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retiredmartin

On permanent exploration of places, pubs, people and new music.

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.
SOUTHPORT LAWNMOWER MUSEUM

SOUTHPORT LAWNMOWER MUSEUM

July 30, 2021July 31, 2021 9 Comments

I saw Lawnmower Deth at Download once. I think their shortest song was 93 seconds. In truth, I could have walked round Southport Lawnmower Museum in 93 seconds too, but then I’d have failed to bring you the evidence of Joe Pasquale’s Lawnmower, the prime exhibit. In more truth, I only went in because Blackpool… Continue reading SOUTHPORT LAWNMOWER MUSEUM

“Haven’t you heard ? You don’t need to wear that anymore !”

“Haven’t you heard ? You don’t need to wear that anymore !”

July 29, 2021July 30, 2021 12 Comments

At 56 there is nothing more exciting in life, bar Mrs RM rustling up tea from “leftovers” than being on a run of new GBG pubs. After a dull start at the Railway, my next tick was less than 10 minutes west east. SO WHAT if it’s a Greene King dining pub in a dormitory… Continue reading “Haven’t you heard ? You don’t need to wear that anymore !”

QUEUEING IN FORMBY

QUEUEING IN FORMBY

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 3 Comments

And we’re off ! Seven pubs to tick on Merseyside, presumably all micros, and a chance to reacquaint myself with the Sefton coast, which isn’t short of pubs. Or golf courses. Or wine bars. Or pizzerias. I’d forgotten that all Merseyrail trams have a mandatory rule that customers carry a can of G & T… Continue reading QUEUEING IN FORMBY

FormbyGeorge FormbyMerseyside
DOES THIS TRAIN STOP ON MERSEYSIDE ?

DOES THIS TRAIN STOP ON MERSEYSIDE ?

July 29, 2021July 29, 2021 4 Comments

Opportunities for doing six new GBG pubs by public transport in a day are vanishingly thin once you reach the dizzying heights of 88% Guide completion, which is why us tickers need their own chauffeurs, private jets and ability to bend the ticking rules. Merseyside offered a rare prospect of multiple ticks this year, even… Continue reading DOES THIS TRAIN STOP ON MERSEYSIDE ?

DERBYSHIRE DEFEATED

DERBYSHIRE DEFEATED

July 28, 2021July 29, 2021 14 Comments

A quick post to celebrate the conquering of Derbyshire GBG entries on a warm Tuesday in July, always a tough place to come and get a tick. You left me at the Whaley Nook, wondering how long it would be before E. Wild the butcher had been in business.  The short telephone numbers are always… Continue reading DERBYSHIRE DEFEATED

WA HEY IT’S WHALEY !

WA HEY IT’S WHALEY !

July 28, 2021July 28, 2021 8 Comments

The big news this morning is that double-jabbed Americans will be able to visit us without isolation from next month. They might not be able to go back home, but who cares ? They can stay in our garage as long as they want as long as they make me a coffee at 6am each… Continue reading WA HEY IT’S WHALEY !

DerbyshireWhaley BridgeWhaley Nook
INTO THE HIGH PEAK

INTO THE HIGH PEAK

July 27, 2021July 28, 2021 7 Comments

Some scenic pics for you from a week ago, as I take the slow train to Manchester and jump off (not literally) at cheery Chinley. A trio of Old Boys in hiking gear discussed the pubs at all the stops, raising hopes that they were local CAMRAs about to score ALL the pubs in the… Continue reading INTO THE HIGH PEAK

ChinleyDerbyshireOld HallWhitehough
THE BAR IS THE HEART OF THE PUB

THE BAR IS THE HEART OF THE PUB

July 27, 2021July 27, 2021 4 Comments

You’ve heard about Monday the 19th, “Freedom Day”, spent on my own doorstep at the Blind Monkey. It was wonderful to get back to the bar to but my own pint and then not be disturbed by people continually coming over to my table to bring drinks, take cask, bring change and ask if I… Continue reading THE BAR IS THE HEART OF THE PUB

HowardSheffield
HAZY JANE

HAZY JANE

July 27, 2021July 27, 2021 14 Comments

Unfortunately this blog doesn’t yet come in a Scratch ‘n’ Sniff version that tells you the temperature, so as the rain returns today you might not believe how hot it’s been ‘oop north this month. After declaring our totals for the Bear Hunt, and deciding to save the rest of those ticks for a cooler… Continue reading HAZY JANE

Banker's DraftBrew DogHazy JaneSheffieldWetherspoon
TUDOR, THWAITES, TEDDIES

TUDOR, THWAITES, TEDDIES

July 26, 2021July 27, 2021 6 Comments

I can tell how much you love these Sheffield bears, so here’s some more corkers. Also note the blue skies on the last Saturday before “Freedom Day“. The balmy weather coincided with a continental market in Sheffield’s main drag outside the town hall which had managed to commandeer an astonishing range of German beer. On… Continue reading TUDOR, THWAITES, TEDDIES

Old Queen's HeadSheffieldThwaites

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