October 2023. Sheffield. A rainy Friday night in Sheffield had kept the students away, and that rain was about to scupper Saturday’s Beer Festival too. But our two bedraggled Hampshire (Hook and Hartley Witney) visitors and three locals weren’t deterred by a soaking. But perhaps the rain was the reason we ended up in new… Continue reading THAT FATEFUL NIGHT MRS RM JOINED UNTAPPD
Month: October 2023
THE DUFF PINT CHANGED, GRACIOUSLY
October 2023. Sheffield. A third successive day of meeting pub royalty as “Citra” Mick and “Big” Steve took the slow train up from Hampshire. It shouldn’t have been that slow, but the floods, particularly at Grantham meant a 9 hour journey and they didn’t even give Mick and Steve a complimentary can of Madri. So… Continue reading THE DUFF PINT CHANGED, GRACIOUSLY
I AM BRAPA’S TAXI – SOUTH YORKSHIRE COMPLETE
October 2023. Sheffield/Deepcar/Mexborough. Yes, it’s the annual BRAPA/Retired Martin meet-up, where I carry out my remaining life’s work of helping Simon complete the GBG (in his lifetime, if not mine). Think of it as John the Baptist and Jesus, even though that analogy doesn’t work. I love, love, LOVE meeting up with Simon, and not… Continue reading I AM BRAPA’S TAXI – SOUTH YORKSHIRE COMPLETE
Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
October 2023. Manchester. A trip to Manchester with Mrs RM for a pint, a curry and a book about pubs ? Count me in, Blackpool Jane. Really all you need is Jane’s blog. Read that first. But I’m contractually obliged to give you my own diary extracts, “Taylor’s version” if you like. Hey, where did… Continue reading Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT THE LITTLE JOHN
October 2023. Hathersage. Peak District. An hour in Hathersage before the return to Sheffield. I was wearing inappropriate footwear so I couldn’t tackle Dale’s Bottom or Robin Hood’s Stoop. But after continuing to tick the GBG24 in singles at the Scotsmans Pack I did head up the lane to tick Little John’s grave. A cobbled… Continue reading CONFIDENCE IN PUBLIC TRANSPORT AT THE LITTLE JOHN
A HATHERSAGE HOP
October 2023. Hathersage. Peak District. If there’s one thing that characterises the frustration of GBG ticking, it’s realising that the new Guide entry in a town you recently visited is literally the only pub you didn’t visit, despite scouring What Pub for pre-emptives. And more often than not that future GBG tick will have been… Continue reading A HATHERSAGE HOP
THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF LAURA J MARTIN
October 2023. Leeds. Beer, music, curry. Two out of three ain’t bad. Two gigs in two nights, actually, as we stopped off on the way back from Newcastle at the Brudenell. Pub Curmudgeon did the pubs this week, Mrs RM and I did the music and curry. And street art in Leeds most colourful neighbourhood.… Continue reading THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF LAURA J MARTIN
THE COORS TASTES A BIT “EGGY” IN NORTHALLERTON
October 2023. Northallerton. One more post from a successful raid on the North-East/Yorkshire sections of the GBG, with what felt like an overdue return to Northallerton after a three pub tickathon back in 2018. Five (5) years ago I wrote of “a solid blue-rinse town, generally resting on its laurels by virtue of being better than… Continue reading THE COORS TASTES A BIT “EGGY” IN NORTHALLERTON
RICHMONDSHIRE REVISITED
October 2023. Hunton. Richmondshire. Mrs RM kindly agreed to taste the beer on our two North Yorkshire ticks on the way back from Newcastle. Some of you will be horrified to learn I consider “a swig of the dregs is a tick” but as the latest GBG completist I get to set the rules, at… Continue reading RICHMONDSHIRE REVISITED
THE ANGELS OF GATESHEAD
October 2023. Gateshead. Gateshead is brilliant, isn’t it ? Cheap hotels, proper fry ups, and in Saltwell Park it has one of the great public spaces. We spent Sunday morning in Saltwell, a wondrous rambling place with little zoo, eco shop, artisan coffee and rose gardens. In Guildford you’d pay £12.50 for such a park;… Continue reading THE ANGELS OF GATESHEAD