escaped zoo animals that stop you visiting.
LikeLike
“You need to slow down”.
I’ve always been puzzled by arbitrary, self-imposed obligation. To me the proposition “life is short therefore one must do a lot of travelling” is no more logical than “the atomic number of lithium is four, therefore one should do a great deal of knitting”, or “Paris is the capital of France, so people should take less sleep”. I’m quite happy with stuff like “it is often cold and rains, therefore one should live in a house” on the other hand.
Mrs. E does have me down as on some sort of spectrum, mind.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I see your logic (I don’t really).
I’m sure I have a medical condition that makes me go mad if I stay at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Madder?
LikeLiked by 1 person
He rose, he madder, he rose, he madder.
Cultural reference for the ’90s indie kids there.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Think I’ve still got my 48k Spectrum in a box somewhere.
LikeLike
*Li – AN3
LikeLike
Is that a chemistry reference ? I don’t even know what H20 means.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rip off of J20.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Is it cheaper than J20 though ?
LikeLike
No, apparently there’s a lot of extra expense removing that fruit flavouring.
LikeLike
I remember TV’s the late Fred Dibnah’s remarking, after toiling away, that he was “so thirsty that he could drink anything”.
“Shall I get you a glass of water?” Asked a waggish chum.
“Ooh no thank you!” came the immediate reply.
LikeLike
Whilst I’m more than a little envious of the places you have visited, and the sights you have seen, the amount of driving involved with all those miles travelled, doesn’t appeal at all.
Some might say, that it’s not very “Green” either, but as it makes you happy, and keeps us all entertained, I’m sure it’s all worth it.
The line about making and keeping people happy, is the most important thing here, because at the moment, we all could do with more happiness in our lives.
If we can make ourselves happy, whilst spreading that happiness amongst our fellow human beings, this can only be a good thing, so please keep these posts and reports coming in.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yes, I feel guilty about the driving, but I won’t be doing any more flights to compensate, Paul.
I enjoy the driving. Which is just as well. And I’m probably the happiest person in the world apart from Mrs RM. who is of course married to me.
LikeLiked by 1 person