A difficult start to the year, spending longer at the parents/in-laws than in Sheffield, and cancelling a trip to Jordan (vibrant Draught Bass scene, apparently) due to “events, dear boy”. But the travel map for January isn’t that bad, though you’ll notice I’ve yet to even graze Wales, Scotland and whatever it is beyond the… Continue reading JANUARY ’24 STOCKTAKE + FEBRUARY 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.
GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 3 – THE HUNGRY HORSE, NELSON
January 2024. Nelson. I realise that nominating a Greene King ping food family pub as a “Great Pub” for my revisits series may undermine the whole “Great Pubs” brand, but wait till you hear the context. The ONLY real ale pub in Nelson (pop. ), as evidence by What Pub. “So, Retired Martin, you’re telling… Continue reading GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 3 – THE HUNGRY HORSE, NELSON
THE LAST SEAT IN THE PUB IN BARROWFORD
January 2024. Barrowford. Having completed Lancashire’s GBG24 chapter by 6pm I suddenly found myself in a one street town with no plans on a Saturday night. Except, obviously, a Chinese takeaway later on. Barrowford’s New Man Lee, possibly my 555th CT and even if it isn’t you’ll never know, looked a stunner on Google. Posh… Continue reading THE LAST SEAT IN THE PUB IN BARROWFORD
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 40 – SURREY
Surrey, eh ? What even IS Surrey ? Middlesex has Russell Grant to fight its corner. Who will fight for Surrey ? Alec Stewart ? Graham Roope ? Where would you direct the bloke landing at Heathrow from Chicago or Michigan if he said “I MUST go to Surrey ?”. I do like a challenge. But… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 40 – SURREY
LANCASHIRE HAS FALLEN
January 2024. Barrowford. Lancashire’s GBG24 entries (well, the dozen newbies) were completed in the beautiful Forest of Pendle, depending on your perspective in Greater Burnley or Lesser Clitheroe. I parked the campervan opposite the Pendle Heritage Site, a museum that explains why 17th century women who drank schooners of sour beer were tried as witches.… Continue reading LANCASHIRE HAS FALLEN
DARWEN DAWDLING, DARWEN DELIGHTS
January 2024. Darwen. Two east Lancashire ticks to complete the county meant a first opportunity in 2024 to take the campervan out for the night. Parked in the posh bit just outside Burnley, it felt a real night out. Darwen isn’t really posh Burnley, or Blackburn, but I have enjoyed its renaissance over the last… Continue reading DARWEN DAWDLING, DARWEN DELIGHTS
MOMOS @ FREAK STREET, WALKLEY
January 2024. Walkley. Sheffield. You may be wondering why there’s been no mention of “Poor Things” on this blog. You’ll recall that Emma Stone was hotly tipped to play the role of Mrs RM in the biopic of my life, but having watched her traumatising performance in Poor Things in the Light cinema last week… Continue reading MOMOS @ FREAK STREET, WALKLEY
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 39 – STAFFORDSHIRE
If memory serves me right, I declared Staffordshire our No.1 Midlands pub county recently. So it’s only fair picking half a dozen pubs should be tricky, and divide families. But here’s five pubs to give you a flavour of Staffordshire, a county of beautiful scenery, “challenging” post-industrial landscapes, oatcakes and Robbie Williams. I expect my… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 39 – STAFFORDSHIRE
GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 2 – WIGAN CENTRAL
If you’re wondering where “Half a dozen pubs…” has got to, the next edition is Staffordshire, the toughest so far, and I’m absolutely terrified of upsetting Stafford Paul so I’m planning to be in hiding for a few days after that post comes out later. Before that, the second in my award winning Pub Revisit… Continue reading GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 2 – WIGAN CENTRAL
PRESCOT – TO BARD OR NOT TO BARD
January 2024. Prescot. Six months ago I hadn’t been to Prescot in 20 years; now I’m planning a third trip in rapid succession. Geographic boundaries are dangerous, but I think this map shows Knowsley. But can that be right ? 10 minutes on the train from St Helens, just before you hit the motorway that… Continue reading PRESCOT – TO BARD OR NOT TO BARD
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