It was a good, clean, race. But I was ALWAYS going to beat BRAPA to the completion of West Yorkshire. Just like F1, that’s not because I’m the better ticker; Simon is streets ahead on determination, grit and volume of marker pens. Just as Verstappen has the race official on his side, I have time.… Continue reading HOT TODDY
Month: December 2021
THE FIRST 2021 AIRING OF “STOP THE CAVALRY”
Well, probably not, I bet they’ve been playing it since September 5th in Sheffield Dunelm, but my first “Stop the Cavalry” came last Thursday on the western edges of Bradford, which are very lovely. Out on the wiley, windy moors described by Kate Bush in her book made famous by DJ Bronte I stood, surprised… Continue reading THE FIRST 2021 AIRING OF “STOP THE CAVALRY”
BLACK PUDDING. “A HOT ONE ?”
As night follows days and lockdown follows opening up, so Bury follows Ramsbottom. This post would have been about a new brewery owned bar in Bury, but sadly their website and Facebook had different opening hours to the ones pinned on their front door, Martin Luther style. I told them their hours were wrong, and… Continue reading BLACK PUDDING. “A HOT ONE ?”
RAMSBOTTOM AND “The Odious Loathsome Sin of Drunkenness”
Another year, another lone new entry in charming Ramsbottom, the Dronfield of the West. I have no idea if that’s true, haven’t been to Dronfield for years. The trip north of Bury always seems to happen at the end of my Gtr Manc ticking, giving me time to admire those hills. Last year, just before… Continue reading RAMSBOTTOM AND “The Odious Loathsome Sin of Drunkenness”
THE CHEESE PLATTER IN CAFE BEERMOTH
You probably think my blog aspires to be BRAPA but lacks the qualities you need to get kicked out of pubs for being a bloke. Actually, I want to be Blackpool Jane, where beer comes second to niche museums, Sally Army bands and great British food. On Tuesday night before the match (for any Leeds… Continue reading THE CHEESE PLATTER IN CAFE BEERMOTH
STOCKPORT’S “OTHER” ARDEN ARMS
I’ve been tackling Greater Manchester in singles and the odd scampered two ticks, a bit like Chris Tavaré approaching a T20 target of 189. The next one is in the mysterious area between Greater Stockport and Tameside. In fact, it’s practically on the border (“the Stockport side” confirmed the landlord of the Arden Arms). I… Continue reading STOCKPORT’S “OTHER” ARDEN ARMS
DUCKING INTO DUKINFIELD
Back up to Manchester for my 3rd night of ticking, and a couple of newbies out in the east (or west, depending which way you’re facing) of Greater Manchester. My base was the easyHotel just off Piccadilly Gardens. A brave choice, but with my Booking.com Genius level rate of £35 (on a match day, too),… Continue reading DUCKING INTO DUKINFIELD
HANLEY – THE CULTURAL & CULINARY ISSUE
You left me in the warm cosiness of the Unicorn, waiting for my Chinese takeaway (which will remain anonymous). This is always the high point of an evening away, the anticipation of the crispy beef, the dilemma of whether to do one last pub visit I’ll instantly regret. But I resist the walk out to… Continue reading HANLEY – THE CULTURAL & CULINARY ISSUE
UNICORNS – ALMOST AS RARE AS DRAUGHT BASS
His look of sympathy was the one you’d give a child asking you if he could have a unicorn for Christmas. Second best, particularly if you’re six years old, but I could have a pint in THE Unicorn, one of the almost permanent Stoke GBG entries. Blimey, it’s even better than I remembered it (admittedly… Continue reading UNICORNS – ALMOST AS RARE AS DRAUGHT BASS
TOP 100 PUBS – THE COACHMAKERS ARMS, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT
In Stoke with a bed for the night, a Chinese takeaway selected, and my new GBG entry already ticked. But it’s barely evening. Let’s do the Hanley classics. And that’s the problem when you lack discipline as a ticker. You convince yourself that the Albion with its lone Pedi pump must be a pre-emptive chance.… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE COACHMAKERS ARMS, HANLEY, STOKE-ON-TRENT
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