An excellent read, as always, from Boak and Bailey about the state of the pub this week. I recommend reading this BlueSky thread; The comments reflect on the vital role of the pub as a social space, something very much on my mind this morning. I didn’t really talk about “life” in my 2025 reviews,… Continue reading YOUR FRIEND IN DIFFICULT TIMES
Month: January 2026
TENTATIVELY INTO TENTERDEN
January 2026. Tenterden. I remembered it’s 2026 this time, after labelling the last one December ’25. Good job we don’t write cheques anymore. Mrs RM is busy “refining” her blog, but I did get her out from Rye (we’re attending to in-laws again) to explore posh Tenterden, half an hour north and 50 years into… Continue reading TENTATIVELY INTO TENTERDEN
TAKING DOWN THE TREE
January 2026. Rye. Obligatory video, from the best Christmas album. I‘ve used this one, and the title before, (twice !) which is sort of self-plagiarism, no ? No decorations for us again this year, in Sheffield or Waterbeach or Rye. Mumsnet would be outraged. But, in keeping with the need of the country to honour… Continue reading TAKING DOWN THE TREE
THE JENNY LIND SAYS “DO ONE, DRYANUARY”
I’m very pleased with that pic above, touch of Dylan album cover I reckon. If Bob had recorded his sophomore album in Hastings 60 years later. January 2025. Hastings. The three pubs on gorgeous All Saints Street in the bag (though not in the GBG), we reached the eponymous church, and the actual hotel that… Continue reading THE JENNY LIND SAYS “DO ONE, DRYANUARY”
PROPER PUBS SIGN ALERT. THE STAG, HASTINGS.
January 2026. Hastings. A third pub on All Saints Street in an hour, and a second Heritage entry in quick succession at the Stag. We left the Cinque Ports just as dusk was about to weave its magic. I reckon a real architectural enthusiast could spend a good hour in this quarter mile stretch. Virtually… Continue reading PROPER PUBS SIGN ALERT. THE STAG, HASTINGS.
TOP 100 PUBS – CINQUE PORTS ARMS, HASTINGS
January 2026. Hastings. Look at those blue “P” markers above. Four (4) of them in Hastings Old Town alone (and a fifth, the Havelock, in New Town). Two of those a hundred yards apart in All Saints Street, a triumph of unexpected detail that would only be improved by getting shot of all the vehicles.… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – CINQUE PORTS ARMS, HASTINGS
MRS RM SETTLES IN FOR THE BIG HASTINGS N/A BEER CRAWL
January 2026. Hastings. The end of Dryanuary for me as we hit Day 3 of 2026, but Mrs RM has ambitions to “go low” and seek out all these exciting non-alcoholic alternatives we keep reading about. Let’s focus on one street, All Saints in Hastings, historic and affluent and a good bet for folk abstaining… Continue reading MRS RM SETTLES IN FOR THE BIG HASTINGS N/A BEER CRAWL
PELHAM PLACE
January 2026. Hastings. Hastings ? Again ?! Although the wonders of the Kent and Sussex coast are on our doorstep in Rye, they’re not much use if you don’t get out the caravan till noon. It’s still dark by four down here, and Hastings is only 20 minutes by train. And I had unfinished business… Continue reading PELHAM PLACE
DRY JANUARY 1st IN CORBY GLEN
January 1st 2026. Corby Glen. Lincolnshire. A very easy 2hr 20 drive down from Sheffield to Waterbeach on New Years Day, which I designated as my Dryanuary Day for 2026. Having switched from road to rail of late, that M18/A1/A14 slog wasn’t quite as draining, but I picked a spot to stretch my legs just… Continue reading DRY JANUARY 1st IN CORBY GLEN
A NORTHERN HEAD ON THE ORVAL
December 31st 2025. Walkley. Sheffield. I think I’ve written about every pint, gig and church visited this year. Imagine that. Goodness know what the AI data farms speed reading my blog are making of it all. I assume all those American readers (bar Dick and Dave) are robots ? Perhaps Dick and Dave are robots… Continue reading A NORTHERN HEAD ON THE ORVAL
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