November 2023. Euston. Four hours “respite” from Waterbeach* equates to 150 minutes getting to and from King’s Cross, 20 minutes on a bus along Euston Road, 30 minutes in pubs, 15 minutes “idling” and 42 minutes walking. Oops ! That doesn’t quite work, does it ? Can see Dick doing the Math now. Better get… Continue reading BLIMEY, AIN’T LONDON GORGEOUS ?
Month: November 2023
THE PADDINGTON BEAR
November 2023. Paddington. 15 minutes in the lovely Monkey Puzzle left 65 minutes to get to the second new Paddington Guide pub and then find an interesting route back to Kings Cross, preferably without spending another penny on transport. 8 minutes takes you through Sussex Gardens and a warren of non-budget hotels. The Mitre will… Continue reading THE PADDINGTON BEAR
THE MONKEY PUZZLE
November 2023. Paddington. London. I’ve spent the last week in Waterbeach seemingly not being much use to my parents, though I did get to explain the plot of “Odette” (1950) to Dad and then buy them fish and chips which is care of a sorts. Opportunities for travel are limited, and Mum seemed as worried… Continue reading THE MONKEY PUZZLE
BACK ON THE SMOOTH IN THE GLEADLESS VALLEY
November 2023. Sheffield. I’ve only spent 4 days at “home” in Sheff this month, which is hardly enough time to do the laundry, hoover the cobwebs, and pretend to do the garden (whatever that means). No new GBG pubs close by now, but by Monday I really had to get out and stretch the legs… Continue reading BACK ON THE SMOOTH IN THE GLEADLESS VALLEY
MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION
November 2023. Waterbeach, Pembury, Rye. November has been a difficult month, though one we’d seen coming a while. Plans to spend the month in Rye and Tirana were scuppered as first my Dad, then my Father-in-law, decided a spell in A & E would be nice. We saw them both, starting with an overdue hair… Continue reading MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION
YOU’RE AN EMBARRASSMENT
November 2023. Manchester. The quiet Friday gig night out in Manchester had gone sadly awry even before that wonderful Sam Smiths diversion. I’d long missed the chance to see the support act Peaness (not as edgy as they sound, I think, as they’re from Chester), and as the train from Burnage trundles into Oxford Road… Continue reading YOU’RE AN EMBARRASSMENT
AN OASIS IN BURNAGE
November 2023. Burnage. Manchester. My orderly night out in Manchester had been derailed by the Saddleworth sozzlers (?) Jim and Quosh, but at least I’d got a tick in Heaton Moor. All I had to do was get to Burnage and take the line back into Oxford Road where my gig awaited. But it was… Continue reading AN OASIS IN BURNAGE
“BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
November 2023. Heaton Moor. Stockport. Or is it Mauldeth ? Or Lower Burnage ? Or Lesser Didsbury ? Check next year’s GBG to find out. The road from the Bottle to the Beer Shop is paved with very South Manchester sounding bar names. One of the duller 14 minute walks, but The Beer Shop was… Continue reading “BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
November 2023. Heaton Moor. New Mills looked like Winter Wonderland as I waited for the train to Piccadilly. My plan for a quiet Friday evening was a) GBG pub in New Mills-tick, b) elegant dining curry in Ancoats, c) BC Camplight in the Albert Hall. It was all about to go spectacularly wrong, as Saddleworth’s… Continue reading BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
STILL NO SPACE TO SWING A CAT IN THE BEER SHED
November 2023. New Mills. An hour between trains at New Mills Central was enough to walk to Chalkers and back for the tick, admire the singular joys of the play area (I didn’t get on the horse), and resist the body piercing I’m saving for a special birthday. I walked over the Goyt, the rushing… Continue reading STILL NO SPACE TO SWING A CAT IN THE BEER SHED
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