The Dorset Dawdle next takes us to Corfe Castle for TWO (2) newbie ticks. How is that possible ? Oddly, the most famous Corfe pub, the one with THE view, isn’t one of them, either. In 2022 you’ve a Guide choice of the British Legion, a smart hotel, and this little gem; The Fox looks… Continue reading NUTS IN MAY – CORFE CASTLE CALLS
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.
IT WAS THE BOURNEMOUTH RUNNER
If you’re running out of patience with this flood of posts be warned; it gets worse. I’m currently sitting in a waiting room at Heysham Port, having just enjoyed a gorgeous longest day on Morecambe Bay. Better than the “longest day” in 1985, when I had to watch Spear of Destiny and U2 at Milton… Continue reading IT WAS THE BOURNEMOUTH RUNNER
MANCHESTER IS BLUE
You thought I’d forgotten, didn’t you ? 22 May 2022. The day we stopped the Scouse winning the league, to the jubilation of the rest of England (Liverpool is a separate country).. Colin would have been proud. I nearly didn’t go the Villa game; I’ve been too nervous of late and Matt and James have… Continue reading MANCHESTER IS BLUE
CUMBRIA HAS FALLEN
The sun’s out in Sheffield, I’m about to set off on more international ticking, and here I am desperately trying to stay only a month behind on the blog. 21st May, let’s finish Cumbria. Two similar boozers just off the A69. Why oh why weren’t they in GBG21 so we could have done them when… Continue reading CUMBRIA HAS FALLEN
LOOK, THERE’S THE CARLISLE
Used that one in New York in 2019, so can use it in Cumbria under the 3 year (re-use of blog titles) rule. The last day of Cumbrian ticking started, as all things must, with a loo stop in lovely Penrith Spoons. Despite a scarcity of accommodation in Penrith, both the Dog Beck and the… Continue reading LOOK, THERE’S THE CARLISLE
“A BETTER CLASS OF INSULT” IN THE EDEN VALLEY
The Cumbrian Completion Caper moved on from Great Asby up the Eden Valley towards an overnight campervan stop in Penrith. But not before confirming that the White Horse in Kings Meaburn is closed (despite what the GBG app tells you) and being gutted. Whether it will rise again in time to require my visit before… Continue reading “A BETTER CLASS OF INSULT” IN THE EDEN VALLEY
SOMEWHERE IN EAST CUMBRIA, FOLK ACT ODD
I first finished all the entries in Bedfordshire in 1999 (the famous “rubbish” edition); helped I lived 3 miles from the county border. It’s taken me near 30 years to complete Cumbria, mainly because I couldn’t be bothered. So many of the entries aren’t in the Lakes, they’re in remote little farming villages you’ve never… Continue reading SOMEWHERE IN EAST CUMBRIA, FOLK ACT ODD
KENDAL KRAFT & KEG
Mrs RM had left me to my own devices like a waylaid Pet Shop Boy; she headed in search of coffee while I did the Kendal craft ticks. Visitors to town will find a pleasing contrast between modern beer and snuff bars, and traditional cobbled streets leading to (checks notes) The Famous 1657 Chocolate House.… Continue reading KENDAL KRAFT & KEG
ROLL IN THE BARREL
Last year I spent a fortune on a train to Kendal (all the hotels cost over £100) and was dismayed to find NONE (zero) open at 2pm on a Tuesday. Not the fault of the wonderful Caroline at local CAMRA who had kept WhatPub details better than the pubs do themselves, but just unexpected. But… Continue reading ROLL IN THE BARREL
THE RING O’ BELLS RINGS AGAIN
Lancashire completed, Mrs RM pressed on to complete Cumbria, following up a 1-0 v Watford with an 8-0 at Arsenal in footballing parlance. As we both approach middle-age the biggest threat to “completion” may well be the lack of toilet facilities, so thank goodness for unassuming boozers built on consecrated ground right next to the… Continue reading THE RING O’ BELLS RINGS AGAIN
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