A couple of winners to end Wales Part I, on that hallowed stretch of A40 road that takes you from Brecon to Bass in the Bear at Crickhowell. Apart from the posh Bear (return visit overdue), there’s some renowned pubs like the Star in Talybont, and the New Inn in Bwlch (always pronounced wrongly). So… Continue reading AND SO TO BWLCH
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PLANT WATERING IN BRECON
A night around Brecon, another 3 GBG pub town that I’d only ever been to once, back when “Love Is All Around” was Number 1. Mind you, that narrow it down to between 1993 and 1995, given how long it was top of the charts. I know it’s got hills and all that, but… Continue reading PLANT WATERING IN BRECON
DRAUGHT BASS DRAMA IN THE BRECON BEACONS
If BRAPA ever writes a novel he might well devote a whole chapter to the Red Lion in Penderyn, one of the most bizarre experiences of the year. If Aberdare is a Valleys Leiston, a town tourists avoid completely or stop by to stock up at Lidl, then Penderyn is its Dunwich, a honeypot drawing… Continue reading DRAUGHT BASS DRAMA IN THE BRECON BEACONS
FLAMING DRAGON CURRY IN ABERDARE
I thought I’d seen it all by the age of 53. Jacaranda trees in bloom in Harare, Cliff Richard in Cambridge in the summer of ’74, the family naan in Balti Towers, two goals in injury time to win the League. Even the Pubmeister in shorts. But apparently I’d never seen Aberdare. A town… Continue reading FLAMING DRAGON CURRY IN ABERDARE
DIAL “M” FOR MERTHYR
Into the Valleys, as the Skids would say, albeit in a slightly croakier voice nowadays than in 1979. It’s been a Skids sort of month. As so often in Wales, the plainest towns have the greatest frames. I make no great claims for Merthyr Tydfil, again without a Beer Guide pub to call its own… Continue reading DIAL “M” FOR MERTHYR
EBBW, EBBW HEY
Very exciting progress over the last week as I single-handedly revived the Gwent tourism industry en-route to my coveted first complete GBG Welsh county. Actually, it was two nights in Newport WetherHotel, so possibly all it’s benefitting is Watford. First stop, Ebbw Vale Spoons. It’s all Spoons this week. Normal travel time 3:01, new super-enhanced… Continue reading EBBW, EBBW HEY
MRS RM’S CAMPERVAN MANOEUVRES EARN A PROPER PUB REWARD
I’ve only just noticed the tin cans in that sign. They’re probably Adnams cans; you get a higher class of litter lout in West Suffolk. A rare trip without a Beer Guide tick, this was purely to give Mrs RM and myself some professional experience in maneuvering our campervan, with the objective of not… Continue reading MRS RM’S CAMPERVAN MANOEUVRES EARN A PROPER PUB REWARD
ADNAMS MURK STORMS THE CAMBRIDGE CASK CASTLE
Mrs RM has started an assignment flitting between Northampton Council (yes, THAT one) and a Cambridge office. If only there was even a 3rd World standard road between the two it’d be bearable. Still, she gets to pop in the Rifle Drum when she stays over, so life’s not all bad. I picked her up… Continue reading ADNAMS MURK STORMS THE CAMBRIDGE CASK CASTLE
A LEYLAND, LANCASHIRE LOVE-IN
Another year, another TWO more new Beer Guide entries in Leyland, Lancashire, which is clearly aspiring to be the next Chorley. Alliterative possibilities abound; just as well since you can only use that “Leyland Motors On” title once. So what would make you stop off here on your way to Blackpool Punk Fest ? Not… Continue reading A LEYLAND, LANCASHIRE LOVE-IN
JULY ’18 STOCKTAKE + AUGUST PREVIEW
July was one of the great months, and not just because I didn’t have to taxi BRAPA to dull Cambridgeshire pubs (more of that to come when the new GBG pub hits the floor). Shame the weather’s been rubbish. In July’s reports I finished off the Beer Guide sections (“Greater Manchester ain’t a county… Continue reading JULY ’18 STOCKTAKE + AUGUST PREVIEW
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