September 2023. Brigg. 2.5 hours in Brigg ? That’ll be seven (7) posts then. On the Thursday I took Dad for a drive round the lesser-visited Fen east of Ely, taking in Shippea Hill, the least used railway station in 2015-16 (12 passengers in a year). The very next day a hardy group comprising Will… Continue reading THE PARLIAMENTARY TRAIN TO BRIGG
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.
WARBOYS !!! WARBOYS !!!
OK it’s not quite the Duran Duran “classic”, but it’s what came to mind arriving in Warboys so I’m using it. The Durannies, of course, inspired other pub blog titles including “New Spoons on Monday“, “Notorious (opening times)” and “Girls on Film (Angry Babe remix)”. They haven’t made a great record since 1993, which is… Continue reading WARBOYS !!! WARBOYS !!!
THE PRIDE DRINKING SURPRISINGLY WELL IN GREATER GRANTHAM
September 2023. Welby, Grantham. If Ian Thurman is the man responsible for the resurrection of Bass, and CAMRA the redeemer of Abbot, then Simon Everitt may just be the saviour of London Pride. Pride has been popping up in all sorts of places, from Tower Hill to the unfathomable wastelands between Grantham and Sleaford. Welby… Continue reading THE PRIDE DRINKING SURPRISINGLY WELL IN GREATER GRANTHAM
THE SLOW DEATH OF DAYTIME DRINKING PART 477
September 2023. Leeds. Of course, you can’t take a train to Leeds and just have the one beer, though I used to do that after meetings at Quarry House (aka the Kremlin) often enough in the early 2000s. That was when Tetley was often as good as it got, whether by the markets or up… Continue reading THE SLOW DEATH OF DAYTIME DRINKING PART 477
DAVE’S PIE & ALE HOUSE, LEEDS
September 2023. Leeds. Some GBG pub men start the new Guide year with arduous trips to get adventurous ticks in before winter. I believe BRAPA has ventured into Lincolnshire. I’m collecting the “low hanging fruit”, like a lone Leeds newbie. You remember Leeds ? Home to ITV studios where 3-2-1 was filmed, it seems. Nowadays Leeds… Continue reading DAVE’S PIE & ALE HOUSE, LEEDS
SEPTEMBER 2023 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
A year on from The Great Completion, September 2023 was less dramatic, though the travel map looks scarcely less exhausting. No trips to Scotland, or Wales, or the South-West, which pretty much sums up my dire attempt to repeat 2022’s heroics on Rousay. And yes, Duncan, you will get a full spreadsheet. Soon. A new… Continue reading SEPTEMBER 2023 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
PLATFORM 3b, DONCASTER
September 2023. Platform 3, Doncaster Station. Half an hour till the train (advance ticket, fixed time) back to Sheff, just time for a half in the Draughtsman. I would have gone in the green-tiled Leopard for the first time in 20 years, but it looked a little too quiet. Obviously if I’d visited I could… Continue reading PLATFORM 3b, DONCASTER
“What’s S and P mean ?” Teatime in Doncaster.
September 2023. Doncaster. So much to love in Doncaster, a town that will always have a special place in Mrs RM’s and my heart due to, er, a £20 motel next to Hyde Park cemetery. In truth, Donny isn’t that great, and although the new cultural quarter is a gem, and the street art much-improved,… Continue reading “What’s S and P mean ?” Teatime in Doncaster.
THE ‘LITTLE’ PLOUGH, DONCASTER – “LIKE A GREAT SAM SMITHS PUB WITH MOBILE PHONES”
September 2023. Doncaster. A Top 100 pub ? ANOTHER one ! Why not ? Life is short. And time was short in Doncaster, but time enough to see what’s changed since Mrs RM and I drove a teenage Matthew here from Waterbeach 5 years ago (and back the same night) for a hardcore gig just… Continue reading THE ‘LITTLE’ PLOUGH, DONCASTER – “LIKE A GREAT SAM SMITHS PUB WITH MOBILE PHONES”
DOES DONNY HAVE THE UK’s BEST SOCIAL HISTORY MUSEUM ?
September 2023. Doncaster. The bus passing the Horse & Groom said “Sorry – full”, even though it clearly wasn’t. The driver said “Gonna be a millions school kids on here in a minute mate, I’d wait for the next one”. Now, if life has taught me anything, it’s “never wait for the next one“. Well,… Continue reading DOES DONNY HAVE THE UK’s BEST SOCIAL HISTORY MUSEUM ?
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