December 2024. Sheffield. A Friday night in Sheffield between Christmas and New Year with two of the great tickers. Duncan was the first man to complete the GBG, Dr John from Edinburgh a ferocious groundhopper in his late 70s. We left the Grapes as “Like A Rolling Stone” came on, were thwarted by an unexpected… Continue reading I WANNA GO TO (ST) MARS (OF THE DESERT)

December 2024. Sheffield. I stayed on for a second day in Sheffield while Mrs RM held the fort in Waterbeach, sorting through 30 years of knickers and photos. What a hero. I had a plan to actually do some GBG ticks; out to Congleton and then back via Macclesfield and Poynton appealed. But then Duncan… Continue reading The Guinness AND the Madri run out in Sheffield

December 2024. Cleckheaton. Into the (Spen) Valley, as The Skids sang in 1979. Duncan is your expert on The Skids. Chris Dyson is probably your expert on the small industrial towns betwixt Halifax, Bradford and Huddersfield and has all you need to know about Cleckheaton. But I seem to have beat him to the Mill… Continue reading A CLECKHEATON CHRISTMAS

December 2024. Manchester. I read on the Manchester City forum today that consideration is being given to an idea to make Glossop part of Greater Manchester. In return Derbyshire will get Stockport, I guess, which will at least pacify those folk who scream “STOCKPORT ISN’T IN MANCHESTER !!!”. Back to Christmas Day, and Mrs RM… Continue reading FROM GLOSSOP TO ANCOATS

Christmas Eve 2024. Cambridge. You left us outside King’s College Chapel as the first notes of “Once In Royal David’s City” signalled the official start of Christmas, at least if your name is Gerald or Maggie and you live in a £2m townhouse in Newnham. I thought we should go full-on tourist and make a… Continue reading CHRISTMAS EVE. A TIME TO LIVE AND LET LIVE

Christmas Eve. December 2024. Cambridge. Just noticed this blog has become a bit too pub-heavy of late and in danger of getting shifted from the “weird bloke on travels” category into “beer”. And that would never do. I coaxed Mrs RM out of Waterbeach on Tuesday to explore an exciting city 5 miles south. No,… Continue reading A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS AT KING’S

December 2024. Cottenham. A flying day visit to the in-laws on the 23rd; over four hours on packed motorways and a tortuous delay at Dartford tunnel. Mrs RM had a mysterious aching arm which meant I drove; luckily she’d recovered by the time the gin came out in Royal Tunbridge Wells. Back “home” (not sure… Continue reading 38 YEARS LATER…THE HOP BIND, COTTENHAM

December 2024. Cambridge. Rather too stressed last Sunday evening with parental worries to enjoy a proper celebration, but at least Mum was settled, and at least I had the family together as we left the Blue Moon after a crafty half. And there’s nowhere I’d rather be, not even Hillingdon, than in a pub with… Continue reading TALLY-HO

December 2024. Cambridge. With Mum safely tucked up for the night I rejoined Mrs RM, the boys and Emma in Cambridge. We’d really pushed the boat out for what some folk insist is a “significant” birthday; I’ll remind you that every day till you stop breathing is significant and should be celebrated equally. Yes, we… Continue reading TALKING RETIRED MARTIN BIRTHDAY BLUES