I’d have been quite happy to stay in the Royal Oak forever, but I’m always conscious of my role as an ambassador for “Weird England” in showing visitors the joys outside the tourist route. “We’re in your hands” said Dave, worryingly. so we took them to Bermondsey. to see some railway arches. Our route takes… Continue reading SE1. MOOR BEER. THEN MORE.
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.
TOP 100 PUBS – ROYAL OAK, BOROUGH
Perhaps not the most surprising Top 100 choice (this is actually No. 3,171) but you’ll know my feelings on London soup, and it’s taken an overdue return to the Royal Oak yesterday to convince me. First time here I’m fairly sure I saw McGrath rip through the England 1st innings on Day 1 of the… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – ROYAL OAK, BOROUGH
SLIP SLIDING AWAY
I’m told my lack of chronological authenticity is a problem for some, so with that in mind here’s a report from 8.24pm tonight. 2.15pm to 8.23pm can go hang. Mrs RM and I spent the afternoon with the lovely Southworths, seemingly recovered from their evening with BRAPA, who seems tightlipped about the event. Dick… Continue reading SLIP SLIDING AWAY
MAY ’18 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
May was not only the hottest month since the Big Bang, but a great month for retiredmartin plc (sponsorship pending). And not just because Ian Thurman produced the world’s first Bass directory. 39 new GBG pubs is actually a bit below par, spread over the east coast it allowed me to finish off Northumberland, the… Continue reading MAY ’18 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
MEETING THE CAMPAIGN FOR EXCELLENT LAGER IN NORWICH
You’ll know that Norwich are doing some City of Beer thing this week because they shout about it a lot. Essentially a “my city’s got more pumps than yours” shout-out, to which Derby, Sheffield and (regrettably) Manchester respond like a seven year old child. Luckily Dick and Dave aren’t suckered in by this nonsense,… Continue reading MEETING THE CAMPAIGN FOR EXCELLENT LAGER IN NORWICH
STUFFED GEESE, FLUFFY OWLETS & PICKLED SIMONS – BRAPA IN CAMBS PART II
I can’t believe I haven’t brought these highlights from “BRAPA in Cambs” (better than “The Who Live in Leeds”) to you yet; blame Dick and Dave. Probably. You left Simon and me at the Green Man in Thriplow. That was a whole 3 weeks ago now. In 3 weeks time England will be out of… Continue reading STUFFED GEESE, FLUFFY OWLETS & PICKLED SIMONS – BRAPA IN CAMBS PART II
DEAD CAT BOUNCE – CAMBS WITH BRAPA PART I
Back home in Cambridge from The North, I had a day off to make excuses about pruning the hedge (no idea) before Simon arrived on my doorstep. A nation (well, Cambridgeshire) awaits the BRAPA visit tomorrow.Sleep well brave @StymieSi pic.twitter.com/HnH6Mpzthi — Martin Taylor (@NHS_Martin) May 11, 2018 If you want, you can skip this post… Continue reading DEAD CAT BOUNCE – CAMBS WITH BRAPA PART I
HIGHLAND LADDIE
Short read special day. One more new tick from the Solway coast, and another surprisingly traditional one. Nice bit of north Gower-like coastline, seemingly the playground of all of Carlisle’s retirees. We all like a good mud flat, don’t we ? And most folk like a traditional looking wet-led boozer in the middle of nowhere,… Continue reading HIGHLAND LADDIE
TAKING THE WALL TO THE DROVERS REST
May has been a spectacularly productive month in terms of GBG progress (wait and see), but ultimately my success will stand or fall on making inroads into those counties you can’t do on an overnighter, and which don’t have branches of “Lush” to tempt Mrs RM to drive me there. Like Cumbria. Look at all… Continue reading TAKING THE WALL TO THE DROVERS REST
PROPER PUBS IN CARLISLE
Next stop, Carlisle, which feels like New York after a week travelling round the Borders. Look ! The McVitie’s factory (sorry Mrs RM, I didn’t bring you back a discounted packet of digestives). Oh, look ! A Bass mirror (no Bass). Oh look ! An open pub. I’d forgotten what they look like. I… Continue reading PROPER PUBS IN CARLISLE
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