That’s ironic, by the way. I hate all celebrations equally. Every day you wake up alive is a gift. Unless you wake up in Maidenhead, as I did once. I’ll probably be in a queue for the Star Wars ride at Universal Studios (not by my choice, oh no) on Christmas Day, so this is… Continue reading HAPPY CHRISTMAS
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.
CREEPY CRAWLEY
Yes, we got to Gatwick South Terminal 3 hours early like we were supposed to, after the inevitable argument about parking. So I’ve got 2 hours in the airside Spoons (Flying Horse), contemplating the merits of a pre-flight beer from this collection. Actually not bad at all, and the Spoons itself is an airy delight… Continue reading CREEPY CRAWLEY
MERRY MICRO
Off to Gatwick for an 11 hour flight to LA shortly. Who knows what the Gatwick South terminal Spoons will offer. I’d wish you a happy Christmas but you’d know I didn’t mean it. Make sure you get to a pub on Christmas Day, perhaps the Bull Baiters in Worcester (open 12-3) and rejoice that… Continue reading MERRY MICRO
retiredmartin mucks up in Ryarsh
“Always own up to your mistakes” said someone, once. Someone you’ve never heard of since. But in the spirit of GBG Completist solidarity, I’m admitting to my own so others don’t make the same mistake. Study the extract from the master spreadsheet closely; Not obvious ? Well, when I started pinking in the new… Continue reading retiredmartin mucks up in Ryarsh
PRIVATE PUBLIC HOUSES – THE WRATH OF WROTHAM
If you’re feeling a sense of deja vu all over again, it’s because the Pubmeister beat me to this one ((here). But if a story’s worth telling… The last month has seen good progress on visiting all the Beer Guide entries within an hour or so i.e. the ones you can do by train… Continue reading PRIVATE PUBLIC HOUSES – THE WRATH OF WROTHAM
A TRIBUTE TO SPALDING
In recent months I’ve been taking my Dad out and about to some of the great cultural destinations of our nation; Downham Market, Wisbech, Colwyn Bay, North Shields. “Would you like to go to the gardens at Spalding, Dad” “Not really“. It’s best to be blunt when you live in the Fens. Your loss, Dad.… Continue reading A TRIBUTE TO SPALDING
DON’T CRY FOR CROWLAND
As it’s my birthday (will be on table 53 all day) I get to post on a place without a pub visit. There was discussion on this blog recently about the merits of Whittlesey, a small Fenland town with a seemingly never ending supply of Beer Guide pubs. The date for the 2018 Straw… Continue reading DON’T CRY FOR CROWLAND
FROM DERITEND TO FRANKFURT
While it’s fresh in the mind, a report on my valiant attempt to complete Beer Guide Brum today. A pleasant circular walk from industrial Deritend to the German Christmas Market via the University; what could go wrong ? I start in BritainBeerMat land, in the industrial estates of Deritend (A), a giant Ian Clarkson hoof… Continue reading FROM DERITEND TO FRANKFURT
SOUTHEND & THE ROUND ROBIN/CREME BRULEE MICROPUB DRAMA
Nothing like overselling a blogpost in the title, is there. You’ll get no “Golden Pints” nonsense here, this is a pub blog. As is traditional now, I celebrate completion of a Beer Guide county with a lovely bit of pink highlighting. Simon will be delighted to know that, in contrast to the Plough & Sail,… Continue reading SOUTHEND & THE ROUND ROBIN/CREME BRULEE MICROPUB DRAMA
PRACTICALLY PERFECT PAGLESHAM
Approaching the end of Essex Guide entries, and a rare trip to the remoter regions of estuary Essex and the Plough & Sail in Paglesham. “Between Southend and Burnham on Crouch” is probably the best description of where Paglesham sits, but it’s more accurate to describe it as at the end of a road to… Continue reading PRACTICALLY PERFECT PAGLESHAM
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