December 22nd 2025. The Stade. Hastings. One of my most photogenic birthdays, even if one of the dullest. The next post-lunch stretch takes us from the brutalism of Sports Direct in Hastings New Town, past that iconic view of Pelham Crescent’s amusement arcades with the castle ruins behind, through the mini-golf and swan boats and… Continue reading THE STADE
Author: retiredmartin
Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.
TURKISH DELIGHT
December 22nd 2025. Hastings. I’ve given up on getting the blog up-to-date before year end, and you’ll be wanting my awards issue tomorrow, but I’m not rushing Hastings. In fact, I think I’ve invented the birthday (22/12) equivalent of slow tourism, as we spent last Monday wandering aimlessly taking photos of crumbling Sussex-by-the-Sea. Crumbling, but… Continue reading TURKISH DELIGHT
HARVEY’S CHRISTMAS ALE
December 22nd 2025. Hastings. Well, I think it’s Hastings, where the eponymous pier stands, though the video is less conclusive, and you folks will know how much invisible and pointless boundaries matter to some people. Mrs RM decided that at 10:52 am it was time for the Official RM birthday pub, and looked bemused as… Continue reading HARVEY’S CHRISTMAS ALE
ON THE BEACH
December 22nd 2025. St Leonards. I’ll keep you waiting for the “birthday pub“; it’s a doozy. We managed 18,000 steps on my birthday, (Mrs RM does more than me as her legs are smaller, it’s the patriarchy), including a bracing stroll along the prom between St Leonards and Hastings, which are virtually contiguous (word of… Continue reading ON THE BEACH
NO PLACE ELSE I’D RATHER BE (ON MY BIRTHDAY) THAN ST LEONARDS ON SEA
December 22nd 2025. St Leonards on Sea. And so, I awoke, 61 up, another year ahead. Never look back, folks. You’ll know my view on anniversaries and celebrations; don’t do them. My only requirements for my birthday are NO presents or cards, just make sure I’m somewhere I haven’t been before, crispy beef and a… Continue reading NO PLACE ELSE I’D RATHER BE (ON MY BIRTHDAY) THAN ST LEONARDS ON SEA
A DASH FROM ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL
December 2025. Ashford. Kent. The journey from Sheffield (Home 1) to Rye (Home 3) ticked into an 8th hour as we pulled into Ashford International, which I’ve seen far too much of these last two months. 36 minutes between trains, too long to admire the art trail, so I felt compelled to seek solace in… Continue reading A DASH FROM ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL
TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
December 2025. Sheffield. Ely. King’s Cross. London. You’ll be wondering by now what’s happened to my birthday (22nd December, make a note on your new Retired Martin calendar). That’s coming soon, and rest assured it’s not as bad as last year, but first a long day from Sheffield, to Rye, via long stops in Ely… Continue reading TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
December 2025. Manchester. Walking back from the City v Hammers match I got a text from Matthew; “Fancy a beer ?“, which is exactly the sort of thing you hope a child will grow up to ask you. Quosh had recommended a new brewery tap under the Piccadilly arches (“ANOTHER one ?“), only a 5… Continue reading STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
FLAT TRACK BULLIES
December 2025. Manchester. Normally I meet Matt in Manchester near Piccadilly before a City game, but last Saturday I just fancied getting to the Etihad early and jumped off at Ashbury’s. Note, map above, the astonishing number of sports stadia in East Manchester, a legacy of the Commonwealth Games of 2002 and the totally above… Continue reading FLAT TRACK BULLIES
“BY ‘ECK IT’S GORGEOUS”. THE STEELWORKS, BREDBURY.
December 2025. Bredbury. Stockport. A flying visit back Home (No. 1) at least gives me chance to do the laundry, discuss viscosity with Will, and get to the final game of the year. The last Saturday before Christmas was always going to put strain on the Sheffield-Manchester-Liverpool rail “service”, especially with the Egyptians and pixies… Continue reading “BY ‘ECK IT’S GORGEOUS”. THE STEELWORKS, BREDBURY.
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