January 2026. Hastings. The end of Dryanuary for me as we hit Day 3 of 2026, but Mrs RM has ambitions to “go low” and seek out all these exciting non-alcoholic alternatives we keep reading about. Let’s focus on one street, All Saints in Hastings, historic and affluent and a good bet for folk abstaining… Continue reading MRS RM SETTLES IN FOR THE BIG HASTINGS N/A BEER CRAWL
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.
PELHAM PLACE
January 2026. Hastings. Hastings ? Again ?! Although the wonders of the Kent and Sussex coast are on our doorstep in Rye, they’re not much use if you don’t get out the caravan till noon. It’s still dark by four down here, and Hastings is only 20 minutes by train. And I had unfinished business… Continue reading PELHAM PLACE
DRY JANUARY 1st IN CORBY GLEN
January 1st 2026. Corby Glen. Lincolnshire. A very easy 2hr 20 drive down from Sheffield to Waterbeach on New Years Day, which I designated as my Dryanuary Day for 2026. Having switched from road to rail of late, that M18/A1/A14 slog wasn’t quite as draining, but I picked a spot to stretch my legs just… Continue reading DRY JANUARY 1st IN CORBY GLEN
A NORTHERN HEAD ON THE ORVAL
December 31st 2025. Walkley. Sheffield. I think I’ve written about every pint, gig and church visited this year. Imagine that. Goodness know what the AI data farms speed reading my blog are making of it all. I assume all those American readers (bar Dick and Dave) are robots ? Perhaps Dick and Dave are robots… Continue reading A NORTHERN HEAD ON THE ORVAL
NEW (AND GREAT) CASK IN SHEFFIELD. THE WOBBLY DAGGER
December 31st 2025. Walkley. Sheffield. Last day of the year, and a relief to be spending it quietly in Sheffield after 2024’s traumas. The New Year’s Eve fireworks on the 7 hills are sensational, and best viewed from our upstairs window (£10 if you want the best standing position next year). But before that, a… Continue reading NEW (AND GREAT) CASK IN SHEFFIELD. THE WOBBLY DAGGER
PINT, COB & CRISPS IN THE WELLINGTON. UNBEATABLE.
December 2025. Sheffield. Back in Sheffield I suddenly found myself unable to walk past the Wellington before the steep 10 minute walk home. Must be my gammy leg etc etc. 2 years ago I named the Welly my favourite pub in Sheffield, then promptly stopped visiting it. It’s like the Manager of the Month curse.… Continue reading PINT, COB & CRISPS IN THE WELLINGTON. UNBEATABLE.
MY “GOLDEN PINT”. ACORN WINTER PALE AT THE ABBEY
December 2025. Newlay. Leeds. 5 years ago (if pubs had been open in 2021) a trip to Leeds would have targeted a BRAPA-friendly half dozen new Guide pubs in a day. Those two in Todmorden, a couple of new Spoons, Bradford, as well as that Horsforth diner. Today, I use my day to practice falling… Continue reading MY “GOLDEN PINT”. ACORN WINTER PALE AT THE ABBEY
“KLF, aha aha aha aha”. FIRST TRAIN TO KIRKSTALL FORGE
December 2025. Horsforth. Leeds. Visiting these last few West Yorkshire Beer Guide newbies, like Sir Geoff tickling singles off the Australian attach at Headingley in ’64, I head for Horsforth. Actually, I head for Kirkstall Forge, a newish station 23 13 minutes walk from the Three Swords, overcoming the discomfort of my recent industrial injury… Continue reading “KLF, aha aha aha aha”. FIRST TRAIN TO KIRKSTALL FORGE
PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL
December 2025. Leeds. There’s no point running this blog as a diary if it’s not honest. So, a week after boasting about my athleticism, brought on impatience, I need to confess to my clumsiness, as in my dash to edge past two folk walking side by side down the steps at Leeds Station I managed… Continue reading PRIDE COMES BEFORE A FALL
CHECKING WILL’S SHEFFIELD BEER SCORES
December 2025. Sheffield. Perhaps only Will the Sheffield Hatter is as passionate about beer quality in the pub as I am, starting many a scrap reasoned debate on CAMRA Discourse of late. Like Will, I reckon that quality can vary by the day, or session, even in the best of pubs, and discussion about “good”… Continue reading CHECKING WILL’S SHEFFIELD BEER SCORES
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