October 2023. Long Eaton. The train from Matlock arrived at 17:04, and I caught the 18:04 back to Sheffield. So I make that an hour in total to walk the 2.7 miles to Rowells and back (52 minutes say lazy Google), 15 minutes for the pint, 10 minutes wait for the crispy beef and Singapore… Continue reading What’s that on the bench outside Sawley’s Bell ?
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.
STAY ON THE TRAIN TO LONG EATON
October 2023. Long Eaton. Derbyshire. One of the joys of rail travel, and there aren’t many when you’re standing on a backed Trans Pennine rattler, is the hurried planning for a quick connection to your next pub. Imagine the sheer joy on the way back from Matlock last Monday, with only an empty Carling can… Continue reading STAY ON THE TRAIN TO LONG EATON
OCTOBER 2023 STOCKTAKE + NOVEMBER PREVIEW
Research has shown that a picture of Stafford Paul or Sheffield Hatter will boost your blog views by 13.7%, so here’s both. Only a pub cat or a pint of Bass (in branded glass) work better, 15.2% and 14.1% respectively. My own blog views dipped a bit as I spent the first half of the… Continue reading OCTOBER 2023 STOCKTAKE + NOVEMBER PREVIEW
YES, THE BASS IS STILL GOOD IN THE THORN TREE
October 2023. Matlock. Ian “The Wickingman” Thurman has a lot to answer for. Before his intervention a few years back Bass was happily dying off, seemingly with CAMRA folk’s blessing as a boring brown beer living off misguided past glories, set for the same fate as Boddington and Websters (RIP). But then Ian and a… Continue reading YES, THE BASS IS STILL GOOD IN THE THORN TREE
PLUM PORTER IN MATLOCK
October 2023. Matlock. I’m ticking the new GBG in singles, except I’m not “ticking” it as there’s no way I’ll manage a second Guide completion under current parental circumstances. But the GBG is full of gems, including a Plum Porter in Matlock, just over the hour on the train from Sheff. I was surprised the… Continue reading PLUM PORTER IN MATLOCK
PENITENT IN PENISTONE
October 2023. Penistone. Just like Warden Norton in “Shawshank Redemption”, I had been suffering an unsettled night after the visit of BRAPA to conclude South Yorkshire GBG24. I’d already claimed my home county “complete”, but something was nagging me… Mrs RM joined me on Sunday lunchtime to confirm my suspicions. I’d had definitely visited the… Continue reading PENITENT IN PENISTONE
THAT FATEFUL NIGHT MRS RM JOINED UNTAPPD
October 2023. Sheffield. A rainy Friday night in Sheffield had kept the students away, and that rain was about to scupper Saturday’s Beer Festival too. But our two bedraggled Hampshire (Hook and Hartley Witney) visitors and three locals weren’t deterred by a soaking. But perhaps the rain was the reason we ended up in new… Continue reading THAT FATEFUL NIGHT MRS RM JOINED UNTAPPD
THE DUFF PINT CHANGED, GRACIOUSLY
October 2023. Sheffield. A third successive day of meeting pub royalty as “Citra” Mick and “Big” Steve took the slow train up from Hampshire. It shouldn’t have been that slow, but the floods, particularly at Grantham meant a 9 hour journey and they didn’t even give Mick and Steve a complimentary can of Madri. So… Continue reading THE DUFF PINT CHANGED, GRACIOUSLY
I AM BRAPA’S TAXI – SOUTH YORKSHIRE COMPLETE
October 2023. Sheffield/Deepcar/Mexborough. Yes, it’s the annual BRAPA/Retired Martin meet-up, where I carry out my remaining life’s work of helping Simon complete the GBG (in his lifetime, if not mine). Think of it as John the Baptist and Jesus, even though that analogy doesn’t work. I love, love, LOVE meeting up with Simon, and not… Continue reading I AM BRAPA’S TAXI – SOUTH YORKSHIRE COMPLETE
Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
October 2023. Manchester. A trip to Manchester with Mrs RM for a pint, a curry and a book about pubs ? Count me in, Blackpool Jane. Really all you need is Jane’s blog. Read that first. But I’m contractually obliged to give you my own diary extracts, “Taylor’s version” if you like. Hey, where did… Continue reading Blackpool Jane’s Manchester Mission #9 – (Taylor’s Version)
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