In the summer of 1988 I walked the 7.1 miles from Milton to Barton to meet my then girlfriend (NGSS x)at the end of her bar shift. I’d just failed my driving test for a fifth time, all the fault of over-zealous no entry signage in Cambridge, and only a fool uses taxis. Not even… Continue reading BARTON GOES THROUGH THE HOOPS
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.
IN PRAISE OF LIVERPOOL
Two more sleeps till the pubs open, then no more football programme posts. If you buy our house (contact Jeremy @ Hockeys) I’ll throw in the programmes AND the Bass rarity. I’ve had a few people with an L4 postcode query why my June Review skipped the Scousers Premier League win, their first ever.… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF LIVERPOOL
ADNAMS IN A PLASTIC CUP. BETTER THAN ADNAMS IN AN ADNAMS GLASS.
Possibly my last takeaway pint before the big pub reopening on Saturday. You might have heard about that. Beer always tastes better in a straight glass, sat on bench seating, discussing pub life with someone called Paul, doesn’t it ? Well, yes, of course. But needs must, till Saturday. On my little trip to enjoy… Continue reading ADNAMS IN A PLASTIC CUP. BETTER THAN ADNAMS IN AN ADNAMS GLASS.
PLENTY TO SEE IN HORNINGSEA
Three more sleeps. Then I’m freed from blogging about flat Fenland villages. Horningsea is much too posh to be Fenland, but unfortunately it’s the next village south of Waterbeach and there’s nothing it can do about THAT. But look at its medieval potter on the village sign (top), the painted pebbles, the Clive Cussler… Continue reading PLENTY TO SEE IN HORNINGSEA
JUNE ’20 STOCKTAKE + JULY PREVIEW
Contractual obligations demand a monthly summary of the GBG pilgrim’s progress. That progress came to a juddering halt on 13th March, probably the least of many of our concerns. No GBG ticks in June (that I’ll admit to), unless the Mace in Swaffham Bulbeck that sold me Mrs RM an emergency 4 pack of… Continue reading JUNE ’20 STOCKTAKE + JULY PREVIEW
BOTTISHAM – SAVED BY THE BELL
Yes, ANOTHER Bee Gees reference, even though the Isle of Man’s finest (apart from Dave Halliwell) never played the WMC in Bottisham. Unless YOU know better. Scraping the Fen Edge barrel, now, though Bottisham (pop. 2,199) punches well above its weight in some respects. The village college takes up half the Wiki entry, and seems… Continue reading BOTTISHAM – SAVED BY THE BELL
COBBLERS
The great city of Leicester came to a standstill last night to cheer their East Midlands neighbours Northampton as they made an unlikely return to League 1 in front of 90,000 empty seats. They’re the ultimate yo-yo club, along with Luton. Some Leicesterians may even make a trip south to Sixfields on Saturday to enjoy… Continue reading COBBLERS
THE COTON REJECTS
More posh Cambs now, as I give you the Saturday Coton & Madingley double bill. You can actually walk from Coton through the University fields towards the Backs, but you’ll get run over by aggressive cyclists if you’re not careful. Walkers really are second-class citizens in Cambridge; see how cyclists ignore the “Please dismount” signs. Feel… Continue reading THE COTON REJECTS
A SPECIAL DAY IN CAMBRIDGE
Only 5 more sleeps and I can return to a pub. I’m still a BIT nervous about pub interiors, and reports from US Mark’s home state (not your fault, Mark) don’t help confidence. 85 patrons of a Michigan restaurant and pub have contracted the coronavirus and health officials expect the number to rise. The restaurant… Continue reading A SPECIAL DAY IN CAMBRIDGE
DROWNING SORROWS IN D.C.
I actually heard the sad news about Richard on the National Mall. staring at the Capitol. I did like the capital (as opposed to the Capitol); it felt a bit like someone had taken the best bits of Newcastle and plonked them in Milton Keynes. Great museums, sumptuous parks, cheap Chinese food, murky beer… Continue reading DROWNING SORROWS IN D.C.
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