April 2024. Cambridge. At weekends when I visit my parents the step count drops; from an average around 20k in Sheffield to 3,606 last Sunday. “You need to sit down and relax” says Mum. That’s the LAST thing I need to do at 59, and once they’re asleep I nip out to get some miles… Continue reading “We prefer cash”. The Earl of Derby, Cambridge.
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FIVE MILES (FROM ANYWHERE) HIGH
April 2024. Upware. One of my few “jobs” these days is getting Dad out of the house to a) give Mum a break and b) keep Dad sane. And if that c) saves the odd pub then so much the better. Four main routes out of Waterbeach, almost like there’s four points on the compass… Continue reading FIVE MILES (FROM ANYWHERE) HIGH
Can Greene King IPA surprise me in its homeland ?
April 2024. Waterbeach. Back “home” on Sunday to check-in on the parents, keep Chung Hwa in business, and avoid seeing the Forest v City match; I can’t be anywhere near the telly or BBC coverage when I’m not at the match. That’s my excuse for swerving the Sun in favour of the White Horse. Look… Continue reading Can Greene King IPA surprise me in its homeland ?
BRING YOUR OWN
April 2024. Birchencliffe. Huddersfield. Mrs RM was put in charge of picking the curry house on the way back from Prescot, and excelled herself with the Grameen Lounge just off Junction 24 of the M62. OK, Bradford is better, but I’d never had a curry in Huddersfield, and could tell you nothing about Birchencliffe, a… Continue reading BRING YOUR OWN
APRIL ’24 STOCKTAKE AND MAY PREVIEW
The contractually obligated Highlights post for April, a month dominated by lambs, snooker (go on Stuart !), unpronounceable Bulgarian food, and the astonishing new Lizzy McAlpine album. My only actual gig was Korngold’s Violin Concerto in Sofia, which probably gets me maximum cultural points. That Bulgarian trip added another pin to Mrs RM’s European tickathon,… Continue reading APRIL ’24 STOCKTAKE AND MAY PREVIEW
MERSEYSIDE HAS FALLEN – 3rd TIME LUCKY IN PRESCOT
April 2024. Prescot. Our plan for a Big Night Out in Chester foundered at the first hurdle, as Mrs RM realised with horror that the Stupid one of us had forgot to put the duvet back in the campervan after laundering the sheets (it’s the domestic detail you come for). I’d packed the blanket and… Continue reading MERSEYSIDE HAS FALLEN – 3rd TIME LUCKY IN PRESCOT
A HEN PARTY IN A BRUNNING AND PRICE ! ONLY IN CHESTER
April 2024. Chester. Yes, I know I owe you an April highlights issue. Soon. First up a couple of late month county ticks, starting with posh Cheshire. It’s not ALL posh, of course; there’s been Crewe and Macclesfield newbies this GBG year, but I end by the Chester walls. We park up the NV200 in… Continue reading A HEN PARTY IN A BRUNNING AND PRICE ! ONLY IN CHESTER
“BACK TO THE 80s” AT THE THORNBRIDGE TAP
April 2024. Bakewell. On rare occasions I judge it prudent to comply with Mrs RM’s arduous demands, which I think is a line from a play based at Chatsworth House. I knew she’d want to visit a new pub in this part of the Peak after walking the Chatsworth estate, and I knew the hotels,… Continue reading “BACK TO THE 80s” AT THE THORNBRIDGE TAP
LAMBING SEASON AT CHATSWORTH
April 2024. Chatsworth. “Can we go to Edensor this afternoon“ asks Mrs RM on Friday lunchtime. “Edensor ?” I said excitedly. Never heard of it, and neither had What Pub, it seems. It’s the estate village for Chatsworth House, which you’ll remember as the place where Keira Knightly reads improving books in Pride and Prejudice.… Continue reading LAMBING SEASON AT CHATSWORTH
TOP 100 PUBS – THE ALEXANDRA, DERBY
April 2024. Derby. I left the Dead Poets after an hour of Bass and The Boss in a happy mood, suddenly aware I had no idea how to get back to Derby for the train home. I have no idea how Simon finds his way home after six seven pints. I decided to walk, 2.3… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE ALEXANDRA, DERBY