September 2026. Salford.
Two quick ticks by two in Flixton and Urmston, and I’m safely back from Trafford at Oxford Road station, where I decide this odd staircase is the highlight.
I’d hoped to minimise the walking last Tuesday, but decide you can walk off a broken leg, so head through majestic Manchester to my hotel for the night.
Nope, not the Midland.
Mrs RM and I stayed there 30 years ago for Ā£60, our first real visit to the eternal city finding Holt Bitter for a quid a pint in the new Old Monkey.
I’m headed across the Irwell to Salford,
but just as I walk under the rails of Salford Central I get a call from Matt asking if I can come and get my haircut early.
That haircut was overdue; I was looking like a member of Cutting Crew mentioned last post.
Cutting Crew is a good name for a barbers, but it’s not as classy sounding as Helvete. I feel better having been shorn, but I’ve now clocked up 15,000 steps already and need a rest.
But first, a pint of Holt Bitter below my Ā£45 room (quiet, clean) for the night.
It’s the first pulled of the day, but actually pretty GOOD, if a bit too cool.
No longer a Holt pub, and its short spell in the GBG a distant memory, it’s got a proper Salford feel, helped by a video soundtrack firmly in 1981. Madness, The Police and the Bill.
I’m convinced I haven’t heard “Je Sui En Rock Star” in 45 years.
It’s better than anything Mick Jagger did solo, I’ll say that.
Are you having to ‘walk it off’ due to the lack of a magic sponge ??
I’m sure one dipped in Bass would cure all known ills….
LikeLiked by 3 people
Nice:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m sure I stayed there for a week whilst working at the Manchester Winter beer festival. Is it the pub where the toilets were opened by a Coronation Sreet actor possibly Jack Duckworth.
LikeLiked by 2 people
You did, Tony ! I read it on Untappd. 8 days in January 2018. They had good Citra on then, it was in the GBG for a while. There’s a plaque commemorating your stay.
Highly likely Jack Duckworth. There’s not a plaque.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Superb info Martin. There used to be a plaque for sure but I expect the toilets may even have been refreshed since he opened them.
LikeLiked by 1 person
As I said, Tony, they replaced it with for you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ā£45 for a room there is probably better value than the Ā£23.40 I paid for a bed in Manchester early this month.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Or possibly not, Paul š
LikeLike
The Holts Bitter not top notch, or the bed too creaky, what possibly could have gone wrong ?
LikeLike
Cool beer soon warms up and just req unrest a little patience. Warm beer just gets worse
LikeLiked by 1 person