retiredmartin

Boxing Day 2023. Sheffield.

As one tradition dies, another one starts. With both lads disinclined to a) watch TV, b) play Monopoly, c) start their own blogs, Boxing Day became the day for a long walk.

Yes, a two hour slog west past the University residences into posh Ranmoor and Fulwood, the places without a tram line.

90 minutes saw us arrive at a pub dead on opening time; it’s almost like I planned it.

ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT – The Rising Sun, Fulwood

About time too. 3 years in Sheffield and I finally get to Abbeydale’s only pub, a GBG perennial I couldn’t remember from my tick near 20 years ago.

Their only pub, and an upmarket flagship for the range. Loads on cask, loads on keg, so obviously the boys pick Acorn Barnsley and Lucky Saint (he was suffering).

Abbeydale say they supply 1,000 outlets, but I genuinely couldn’t name many pubs where you could definitely find their beers, oddly.

I had a half of Moonshine (3) and wondered what the fuss was about.

In truth, I was a teeny weeny bit miffed that despite the place being near empty on opening they couldn’t serve us a sandwich because we hadn’t booked.

I never book, not sure I booked our wedding, but I will pop back when I can have a pint and do the Rising Sun properly.

Our mood didn’t improve as Mrs RM arrived by car to take us to the Alpaca Farm, but the alpacas didn’t want to play because of a waterlogged pitch or something.

Luckily, Charlie (the brown one) arrived the next day in the post to keep Alfie and Baa Baa company.

By 8pm Matt was getting restless, and uttered those 3 words every Dad wants to hear;

“Fancy a pint ?”.

So we went to the Welly, which shamefully James has never been to,

despite living practically next door for a year and even now 5 minutes away.

I thin the fact you can’t see inside a pub puts young folk off a bit. What if it’s empty ? What if it doesn’t serve Stella ?

The Welly doesn’t serve Stella, but Matt reckoned their Stout a worthy alternative to Guinness or that London Black that keeps popping up.

The Minerva 5 Hop Pale was stunning.

I’m sure Matt is uploading the scores on Untappd in this photo.

Or making a date to repeat this trip in 2024. All traditions have to start somewhere.