That pic above is of me, descending the steps to the Underbanks to a secret vault where I’ll be collecting the correct answers to my “Guess my favourite counties competition“, now into its 7th year.
The tension is growing in London (North-West), Bedfordshire and the Kingdom of Fife. Are they in my Top 2 ?
You may be surprised by what came second…
Runner-up, despite the finest collection of pubs in the world, some in a nice neat row to minimise travelling time.
Despite the beauty of the Boar and the Peveril and the Piccadilly Spoons.
And despite my love for the gritty, ever changing urban landscapes of Manchester, Stockport and Rochdale.
But 2nd is still 32 places above pretenders like Norfolk.
Perhaps cask OBB in Sinclair’s could make the difference next year.
And perhaps I won’t knock half a mark off for Quosh’s dress sense.
And perhaps I’ll feel even more inclined toward Manchester when the gigs come back.
But till the virus wipes its little feet on the way out, you’ll just have to make do with pubs with food, and Indian cafes,
and Bury and Wigan’s unique culinary contributions to the world.
Meanwhile, dream of a time when you can pop in the Hare & Hounds for a pint. Just a pint.
Oh, and if you’re needing a hair cut….
And yes, I DO know you’re in Cheshire, Stocky.
retiredmartin 
The folk in Argyll and the Isles think they’ve got Number 1 in the bag, don’t they ?
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Any supposed county that allows the destruction of a fine institution as the Jolly Angler should be immediately disqualified from competitions such as this. Even if they do contain butter pies and Mahraba.
By the way, if the East Riding of Yorkshire does not win then I may not be responsible for my actions. We have the Withernsea indoor lighthouse, we have the aeroplane factory at Brough, we have the exit from Lincolnshire. We are superior.
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You also have Nelly’s 😄
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T’other Mudgie,
Ah yes, the Nellies that Tim Webb famously got confused with Betties of Harrogate.
Maybe he should stick to commenting about Belgium.
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That’s a bit like confusing Winters with Harrods.
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Well yes.
I never used the Green Man in Harrods . At £4.50 eleven years ago I had no intention of finding out how the Pride was drinking. It could never have ben the proper down to earth pub that Winters was and I’m not surprised it’s closed.
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Indeed, Mudgie, the bounty of wonders in the East Riding is almost endless. Nelly’s is almost certainly the best of the range of Humphrey’s establishments, but one mustn’t forget the Blue Bell, my earliest Hull pub memory and often overlooked.
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Tom,
I scarcely know Hull pubs but that’s with a few weeks during 1974 at the Hull Brewery and not really wanting any more beer after work.
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North-East Wales a total shoe-in then. They’ll be dancing in the streets of Bwlchgwyn.
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Spooky. I was there on my birthday https://retiredmartin.com/2020/01/07/a-birthday-lunch-in-bwlchgwyn/
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What can possibly top this county? Amazing photos. And the people and the food!
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I struggled here; too many photos really. But you know and love it anyway. There are great walks too, particularly in Saddleworth.
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On the top photo you were seconds short of walking over the Queens Head that extends under the steps.
I am surprised Gtr Manchester isn’t top of your list but Humphrey won’t mind putting cask OBB on in Sinclair’s for next year.
Can Edinburgh, Liverpool, London or Maidenhead really be better ?
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Yes, I think that Maidenhead really could be better than it is now.
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Good that you recognise there are three pubs in a row on Kennedy Street, not just two as often supposed 😊
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Yes, I recognise the Spoons as a pub instead of a den of iniquity and political indoctrination as sometimes supposed.
Oh, you mean the Vine. That was in the Beer Guide a few years ago and was perfectly good.
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You painted manchester all pink. Salute you, sir.
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Yes, it’s all pink. Stuff your green pen nonsense.
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Some stunning photos there Martin, reminding me that a re-visit to Manchester, which was long overdue even before lock-down, is now even higher on my list, once this virus nonsense is out of the way!
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The suspense is killing me. You must have agonized over this decision.
My wife had to cut my hair because I am not allowed to go to Manchester.
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I realise Manchester and Stockport are more photogenic but surely a man of your talents with camera and words can make Leigh and Wigan look sexy then next time you write about “Greater Manchester”?
Well maybe not Wigan, you’re not a God Tier beer blogger, just yet.
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I didn’t want to offend the folk who know those 2 are Lancashire, and only put Stocky in to upset Mudgie.
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So Cheshire’s not No.1 ?
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Just like the new GBG, that’s embargoed.
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I think I can now make a good guess what is No. 1.
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Go on…
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There’s an easy test at the moment of whether you’re in Cheshire or in Manchester.
Can you go to a pub in Stockport and buy a pint without buying a table meal?
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Who were you that far ahead of as you descended the stairs?
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“No, it’s MY round” Martin had just insisted as he rushed ahead into the Sam Smiths pub, £6 change at the ready. .
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Too true. Last year Simon and I fought over who got to buy the round in the Trafalgar Bay when it was £2 a pint. Simon won.
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Tsk. I bet it was like one of those students’ union beer mat-skimming battles all over again…
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“That pic above is of me, descending the steps to the Underbanks to a secret vault where I’ll be collecting the correct answers to my “Guess my favourite counties competition“, now into its 7th year.”
And, every time you check the vault, there’s nothing there. 🙂
“some in a nice neat row to minimise travelling time.”
But don’t they have that tram thingy to alleviate that?
“and the Peveril”
I know that one! (from you lot of course)
“Perhaps cask OBB in Sinclair’s could make the difference next year.”
Dream on!
“and Bury and Wigan’s unique culinary contributions to the world.”
There’s no way I’m telling what that photo below looks like!
“Just a pint.”
(sigh)
“Oh, and if you’re needing a hair cut….”
I’ll keep that in mind if I ever make it over there! 🙂
Cheers
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Ah, Frank Sidebottom … 🙂
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Enjoying your Lockdown blog, if not Lockdown !
https://theyearwithoutwimbledon.wordpress.com/2020/11/08/lockdown-ii-week-1-november-2nd-to-8th-2020-inclusive/
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Thank you very much!
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