October 2024. Waterbeach to Birmingham. Mum’s stay in hospital dragged on into a second week*, insufferable to her and challenging to us as we’d left the heating on awaiting her return and were melting in the heat (though the lack of WiFi is the bigger issue). I grabbed a night’s long planned respite in Birmingham,… Continue reading LET THE TRAIN TAKE THE STRAIN
WONDERFUL WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. You’ve seen the pubs. but what else has Wymondham got ? Well, an Abbey too dark to see, and the UK’s highest per capita collection of Prom boutiques. Did I tell you the men all wear waistcoats ? I don’t know if all the stuffed dolls are Wymondham’s contribution to Halloween, but… Continue reading WONDERFUL WYMONDHAM
GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 9 – THE GREEN DRAGON, WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. I’d dragged Mrs RM two hours east to rural Norfolk on a Sunday evening because a) the alternative was another night in my parents house Waterbeach without internet, b) I knew the Green Dragon would make her a good Instagram reel. A good day already, with Goose Island at the station, Doom… Continue reading GREAT PUBS REVISITED No. 9 – THE GREEN DRAGON, WYMONDHAM
TOP 100 PUBS – THE FEATHERS, WYMONDHAM
October 2024. Wymondham. Two GBG pubs in Wymondham’s small but beautifully formed town, and an ancient classic that might be back in the Guide soon. I couldn’t remember ticking the Feathers, which was even more reason to make Mrs RM run from the Club to beat last orders at 6pm, but she had to stop… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE FEATHERS, WYMONDHAM
THE HAND THAT NICKED THE HOT NUTS IN WYMONDHAM EX-SERVICES CLUB
October 2024. Wymondham. Tip for US readers – pronounced Why-mondy-um. A long (and expensive, £30.10 for us with Two Together Railcard) rail trip to one of Norfolk’s few gems on a Sunday afternoon, so best make the most of Wymondham’s gems. Mrs RM notes the cute backpacks (“suffocatingly Norfolk”), I note the Betjeman. It’s a… Continue reading THE HAND THAT NICKED THE HOT NUTS IN WYMONDHAM EX-SERVICES CLUB
PIE AND PINT, ELY STATION
October 2024. Ely. We’re snatching excitement where we can, evening trips to deepest Norfolk after hospital and care home visits. The trains to Wymondham (not pronounced anything like that) cunningly requires a 45 minute layover, as the Americans call it, at Ely which is 5 minutes too short to get to the Prince Albert and… Continue reading PIE AND PINT, ELY STATION
GASTROPUB ESSEX
October 2024. Clavering. Saffron Walden. Mrs RM is quite taken with my relaxed “post-completion” GBG ticking. A leisurely day out at a pleasant English village like Clavering, a pint and artisanal nuts, a stroll through the Autumn leaves. Quite a contrast to the manic months of 2022 when there was barely a minute to think… Continue reading GASTROPUB ESSEX
HARVEYS DRINKING WELL AT THE HIGHGATE CROWN
October 2024. Highgate. London. I left the Wrestlers to the sound of Sultans of Swing, the best part of an average London pub I was to realise that night I’d visited before, probably 20 years ago. Never mind, I’d needed the loo, and an average London pub is better than an average Buckinghamshire pub. An… Continue reading HARVEYS DRINKING WELL AT THE HIGHGATE CROWN
HIGHGATE HILL
October 2024. Highgate. London. A snatched afternoon away from domestic stress into London on Wednesday afternoon had seen me rack up 3 pints in 90 minutes, which is exactly the right level of consumption to make you a) sleepy, b) in need of frequent loo stops and c) not much inclined to anything intellectual like… Continue reading HIGHGATE HILL
A COMMON PROBLEM – CLAPHAM’S ONE PUMP, ONE CUSTOMER PUB
October 2024. Clapham. On a roll now. More than a single new GBG pub for the first time in ages, and a belated return to Clapham on the Northern Line. Everyone loves Clapham, surely ? Well, I couldn’t think of any highlights apart from the Common and the seven branches of Gail’s Bakery that define… Continue reading A COMMON PROBLEM – CLAPHAM’S ONE PUMP, ONE CUSTOMER PUB
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