December 2025. Cambridge. I may have been happy to spend 25th December back in Sheffield reheating Chinese takeaways and eating crisps in the Blake with Will, but “society” insists I follow certain protocols. More to the point, our two lads wanted to see their grandparents at Christmas. Someone brought them up OK. James drove Matt… Continue reading MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION. CHRISTMAS EVE, 2025.
THE 2025 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
Welcome to the annual review of Retired Martin’s pubby 2026. Part II can cover life, whatever that is. THE STATS Six hundred and thirty-one (631) pub visits, 580 different pubs, only 160 of those were new Beer Guide pubs but who cares about GBG ticking nowadays. Go, BRAPA ! And go, Daddy BRAPA, too. What… Continue reading THE 2025 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
BASS CLICKBAIT AT THE DOLPHIN
December 22nd 2025. Hastings. A solid if unspectacular birthday ends with a last look at Rock-A-Nore, and a half in the Hastings pub I’d meant to have birthday fish pie in. But I’d have needed to book for lunch in the Dolphin, and I NEVER book. The Dolphin is a classic, though I’d struggle to… Continue reading BASS CLICKBAIT AT THE DOLPHIN
THE STADE
December 22nd 2025. The Stade. Hastings. One of my most photogenic birthdays, even if one of the dullest. The next post-lunch stretch takes us from the brutalism of Sports Direct in Hastings New Town, past that iconic view of Pelham Crescent’s amusement arcades with the castle ruins behind, through the mini-golf and swan boats and… Continue reading THE STADE
TURKISH DELIGHT
December 22nd 2025. Hastings. I’ve given up on getting the blog up-to-date before year end, and you’ll be wanting my awards issue tomorrow, but I’m not rushing Hastings. In fact, I think I’ve invented the birthday (22/12) equivalent of slow tourism, as we spent last Monday wandering aimlessly taking photos of crumbling Sussex-by-the-Sea. Crumbling, but… Continue reading TURKISH DELIGHT
HARVEY’S CHRISTMAS ALE
December 22nd 2025. Hastings. Well, I think it’s Hastings, where the eponymous pier stands, though the video is less conclusive, and you folks will know how much invisible and pointless boundaries matter to some people. Mrs RM decided that at 10:52 am it was time for the Official RM birthday pub, and looked bemused as… Continue reading HARVEY’S CHRISTMAS ALE
ON THE BEACH
December 22nd 2025. St Leonards. I’ll keep you waiting for the “birthday pub“; it’s a doozy. We managed 18,000 steps on my birthday, (Mrs RM does more than me as her legs are smaller, it’s the patriarchy), including a bracing stroll along the prom between St Leonards and Hastings, which are virtually contiguous (word of… Continue reading ON THE BEACH
NO PLACE ELSE I’D RATHER BE (ON MY BIRTHDAY) THAN ST LEONARDS ON SEA
December 22nd 2025. St Leonards on Sea. And so, I awoke, 61 up, another year ahead. Never look back, folks. You’ll know my view on anniversaries and celebrations; don’t do them. My only requirements for my birthday are NO presents or cards, just make sure I’m somewhere I haven’t been before, crispy beef and a… Continue reading NO PLACE ELSE I’D RATHER BE (ON MY BIRTHDAY) THAN ST LEONARDS ON SEA
A DASH FROM ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL
December 2025. Ashford. Kent. The journey from Sheffield (Home 1) to Rye (Home 3) ticked into an 8th hour as we pulled into Ashford International, which I’ve seen far too much of these last two months. 36 minutes between trains, too long to admire the art trail, so I felt compelled to seek solace in… Continue reading A DASH FROM ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL
TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
December 2025. Sheffield. Ely. King’s Cross. London. You’ll be wondering by now what’s happened to my birthday (22nd December, make a note on your new Retired Martin calendar). That’s coming soon, and rest assured it’s not as bad as last year, but first a long day from Sheffield, to Rye, via long stops in Ely… Continue reading TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
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