More East London fun, though more strictly the ancient county of Essex, and I know how seriously my readers take their historic counties. On the southern edge of Epping Forest, but within spitting distance (don’t spit) of the dying trail of the M11, lies Woodford, famous as the birthplace of Derek B, the third (3rd)… Continue reading GRANGE HILL
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.
LIFE’S A LARK IN HIGHAMS PARK
Higham’s Park ? Where’s that ? I had no idea. Well, obviously I knew it was somewhere in East London near the North Circular, I’m not THAT daft, but the issue was more WHAT is Highams Park ? See, Chingford rarely draws Beer Guide tickers here. Walthamstow has had a good run of hipster bars… Continue reading LIFE’S A LARK IN HIGHAMS PARK
BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE JEMMY HIRST
Mrs RM and I will have been married 30 years in June. I would say “celebrate” 30 years of marriage, but as you know I only celebrate one day annually, and anyway neither of us have remembered the date for several years. In the earliest days of wedded bliss I put a strain on the… Continue reading BACK ONCE AGAIN TO THE JEMMY HIRST
THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL – SHE IS A DIAMOND
There’s some strange people live on this next map extract (not literally). But it’s always a joy to visit Hull, home of the Tigers and home to some of England’s greatest streets and pubs. James was telling me he plans to take his Canadian friend (from St Johns) to Hull for culture during his visit,… Continue reading THE ALEXANDRA HOTEL – SHE IS A DIAMOND
TOP 100 PUBS – THE BLACK ROCK, WAKEFIELD
It’d been too long since my last Top 100 pub; you’ll be starting to think I’ve only got 1,000 of them. I actually asked the Pub Tickers for a recommendation and picked the one described as “boring on the beer front“. The Ale House looked even better; But sadly even a lone cask John Smith’s… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE BLACK ROCK, WAKEFIELD
WAKEFIELD MUSEUM
The “cultural” post from Wakefield, cultural centre of the Rhubarb Triangle. Among it’s many nearby attractions are a coal mining museum, Yorkshire Sculpture Park, the Indian takeaway where I once rated a Peshwari Naan a NPNSS 4.5, and the place where I had my first Astra Zeneca jab, whose protection lasted at least till I… Continue reading WAKEFIELD MUSEUM
“It’ll take a minute to clear”
On Thursday I was at a loose end, with Mrs RM still sorting out “family matters” in Tunbridge Wells, so I decided to walk down to Sheffield Station and jump on the first train on the board, after nipping in the opened-that-day Cafe Tucci for a focaccia sandwich for the trip. You can see where… Continue reading “It’ll take a minute to clear”
A Flipping Good Night In Birmingham.
Originally posted on Evo Boozy Scribbler:
Hello everyone. Apologies for the lack of blogs of late. Money and material were both in short supply but with February now upon us things should improve. So after work on Friday I decided to pop to Birmingham to meet an old friend and get something to write about.…
COPPULL’S WHEATSHEAF, ONE OF “THOSE PUBS THAT DON’T GET IN THE BEER GUIDE ANYMORE”
More ticking in Central Lancs, home of Ale Cry and also some of our greatest pub men. But had Matthew ever been to the Wheatsheaf in Coppull, I wonder ? No reason to, it’s an unassuming local’s pub in an unassuming village south of micro made Chorley. Coppull seems mad on takeaways. And music listings… Continue reading COPPULL’S WHEATSHEAF, ONE OF “THOSE PUBS THAT DON’T GET IN THE BEER GUIDE ANYMORE”
RALPH’S WIFE’S AND THE RIBBLE ESTUARY
With Peaky Blinders opening early and Ralph’s Wife’s opening late (well, 16:00) I had time to do the tourist trail between Southport and South Preston. Bet you didn’t know there was a tourist trail, heh ? It’s worth visiting Churchtown’s Botanic Gardens just to admire the loos (20p, bring change, don’t tailgate). In 2021 the… Continue reading RALPH’S WIFE’S AND THE RIBBLE ESTUARY
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