January 2026. Watton. Norfolk. I knew you’d want a proper post on Watton (pronounced Wotton) ahead of the holiday you’ve just booked on account of the NBSS 4 that I just gave Greene King IPA. Assuming you’re going, here’s some accommodation for next Friday; Personally I would always go for a hotel with “Vibe” in… Continue reading YOUR CUT-OUT-AND-KEEP GUIDE TO WATTON
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.
BRECK BY BRECK. THE KINGS ARMS, WATTON
January 2026. Watton. Norfolk. Obviously no pressure to visit the GBG newbies anymore, but there’s something compelling about them, even if my pinking is a bit half-hearted these days. The places I’d circled were the newbies, and as I’ve completed Norfolk every year since Delia Smith did her “Let’s be ‘avin’ you” rant at half-time… Continue reading BRECK BY BRECK. THE KINGS ARMS, WATTON
MRS RM’s DRYANUARY RUMBLES ON
January 2026. Sheffield. Enough of me, I’m sure you’re all keen to know how Mrs RM is getting on with her 0.0 January. Well, she holds on to the lie that alcohol-free beer tastes just like the real thing, and was ready to have temptation placed in her way with a Sunday in Kelham Island.… Continue reading MRS RM’s DRYANUARY RUMBLES ON
BLUE MOON. RECOVERING IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
January 2026. Sheffield. Back home in Sheffield on Saturday lunchtime, I hid under the covers avoiding the Manchester derby. Unless I’m physically at the match, I have to avoid the score till the final whistle and last VAR review. “Ooh, are City losing ?” asks Mrs RM. All her friends are United supporting glory hunters,… Continue reading BLUE MOON. RECOVERING IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
RAISING A PINT (OR TWO) TO MUDGIE IN WIDNES
January 2026. Widnes. A confession. I intended to make that post on Mudgie’s funeral a long read including the post-wake pubs, but Mrs RM had finished her pint/wine/Amaretto Disaronno in St Annes Spoons and I had to press “PUBLISH” in case the WiFi ran out in our Travelodge (£29.99). It would have been rude not… Continue reading RAISING A PINT (OR TWO) TO MUDGIE IN WIDNES
A FAREWELL TO MUDGIE
January 2026. Widnes. A really good turnout for Mudgie’s send off, with loads of friends from Stockport CAMRA. Good to catch up with Tandleman from over the border, too. With some lovely poems from Peter’s next of kin Pam this was a poignant service. I offered to direct Cheadle Charlotte to the Rugby Union Club… Continue reading A FAREWELL TO MUDGIE
HOMEWARD BOUND
January 2026. Widnes. From a morning in Liverpool to mourning in Widnes, as Peter is laid to rest with his parents. “Anyone for Widnes needs to move to the front carriages” says the nice guard in his guttural Mersey accent, confirming that the station doesn’t have a long platform, but it’s the only one they’ve… Continue reading HOMEWARD BOUND
A MORNING IN LIVERPOOL
January 2026. Liverpool. A night in Liverpool before Old Mudgie’s funeral on Friday in Widnes. He’d have been pleased with the last couple of Proper Pubs, and no doubt with the Excelsior across from my £24.99 Travelodge if I’d gone in, but I was done for the night by six. In the morning I exchanged… Continue reading A MORNING IN LIVERPOOL
THE GRAPES. A GREAT PLACE TO WAIT FOR YOUR LIVERPOOL CHINESE TAKEAWAY
January 2025. Liverpool. One of my (few) guiding principles in life is that I will never stand still (literally) when there’s a walk to be done, and “Your food will be ready in 10 minutes” is an instruction, not invitation, to skip out of Big Bowl Noodle Bar to find a pub. I’m not sure… Continue reading THE GRAPES. A GREAT PLACE TO WAIT FOR YOUR LIVERPOOL CHINESE TAKEAWAY
CHAT GPT FINDS ME A CHINESE TAKEAWAY IN LIVERPOOL
January 2026. Liverpool. I hope AI does take over the world. It’s much more polite than the humans. Chat GPT may not know how to count, but it can do useful things like advise on Chinese takeaways. And so it was that in the Roscoe Head I was having a conversation with a robot about… Continue reading CHAT GPT FINDS ME A CHINESE TAKEAWAY IN LIVERPOOL
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