April 2026. Stockport.
“City, tearing cockneys apart, again“. That’s the only post-match chant this PG version of the blog can bring you from an evening at the Etihad when I lost my voice and risked a permanent ban for my shouts of “and your beer’s not very good” at the Arsenal fans. You can’t swear at football matches anymore.
James was quickest to check on me…
Mrs RM had checked in at Stockport Travelodge, a good option on a day hit by train delays and marathon runners.
I’d left the car opposite the Magnet, and too the 192 from Piccadilly down the A6 through Ardwick and Longsight,
perhaps the biggest collection of closed pubs anywhere on the CAMRA website. This one is open though;
All rather different in Stockport, awash with great pubs like the Magnet,
where I felt duty bound to celebrate a win that might not be decisive come season-end, but a great game nonetheless.
Bathams, Castle Eden and Three Tuns ? It’s like Punk never happened.
As this is a diary some of the entries, like that Alderley Edge snippet, there’s a few where I don’t have a lot to say,
apart from “Great to see mixed ages“, “Genesis ugh“,
and “Oh, the Batham’s went quick, better have a Marble“.
I’m not sure if I looked frantic, or they were just scared I’d drunk two pints in 10 minutes (the Marble notably crisper than the Bathams), but the gents opposite took their sipped pints and scooted away. Probably to the garden.
It would have been better if Mrs RM had walked the 5 minutes to join me, but I reckon this sign outside the Magnet is spot on.
I really want to read that National Geographic article now. I should never have cancelled the subscription when we moved to Sheffield.
retiredmartin 
Your wish is my command (although it’s rather concise);
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/article/best-pubs-uk
Cheers MT
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Wow. Thanks very much, I guess that from their glossy travel magazine. That’s a great dozen pubs there of all styles and locations. Concise is best.
NB I thought I was MT !
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Glad to see that – I was wondering if they had just stolen the NG logo to impress.
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I though it odd, though of course the Stockport viaduct and glass pyramid are natural wonders of the modern world. You should definitely add Stockport to your list.
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I have been in 2002 and 2017 and really liked it!
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I enjoyed two Bathams and a beef cob this lunchtime in the Royal Oak at Church Eaton.
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Sounds good, Paul – I’m assuming it’s you!
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Yes indeed Paul.
And my wife’s sister has us invited for a birthday tomorrow over to Sedgley where Sarah Hughes will no doubt be drinking well.
Did you do anything special for your recent birthday ?
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So we have Long Eaton, Little Eaton, and Church Eaton.
Is there simply a Shop Eaton or Pub Eaton anywhere?
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There’s Eton Rifles…
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Nothing special, birthday-wise, Paul. It wasn’t a significant one, and instead I enjoyed an excellent “Pub Friday” yesterday, visiting two, rural Harvey’s pubs using a combination of train and bus.
Full details to follow, in due course, but in the meantime, enjoy the Sarah Hughes. tomorrow!
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Paul, I managed six pints of Harveys in St Albans last weekend, including Prince of Denmark, Easter Ale, Porter and Armada in the Robin Hood – and a chat with Miles Jenner there.
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