Someone is bound to complain that isn’t Richie Benaud, aren’t they ? But Richie IS cricket, if you ask me (you didn’t), and he’s celebrated in The Cricketers* in Longparish, another of those effortlessly gorgeous Test Valley pubs that aren’t half as posh as you expect. Longparish is, coincidentally, a long parish, with lots of… Continue reading RICHIE BENAUD
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WHAT RHYMES WITH CHILBOLTON ?
Slowly but surely, my knowledge of the UK increases every year. In 2022, I can even tell you about Chilbolton in the Test Valley. You’ll note the recent National Pub of the Year lurking somewhere about. Here’s what Wiki says (I just donated a tenner to them on their 377th request so my conscience was… Continue reading WHAT RHYMES WITH CHILBOLTON ?
WHERE HAVE ALL THE ANDOVER BEER GUIDE ENTRIES GONE ?
Another year, another trip to Andover. If Newbury is the Newmarket of the South, then I guess that Andover is its Haverhill*, a commuter town enclosed by light industry and surrounded by beauty, a place you have to make some effort to get to know. I couldn’t be bothered to get to know it any… Continue reading WHERE HAVE ALL THE ANDOVER BEER GUIDE ENTRIES GONE ?
IT’S KNUCKLE PUCK TIME
Post Number 2 from Newbury, the Newmarket of the South. It was only 6pm, though the town was deserted by now, and I took the time to admire the art, including this piece near Metro Bank on West Street called “West Berks CAMRA casteth oute ye Spoons from ye Beer Guide“. More ducks than drinkers,… Continue reading IT’S KNUCKLE PUCK TIME
THE NEWBURY LION ROARS
A night in Newbury, to complete Berkshire’s GBG entries, tick what felt like our 12th Premier Inn of the year already, and of course test out a new Chinese takeaway. All in a night’s work. Look, I even managed some posh Berkshire street art on my 4 mile walk. I asked Matt and apparently “Drek”… Continue reading THE NEWBURY LION ROARS
ONE BEER IS PLENTY; ONE CUSTOMER, NOT REALLY
A first visit to Thatcham since 2003, when we stayed in the rambling town. This time, a 5 minute train trip from Newbury where the Wheatsheaf became one of those basic one pump boozers that no-one believes actually exist in the Beer Guide anymore. Shame about the pub sign but sometimes it’s nice to have… Continue reading ONE BEER IS PLENTY; ONE CUSTOMER, NOT REALLY
MARSTON’S GOES POSH IN WOKINGHAM
All your favourite places coming up next; Not sure if I’ve ever written about the delights of “woke” Wokingham, as exemplified by their charismastic MP, and I shan’t start now as the Oakingham Belle sits right on the very edge of town on a new housing estate (while the GBG App mischievously directs you to… Continue reading MARSTON’S GOES POSH IN WOKINGHAM
I REALISE, WITH TERROR, JUST HOW CLOSE KNOWL HILL IS TO MAIDENHEAD
That’s the thing about Maidenhead. It creeps up on you. One minute you’re in a safe part of the country like Reading Chesham; the next you notice the sign for Pinkney’s Green. The A4 Bath Road escapes west out of the den of iniquity that is Maidenhead and takes you past a string of decent… Continue reading I REALISE, WITH TERROR, JUST HOW CLOSE KNOWL HILL IS TO MAIDENHEAD
OH NO, NOT ANOTHER ELECTRONIC BEER DISPLAY SCREEN
Back to Chesham, for the first time since the Mad Squirrel Tap in 2016 when I produced this under-appreciated line; “But when you have lost your Spoons drown your empty selves, for you will have lost the last of Middle England” – adapted from Hilaire Belloc Chesham, home to some chaotic queueing for dwindling fuel supplies… Continue reading OH NO, NOT ANOTHER ELECTRONIC BEER DISPLAY SCREEN
TAKING DOWN THE TREE
Four days saving pubs in the Home Counties, and colouring in the Guide before disaster strikes again. Not sure what that disaster is, but everyone else tells me it’s round the corner. Miseries. Next stop, Batford, in posh Greater Luton. Right next door to The Malta and The Gibraltar (Castle). Not many people know that… Continue reading TAKING DOWN THE TREE
