Christmas Eve 2023. Tonbridge. The great Taylor Family Christmas Eve pub crawl headed aimlessly south from Fuggles, their tummies full of toastie and “hot dog”, without a clue what to now we weren’t hanging about for a family curry. Harvey’s in a Tudor hotel ? Looking after suspicious packages outside the fun pub ? Nope.… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE NELSON ARMS, TONBRIDGE
Month: December 2023
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 8 – DERBYSHIRE.
I should have told you before I started this little series that there are actually seventy-three (73) GBG counties, so we should be finished by 2027, by which time 98% of pubs in Derbyshire will be selling superlative Bass and it’s ALL Wickingman’s fault. Sadly, the Bass wasn’t on when I visited Ian in his… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 8 – DERBYSHIRE.
It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank
Christmas Eve 2023. Tonbridge. Our days of being abroad at Christmas are probably on the back burner for now, and it seemed more important than ever to be with both sets of parents this year after extended hospitalisations. The 24th in Waterbeach and Tonbridge, the 25th in Tonbridge and Waterbeach. At least the A1 was… Continue reading It was Christmas Eve, babe, in the drunk tank
CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE IN GAINSBOROUGH. EVERYBODY’S IN THE SPOONS.
December 2023. Gainsborough. On the way back from the Humber we stopped in Gainsborough for a peep. Those North Notts/Lincs towns like Bawtry, Scunthorpe, Retford and Gainsborough haven’t had a Retired Martin visit for a few years, with a static pub scene and the boys being too old for Sundown Adventure Land. I’m not implying… Continue reading CHRISTMAS EVE, EVE IN GAINSBOROUGH. EVERYBODY’S IN THE SPOONS.
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 7 – CUMBRIA.
Another selection from the GBG’s “counties” to delight and infuriate you (“What ! No Broughton in Furness !“); five from me, one from you, please. Like Cornwall, I only really got to grips with Cumbria late in the charge to GBG glory. I’m sure I’ve missed out loads of picture postcard places in the Lakes,… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 7 – CUMBRIA.
MINI PLOUGHMANS IN WEST LINDSEY
December 2023. Laughton. Lincolnshire. A penultimate tick in Lincs GBG24, and perhaps the archetypal Lincolnshire village local. I liked the Ingram Arms in Laughton, but I wouldn’t have fancied getting the bus there from Gainsborough (one bus weekly, returning before it arrives). You can feel safe in a place that takes egg security seriously. Be… Continue reading MINI PLOUGHMANS IN WEST LINDSEY
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 6 – CORNWALL.
Tonight’s half dozen comes from a county I only really got to grips with just before lockdown, so most of these pubs have been visited relatively recently. I won’t say these five pubs picked themselves, but there’s a common theme running through most of them you might spot. Falmouth – Seven Stars (last visited 2020)… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 6 – CORNWALL.
SPECULATIVE PRE-EMPTIVES UNDER THE HUMBER BRIDGE
December 2023. The Humber Bridge. Mrs RM had seen some Instagram posts of picturesque cottages under the Humber Bridge, so on the morning after Retired Martin Day we went in search of blog material for Mrs RM. Sadly, we soon found the picturesque cottages are in Hessle, and the south bank has more earthy attractions.… Continue reading SPECULATIVE PRE-EMPTIVES UNDER THE HUMBER BRIDGE
ALL DRESSED UP FOR A NIGHT OUT IN THE FOX AND CONEY
Retired Martin Day. South Cave. Not the most spectacular birthday, but huge relief after resolving a major domestic issue* that morning to actually be out, somewhere I hadn’t really been before. And after a great new find in Beal, a complete circuit of Snaith, a bath (first of the year) in a castle, and a… Continue reading ALL DRESSED UP FOR A NIGHT OUT IN THE FOX AND CONEY
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 5 – CHESHIRE
A late Christmas present for Pub Curmudgeon, who will be chomping at the bit to critique my five for Cheshire (“Wot no Frodsham !”), but at least there’s no gastro horrors. He’ll agree with this first one. Macclesfield – Jolly Sailor (last visited 2023) In fact, I was highly tempted to steal Mudgie’s wonderful pic… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 5 – CHESHIRE
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