I wonder who’s going to drop in on the blog today, hiding from the fuss and frivolity. Welcome. Hard to sum up May 2020. More of the same, but at least pubs would surely be open in June. It was still very quiet in Cambridgeshire, as you can see from the bridge over the new… Continue reading 2020 IN REVIEW – MAY
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.
CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE FAT CAT
Christmas Eve just doesn’t work without the pub, does it ? A year ago I nursing a half in Dutton’s while I waited for Matt to have a post-work Punk with his new workmates (in Spoons), though in 2017 we ended up with an Arrogant Bastard in a dingy Los Angeles Travelodge as the bars… Continue reading CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE FAT CAT
THE MYSTERIOUS MALIN BRIDGE
With Sheffield holding resolutely in Tier 3, just as Cambridge slides into the darkness of Tier 4 (where you can’t even LOOK at pubs), I can still bring you reports on my urban walks until pubs return. This one takes you down to the Rivelin Valley and back via the mysterious Malin Bridge, the end… Continue reading THE MYSTERIOUS MALIN BRIDGE
2020 IN REVIEW – APRIL
April brought National Doom Bar Day, a successful attempt to derail a rival Bass celebration event. Which is ironic, as Doom tastes best in a Burton glass. April also became my first month without a GBG tick since THIS was Number 1. Which is ironic, really, as things would only get worse. And not just… Continue reading 2020 IN REVIEW – APRIL
IN SEARCH OF BRUTAL SHEFFIELD
Yesterday’s birthday (22/12) wasn’t the greatest ever. But it did end with a Doom Bar in a Bass glass and crispy beef, so I’ve had worse. I’m taking notes on all the Sheffield Chinese takeaways, of course. NCTSS 3.5, good but no Chung Hwa. Thank you for your helpful advice on keg care. Sadly, Mrs… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF BRUTAL SHEFFIELD
2020 IN REVIEW – MARCH
March 2020. A difficult month to write about. A month when, for a few mad days, I’d walk around pubs like this; Actually, that pic is just to prove that despite having lived in the Fens for 45 years and only just escaping, I only have four fingers and a thumb. March actually started as… Continue reading 2020 IN REVIEW – MARCH
SALVAGING A BIRTHDAY IN 2020
I know you’re desperate to read about my birthday (22/12, listed in all good 2021 diaries). 2020 was always going to struggle against recent birthdays in Morocco, Havana, Barrow and New Brighton. But the sun rose, marking 56 years on earth. I always say if I reach 62 I’ll finish the GBG and emulate Duncan.… Continue reading SALVAGING A BIRTHDAY IN 2020
2020 IN REVIEW – FEBRUARY
Despite (inexplicably) having less days than January, February was almost as good, as I dodged floods and Storm Ciara. Best view – The floods had left their mark in Shropshire, while Spring came early in Watchfield, and Stafford Paul arrived in Congleton with a plan that never quite made it to fruition. Rather like Matthew’s… Continue reading 2020 IN REVIEW – FEBRUARY
PANIC BUYING IN THE MORRISONS BEER AISLE
I was woken at 6.30 this morning by a sharp nudge in the ribs (steady, Russ). “You need to go and do a big shop. But get me a coffee first“. Yes, Mrs RM has fallen for the hysteria sweeping the nation following the French blockade. I can confidently say that the last French item… Continue reading PANIC BUYING IN THE MORRISONS BEER AISLE
2020 IN REVIEW – JANUARY
I’ve got exciting things to write about. A trip to the tip in north Sheffield, panic beer buying in Morrisons, closed Wetherspoons in Hillsborough. Bet you can’t wait. But we’ve reached the stage of the year where I’m so desperate for blog views I trawl through the blog for those “Best of the year” features… Continue reading 2020 IN REVIEW – JANUARY
