As Dave said on the last post, Bradford is a delightful surprise, particularly for anyone whose view of the place is formed by biased BBC reports or “Notes From A Small Island“. Dick and Dave were, no doubt, thrilled by the stately but scarred architecture and quaint gift shops. The walk from Pub 1… Continue reading SUNBRIDGE WELLS
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BANKING ON BRADFORD
Two nights in Manchester, and an excursion into Bradford for three new GBG winners. It feels a bit like sacrilege not to actually stay in the Eternal City and wobble back to a budget hotel after a Dhansak and gallon of Mango Lassi, but frankly I needed to get Bradford ticked. The suspense was killing… Continue reading BANKING ON BRADFORD
BACK TO FAILSWORTH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AGUERO
Not a vast number of new Guide pubs in Greater Manchester for me this year, particularly in the city centre. But trips to Burnage, Prestwich, Westhoughton and Failsworth are enough to keep me happy. What art ! What history ! What incomprehensible dialect ! Ah ! Failsworth, the glamorous bit of Oldham (or is that… Continue reading BACK TO FAILSWORTH FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE AGUERO
DUTCH POP & ROCHDALE CASK ON THE MANCUNIAN WAY
As well as a weird desire to drink 12.5% sours at IndyMan, I was also in Manchester to see the Amber Arcades gig at Deaf Institute. Those of you who pay attention will remember I bought the new LP by Utrecht’s foremost war crimes legal assistant/weird popster in Sheffield last week. The Deaf Institute is… Continue reading DUTCH POP & ROCHDALE CASK ON THE MANCUNIAN WAY
REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL – A BURNAGE OASIS
Sorry, sorry, sorry. Couldn’t resist it. At least I didn’t try and fit “Wonderwall” in the title. Next stop, last stop before the inevitable Chinese takeaway, is the remaining GBG newbie within the M60. I was getting a bit fed of walking in the Manchester rain by this time, and still had an hour… Continue reading REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL – A BURNAGE OASIS
POST-INDYMAN – WALKING DOWN THE WILMSLOW ROAD
I’d always planned a long walk after IndyMan, but as I left the Victoria Baths as light drizzle set in (not as common in Manchester as Southerners believe) I started to doubt my sanity. First priority after that last 11.5% sour was strong coffee and somewhere to recharge my phone. So if you were in… Continue reading POST-INDYMAN – WALKING DOWN THE WILMSLOW ROAD
INDYMAN ’18 – FROM LONGSIGHT TO DONCASTER
“But I thought you hated beer festivals, Retired Martin ?” I hear you say, cynically. I do. And I detest familiarity. But still I go to IndyManBeerCon. Perhaps it’s old age. Or perhaps, like always watching “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off“, if it’s on I have to go. Here I was, about to waste a week’s… Continue reading INDYMAN ’18 – FROM LONGSIGHT TO DONCASTER
GETTING DAD OUT OF THE HOUSE
Whizzing thru’ these posts now so I can give you that report on IndyMan you’re desperate for. Today, my Dad is the cover star. He’s not quite ready for “BRAPA Dad” level adoration, I suspect. He still drives, mostly to the nearest golf course and garden centre, but I like to get him out of… Continue reading GETTING DAD OUT OF THE HOUSE
THE ONLY LIVING PUB TICKER IN NEW CROSS
You left me on the foot of the Isle of Dogs, you sods, contemplating getting back to the comforts of Kings Cross station (Parcel Yard, Ho Ho Noodles and all) or walking the half hour to my first South-East London tick of the Guide year. What would you have done ? I checked the rules… Continue reading THE ONLY LIVING PUB TICKER IN NEW CROSS
PRE-EMPTIVE ANTICS ON THE ISLE OF DOGS
The Dr Who video games machine in my next pub in E14 hasn’t made it up to Christopher Eccleston yet, let alone Jodie Whittaker. SPOILER ALERT: The new Doctor is great, but kebab salad man is the star. The walk away from the skyscrapers into the residential Isle of Dogs is a highlight. Do any… Continue reading PRE-EMPTIVE ANTICS ON THE ISLE OF DOGS
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