Last night we said farewell to Waterbeach, after 20 flat years, and headed to Walkley in Sheffield. I’d like to say it was a fond Farewell, but Tier 2 doesn’t allow you to pop in the Sun for a swift 2 pints, so the Chung Wa had to do. Britain’s finest Chinese. Here’s proof we… Continue reading HIT THE NORTH
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.
TIER 2 – QUACKERS
Here’s the Spoons I promised you earlier. You haven’t been able to sleep with excitement, have you ? St. Ives. Not THAT one. The Cornwall one is out of bounds to Tier 2 scum like me, and as you know anyone leaving their Tier for a lower one for a pint will be turned back… Continue reading TIER 2 – QUACKERS
A WEEK IN TIER 2
It’s a week since pubs re-opened in Tiers 1 and 2, presumably a Wetherspoons in Gorleston was first because the sun rises in the west. As BRAPA was crying about the other day, pub-going in Tier 2, which as you’ll know constitutes the parts of the UK that can behave themselves, isn’t REALLY pub-going. You… Continue reading A WEEK IN TIER 2
CELEBRATING MAY PARSONS, FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO COVENTRY
What a day. It takes a lot to bring a tear to the eye of cynical old retiredmartin. David Cameron resigning, Noel Edmonds’ Christmas Presents (Hollies episode), the Maria McKee comeback this year. But I’ll confess I wept a bit at 6.31am this morning as Matron May Parsons, originally from the Phillipines, gave the first… Continue reading CELEBRATING MAY PARSONS, FROM THE PHILIPPINES TO COVENTRY
“IS A SOUP SUFFICIENT ?” – PUBGOING IN TIER 2
Some thoughts on Gordons; Great Gordons (Warning : Saville at the start) Bad Gordons (Warning : Possibly the worst song you’ll ever hear) Run-of-the-mill Gordons Yes, another Peterborough edge-of-town dining pub. I spoil you, I really do. At 2.30pm I seem to be the only customer, the school children having finished their pints of Stella… Continue reading “IS A SOUP SUFFICIENT ?” – PUBGOING IN TIER 2
CATS IN THE CORNER HOUSE
During what could be our last week in the revelry that is Tier 2 for a while (details soon), we’re keeping the unsung pubs in business by eating out now the cupboards have been stripped of crisps quinoa. How about a non-GBG pub in Cambridge’s Newmarket Road ? Not many of those left, which is… Continue reading CATS IN THE CORNER HOUSE
CASTOR SUGAR
Having given you the pub, here’s the promised photos of Castor, or Lower Ailsworth as it’ll probably be styled in next year’s GBG. Quite an intriguing bit of OS, in contrast to the flat nothingness west of here towards the Perkins Engines factory. Our entire family have stayed at Ferry Meadows campgrounds at one stage… Continue reading CASTOR SUGAR
COMPLIMENTARY CREAM CRACKERS IN CASTOR
On the way back from Sheffield you have to travel 90 minutes through 4 counties before you arrive at a pub restaurant you’re actually allowed to enter. There might have been a couple in Rutland but 20 minutes researching the posh ones just off the A1 failed to find any details of opening times. Not… Continue reading COMPLIMENTARY CREAM CRACKERS IN CASTOR
CHRISTMAS ON HOLD IN SOUTH ANSTON
Another 5 hour return journey to Sheffield, another deposit into Big Yellow Storage (Ellie Brooks and The Fall LPs today), another journey through the Tier 3 wastelands of South Yorkshire and the East Midlands on the way home. The lack of any indoor seating (whether cafe or pub) till you reach Peterborough is beginning to… Continue reading CHRISTMAS ON HOLD IN SOUTH ANSTON
WILL FATHER CHRISTMAS BRING TIER 1 TO SOUTH CAMBS ?
As you’ll know, my favourite website (apart from my own) is MumsNet, where worried mums ask the immortal question. Am I Being Unreasonable…. My advice, owmn, is to tell DD (Dear Daughter) that Christmas is all Roman/Pagan/Victorian nonsense NOW, and save yourself a fortune on presents. While you’re at it, scrap Mother’s Day, Bonfire Night… Continue reading WILL FATHER CHRISTMAS BRING TIER 1 TO SOUTH CAMBS ?
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