July 2025. Toxteth. Liverpool. It might be thought a bit careless to visit Liverpool just for a couple of pubs near the station and fail to see the things that great city is famous for. You know, the World Museum and Walker (not Kirsty) Art Gallery, the Pete Wylie of Wah ! trail, and the… Continue reading A TOTTER ROUND HERITAGE TOXTETH
Month: August 2025
NO SANCTUARY FROM SALOPIAN SOURS
July 2025. Liverpool. My second Liverpool newbie was literally across the road from the Vines. Looking the Brewery Tap on the map, I already knew I’d been here before six years ago*, when Stafford Paul joined me in Sanctuary at the end of a hectic day of classic ‘Pool pubs. Oddly, back in 2019 it… Continue reading NO SANCTUARY FROM SALOPIAN SOURS
SCANADALOUSLY, MY FIRST TIME IN LIVERPOOL’S VINES
July 2025. Liverpool. Thursday night brought a gig at Manchester’s New Century Hall, and I really didn’t fancy any GBG ticking before hand after that Stannington Stagger. As Simon will find out when he completes in 2044, the chase is better than the catch (Lemmy, 1980). So goodness knows how I dragged myself to Sheffield… Continue reading SCANADALOUSLY, MY FIRST TIME IN LIVERPOOL’S VINES
STANNINGTON AT A STANDSTILL
July 2025. Stannington. Sheffield. Right, let’s finish the Sheffield suburb of Stannington so I never have to go there again. Actually, it’s a pleasant little place, proper church, edge of the Peak, two Co-ops, three pubs. but you won’t believe it has a population of 18,607, which is bigger than Devizes (and Marple). Pub 3… Continue reading STANNINGTON AT A STANDSTILL
MINNIE’S
July 2025. Stannington. Sheffield. Bit of clickbait there. “Minnies” sounds like one of those West Welsh parlour pubs serving Felinfoel from a dragon’s horn, doesn’t it ? Sadly, it’s just the locals name for the Rose & Crown, our second Stannington pub, a short walk in the heat past bees*, and a terrific view out… Continue reading MINNIE’S
STANNINGTON BRASS
July 2025. Stannington. Sheffield. Back from Newcastle, GBG ticks in the bag, I then added an NCTSS 4 with a “cheeky” crispy beef and Singapore rice from China Dragon outside Darlington station. It deserves an extra half mark, really, for being open after 10pm when Google says it’s shut. I genuinely have no idea if… Continue reading STANNINGTON BRASS
TOP 100 PUBS – THE BODEGA, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
July 2025. Newcastle upon Tyne. Having sprinted back to Chillingham Road Metro after finishing Tyne & Wear to ensure I’d be back for that 21:15 train with 44 seconds to spare, I find LNER is, inevitably, running six minutes late. Hey ! Six minutes ? What can you do in six minutes ? (no, not… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE BODEGA, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
ELDER (AND WISER). TYNE & WEAR COMPLETE
July 2025. Newcastle upon Tyne. 17:38 train from Darlo 18:1015 arrive in Newcastle (late) Dash to Metro at Monument tram towards Heaton delayed 18:30 catch tram to Boldon Dash to cricket club, drink pint, dash back 19:25 tram back to Monument 19:50 tram to Chillingham Road …… 21:15 train back to Darlo Yes, a mad… Continue reading ELDER (AND WISER). TYNE & WEAR COMPLETE
MY MAXIM – SPORTS CLUBS IN THE GBG ARE INCREDIBLY DULL BUT THE BEER IS ALWAYS GOOD
July 2025. East Boldon. No sooner do I tell you my ambitious plans for August than family drama strikes, for the 36th consecutive month, and I’ve just spent all afternoon in a Kent A & E waiting room with my father-in-law eating lentil crisps. Such is life, and a reminder to take every opportunity to… Continue reading MY MAXIM – SPORTS CLUBS IN THE GBG ARE INCREDIBLY DULL BUT THE BEER IS ALWAYS GOOD
VE-VE-VESUVIO
July 2025. Darlington. I’m about to analyse my whereabouts in July, and it may horrify Kentish Paul to learn I spent as many nights in a Co-op car park in Darlington as I did at home in Sheffield. No sooner was I back from Waterbeach than heading out in the campervan to Cockerton library, where… Continue reading VE-VE-VESUVIO
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