November 2025. Sissinghurst. Kent. Coming to the end of our year of middle-aged National Trust membership now, but still time for a few late ticks from our temporary South-Eastern base in Rye before we ignore the requests to renew for ’26. Actually, has anyone ever completed a National Trust Handbook in a single year ?… Continue reading SISSINGHURST
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RYE HARBOUR. LIVING IN THE PLASTIC AGE
November 2025. Rye. Back in Rye from Lydd, the town was gearing up for the annual bonfire night to mark the burning of the libelous copies of the 1974 Good Beer Guide (the “avoid like the plague” edition). The gate would be locked to prevent Londoners in pashminas breaching the walls, no trains after 3pm,… Continue reading RYE HARBOUR. LIVING IN THE PLASTIC AGE
MEAT RAFFLE, 10 PINTS OF FOSTERS, BABIES AND OLD BOYS, A STONE ROSES OBSESSION. LYDD’S FIRST GBG ENTRY WANTS TO BE ADORED
November 2025. Lydd. Kent. What’s that bit of land a few miles east of Romney Marsh ? “Boulogne” something something ? A small Channel Island presumably. Probably sells Butcombe, must investigate*. Just as I got to investigate Lydd (pop. 6,567) on Saturday, as it (remarkably) makes the Beer Guide for the first ever, and now… Continue reading MEAT RAFFLE, 10 PINTS OF FOSTERS, BABIES AND OLD BOYS, A STONE ROSES OBSESSION. LYDD’S FIRST GBG ENTRY WANTS TO BE ADORED
THE DELICIOUS CLAM
November 2025. Sheffield. In an era where folk spend £500 watching old Mancunians knocking out meat and potato pub rock in a park in Prestwich, £15 for a night of modern music in a club in Sheffield seems a bargain, though I’m sure one of you will tell me they’ve seen Dylan in a Dudley… Continue reading THE DELICIOUS CLAM
FATHER TO SON, HEART TO HEART
November 2025. Sheffield. A night in Sheffield between the statutory two in Waterbeach, just time for laundry, a read of the mail, a gig and a catch-up with James. He’d phoned to ask to catch-up, possibly to make sure I’m not investing his inheritance in Crypto, and it pays to keep in touch with your… Continue reading FATHER TO SON, HEART TO HEART
SHEFFIELD’S CASTLEGATE
November 2025. Rye. Waterbeach. Sheffield. While Mrs RM stays down in Rye Harbour till Christmas I’m doing the Rye-Waterbeach-Sheffield trudge (all by rail thankfully), checking on parents and children and cottages. Might even get the occasional pub/gig/City game/Chinese takeaway in, if I remember where I am. I seem to be keeping Chung Hwa in business… Continue reading SHEFFIELD’S CASTLEGATE
THE KINGS ROAD, ST LEONARDS
November 2025. St. Leonards. Sussex. There’s lots of unexpected things you learn about east Sussex after 30 years of ticking pubs and 3 staying in a caravan down there. Rye isn’t as genteel as Mermaid Street suggests, Hastings has an old town (our lads missed it completely on their visit) and neighbouring St Leonards is… Continue reading THE KINGS ROAD, ST LEONARDS
SUSSEX BY THE SEA. EASTBOURNE PIER IN AUTUMN
November 2025. Eastbourne. Not a great pub town, bar the Lamb, but Eastbourne has Beachy Head up the road, 2 good Spoons, and a gem of an art gallery. Mind, the exterior of the Towner is better than the interior. Only the exceptional Ravilious gallery was open and free. Ravilious is a great, but if… Continue reading SUSSEX BY THE SEA. EASTBOURNE PIER IN AUTUMN
THE JOY OF EASTBOURNE SPOONS
November 2025. Eastbourne. Mrs RM is spending a season down in Sussex by the Sea, attending to elderly parents (sound familiar?). Arranging Lasting Powers of Attorney never seemed so urgent. I’m hoping to spend a while down there too, ticking GBG pubs and National Trust castles. Some dreich weather to start this week meant I… Continue reading THE JOY OF EASTBOURNE SPOONS
LEFFE AND SPICE BAG
November 2025. Tonbridge. Having spent the extravagant sum of £3.20 to park next to Tonbridge Castle (it was 6.43pm, they charge 8am till 8pm but kindly gave me a credit of those 43 minutes in the morning) we were going to get full value for our night out. Supper in Spoons, which seems to be… Continue reading LEFFE AND SPICE BAG
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