Back in the ’90s my boss asked me my favourite part of the world and I said “Powys“, which he misheard as “Paris” and took him aback as he assumed I was a Francophobe. If I’d used the GBG-approved “Mid Wales” I’d have annoyed Mudgie. You can’t win. Anyway, I still love Powys, and the… Continue reading THE LAMB OF KERRY
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.
BARA BRITH ON TOWY BRIDGE
This was what the chart of our Welsh travels looked like now. Wait till you see the Channel Islands map. Stop R takes us in to Rhandirmwyn, which I’ve already spelt wrong twice. The Google Maps 3D view is full on unpronounceable joy, but the only place you might recognise is Llanwrtyd Wells, a contender… Continue reading BARA BRITH ON TOWY BRIDGE
THE BASS CLOCK STRIKES 12 IN LLANDOVERY
Last day of the West Wales Wander, with 4 ticks on the way home to add 16 to the West Wales column of The Spreadsheet (soon, soon). Llandovery is Stop Q, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and looking pleasant in the sun that always shines on the righteous, even in Wales. It’s the… Continue reading THE BASS CLOCK STRIKES 12 IN LLANDOVERY
MAY 2022 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
Progress, progress, progress. That’s the theme for June 2022, as I ploughed on with ticking the Good Beer Guide and simultaneously visiting every hitherto unexplored nook and cranny of the UK, uncovering gems like the Mansel Arms in Porthyrhyd, my Pub of the Month. May saw sixty (60) new GBG ticks from 105 different pub… Continue reading MAY 2022 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
Was it wrong to get the cleaner to pour my pint in Pumpsaint ?
There is (almost) nothing in life so good as an unexpectedly open pub door (only edged out by finding some uneaten crispy beef the next morning). Not only was it open, but the door to the Dolocauthi Arms was bright red. Yes, the National Trust-owned Dolaucothi invited me in. At 11:09 ! Mrs RM let… Continue reading Was it wrong to get the cleaner to pour my pint in Pumpsaint ?
LLANELLI BEFORE BREAKFAST
Staying in the Llanelli Travelodge for £40, rather than the £100+ being asked everywhere else in this crazy year, paid for my beer, my takeaway, and the therapy sessions needed after that Felinfoel pub. And the next morning I had time to do Llanelli justice. OK, perhaps 8am Saturday morning isn’t the best time to… Continue reading LLANELLI BEFORE BREAKFAST
PLEASE TAKE ONE – FELINFOEL FREEBIES
I really should have saved that Felinfowl ? blog title for this one. #Amateur Always nice to bring you a picture of an actual brewery on what some claim is a beer blog, even if that brewery has a reputation somewhere below Arkells. In the local park, a statue commemorates someone erroneously picking up a… Continue reading PLEASE TAKE ONE – FELINFOEL FREEBIES
STRADEY PARK
The Welsh Wander wobbled on, through Kidwelly (quaint) to Burry Port (oddly, not quaint) where Mrs RM kept the engine running while I nipped in the Ship Aground (packed with diners) for a half. No tables free, so a rich Gower Black Diamond (3.5) in the garden in the rain. #Hardcore It was still drizzling… Continue reading STRADEY PARK
FERRYSIDE
I’ve just been enjoying a pint or four with two Old Boys from Mangotsfield and North Watford who seemed astonished I could name a pub in their home towns. Being a GBG ticker is clearly the best way to financial ruin, self-actualisation and an encyclopaedic knowledge of the UK. I know more about Ferryside in… Continue reading FERRYSIDE
A RED LION. ANOTHER ONE.
I know my readers will expect eloquence from me in these difficult times but I’ve just completed the Ticking of the Channel Islands, something even the Germans didn’t manage, and am celebrating with Herm on Doom Bar. Sorry. Doom Bar on Herm. Back to early May and another Welsh tick in the wilderness betwixt Llanelli… Continue reading A RED LION. ANOTHER ONE.
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