More offcuts and outtakes from the first assault on the Scottish GBG entries at the end of August. This really is the “Hatful of Hollow” of Retired Martin. But then, “Hatful of Hollow” is The Smiths best album. Best track, of course, was this cracker. That’s the best 2 minutes in the history of film,… Continue reading GO UIST, LIFE IS PEACEFUL THERE
Month: November 2022
“Chiquitita”, arm wrestling and more than adequate cask. No Mallaig malaise…
Last post I was rehashing old material filling in the gaps from the mini posts from The First Great Scottish Beer Guide Assault in late August. We’d arrived in Mallaig at 11pm, keen to find out from locals how to pronounce Sgeir Dhearg, Rubha na h-Acasirseid and (Come on) Eileen na h-Acairseid, all of which… Continue reading “Chiquitita”, arm wrestling and more than adequate cask. No Mallaig malaise…
LOCHABER NO MORE
As I approached the Final Countdown at the end of August, the blogging became a bit manic, so think of these next few posts as a sort of “artists reworking”, or “RetiredMartin – How It Should Have Looked“. A reminder of those final 22; Reader “US $1=$1 Dave” wrote “21! You’re so close now I’m… Continue reading LOCHABER NO MORE
WATERBEACH WEISSE
Both of the Waterbeach brewery taps were open that glorious Summer Saturday. My Dad was sceptical when I told him Pastore was one of the UK’s most popular new breweries, but Mum knows the mother of of the brewers and has kept that bottle on her windowsill. Pastore have some great bottle designs, which rather… Continue reading WATERBEACH WEISSE
MILTON BREWERY TAP – THE PINNACLE OF THE BREWER’S ART ?
A gorgeous August weekend spent at my parents contemplating the completion of the Good Beer Guide over takeaways and views of the sunflowers in their Waterbeach garden. The approach to Milton Brewery in the industrial estate across from the former RAF barracks soon to contain 10,000 new homes isn’t quite as glamorous, but their occasional… Continue reading MILTON BREWERY TAP – THE PINNACLE OF THE BREWER’S ART ?
KEBAB NIGHT, WATERBEACH
I knew August was hot, but just look at the state of Waterbeach’s village green on my trip back to see my parents the week before the First Big Assault On The Highlands. I try to get back every week to see my Mum and Dad, staying till they get bored of me, which normally… Continue reading KEBAB NIGHT, WATERBEACH
“CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
There were two (2) weeks between the last ticks in England and Wales and the resumption of the assault on the Beer Guide in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Those two weeks were agony, if I’m honest, each day increasing the chances of family drama (of which, less later) or illness or “Winter” hours intervening.… Continue reading “CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
THE QUIET BEFORE THE TICKING STORM
August 12, 2022. Swindon’s Tap & Brew was about to become my final English Beer Guide tick, with Wales having fallen the day before. I’ve told you about Swindon already. Back home, Mrs RM could sense the excitement. All that lay in the way of GBG immortality were 2 or 3 trips to the far… Continue reading THE QUIET BEFORE THE TICKING STORM
NO HIDING PLACE IN MELKSHAM
Two ticks to go and England would fall ! Two in Wiltshire, both of which had contrived to defeat us back in April by being closed (it works, try it). In its defence the Hiding Place had put its correct opening hours on Facebook (not very 2022, that), and I was delighted to have an… Continue reading NO HIDING PLACE IN MELKSHAM
SPOONS CURRY NIGHT IN HAVERFORDWEST
My last night in Wales, and Duncan met Baa Baa Toure for the first time. It was emotional. Haverfordwest is a great place to be emotional in (NGPTBEISS 3.5+). Duncan, who’s just broke his blog silence by welcoming the new GBG, had done all the Guide pubs for 3,788 miles around, so it was a… Continue reading SPOONS CURRY NIGHT IN HAVERFORDWEST
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