Despite having (checks spreadsheet) about 27.8 more pubs to write about in June, let’s bring you the monthly highlights package before Dave complains.
THE TRAVEL MAP
THE HIGHLIGHTS
As the map illustrates, a focus on the Midlands and the Pennines before a late burst across the border.
That early season localism was due to these folks;
Yes, the in-laws came up from Royal Tunbridge Wells for fourteen (14) nights and became the only other people drinking cask all month. (OK, apart from that Sheffield Hatter). By sticking to my carefully curated itinerary, they became the first people to take any notice of my advice since 1992.
We had a good time, exploring Greater Sheffield and raving about the fish and chips at Elsecar’s Milton Arms and the Eritrean grub at Beteseb.
Actually, some GREAT food in June, and some wonderful views still to bring you from Argyll and Halifax, but frankly nowhere looked as good as Manchester in midsummer when I celebrated losing my last teenager with Matt by the Islington Marina.
THE STATS
An odd month. I wasn’t happy about the in-laws fourteen (14) night trip as it would restrict my “numbers”, but with that boost in Scotland I still managed sixty-nine (69) pubs of which forty-five (45) were new GBG ticks.
And most of those were pints, because pints save pubs.
45 ticks a month is 540 a year, fact fans, the sort of run rate you need to finish the Guide in your lifetime.
Of course, those last 3 ticks in places like Ayrshire are the hardest, as Rod Stewart sang.
Anyway, I’ve had FUN, FUN, FUN, and at many times seemed oddly back to normal, albeit a bit too quiet as Beer Twitter continued to generate fake outrage and stay at home sipping sours in their onesies.
Pub of the Month – Cob & Coal, Oldham
I think this was the point I realised that there was hope for micropubs. A wonderful drinking hole, with top curry cafe next door. Oldham looked magical.
Beer of the Month – Blue Bee at the Kelham Island Tavern
Literally the last beer of the month, and I may have been influenced by the England-Germany scoreline, or the quality of the company, or the wonder of having a table to myself in the Tavern, but I scored it a 5. My crimes against conservative NBSS scoring will be tried in the Hague.
JULY PREVIEW
I really need to get cracking with Wales, where I really lag behind, but Mrs RM is bored of visiting pubs, and after Scotland who can blame her ?
retiredmartin 
I still don’t see what’s so good about eating what looks like curry off an old bit of carpet underlay!
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Yes, it does look a bit unlikely, doesn’t it ? I think ate 3 rolls of carpet that night !
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Not too bad but did you know there is another pub ticker in York? He’s doing monstrous numbers of pubs per month.
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So I hear, must meet him. But has he got the liver to sustain the challenge.
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How can you get bored of visiting pubs?
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You needed to be with me in Kirkcudbright and Cromarty, Bill. You’d have got bored of life, never mind pubs, if they’d been that rude to you !
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