July 2025. Drone Valley. Dronfield. Sheffield is a drinkers walkers paradise, seven hills, edge of the Peak, endless exploration. Except, well, I sometimes feel I’ve explored it now. But a 10 minute train trip south will take you to Dronfield, the Glossop of the east, a town with places called Summerley and Cartledge which have… Continue reading DRONE (VALLEY), NOT DRONES
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ANOTHER FAILURE TO FIND A DUFF PINT IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
July 2025. Sheffield. At the Great British Beer Festival* yesterday I had to confess to living on the edge of Kelham Island but not visiting its pubs every day. In truth, I seem to make it to the Kelham Island Tavern, perennial Pub of the Year, barely biannually. And on one of these trips I’m… Continue reading ANOTHER FAILURE TO FIND A DUFF PINT IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
BAKED NOT FRIED. THAT FRIDAY NIGHT RITUAL AT THE SUN IN FULL
July 2025. Waterbeach. Straight from Mr Straw’s house to Mr Taylor’s house in Waterbeach, where we happily check on Dad and less pleasurably spend the weekend in Sunnyside. Any stigma about staying in a place Mum died went fairly quickly but I can’t get much joy from nights here. Except for the visit to The… Continue reading BAKED NOT FRIED. THAT FRIDAY NIGHT RITUAL AT THE SUN IN FULL
MR STRAW’S HOUSE
July 2025. Worksop. A stop on the weekly 2hr 26 slog down the A57/A1/A14 from home to see Dad, and breakfast in Worksop, where the walls opposite the Spoons show how North Notts folk make their own entertainment. Hey ! Isn’t that a bottle of Jamaican tonic wine on the right ? Spoons should do… Continue reading MR STRAW’S HOUSE
ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – SADLER’S CAT
July 2025. Manchester. Back in Manchester I’d picked a classy gig on one of the few days Oasis fans weren’t in town polluting the city, but I still saw a few beanie hats (that’s Stone Roses, lads). Matt met me after work for a quick pint in the Sadlers, bang next door to New Century… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – SADLER’S CAT
TALES FROM THE WILLOW BANK
July 2025. Smithdown Road. Liverpool. The train from Liverpool’s mysterious Wavertree Technology Park left in 24 minutes. Google Maps said it was 28 minutes walk from the Black Cat to the station; I reckoned that minus 4 minutes was enough for a pre-emptive half in the Willow Bank, which I swear had three pint pots… Continue reading TALES FROM THE WILLOW BANK
ALMOST PENNY LANE. THE BLACK CAT
July 2025. Smithdown. Liverpool. I’ll confess the geography of south Liverpool confuses me, and the folk at local CAMRA who stick the pubs under ever changing geographical labels. What I do know is that leaving the cask desert of Toxteth, and heading along studenty Smithdown Road towards Penny Lane, is a “cosmopolitan” delight. Some delights… Continue reading ALMOST PENNY LANE. THE BLACK CAT
A TOTTER ROUND HERITAGE TOXTETH
July 2025. Toxteth. Liverpool. It might be thought a bit careless to visit Liverpool just for a couple of pubs near the station and fail to see the things that great city is famous for. You know, the World Museum and Walker (not Kirsty) Art Gallery, the Pete Wylie of Wah ! trail, and the… Continue reading A TOTTER ROUND HERITAGE TOXTETH
NO SANCTUARY FROM SALOPIAN SOURS
July 2025. Liverpool. My second Liverpool newbie was literally across the road from the Vines. Looking the Brewery Tap on the map, I already knew I’d been here before six years ago*, when Stafford Paul joined me in Sanctuary at the end of a hectic day of classic ‘Pool pubs. Oddly, back in 2019 it… Continue reading NO SANCTUARY FROM SALOPIAN SOURS
SCANADALOUSLY, MY FIRST TIME IN LIVERPOOL’S VINES
July 2025. Liverpool. Thursday night brought a gig at Manchester’s New Century Hall, and I really didn’t fancy any GBG ticking before hand after that Stannington Stagger. As Simon will find out when he completes in 2044, the chase is better than the catch (Lemmy, 1980). So goodness knows how I dragged myself to Sheffield… Continue reading SCANADALOUSLY, MY FIRST TIME IN LIVERPOOL’S VINES
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