retiredmartin

Your brief monthly highlights package.

Only forty-five pubs, 21 new GBG entries, in a month of high quality and variety. I almost caught up on the blog, too, though with reading Russ’s comments (thanks Russ) occupying 35% of my time I may never have time to go to the pub again.

Amongst all that quality, a real standout as my Pub of the Month, the wonderfully happy Peasants’ Tavern putting North Walsham on the map.

This is what November’s travel looked like;

though most of those journeys, from Sheffield to Manchester and Waterbeach to London and Rye and back were by train, not campervan, which meant I get the joy of annoying fellow rail passengers by eating this,

while working out my Delay Repay refunds.

November saw a belated return to Rye Harbour caravan park, where Mrs RM is now hunkered down attending to infirm parents with occasional visits from me.

I’ve only managed one trip to the Ypres Castle (top), as wonderful as ever, but Rye is a good base for the Sussex coast in winter. Eastbourne looked gorgeous, its Spoons a joy.

Not much chance to stop in London on these relentless trips through St Pancras, but it was reassuring to see that Hampstead never changes,

and the capital gave me my highlight of the year,

as Rosie sang the songs that make the whole world cry.

Beer of the month was a toss-up between the Talking Tides Stout at their brand new Leeds tap,

and Track Sonoma as Pray Tell in Sale. Lacings never lie.

Both NBSS 4.5, in a fantastic month for cask quality, and I haven’t had my first pint of Belgian Blue yet.

Talking of Christmas,

I do hope to avoid all seasonal mentions in December.