retiredmartin

August 2024. Charlton. A very rare excursion into the northern bit of South-east London, which might be Greenwich, Woolwich,Charlton or Blackheath for all I know, and that’s half the fun of London pubbing. I catch the train from Dartford to Charlton, a place with a 3rd division football club but Isthmian League GBG game. According… Continue reading SHOOTERS HILL

August 2024. Newmarket. We’ve been down in Waterbeach most of August attending to my parents, but staying at Mum’s has stopped being an option due to a) the risk of Chung Hwa 5 nights a week, b) the risk 3 pints in The Sun 5 nights a week, c) lack of internet meaning Mrs RM… Continue reading A NIGHT IN NEWMARKET

August 2024. Sheffield. Mondays mean closed pubs, even in Sheffield, so we took little Dave out for a trip in the Rivelin valley. Dave started in my back pocket, but ended up in Mrs RM’s bag, which will be relevant later*. From the Blind Monkey you can be up Bole Hill on the edge of… Continue reading A RIVELIN RUMBLE

August 2024. Sheffield. Fresh from nasal reconstructive surgery (something about having to breathe in Mancinuan air, I guess) Matthew arrived in Sheffield on Sunday lunchtime with Emma. “We’ve brought our overnight bags“. Matt’s is the size of the average Mumsnetter handbag. I love the fact our lad just turns up and stays the night; there… Continue reading MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION (SHEFFIELD REMIX)

August 2024. Stockport. 3 ticks in the Manchester Beer Book, time for some “grass roots” football in Stockport. It took me all my willpower to resist a 4th pre-match pint in the Armoury, and instead head into “Edgy” Edgeley” for the ritual pre-match kebab. Cooking Lager did a post about Edgeley’s artisanal public houses a… Continue reading EDGELEY PARK

August 2024. Stockport. 3 pints before the football, not that daft, surely ? 3 ticks in the CAMRA Manchester Beer Book, all great, and a bit of Stockport culture on the way to the Olde Vic. Culture takes all forms, you know. I reckon my fourth visit to this Stocky institution. 2002 – first ever… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – YE OLDE VIC, STOCKPORT

August 2024. Stockport. One down, two more ticks in the CAMRA Manchester Guide to do before the football. This next pic isn’t from a pub in the Guide. Prizes for identifying it. And then to Stockport’s iconic view over the Underbanks, whose modern bars were pleasingly busy this sunny Saturday, though the loss of Winters… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – THE CRACKED ACTOR, STOCKPORT

August 2024. Stockport. Right, let’s tick the Manc* book. “Modern pub” reckons Matthew, who tells you all the stuff I skip on this blog. I like the variety of pubs you get squeezed around the market and the Underbanks, and I’ll never say a bad word about the Petersgate while they follow me and City… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK – PETERSGATE TAP, STOCKPORT

August 2024. Stockport. Saturday morning in Sheffield, no plans, and frankly no chance of a new GBG pub. My nearest tick is the Crown in the Yorkshire Dales, technically that’s the same county, but a mere 13 hours by public transport. Honestly! 13 hours. I cut my losses and opted for a few ticks in… Continue reading HATTERS

August 2024. Cambridge. Down to Waterbeach and back the same evening, exhausting but necessary, but at least we got a trip to our favourite Cambridge Thai pub out of it, and a visit to The Wrestlers seemed rather appropriate after the day we’d had. The pub sign hasn’t changed in 25 years, the interior had… Continue reading WRESTLERS