25th January 2023. My eldest lad lives mere yards from one of the UK’s best pubs. I reckon he could get to the Blake Hotel in a minute from his front door; another five would see him inside the Blind Monkey. If I couldn’t say the same myself, in reverse, I’d be jealous of him.… Continue reading CRYSTAL CLEAR
Month: January 2023
A MUSICAL EDUCATION IN KELHAM’S HAPPY BAR
25th January 2023. There’s much discussion of pub and brewery closure on CAMRA’s Discourse (think MumsNet for beery blokes) at the moment. As the thousand or so CAMRAs (or is it Camras, or CamRAs ?) who descend on Sheffield in April for their AGM will find out, pub numbers seem to be holding up OK.… Continue reading A MUSICAL EDUCATION IN KELHAM’S HAPPY BAR
CONFESSIONS OF A ROCHDALE SAMPLE DRINKER
Well, TWO confessions really in this mini-post, as I hurtle towards Rochdale from Manchester for a lightning tick and fail to invite Tandleman, the King of this wonderful area for pubs. To be honest, Rochdale deserves a return visit, with good curry and four (4) Guide pubs in the centre, a centre that’s being merrily… Continue reading CONFESSIONS OF A ROCHDALE SAMPLE DRINKER
A NEW BEER GUIDE PUB IN BISHOPTHORPE ? ANOTHER ONE !
A start to North Yorkshire, one of the last of the GBG counties I completed a first time (if you see what I mean) in 2018. Since then it’s plodded on with its usual dozen new entries, all in irritating places like Bishopthorpe, just south or York. BRAPA HQ is marked on the map below… Continue reading A NEW BEER GUIDE PUB IN BISHOPTHORPE ? ANOTHER ONE !
THE UK’s TALLEST MAN SURVEYS THE MARKET WEIGHTON CHIP SCENE. AND SIGHS.
24th January 2023. Rather oddly, my nearest new GBG tick was in Market Weighton near Hull. It’s not that odd, I live in Yorkshire, apparently, but still. The journey via Goole (ALL the best trips go via Goole) takes you past agricultural supplies shops and shops selling agricultural supplies. You could be heading through the… Continue reading THE UK’s TALLEST MAN SURVEYS THE MARKET WEIGHTON CHIP SCENE. AND SIGHS.
GOOD NEWS FOR CURRY CONNOISSEURS AHEAD OF THE SHEFFIELD CAMRA AGM
22nd January 2023. A curry special for the Southworths, who appreciate this sort of thing. As does Curry Heute, whose take on Sheffield hasn’t had great things to say about our curry scene over the years, bar the little Apna Style. We have great Asian food here, and proper pub food under a tenner, and… Continue reading GOOD NEWS FOR CURRY CONNOISSEURS AHEAD OF THE SHEFFIELD CAMRA AGM
LOOK WHO’S COME TO THE BLIND MONKEY !
20th January 2023. Yes, ANOTHER Friday spent at home; what is going on at 2023. But I had good reason to stay put, and in any case Sheffield was now the most popular place on earth according to Time Out, which I appreciate none of you have read since about 2002. To be honest it’s… Continue reading LOOK WHO’S COME TO THE BLIND MONKEY !
HE’S (NOT) MISSED A SURE SHOT
22nd January 2023. Last night (24th) I saw cycling based indie noise merchants The Delgados at Sheffield Leadmill. It was one of the great gigs, I guess, and I say that as someone who detests the idea of bands reuniting to play stuff written 25 years ago. If Oasis or The Smiths reformed in my… Continue reading HE’S (NOT) MISSED A SURE SHOT
BACK ON TRACK IN MANCHESTER
19th January 2023. I’ve been sharing a £299 season ticket for City with the boys this season. That’s £15.74 a game to watch what was the best team in the League till we sold our best players to Arsenal as some sort of North-South levelling up. James has been more than me, and seen City… Continue reading BACK ON TRACK IN MANCHESTER
ALL SIGNS POINT TO TAMWORTH
18th January 2023. At last, a second tick of the day on the Brum/Tamworth toddle (is toddle a word ?). The Old Bank opened at 4:00, the train back to Derby, where I would jump off and back on a train headed for Sheffield, left at 4:20. It would be tight. Particularly if the Old… Continue reading ALL SIGNS POINT TO TAMWORTH
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