February 2024. Teddington. Look, this trio of new GBG entries in South-West and West London weren’t classics, and as flying visits I cam hardly claim to have been won over by the (well) hidden charms of Raynes Park and New Malden, but Teddington looked a proper town, and the 10 minutes from my wee stop… Continue reading TEDDINGTON TICKED
Month: February 2024
SPENDING A PENNY IN THE PUB
February 2024. Teddington. I severely underestimated Mrs RM. Having suggested she stayed on the train to Teddington while I rush to tick New Malden Spoons, I rather forgot that even at our respective paces she’d be waiting at the Abercorn Arms quite a while if I took 20 minutes out to walk the half mile… Continue reading SPENDING A PENNY IN THE PUB
MRS RM ABANDONS ME IN NEW MALDEN
February 2024. New Malden. Only 5 minutes back on the train from Raynes Park to New Malden, apparently “an area in South West London, England. It is located within the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames and the London Borough of Merton“. What happened to towns and villages ? That 5 minutes was enough for Mrs RM to overhear… Continue reading MRS RM ABANDONS ME IN NEW MALDEN
“AC/DC cover bands, Sharps Sea Fury and a large poster of Eric Clapton in a Miami Vice outfit.” The Raynes Park Beer Guide pub.
February 2024. Raynes Park. Wimbledon. Two (2) nights in London. Two nights of culture and the walking that you miss when you’re “looking after” parents (shopping and chat mainly). But three new GBG ticks on the same line west from Clapham Junction was too good to miss. I may never again complete the Guide, no-one… Continue reading “AC/DC cover bands, Sharps Sea Fury and a large poster of Eric Clapton in a Miami Vice outfit.” The Raynes Park Beer Guide pub.
BIG CHIEF SPOONS REDEMPTION
February 2024. Battersea. 2 nights in Battersea Travelodge, 2 pubs before Mrs RM arrives. Quite a contrast between the Victorian splendour of the Falcon, and across the road the glory of a furniture store experiencing rebirth as a new Spoons (OK, via a Yate’s). Decent business at 14:30 on a Monday, and a rather different… Continue reading BIG CHIEF SPOONS REDEMPTION
UP THE JUNCTION. PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN THE FALCON
February 2024. Battersea. Mrs RM had booked two nights at bargain rates (well, heaper than 5 pints of murk in Bermondsey) during the Travelodge New Year Sale, the only downside being an insalubrious looking location behind the grimier exit of Clapham Junction Station. But that’s OK, we’re used to insalubrious, and Clapham Junction is only… Continue reading UP THE JUNCTION. PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN THE FALCON
BROXBOURNE – A CALL FOR EVIDENCE
February 2024. The Lea Valley. Just back “home” (Sheffield) from “home” Waterbeach; a week with Mum and Dad split with a couple of days in our capital. A wealth of material from London, which you may have heard of, but I start with a (genuine) request for info. on a place you probably haven’t. I… Continue reading BROXBOURNE – A CALL FOR EVIDENCE
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 48 – WORCESTERSHIRE
An attractive county for the walker, and plenty of gardens and black and white timber, but classic pubs ? Well, the Fleece at Bretforton and Three Kings at Hanley Castle might be, but it’s 15 years since I visited so I’ll leave it to you to vouch for their enduring qualities. No doubting Worcester Cathedral’s… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 48 – WORCESTERSHIRE
ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK No. 6 – BUNDOBUST BREWERY
February 2024. Manchester. Another stressful Saturday afternoon at the Etihad, another catch-up with my lad, another pub tick in Matt Curtis’s excellent guide to the city’s pubs and bars. Arriving at Piccadilly feeling knackered I fancied something fresh and healthy, and the Marhaba curry place is closed weekends, which is a tragedy. But those Bundobust… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK No. 6 – BUNDOBUST BREWERY
PREEMPTIVE DERBY
February 2024. Derby. Almost back to the old days now, with a preemptive tick in one of our best but most stable of GBG cities. 11 minutes, less 3 minutes to leave and then re-enter the station, and the delayed train from Uttoxeter. That leaves about minus 5 minutes for a half in the Victoria.… Continue reading PREEMPTIVE DERBY
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