“Happy” with a touch of murk, that’s Ashton Keynes, my annual tick in the wilderness that is North Swindon In close-up the village looks submerged within Cotswold Water Park. I prefer the ancient map written on parchment in the village centre. It makes it seem rather more exciting than is justified. If you like… Continue reading COME TO ASHTON KEYNES
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A RETURN TO THE FLEMISH WEAVER
You’ll remember my failed attempt to conquer Corsham, whose bizarre Flemish Weaver had suddenly switched to Winter hours just as I tipped up in Autumn. Well, I never give up. My immediate thought – “Have I entered the ultimate care home ?”. Room after room off a passageway to the bar, each with be-cardiganed gentlefolk… Continue reading A RETURN TO THE FLEMISH WEAVER
“YOU’VE GOT CHEESE ALL OVER YOUR FACE”
Sadly, that’s the only thing I could remember from the culmination of our night in Bath, in the upstairs room at the Raven. But first, a minor diversion. My £40 windowless room at Z Hotel gives you a FREE cheese and wine buffet at 5pm. Mixing metaphors, you’ve never seen such a bunfight. Decent… Continue reading “YOU’VE GOT CHEESE ALL OVER YOUR FACE”
CANCELLING PLANS IN BATH
It might seem a bit reckless reading these Bath posts now, but my original plan had been to have a few halves in Bath and then take the train to Bradford-on-Avon (twinned with the real Bradford) where a trio of ticks awaited. That idea went up in smoke as our Gang of Four stumbled into… Continue reading CANCELLING PLANS IN BATH
FATHER CHRISTMAS ON A UNICORN AND MANGO IPA
These set of posts from Bath wouldn’t be complete without a picture of Father Christmas riding JoJo the Unicorn in a craft beer bar. Note the care taken in the composition of this photo, the austere Primark bag offsetting the glasses of Mango IPA and Mme Benger’s rainbow hat (competition for Jon’s Bass braces). Brewed… Continue reading FATHER CHRISTMAS ON A UNICORN AND MANGO IPA
AN OFFICIAL BASS SHRINE – THE STAR INN, BATH
It was two weeks ago I sampled the Bass from the jug in the Star, during which time you’ve had 30 new posts (oh !), and I still can’t get the magical taste of flat Bass out of my head. I’m back in Bristol tomorrow and highly tempted to change travel plans (from Newport),… Continue reading AN OFFICIAL BASS SHRINE – THE STAR INN, BATH
A PROPER JOB
Visiting pubs on a Thursday lunchtime in one of the world’s great cities, that’s a Proper Job. Though of course, not as commendable a job as the folk leading the Extinction Rebellion outside the Abbey. Fear not, pubs are safe with Stafford Paul. Paul not only had the itinerary, he also had the annotated map. … Continue reading A PROPER JOB
TOP 100 PUBS – OLD GREEN TREE, BATH
The Little Green Dragon was the first in a run of frankly wonderful pubs I couldn’t have dreamt of as the sun set on the Wednesday before my drive to Bath on Thursday morning (feels about 3 years ago now). Finding my free parking space on the edge of Bath that wasn’t on a 1:5… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – OLD GREEN TREE, BATH
THE LITTLE GREEN DRAGON ON FIRE
No posts yesterday as I was taking delivery of the bumper Christmas edition of Ullage (or Inflammable Material as SLF would have it) from Newbury Tim. In Hammersmith. Everyone needs an excuse for falling behind on their blog. The next stop was my last tick in North London, and one of the best micro… Continue reading THE LITTLE GREEN DRAGON ON FIRE
MY FIRST GBG PUB IN N11
You think you’ve had a bad day. I’ve just had a row with my barber about the pointlessness of Christmas Day. While he was cutting my hair*. Just glad I didn’t tell him there’s no Father Christmas (sorry, Pauline). Anyway, more London pubs for you in places you’ve never heard of and will never… Continue reading MY FIRST GBG PUB IN N11
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