Just like John Peel kept you waiting to see if the Sex Pistols or Sheena Easton were Number 1 in his Festive 50, I’ll keep you hanging on to find out if Fife or Bedfordshire take top spot in my Top 10 counties. Calm down, Dave. It won’t be Cambridgeshire, though I’ll probably miss it… Continue reading CLIMIE FISHER REDEMPTION AT THE PIKE & EEL
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.
A YES ! TO YAXLEY
I need to be careful what I tell you until the Guide comes out next Thursday, but it’s no embargo breaker to say that the Farmer’s Arms in Yaxley probably WON’T be in there. Despite putting this full colour, full page advert in the local CAMRA magazine every edition this century, it has NEVER made… Continue reading A YES ! TO YAXLEY
TOP 10 COUNTIES – No. 3 – KENT
A surprise choice at Number 3 ? Knowing my lukewarm view of micropubs you might be, since Kent is actually 87% made up of the little devils. But before Martyn Hillier invented micros, there were Proper Pubs in Kent. Some relaxed and rural, some rumbustuous. and some a relic from better times. We’ll wait to… Continue reading TOP 10 COUNTIES – No. 3 – KENT
TICKING IN PINTS
As BRAPA has already told you, the new Good Beer Guide is in the sticky (stop, Russ) hands of Privilege Club members, the brave souls who embody the spirit of the original CAMRA by going to dumpy pubs off the A14 and drinking quick halves. I’m not allowed to tell you about new entries in… Continue reading TICKING IN PINTS
LIVER AND ONIONS
It was 6pm now, on a Saturday, and we suddenly began to wonder if we’d better eat. I’d booked a £30 Travelodge room at Exeter services next to the Rugby Club, and didn’t fancy diverting into the city centre looking for a free parking place next to a curry house. Ah, that’ll do. Don’t see… Continue reading LIVER AND ONIONS
TOP 100 PUBS – DEVONSHIRE INN, STICKLEPATH
Pub Number 11 on the South-West Saunter , the final Beer Guide tick on the trip and a last hurrah for GBG20. And the Devonshire in Sticklepath might just be the best pub in Devon. Take a close look and you’ll see a fair few classics just off the A38 zooming over Dartmoor so that’s… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – DEVONSHIRE INN, STICKLEPATH
LYDFORD GORGE LADS CLUB
Still slogging through the homeward leg of the Cornwall & Devon Codgers Crawl now, as we stop for a bit of exercise in Lydford Gorge. Despite it being National Trust, which normally means, pashminas and cream teas, the Gorge is a rugged pleasure, even though Covid means you can only do a “highlights package” of… Continue reading LYDFORD GORGE LADS CLUB
SIX STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO USING THE LOO
That’s what separates this post from the herd. I find a picturesque pub by the Tamar, and tell you about the guidance on going to the Gents. You expect nothing less from me. This is the Tamar Inn, on the banks of the, er, Tamar. Half an hour on the GWR from Plymouth, a mile… Continue reading SIX STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO USING THE LOO
MITHER IN METHERELL
The homeward leg of the Great Tamar Toddle now, as we leave the comfort and charm of Saltash Services for the narrow lanes leading to Metherell on the edge of the Tamar Valley. I was very keen to bring you some unusual information about Metherell; this is the ENTIRE Wikipedia entry; Metherell is a village in… Continue reading MITHER IN METHERELL
BECAUSE YOU CAN’T GO TO CORNWALL AND NOT DRINK DOOM BAR
Yes, just like visiting the Cotswolds and NOT slagging off Donnington BB, or staying in Burton and NOT downing a gallon of Carling, you MUST sample Doom Bar in its spiritual home. So I did, leaving Mrs RM to her crochet or whatever women do when left to their own devices. Only 14 minutes to… Continue reading BECAUSE YOU CAN’T GO TO CORNWALL AND NOT DRINK DOOM BAR
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