My lawyers have reminded me that even though I’ve just issued an Annual Report for 2024 I do need to do a December highlights post. I know how litigious old CAMRA members are; they’re still trying to get CAMRA to reinstate their monthly edition of What’s Brewing on papyrus. Gives me chance to recall that… Continue reading DECEMBER ’24 STOCKTAKE AND JANUARY PREVIEW
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.
A SIGN OF THE TIMES – THE WAGGON & HORSES, COTTENHAM
January 2025. Cottenham. The Fen Edge. There aren’t many blogs which give you TWO Fen Edge pub visits in the first week of 2025. Actually, there aren’t many blogs which write about going to the pub AT ALL. So here I am, stuck in Waterbeach while Mum gets used to her home help/carers who will… Continue reading A SIGN OF THE TIMES – THE WAGGON & HORSES, COTTENHAM
GOOD BEER GUIDE SPREADSHEET SPECIAL
All Duncan McKay wanted for Christmas was a blog post with a GBG spreadsheet in it. I always assumed the Pubmeister was born before the invention of spreadsheets and kept his ticks on Paisley papyrus, but apparently spreadsheets date back to the Babylonians in 1800 BC and despite the appearance of his knees I think… Continue reading GOOD BEER GUIDE SPREADSHEET SPECIAL
RETIRED MARTIN’S 2024 IN MUSIC
Don’t worry, I leave the musical critique to Chris Dyson. His review is probably more eclectic than mine, a few male artists ! But like Chris I still consume a lot of music; it’s just that music is different these days. 40 years ago I was spending about a grand, 20% of my first annual… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S 2024 IN MUSIC
RETIRED MARTIN’S GASTRONOMIC 2024
This blog is a diary, and if it’s dominated by pub visits that’s often because the pub is where you’re most likely to eavesdrop on meet people*. To steal from and corrupt Pete Postlethwaite; “Truth is, I THOUGHT it mattered. I thought that BEER mattered. But does it? Bollocks! Not compared to how PEOPLE matter.“… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S GASTRONOMIC 2024
MRS RM STARTING DRYANUARY AS SHE MEANS TO GO ON IN BOTTISHAM
A few more 2024 highlights posts to come; best crispy beef, top graffiti, that sort of nonsense. But let’s kick off the new year’s post in an unlikely setting. January 2025. Anglesey Abbey You can walk to Anglesey Abbey from Waterbeach in an hour, as long as you’ve legs long enough to jump this stream… Continue reading MRS RM STARTING DRYANUARY AS SHE MEANS TO GO ON IN BOTTISHAM
2024 RETIRED MARTIN TRAVELS – A YEAR OF TWO HALVES
You’ll be relieved to know Mrs RM and I welcomed in the new year and Dryanuary with a pint and a National trust tick yesterday, but before we get to 2025 I’ve got more of those contractually obligated “Best of ’24” posts for you. After all, there’s (marginally) more to life than pubs and beer,… Continue reading 2024 RETIRED MARTIN TRAVELS – A YEAR OF TWO HALVES
THE 2024 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
OK, let’s start the annual review posts with pubs, it’s all you’re here for. I’ll cover “LIFE” next. THE STATS Five hundred and sixty (560) different pubs, though barely two hundred pubs new GBG entries. I will do a GBG spreadsheet post soon so the professional tickers can laugh at it. With responsibilities to frail… Continue reading THE 2024 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
ENDING 2024 WITH A 15% IMPERIAL STOUT IN NORTHSTOWE
December 2024. Northstowe. Cambridgeshire. Not too long till the end-of-year awards, but best never be too presumptuous and assume you’ll last till midnight, eh ? Despite what I just told you about declaring for 2024, Mrs RM was desperate for a trip out to an embryonic scruffy New Town, but NOT Waterbeach. Northstowe, 20 minutes… Continue reading ENDING 2024 WITH A 15% IMPERIAL STOUT IN NORTHSTOWE
“Oh, go on, let’s do the Brew Dog”
December 2024. Sheffield. Due to a bout of man flu acquired standing in the cold watching non-league football this next pub may well be my last of 2024, meaning I’m up to date and can bring you post on my American lesbian music highlights of the year. Back in Sheffield after our thrilling Miners Welfare… Continue reading “Oh, go on, let’s do the Brew Dog”
