It was so much fun being BRAPA’s taxi the other week that I’m going to do it again this Saturday. Come along to Comberton and cheer us on (actually, that’ll be local taxi firms demonstrating against me nicking their business). Pub No.5 for Si was the Mermaid (he was saving the sixth for Peterborough, with… Continue reading A (PUB)MAN NEEDS A (MER)MAID
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.
PHEASANTS AND PEASANTS
Finally on BRAPA A14 2018 (T-Shirts available) we go gastro. Two destination dining pubs in tiny villages just south of the A14 to finish, with the Pheasant in Keyston enjoying an unbroken run in the Guide dating back beyond Cromwell. This was a key target for Si, marking the western outpost of Cambs/Hunts, and frankly… Continue reading PHEASANTS AND PEASANTS
“I’VE BEEN THROUGH THE PUB DESERT FOR A CAT WITH NO NAME”
First rule of blogging. Stick a pub cat in there somewhere. Even if the Landlord can’t be bothered to name it. Simon and I called him Mudgie. Or Madgie if it was a girl, I didn’t look/ask. Pub 3 was the Duke’s Arms in Burton Latimer. My top readers, i.e. the Americans, will remember this… Continue reading “I’VE BEEN THROUGH THE PUB DESERT FOR A CAT WITH NO NAME”
BRAPA AND THE DUKES
I was a bit conflicted on which photo to lead with today. BRAPA’s camouflage shirt that helps him hide from irate microbrewery owners, or this one; Face it, how often do you get the award-winning, flame-resistant Ullage, Quality Street and a Tardis* in the same shot ? Quite simply, the Duke’s Head in Woodford is… Continue reading BRAPA AND THE DUKES
THE BRAPA HUNT(S) VOL 1 – THE BROMSWOLD
When I started this blogging lark I never dreamed it would lead me to meet such legends as Mr Protz, Tom Irvin, or Citra, a bloke who casually drops his heart attack into his latest pub review. But the biggest prize of all is the privilege of driving BRAPA and his green pen around rural… Continue reading THE BRAPA HUNT(S) VOL 1 – THE BROMSWOLD
THE GBG PILGRIM’S PROGRESS TO PAVENHAM
“Oh deep joy, another Bedfordshire pub” said no-one ever. But this was my last one (see lovely pinked page 36 above) from a meagre four newbies, none of which will have BRAPA wishing he’d returned to Beds this year. But Pavenham has it’s merits. A few miles north of the county town, in the… Continue reading THE GBG PILGRIM’S PROGRESS TO PAVENHAM
HEY HO, LET’S GO. TO HEYFORD
Another “Last GBG Pub In The County” for you, and more evidence that Northamptonshire is an underrated pubby gem (don’t argue, I’ll fight ya). Even more so than, say, Dorset or Gwent, Northants throws up villages seemingly untouched by progress, reflected in the pubs. Last year we had the magical Three Horseshoes in Ecton,… Continue reading HEY HO, LET’S GO. TO HEYFORD
BOO ! BACK TO BUCKS WITH A BASS BANG
The pub blogging world is all a quiver tonight, as we ponder the eternal question; How do you top a blog title like this ?- “Portland Bills, Thrills & Jelly Snakes” Yes, BRAPA’s team of interns has finally paid off. I’m going to be going through my own collection of Madchester* vinyl tonight for inspiration,… Continue reading BOO ! BACK TO BUCKS WITH A BASS BANG
“YOU’RE STOPPING THE OLD BOY GETTING TO THE BAR”
Yes, still on Bucks, still banging on about barflies. This one has a cruel twist. BRAPA finished Bucks last year, and has decided he’s not going back till he’s finished the Scottish Islands and Devon, sometime in 2041. That means he’ll miss the joy of Fever-Tree Gastropubs like the Lowndes Arms, which looks like… Continue reading “YOU’RE STOPPING THE OLD BOY GETTING TO THE BAR”
ALE A1 IN AILING AYLESBURY
Actually, it was in Stone, Bucks. But I don’t want to confuse and over-excite Staffordshire Paul before his morning pint. Bucks, as Si and I have said at least 37 times, is a dull county in every sense (awaits backlash from Wycombe reader). And the Rose & Crown looks like every other village pub within… Continue reading ALE A1 IN AILING AYLESBURY
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