Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part IV – “You can taste the black treacle in this”

17th March 2023. The three (3) new Beer Guide entries in the bag, Norwich had delivered a better performance than expected, and now it was time to head “home” to That Waterbeach, the craft capital of the Fens. But the walk back to the station would only take 20 minutes if I didn’t stop at… Continue reading Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part IV – “You can taste the black treacle in this”

Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part III – A little piece of Norwich Over The Water that is forever York

17th March 2023. Two down in Norwich, one to go. I must have done this walk from station up Magdalene Street a couple of dozen times, even stayed in the Maid’s Head for £35 once; perhaps I should have slowed down to appreciate the merits of the market, and the “baroque” (per Pevsner) splendour of… Continue reading Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part III – A little piece of Norwich Over The Water that is forever York

Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part II – It’s all gone a bit Pat Benatar in the Walnut Tree Shades

17th March 2023. 5.30pm, Friday evening, central Norwich. My train back to the Fens left in two hours. Plenty of time to complete the trio of new Guide ticks, AND nip in Primark to buy a new pair of jeans (pic only available to Supremely Patronised readers). Google tells me I spent 7 minutes in… Continue reading Retired Martin’s Honest Norwich Reappraisal Part II – It’s all gone a bit Pat Benatar in the Walnut Tree Shades

INSPECTING THE 1926 ACCOUNT BOOKS AT ST THOMAS, BURTON-LE-COGGLES

16th March 2023. Enough of pubs, let’s focus on Grade II listed Anglican churches on quaintly named Lincolnshire villages. More importantly, let’s liven up the relentless 2:20 hours journey from Sheffield to Waterbeach with a stop in a place I’ve never stopped before. Quite why I’d never been to tiny Burton-le-Coggles before last Thursday is… Continue reading INSPECTING THE 1926 ACCOUNT BOOKS AT ST THOMAS, BURTON-LE-COGGLES

A Giant Garlic Naan and Cookie Dough Ice Cream Porter

15th March 2023. One of the real joys of the blog is meeting up with fellow enthusiasts of travel, pubs and calorific excess (as part of a rigid dietary plan). Since completing the Guide (did you hear ?) I’ve rarely said “No*” to any invitation to a meet-up, particularly with blogging legend Blackpool Jane. And… Continue reading A Giant Garlic Naan and Cookie Dough Ice Cream Porter

TURN A DIFFERENT CORNER AND I NEVER WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN FOR THAT IMPERIAL STOUT

13th March 2023. I was just heading down to central Sheffield for my 10,000 steps when who should I meet but Sheffield Hatter, still dancing in the streets after Luton’s smash-and-grab win at Bramall Lane on his way to the supermarket. “Fancy a pint, Will ?” I probably said. Never ask a Lutonian a question… Continue reading TURN A DIFFERENT CORNER AND I NEVER WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN FOR THAT IMPERIAL STOUT