October 2024. Birmingham. October 28th had been the highlighted date in my calendar all year, the day I finally get to see my hero(ine) after two (2) failed attempts due to parental disasters and a tour cancellation. It had looked very likely Monday would see another disaster with Mum still recovering in Addenbrookes, but Mrs… Continue reading “And the circle, it goes round and round”. LIZZY McALPINE AT BIRMINGHAM O2.
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WELCOME BACK TO THE WOODMAN
October 2024. Birmingham. It wasn’t my actual reason for being in Brum on Monday night, but I’d been wanting a return to the Woodman ever since a legendary pub trip on World Cup Semi-Final Day 2018, and not just because of the promise of a new Bass outlet. Actual Bass, not just a Wrexham industrial… Continue reading WELCOME BACK TO THE WOODMAN
Now THAT’S how to do a cheese and onion cob !
October 2024. Leicester. And this is the problem/joy of having completed the Guide. Before completion, you break a journey in Leicester, have a rushed weakest half in the new GBG tick, run back to the next train, plan how you’re going to do all four (4) West Midlands newbies before your gig when none (0)… Continue reading Now THAT’S how to do a cheese and onion cob !
LEICESTER – FILBERTS AND OTHER NUTS
October 2024. Leicester. Leicester looked splendid, if a little quiet before the Diwali and Christmas rushes. Odd to get a completely new pub in the Guide, particularly one as central as the Castle, tucked away in a rather underappreciated part of a rather underappreciated city. Honestly, pubs apart, Leicester is far more interesting than, say,… Continue reading LEICESTER – FILBERTS AND OTHER NUTS
LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN
October 2024. Waterbeach to Birmingham. Mum’s stay in hospital dragged on into a second week*, insufferable to her and challenging to us as we’d left the heating on awaiting her return and were melting in the heat (though the lack of WiFi is the bigger issue). I grabbed a night’s long planned respite in Birmingham,… Continue reading LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN
WONDERFUL WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. You’ve seen the pubs. but what else has Wymondham got ? Well, an Abbey too dark to see, and the UK’s highest per capita collection of Prom boutiques. Did I tell you the men all wear waistcoats ? I don’t know if all the stuffed dolls are Wymondham’s contribution to Halloween, but… Continue reading WONDERFUL WYMONDHAM
GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 9 – THE GREEN DRAGON, WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. I’d dragged Mrs RM two hours east to rural Norfolk on a Sunday evening because a) the alternative was another night in my parents house Waterbeach without internet, b) I knew the Green Dragon would make her a good Instagram reel. A good day already, with Goose Island at the station, Doom… Continue reading GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 9 – THE GREEN DRAGON, WYMONDHAM
TOP 100 PUBS – THE FEATHERS, WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. Two GBG pubs in Wymondham’s small but beautifully formed town, and an ancient classic that might be back in the Guide soon. I couldn’t remember ticking the Feathers, which was even more reason to make Mrs RM run from the Club to beat last orders at 6pm, but she had to stop… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE FEATHERS, WYMONDHAM
THE HAND THAT NICKED THE HOT NUTS IN WYMONDHAM EX-SERVICES CLUB
October 2024. Wymondham. Tip for US readers – pronounced Why-mondy-um. A long (and expensive, £30.10 for us with Two Together Railcard) rail trip to one of Norfolk’s few gems on a Sunday afternoon, so best make the most of Wymondham’s gems. Mrs RM notes the cute backpacks (“suffocatingly Norfolk”), I note the Betjeman. It’s a… Continue reading THE HAND THAT NICKED THE HOT NUTS IN WYMONDHAM EX-SERVICES CLUB
PIE AND PINT, ELY STATION
October 2024. Ely. We’re snatching excitement where we can, evening trips to deepest Norfolk after hospital and care home visits. The trains to Wymondham (not pronounced anything like that) cunningly requires a 45 minute layover, as the Americans call it, at Ely which is 5 minutes too short to get to the Prince Albert and… Continue reading PIE AND PINT, ELY STATION
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