August 2023. Gilling West, North Yorkshire. In the middle of nowhere, between Richmond, Darlington and Barnard Castle, which can’t be bad. I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d been to the Angel before and forgot, but it turns out that was the White Swan (RIP) across the road, home to sumptuous fish and chips and… Continue reading GRUMPY OLD MENS CLUB, GILLING WEST
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.
THE SMUGGLERS DEN
August 2023. Marske-by-the-Sea. Beyond the exploration of Winkies Castle and St Germain’s Churchyard and the craft bar and the cobbled lane, the main reason for visiting “Marvellous Marske” was to belatedly tick the Smugglers Den, whose debut in the new GBG had been cruelly scuppered by a car smashing into the wall just before Christmas.… Continue reading THE SMUGGLERS DEN
MURKY MARSKE MAGIC
August 2023. Marske-by-the-Sea. Funny how time drags when you’re waiting for a micropub to open, and it’s always a micro; no-one ever stood outside a Spoons impatiently. Oh, they did once. Unexpectedly, little Marske has a newish craft bar. Even more unexpectedly, the Wynd is a Proper Craft Beer Bar, and not just because it’s… Continue reading MURKY MARSKE MAGIC
MARSKE UNMASKED
August 2023. Marske-by-the-Sea. We had an hour till our micro opened at 4. Why do ALL pubs open at 4 these days ? Is it something to do with the end of the school day. The volunteers at Winkies Castle recommended seeing the remains of St Germain’s churchyard, and it had a certain magic about… Continue reading MARSKE UNMASKED
WINKIES CASTLE
August 2023. Marske-by-the-Sea, North Yorkshire. It’s so close ! (though an expect a 90 minutes delay on the A1(M) this weekend). Ticking new pubs with a pink pen is nice, but discovering hidden gems in Ye Olde England is nicer. Mrs RM, on Day 2 of her 100 day challenge (you’ll never guess) joined me… Continue reading WINKIES CASTLE
MRS RM STARTS HER 100 DAY CHALLENGE IN CROOKES
August 2023. Crookes. Sheffield. I think Mrs RM’s 100 day challenge was supposed to be an exclusive for her own blog, release expected when Luton Town pick up their first home points of the season. Tell you what, you’ve got to guess what the challenge is. Can’t say fairer than that. Anyway, up the hill… Continue reading MRS RM STARTS HER 100 DAY CHALLENGE IN CROOKES
EVERY, SHA-LA-LA-LA-LA
August 2023. Royal Leamington Spa. A good day in Leamington came to an early end (peaked too soon after that keg in the Drawing Board), but not before a artisanal matching of Proper Pub and Chinese takeaway to end the night. The New Inn is in the southern half of town, the old part in… Continue reading EVERY, SHA-LA-LA-LA-LA
A HALF OF BUD
August 2023. Royal Leamington Spa. Not a great day for my meticulously planned diet, to be honest. Having turned down the Doom Bar in east Leamington’s “Proper Pubs” I somehow got distracted by the poshest pub on the Parade. In my defence, it’s in the GBG, and I feel obliged to report on the state… Continue reading A HALF OF BUD
IN SEARCH OF THE REAL LEAMINGTON SPA
August 2023. Leamington Spa. It was still only 16:36 and I’d done the ticks and the pre-emptive ticks and the weird plants and I had a long night in Leamington Spa ahead of me. Who orders a Chinese takeaway before pm in a Spa town ? I perused What Pub. Blimey, what a lot of… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF THE REAL LEAMINGTON SPA
BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IN LEAMINGTON
August 2023. Royal Leamington Spa. Checking my photos now I see I’d left the Boiler Room before 4pm, so a whole night lay ahead to explore the many wonders of Leamington Spa. Starting with the Busker of Jephson Gardens. Press PLAY and work out the tune. Always give a busker your last quid. Unless you… Continue reading BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD IN LEAMINGTON
