December 2023. Crouch Hill. London. And that’s the problem with London pub “curated self-explorations“. So many steps, so much beer, so few (no) public toilets on trains. I actually thought the Overground (the orange one) might have loos. How daft can you be. So 10 minutes later I found myself at Crouch Hill station, searching… Continue reading WHERE OR WHAT IS CROUCH END ? AND WHERE’S THE NEAREST LOO ?
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.
FOX ON THE RUN, IN FOREST GATE
December 2023. Forest Gate. London. The walk from the “Iron Maiden” pub on the edge of Stratford to the Holly Tree on the edge of Wanstead Flats was uneventful, and no-one wants that. Row after row of neat East London terraces, with not a single micropub or cereal cafe to break the monotony. Oh, what’s… Continue reading FOX ON THE RUN, IN FOREST GATE
RUNNING FREE – INTO MARYLAND
December 2023. Maryland. East London. I hope you’re enjoying this pictorial trip through East London as much as I did, but do I care if you’re not ? With Hackney and Stratford conquered, I just had Forest Gate to go. Theoretically doable on bus, but who wants to use a bus. Ugh. Far better to… Continue reading RUNNING FREE – INTO MARYLAND
A tribute TO Stratford
December 2023 Stratford. Stratford E15, that is; no-one would look to convince you of the charms of that Warwickshire version. Most visitors to the transport interchange turn one way to the Olympic site and West Ham or another to the shops and the Westfield Tap. Before that tick at the Black Bull I think my… Continue reading A tribute TO Stratford
A Tribute IN Stratford…
December 2023. Stratford. London. Pubbing in London is brilliant, and I can honestly say both the beer quality have the friendliness have got better since Covid. And as I jumped back on the overground at Hackney Central I rejoiced in the knowledge my next tick was only 20 minutes away. Such riches ! The only… Continue reading A Tribute IN Stratford…
CHRISTMAS DRINKERS IN HACKNEY
December 2023. Hackney. I’m in danger of catching up on the blog, so let’s put an end to that with a Big(ish) Night Out in London ahead of the annual End of the Road Christmas Show.. I caught the train from Waterbeach and slept in the campervan to save the price of a “cheap” Premier… Continue reading CHRISTMAS DRINKERS IN HACKNEY
A PINT WITH WILLY WONKA
December 2023. Sheffield. Back in Sheff, Mrs RM said she wanted to go and see Wonka, a documentary about the 19th century cocoa industry or something. Going to see musicals with your wife earns 8.6 brownie points, according to Mumsnet Research, just below letting her finish your packet of pickled onion Monster Munch you’d been… Continue reading A PINT WITH WILLY WONKA
TO CALVARY
December 2023. Coalville. Yes, you’re still in Coalville, apparently. Bit of a change in tone now, as I take you from the Rock Bar with DIY keg wall to Calvary (not Cavalry, that’s a Jona Lewie hit). Ah, Calvary.”There is a green hill far away, without a city wall” in the words of Cecil Frances… Continue reading TO CALVARY
COALVILLE – A ROCK AND A WALL
December 2023. Coalville. Well, who’d have thought it. A new GBG pub in Coalville. Sadly, it comes in the same year that the landlord of the Stamford and Warrington, sulphurous Pedi and all, leaves us for good. The Rock Bar ? I was convinced this was the bikers pub that graced the Guide to Britain’s… Continue reading COALVILLE – A ROCK AND A WALL
ELUSIVE BREWING TAP TAKEOVER AT THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
Extensive market research shows that including the pub and city names in the blog title gets you more views, and its blog views that pay for those pints of Doom Bar I keep giving away in the quiz. December 2023. Sheffield. Turn a different corner and we wouldn’t have walked straight from the Riverside to… Continue reading ELUSIVE BREWING TAP TAKEOVER AT THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
