November 2025. Eastbourne. Mrs RM is spending a season down in Sussex by the Sea, attending to elderly parents (sound familiar?). Arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney never seemed so urgent. I’m hoping to spend a while down there too, ticking GBG pubs and National Trust castles. Some dreich weather to start this week meant I… Continue reading THE JOY OF EASTBOURNE SPOONS
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LEFFE AND SPICE BAG
November 2025. Tonbridge. Having spent the extravagant sum of £3.20 to park next to Tonbridge Castle (it was 6.43pm, they charge 8am till 8pm but kindly gave me a credit of those 43 minutes in the morning) we were going to get full value for our night out. Supper in Spoons, which seems to be… Continue reading LEFFE AND SPICE BAG
MAN OF KENT. OR KENTISH MAN ?
November 2025. Tonbridge. There’s five (5) Tonbridge entries in the Good Beer Guide this year. Southwold has none (0), Stafford only has three. One of those is the very beery Nelson Arms, one’s a Spoons, one is the upmarket craft/cask/toastie gem that is Fuggles. Mrs RM, after a challenging day, wanted that stodge-fest of a… Continue reading MAN OF KENT. OR KENTISH MAN ?
GATECRASHING A 60th BIRTHDAY IN TONBRIDGE
November 2025. Tonbridge. A day attending to the in-laws of Royal Tunbridge Wells, where it transpires all Michael wants is a front row seat at the Assembly Hall, listening to a sombre piece about Anne Frank performed by his own choral society. It’s less fun than Rosie, I’ll say that. While the in-laws stay at… Continue reading GATECRASHING A 60th BIRTHDAY IN TONBRIDGE
THE UBIQUITOUS HARVEY’S
November 2025. Rye. I’d almost overdone it on that first visit to the Ypres on my return to Rye (not the only one, apparently), and it was unfortunate that I had exactly 32 minutes till the bus back to our caravan park, which is exactly the time needed for a last pint. Yes, yes, I… Continue reading THE UBIQUITOUS HARVEY’S
BACK IN RYE, STRAIGHT TO THE YPRES CASTLE
November 2025. Rye. First time at our caravan down in Rye Harbour for a year; it’s been on let almost continuously in an attempt to recoup the site fees. It all feels worth it as you take the A2070 from Ashford past Snargate and Romney Marsh, and the bus into Rye from the nature reserve… Continue reading BACK IN RYE, STRAIGHT TO THE YPRES CASTLE
LURCHERS AND CHESTERFIELDS. THE BLACK HORSE, THURNHAM
November 2025. Thurnham. Maidstone. Into posh Kent and the North Downs we go, for a night in Rye before opera with the in-laws. There may be something in that last sentence to make you a tad jealous. I’m betting it’s not opera. A smattering of new Guide entries for Kent in GBG26, but our first… Continue reading LURCHERS AND CHESTERFIELDS. THE BLACK HORSE, THURNHAM
WOBBLY DAGGER REVISITED
November 2025. Antifascist Walkley. Sheffield. Back from London to Cambridge (eventually, someone pulled the emergency cord at Stevenage), then a slight return to Sheffield for a couple of nights before bringing Mrs RM down to Kent and the in-laws. It never stops. Mrs RM had her haircut, presumably especially for the opera we’ve just been… Continue reading WOBBLY DAGGER REVISITED
ROSIE AT THE GRACE
November 2025. Highbury. London. A big (for RM) gig in London, a new venue for me just outside Highbury Station and just below the Arsenal ground, and I find myself with 2 hours to kill before doors. I know it’s imperative I get the largest size Rosie T-shirt before they sell-out, but 2 hours is… Continue reading ROSIE AT THE GRACE
PUB DOGS OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH
November 2025. Hampstead. London. I’m timing my trips down to see Dad to coincide with the nostalgia music afternoons at his care home (Dave from Chatteris, it’s always a Dave, sings Beatles and Neil Diamond) and my rather less nostalgic gigs in London. Last Tuesday saw my Gig of the Year, if not Decade, as… Continue reading PUB DOGS OF HAMPSTEAD HEATH
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