July 2026. Rotherham. Visiting Dad yesterday a long-term aquaintance said to me “You must enjoy sitting around relaxing at home“. I was speechless. I’m aware some folk do like spending time at home, but 4 years after completing the Beer Guide I’m still not one of them. More than a day in Sheffield and I… Continue reading A ROTHERHAM DAY
Month: July 2026
THE GARDENERS REST – BEST PUB GARDEN IN SHEFFIELD ?
July 2026. Sheffield. The only problem with keg beer is that you immediately wish you’d had cask, but I wouldn’t admit that on the cesspit that is CAMRA’s Discourse at the moment. Anyway, I found I couldn’t walk past the Gardeners Rest without seeing what Tribune newspaper just declared the Best Pub Garden In Sheffield.… Continue reading THE GARDENERS REST – BEST PUB GARDEN IN SHEFFIELD ?
A SHEFFIELD MURK AND BRISKET INTERLUDE
July 2026. Sheffield. When we moved to Sheffield during the second lockdown I thought there might be a protracted period of stabilisastion in the pub scene (ugh), but 2021-23 saw plenty of new openings to distract us from the Kelham Island usual suspects. Heist came first, 30 keg taps, a shuffle board and an unusual… Continue reading A SHEFFIELD MURK AND BRISKET INTERLUDE
TOO HOT FOR PUB GARDENS, TOO HOT FOR CASK ?
July 2026. Sheffield. It’s that time of year again, when local newspapers, even the subscription ones without clickbait, send reporters out to find your city’s top beer gardens, and invite comments from folk who like to reminisce about “The Good Old Days“. I subscribe to Sheffield’s Tribune, which has good if often grim journalism, and… Continue reading TOO HOT FOR PUB GARDENS, TOO HOT FOR CASK ?
I (STILL) MISS THE JOLLY ANGLER
July 2026. Manchester. I drove into Manchester on the hottest day of the year to help him clear his Piccadilly flat (mainly a guitar and early editions of Kerrang!), a month after his move to the Promised Land of Stockport. I could have parked opposite the flat at CitiPark, but saved £7 by stopping on… Continue reading I (STILL) MISS THE JOLLY ANGLER
VISITING THE CORN DOLLY JUST TO PLAY BOB AND OLIVIA
July 2026. Bradford. Back from the Ginger Goose, Mrs RM said she didn’t want anything to eat, which I took as instruction to head out immediately and come back with a healthy tea. I headed out into Little Germany, a part of Bradford with unrealised potential, expecting to find a dozen pizza/kebab places on the… Continue reading VISITING THE CORN DOLLY JUST TO PLAY BOB AND OLIVIA
YOUNG (AND OLD) HEARTS RUN FREE AT THE GINGER GOOSE
July 2026. Bradford. Back from Bingley at half-five last Monday, Bradford looked a little too quiet. The 10 minutes walk from Forster Square Station to Holiday Inn Express is a row of “value” pubs, one of them offering sandwich, crisps and a pint for a fiver. As I walk past the Ginger Goose I hear… Continue reading YOUNG (AND OLD) HEARTS RUN FREE AT THE GINGER GOOSE
BINGLEY, AFTER THE DRUID’S WALK
July 2026. Bingley. Day 5 of the Cask Camino, and we’d postponed Bingley’s canalside highlights in favour of a bracing walk to the Druid’s Altar, with the promise of a pint on the way back to the station. Mrs RM will be looking for some middle-class pub recommendations for her own blog, and you won’t… Continue reading BINGLEY, AFTER THE DRUID’S WALK
CASK CAMINO DAY 5 – SALT MILL TO BINGLEY
July 2026. Saltaire to Bingley. A late (9:30) start to Day 5 of the Cask Camino on Monday morning meant we missed the best of the Holiday Inn Express (i.e. the scrambled eggs), which came as a shock after missing breakfasts in Armenia because they didn’t start till 9am. We resume at Saltaire station, the… Continue reading CASK CAMINO DAY 5 – SALT MILL TO BINGLEY
CULTURE ? I’LL SHOW YOU CULTURE, SAYS BRADFORD
July 2026. Bradford. I see Corby has been shortlisted for UK Town of Culture 2028, and rightly so. Who could deny a place with “hot piping action” ? It faces tough competition from Basildon and the lesser lights highlighted by the BBC in a typical sneery article. I can recommend ALL of those places, particularly… Continue reading CULTURE ? I’LL SHOW YOU CULTURE, SAYS BRADFORD
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