You may be horrified that my two lads couldn’t identify Frank Sidebottom on the graffitied walls of Newton Street. “Best street in Manchester” says Matt. Is it ? What’s it got, Police Museum, Ezra & Gill ? I felt old. We’d stopped in Manchester on the way home from bucolic Barrow so Matt could give… Continue reading SPECIAL MANCHESTER “GUESS THE PUB” EDITION
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.
NO PRE-EMPTIVE TICK ON PIEL ISLAND
Day 3 of the Lakes mini-break with the lad. We’d had the spectacular weather for our walk, so only fair it was relentless drizzle on the Wednesday. Time for a last unwise breakfast. Trip Advisor’s trendy tip, The Last Resort Coffee Shop, had literally just closed its door, so we went for the trad option… Continue reading NO PRE-EMPTIVE TICK ON PIEL ISLAND
SUNSET OVER BARROW MORRISONS
Back in Barrow, I somehow cajoled a tired 21 year old to join me on a tour of a workaday Northern town before tea. I knew North Irish Sea Dave would want to see my pics, even if you don’t. We did a circuit of town, stopping so I can bring you the best looking… Continue reading SUNSET OVER BARROW MORRISONS
HAND SANITISER LEAKAGE AT BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
Despite the odd grump about table service I’d enjoyed a first real foray into the Southern Lakes, but James was gone by mid-afternoon and we could only fit in one stop on the way back to Barrow. Luckily, the Manor Arms was a bit of a cracker. I nearly visited on that “Let It Go”… Continue reading HAND SANITISER LEAKAGE AT BROUGHTON-IN-FURNESS
NICE HILLS, ANYWAY
Being told off (again) this was a wonderful day in the Lakes. The man who served us the ice creams in Boot Post Office was chatty and cheery, the sheep didn’t attack, and the walking was strenuous but rewarding. We got a BIT lost, but it didn’t seem to matter. Rather like the pursuit of… Continue reading NICE HILLS, ANYWAY
“DON’T TOUCH THE BAR !”
You left us in Boot, at the foot of the Hardknott Pass in Eskdale. The toy trains come here, the Ladies who lunch come here, the 4x4s run you over here. It’s one of the top Lakes honeypot villages. We went to explore Boot. It took 15 seconds, one for each resident. FIFTEEN permanent souls… Continue reading “DON’T TOUCH THE BAR !”
SCAFELL (NEARLY)
All great days start with a Wetherspoons Full English breakfast (why no Cumbrian variant). Well, actually, no they don’t. Porridge would be a better bet when you’re about to take on England’s highest hill (whatever). James had been wanting to climb Scafell Pike since he managed it in Year 7 at Cottenham (age 12); I… Continue reading SCAFELL (NEARLY)
BACK WITH A BANG IN BARROW
2 nights in Barrow Wetherspoons in late September. Taking a risk, but the Furness Railway has spotless rooms and free Shrewsbury biscuits, so who’s winning? One new Guide pub I missed on my last visit, a traumatic Black Eye Friday when Ulverston lads woke me at 3am singing “Let it go”. Technically Hawcoats, properly posh… Continue reading BACK WITH A BANG IN BARROW
TO THE LAKES !
Back home Sunday, back North (proper, unquestionable North) with James on Monday for a little Lakes walking. Astonishing coincidence; only 4:14 hours to the Lakes, EXACTLY the same time as Mrs RM spent shopping in Ashton IKEA on Saturday. Spooky. Two stops on the way; the now obligatory Tuck Shop in Tuxford, and a riveting… Continue reading TO THE LAKES !
BREAKFAST AT THE ASHTON CANAL
On the Sunday morning after that IKEA debacle (rated NLESS* 2, where NLESS 3 is death by spontaneous combustion), I took Mrs RM for a walk round round the Ashton Canal basin, near Matt’s new house (lucky sod). It’s changed a bit since 1849; And is a bit underpubbed (with worse to come). We took… Continue reading BREAKFAST AT THE ASHTON CANAL
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