I knew August was hot, but just look at the state of Waterbeach’s village green on my trip back to see my parents the week before the First Big Assault On The Highlands. I try to get back every week to see my Mum and Dad, staying till they get bored of me, which normally… Continue reading KEBAB NIGHT, WATERBEACH
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“CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
There were two (2) weeks between the last ticks in England and Wales and the resumption of the assault on the Beer Guide in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Those two weeks were agony, if I’m honest, each day increasing the chances of family drama (of which, less later) or illness or “Winter” hours intervening.… Continue reading “CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
THE QUIET BEFORE THE TICKING STORM
August 12, 2022. Swindon’s Tap & Brew was about to become my final English Beer Guide tick, with Wales having fallen the day before. I’ve told you about Swindon already. Back home, Mrs RM could sense the excitement. All that lay in the way of GBG immortality were 2 or 3 trips to the far… Continue reading THE QUIET BEFORE THE TICKING STORM
NO HIDING PLACE IN MELKSHAM
Two ticks to go and England would fall ! Two in Wiltshire, both of which had contrived to defeat us back in April by being closed (it works, try it). In its defence the Hiding Place had put its correct opening hours on Facebook (not very 2022, that), and I was delighted to have an… Continue reading NO HIDING PLACE IN MELKSHAM
SPOONS CURRY NIGHT IN HAVERFORDWEST
My last night in Wales, and Duncan met Baa Baa Toure for the first time. It was emotional. Haverfordwest is a great place to be emotional in (NGPTBEISS 3.5+). Duncan, who’s just broke his blog silence by welcoming the new GBG, had done all the Guide pubs for 3,788 miles around, so it was a… Continue reading SPOONS CURRY NIGHT IN HAVERFORDWEST
LEARNING (UNDER DURESS) TO LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC IN HAVERFORDWEST
Back to mid August, with the whole of Wales ticked and England about to fall I was about to enter the most exciting period of my life. I know you’re supposed to say the birth of your children is the most exciting time, but why lie to you now ? The GBG is laid out… Continue reading LEARNING (UNDER DURESS) TO LOVE COUNTRY MUSIC IN HAVERFORDWEST
OCTOBER ’22 STOCKTAKE + NOVEMBER PREVIEW
Having joined the ranks of the immortal (Duncan) on 10 September and finished the GBG it was inevitable there would be a bit of a comedown in October as I decided what to do next (apart from eat Chinese takeaways with Mum and Dad in Waterbeach). Look how quiet a month October was; Oh well,… Continue reading OCTOBER ’22 STOCKTAKE + NOVEMBER PREVIEW
PAPER PUMPCLIPS = PROPER PUBS IN CROES-GOCH
Heading towards the finish line of Wales GBG ticks in August, but with a hurdle in front of us. Would I survive the gentrification and pashmina overload of Solva, the broadsheet readers’ favourite. Well, the creek was a bit Swallows & Amazons, but the Cambrian was just a well-run bistro dining pub with good local… Continue reading PAPER PUMPCLIPS = PROPER PUBS IN CROES-GOCH
TOP 100 PUBS – CRESSELLY ARMS, WEST WALES
In 2019 Duncan expressed surprise I’d never been to the Cresselly Arms in, er, Cresselly, and on my mad dash this Summer to the GBG finish line I wondered if I’d bump into any “classics that I really ought to have done already”. I guess the Mansel Arms in Porthyrhyd, Farmers in St Ouen, and… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – CRESSELLY ARMS, WEST WALES
“Please do not approach the bar”. Saundersfoot lays down the law.
Summer by the seaside. Can’t beat it. Unless you’re a ticker when a wet winter Wednesday in Wednesfield is wonderful. Saundersfoot isn’t quite Tenby, but it looked pretty special on the descent to the beach. If Tenby is the Welsh Whitby, then Saundersfoot is its Filey, I guess. Nowt wrong with Filey, as Richard Coldwell… Continue reading “Please do not approach the bar”. Saundersfoot lays down the law.
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