July was the month when family responsibilities really kicked in, and I was just glad I’d managed to complete the GBG in 2022 rather than letting it drift. You never know when your carefully laid plans will be derailed; if I were Simon I’d try and knock off those last few (1,500) pubs in August.
Somehow I managed 58 pubs in July, the best of which (the Peacock) in Sunderland provided the pub lunch of the month,
and confirmation that, despite what you saw on TV last night, Sunderland folk are some of the best in the world. I still owe you a post on two from the Mackem coast,
and I’m falling behind on the blogging even in a quieter month centred on Waterbeach.
Actually, doesn’t look that quiet does it.
Twenty-one new GBG ticks in those fifty-eight pubs (all different, fact fans), only 10 worse than BRAPA and I’m not even trying.
Half of those were in the North-east, where Harry’s Bar in Alnwick provided one of the pints and photos of the year.
And another month where, despite what the CAMRAs tell you, beer quality was generally superb, NBSS 3.5 rather than 3 stuff, except in St Albans which disappointed again.
I was particularly impressed with the quality of the Bass outside the GBG in Stafford, as well as the hosting on that crawl.
Onwards and upwards, though quite how leftwards and westwards I’ll get in August is a matter of conjecture.
For now, be more red squirrel.
retiredmartin 