In Pubmeister parlance the Bluebell in Lound is a lone straggler in my GBG conquest, tucked away in the nothingness between Retford and Donny (with apologies to my relatives in beautiful Bawtry). It’s a vital tick on the way to completing Nottinghamshire GBG entries for the year before the Pubmeister. I confess I was a… Continue reading CUM YE TO SUTTON-CUM-LOUND
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.
RETIRED GENTLEFOLK IN WESTERHAM
Quite a shock to get home, upload my photos to irritate two teenage boys by slowing down their internet games, and realise how many posts I still have to do from the middle of December. So here’s Westerham, a mere six miles from the in-laws. And another pub accessible, if you’re quick, from Clacket… Continue reading RETIRED GENTLEFOLK IN WESTERHAM
ZIP WIRING OLD VEGAS AFTER DENNY’S & BEER
Just got home from Vegas, via a surprisingly efficient Gatwick (my favourite UK airport apart from the tiny one on Alderney). I’ll do a proper write-up when I get legal clearance for titles like “La La Land” and “Viva Las Vegas” which I know you’re expecting. I just totted up we squeezed 60+ hours… Continue reading ZIP WIRING OLD VEGAS AFTER DENNY’S & BEER
SIN CITY
Happy New Year from Vegas. According to CNN it’s now 1958 in America, which may be generous. We spent last night queuing for the world’s best tacos, and trying to cobble together enough nickels and dimes for our midnight feast of Hersheys and Reeces. We are the high rollers Vegas dreams of. Earlier we did… Continue reading SIN CITY
AND THE WINNER IS…
My last six Golden Pubs of 2017, and the winner. Can you guess what it is yet ? 19) The North Riding Hotel, Scarborough A fair split between first time visits and Golden Oldies on this list, and a fair amount of boozers like the North Riding. But a great mix of young and old… Continue reading AND THE WINNER IS…
GRAND CANYON OF BASS
You’ll know I’d go to great lengths for Draught Bass. Even Maidenhead. But I wasn’t paying $20 plus tax plus tip in the Gordon Ramsay “pub” in Vegas, so I’d given up on my Burton medicine for this trip. Plenty of Bass memorabilia im the casinos to taunt me, though. Of course, the Bass mirror… Continue reading GRAND CANYON OF BASS
NEVER MIND THE HOGMANAY, HERE’S GOLDEN PUBS VOL 3
13) The Queen’s Arms – Cowden Pound, Kent A very overdue visit to one of Mr Coe’s basic, unspoilt pubs, which I now understand never made the Beer Guide because the landlady didn’t want pub tourists like me there. The village, and the doggie at the top, made me as welcome as you could hope. … Continue reading NEVER MIND THE HOGMANAY, HERE’S GOLDEN PUBS VOL 3
WHEAT BEER AT THE ARIZONA RODEO
A 4.30am start, or lunchtime in your money, for a 5 hour coach trip to the Grand Canyon. A journey currently enlivened by “School of Rock” and Australian girls discussing their belief in the paranormal and how Bananas in Pyjamas went downhill when CGI was introduced (those last two are connected). Let’s just hope there’s… Continue reading WHEAT BEER AT THE ARIZONA RODEO
MORE GOLDEN PUBS 2017
Time for a pub cat ! Definitely the star turn at the Pineapple. As someone remarked during a gap in service, if he could pour pints he’d be perfect. 7) The Pineapple – Kentish Town A rare community pub in the Beer Guide in North London, rare cool beer, Bass mirror and “Are you one… Continue reading MORE GOLDEN PUBS 2017
WHADDYA EXPECT FOR $2.50 IN VEGAS ?
Once I get home I’ll do a proper post on America; the Chinese takeaway chains, shambolic coaches, and irritating habit of adding tax at the till. You’ll be glad you live in Runcorn. Or Canada. Vegas is astonishing though. Believe me, it’s better than going to the real Eiffel Tower and Pyramids. Fake Venice is… Continue reading WHADDYA EXPECT FOR $2.50 IN VEGAS ?
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