December 2023. Eye Kettleby. Melton Mowbray. Excitingly, tonight sees the return of the famous Philip (one “l”) Navigator atlas, the one I’d been pinking for 25 years before I got a bit bored during lockdown, or perhaps there was a shortage of Stabilo Boss or something. So that page (153 ?) housing Melton Mowbray may… Continue reading ARTISANAL SCRATCHINGS IN EYE KETTLEBY
Month: December 2023
THE LONG HAUL TO BEXLEYHEATH
December 2023. Bexleyheath. Note ultra-rare photo of Mrs RM sitting patiently waiting for her pint, NOT scrolling on her phone. Frame that one. My father-in-law was moved from Tunbridge Wells Hospital to Sevenoaks, a cruel and unusual punishment for an 85 year old man I thought, but it made our visit to his rehab ward… Continue reading THE LONG HAUL TO BEXLEYHEATH
A LOCAL HERO
December 2023. Waterbeach. A pattern is now emerging; mid week spent in Waterbeach, a day either side in Tunbridge Wells, back home to Sheffield at the weekend. At least Mrs RM is now with me in Cambridge, and she joined our Thursday quiz team at the Sun as we sought vengeance for a corrupt defeat… Continue reading A LOCAL HERO
A DASH TO HAPPY HOUR IN CHEADLE HULME
December 2023. Cheadle Hulme. The 17:17 (delayed) was the slow boat back to Stockport, and presented the tantalising prospect of a second tick of the day, and let me tell young BRAPA that there will come a time when two (2) ticks is seen as riches indeed. A bit of a dull slog from Cheadle… Continue reading A DASH TO HAPPY HOUR IN CHEADLE HULME
MACCY B (+)
December 2023. Macclesfield. One last Macclesfield pub on the Old Codgers Grand Tour (available on Sky + shortly), as I finally get to stretch my legs and finally get to tick a new GBG entry. Phew ! I skipped the at risk Wharf, and finally got my street art hit. Kentish Paul has done two… Continue reading MACCY B (+)
“Let there be light”. Or at least Old Tom. But there wasn’t.
December 2023. Macclesfield. Barely a mile between these eight (8) pubs on the Old Codgers Macclesfield pub crawl (sorry, “curated hostelry exploration”, which frankly is a bit disappointing as it’s the street art and underpasses that make a place. Our penultimate pub was barely 3 minutes jog across the A523 (Paul Mudge speed), and the… Continue reading “Let there be light”. Or at least Old Tom. But there wasn’t.
A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD
December 2023. Macclesfield. Pub No. 6/7/4 (delete as appropriate) on the Old Codger Day Out in Macclesfield, as we reach the highlight (H for highlight on the map). Two years ago I didn’t even know the Jolly Sailor was a Bass shrine, and now it’s in the Top 20, if I’m honest, as much because… Continue reading A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD
A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS
December 2023. Macclesfield. Part of the Old Codgers Proper Day Out in Macclesfield (I’m their youthful chaperone) and a return to the trad family boozers that codgers treasure. The Queens Hotel has that stately look that Holt pubs often impart; it’s the first building you come across leaving the station though frankly I can only… Continue reading A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS
BEAR TOWN IN SILK TOWN
December 2023. Macclesfield. Type “Macclesfield” into What Pub’s search engine (go on, now) and the first entries to come up give you a particular perspective on the town’s bar scene. Lots of small keg bars leading to the top of the hill, leaving the Proper Pubs down near the station for those who don’t fancy… Continue reading BEAR TOWN IN SILK TOWN
“CHEWY”
December 2023. Macclesfield. “So, you spent an afternoon in Macclesfield, Retired Martin. What’s the maximum posts you can possibly squeeze out of that ?”. Er. Let’s continue; Will wanted to visit the Blackjack brewery bar aka Jack in the Box in the Picturedrome, which gives it at least three potential different names to confuse GBG… Continue reading “CHEWY”