1st November 2022. Blimey, this was a long day. We’d shown Joan and Dave the architectural and pubby highlights of Dusseldorf, and now the only thing left was to find my fox. I found it just beyond this amazing juxtaposition of old and new around the Basilika St. Lambertus. Once again, Dave provides the best… Continue reading Fuchschen. RM finds his fox.
Month: December 2022
UERIGE – DON’T BELIEVE THE TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS
1st November 2022. Having just done an interview promoting the UK’s wonderful pubs, it’s only to be expected that I spend the rest of the week eulogising the German ones. Their buildings are often gorgeous, the beer consistent and quaffable, and the köbes in Dusseldorf and Cologne as cheery, chatty and efficient as you could… Continue reading UERIGE – DON’T BELIEVE THE TRIP ADVISOR REVIEWS
Away from the Bolkerstraße
1st November 2022. I first came to Dusseldorf in 2015 with James, straight after his “O” levels. We enjoyed it so much we stopped a second time a day a later for ice cream and Uerige (be patient, be patient). I thought that Joan and Dave would like the city, even though it’s not as… Continue reading Away from the Bolkerstraße
SCHUMACHER IM GOLDENEN KESSEL – ALT AND OFFAL
1st November 2022. We’d just landed in Cologne, but with only an afternoon and evening with the Southworths we were determined that they’d make the half hour trip to see Dusseldorf. Coming to Germany and missing out on Uerige is akin to visiting Maidenhead and skipping the Conservative Club. But Dusseldorf is more than Alt… Continue reading SCHUMACHER IM GOLDENEN KESSEL – ALT AND OFFAL
IN SEARCH OF KOLSCH
1st November 2022. As you’ll know from the obligatory map in the obligatory November stocktake we managed a bit of authentic tourism last month. I’d been eyeing a return to Germany for the first time since 2016 since the Covid restrictions eased, but it looked tricky to get away with a month of family duties… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF KOLSCH
I STILL KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BIBSTONE
30th October 2022. A first visit of the new GBG year to the area known as Greater Stroud. Anyone reading the Telegraph and attempting to recreate my travels may alternately know this as “Just below those posh Gloucester Services, near that nice vegan football club“. I’m rambling because it’s a struggle to really describe the… Continue reading I STILL KNOW NOTHING ABOUT BIBSTONE
INTO THE HOPE VALLEY – QUITTERS AND CRITTERS
The pursuit of GBG completion rather hampered our best laid plans to do the touristy bits of the Peak District that Mrs RM tells everyone we moved to Sheffield for two years ago (don’t tell Mrs RM, it was actually the suburbs of Rotherham that attracted me). The Guide is ticked, the CAMRA pub walk… Continue reading INTO THE HOPE VALLEY – QUITTERS AND CRITTERS
MAGGIE MAY BE CLOSED, CAN I CONQUER CHESTERFIELD ?
Enough of the Retired Martin love-in, let’s get back to the hard yards of Retired Martin travelling to unassuming Northern* towns and finding pubs unexpectedly closed. 27th October 2022. Proving Chesterfield‘s northerness, they don’t yet have parchment, and have maps painted on the side of the houses leading west towards Chatsworth House, which is where… Continue reading MAGGIE MAY BE CLOSED, CAN I CONQUER CHESTERFIELD ?
INFAMY AT LAST
As you’ll know I’m incredibly shy, I really am. But also incredibly stupid, and could never say “No” to anything, particularly if there was a pub at the end of it. Having to explain the inequities of NHS funding to Southend Council in 2011 was a particularly daft thing to volunteer for, but the shopping… Continue reading INFAMY AT LAST
SPIREITES
27th October 2022. The new Good Beer Guide (done it, mate) arrived. Alfie and Baa Baa wondered whether I’d be wasting my life ticking this one. We’ll see. On the tickers WhatsApp group, talk turned to the venue for the AGM to discuss weighty matters like whether a shot of whisky at a wake counted… Continue reading SPIREITES
retiredmartin 