Mrs RM had spent 9 nights in Royal Tunbridge Wells solving family dramas so was grateful when I came to drive her home, particularly as the in-laws toilet was broken and the outside privy had been decommissioned in 1972. It’s a four hour journey from Kent to Sheffield, so Stamford is a decent half-way stop… Continue reading TEA IN THE TOBIE NORRIS
Month: February 2022
APPLEDORE WEDDING REMINISCENCES
More from That Kent, and an unexpected tick on the edge of Romney Marsh, though Paul Bailey will no doubt claim it for nearby Ashford given that town’s apparent beery renaissance. People who read this blog, and I don’t even think I count myself in that number, may remember my failed attempt in Autumn to… Continue reading APPLEDORE WEDDING REMINISCENCES
Turning over the “Masters of the Galaxy” Soundtrack in Smeeth
Next stop, Smeeth. Never heard of of it ? Me neither. It’s a village of 924 souls about whom Wiki can tell me NOTHING. No left backs for Ashford Town in the ’60s, no Retired Colonels, no 18th century eccentrics barred from Ashford. And our new Beer Guide tick is on a small modern business… Continue reading Turning over the “Masters of the Galaxy” Soundtrack in Smeeth
TENTATIVE 10 A.M. TICKING IN TENTERDEN TAPS
3 days down in Kent. 3 ticks. That’s a 100% record ! Some gorgeous countryside in the Weald of Kent, though I regretted the 56 minute journey back to Tenterden, which I’m sure I only did 2 years ago. Ah, it was 2 years ago. Right before the Lockdown. A pretty place overrun by gentlefolk… Continue reading TENTATIVE 10 A.M. TICKING IN TENTERDEN TAPS
WESTERHAM – CARROTS, CHURCHILL AND CRACKLING
I’ve spent the last three (3) days in Kent. No, no, I don’t expect medals. Or sympathy. It was what you might call a minor family emergency involving Erith, e-mails and emergency calls. Sadly, you don’t get a post on Erith this time (has there ever been a GBG pub there ?), but here’s a… Continue reading WESTERHAM – CARROTS, CHURCHILL AND CRACKLING
GRANGE HILL
More East London fun, though more strictly the ancient county of Essex, and I know how seriously my readers take their historic counties. On the southern edge of Epping Forest, but within spitting distance (don’t spit) of the dying trail of the M11, lies Woodford, famous as the birthplace of Derek B, the third (3rd)… Continue reading GRANGE HILL
LIFE’S A LARK IN HIGHAMS PARK
Higham’s Park ? Where’s that ? I had no idea. Well, obviously I knew it was somewhere in East London near the North Circular, I’m not THAT daft, but the issue was more WHAT is Highams Park ? See, Chingford rarely draws Beer Guide tickers here. Walthamstow has had a good run of hipster bars… Continue reading LIFE’S A LARK IN HIGHAMS PARK
BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE JEMMY HIRST
Mrs RM and I will have been married 30 years in June. I would say “celebrate” 30 years of marriage, but as you know I only celebrate one day annually, and anyway neither of us have remembered the date for several years. In the earliest days of wedded bliss I put a strain on the… Continue reading BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE JEMMY HIRST
THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL – SHE IS A DIAMOND
There’s some strange people live on this next map extract (not literally). But it’s always a joy to visit Hull, home of the Tigers and home to some of England’s greatest streets and pubs. James was telling me he plans to take his Canadian friend (from St Johns) to Hull for culture during his visit,… Continue reading THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL – SHE IS A DIAMOND
TOP 100 PUBS – THE BLACK ROCK, WAKEFIELD
It’d been too long since my last Top 100 pub; you’ll be starting to think I’ve only got 1,000 of them. I actually asked the Pub Tickers for a recommendation and picked the one described as “boring on the beer front“. The Ale House looked even better; But sadly even a lone cask John Smith’s… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE BLACK ROCK, WAKEFIELD
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