March 2024. Manchester. I’ve just started marking the pubs I’ve done in the marvellous Matthew Curtis book. Just the ones visited since the book came out, I’m not claiming a tick for a Didsbury boozer (does it have any boozers ?) I popped in 25 years ago. Should I colour them with a pink marker… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN THE MANCHESTER BEER BOOK No. 7 – NORTH WESTWARD HO
JETHRO TULL ALBUMS DISSECTED IN THE WELLINGTON
March 2024. Sheffield. There’s two (2) guaranteed indicators that I’m a teeny bit pi**ed in Sheffield. An order for an unnecessary Chinese takeaway from Sang Lung, and an inadvisable pint in the Wellington. Oh dear. Even worse, I convinced myself what I really needed after Bombay mix and a pork pie was the Welly’s £1… Continue reading JETHRO TULL ALBUMS DISSECTED IN THE WELLINGTON
HEAVEN IS A PIE AND A PINT IN THE LEFT HAND BAR OF SHEFFIELD’S FAT CAT
March 2024. Sheffield… Or is it Kelham Island ? The Good Beer Guide sees fit to label the Valley of Beer as a separate entity this year (but not, say, Hillsborough), and who am I to argue with the Good Book. You left me drinking 10% Norwegian Marshmallow Imperial Stout on my return from a… Continue reading HEAVEN IS A PIE AND A PINT IN THE LEFT HAND BAR OF SHEFFIELD’S FAT CAT
HOW MUCH !!!
March 2024. Sheffield. We arrived back at Luton from Lisbon at 01:00 on Thursday morning, had six hours kip in the campervan (saving £120 v the Holiday Inn over the road), and popped to see Mum and Dad on the way back home. Years ago you’d have been expected to bring them something back from… Continue reading HOW MUCH !!!
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 51 – SOUTH YORKSHIRE (excluding Sheffield)
That’s Portugal complete, back to the navel-gazing “Best Of” posts you love so much. Before you get alarmed, I’ve split South Yorkshire in two (2), as the second half of County 51 gets Sheffield all to itself. I’ve nicked BRAPA’s greened in South Yorks GBG page. What does that leave you with ? Well, the… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 51 – SOUTH YORKSHIRE (excluding Sheffield)
OYSTERS
March 2024. Lisbon. Portugal. Our last few hours in Lisbon, and by sheer luck we find its top beer bar (or possibly a branch) a few yards from our hostel baggage dump. Dois Corvois (Intendente) comes at the end of a mile of Asian stores and curry cafes, and has the tiniest of signs to… Continue reading OYSTERS
RUA DO BENFORMOSO
March 2024. Lisbon. You left us walking to the top of the stairs in Lisbon Old Town, heading towards Alfama, the last of the “must see” Lisbon districts. I wasn’t quite sure why it was must-see, having failed to do any research for the trip. I hadn’t researched our night out in Rochdale tonight, either.… Continue reading RUA DO BENFORMOSO
BELEM
March 2024. Belem. Portugal. Our flight home from Lisbon left at 10pm, so with bags dumped we could have a whole day of tourism and toping . And trains. A local rail service from main station Cais do Sodre to Belem (7 minutes) that must have seen the tourists coming as it seemed to work… Continue reading BELEM
BED BUGS AND BAKED GOODS
March 2024. Lisbon. Portugal. The last day of our week in Portugal (you’ll be pleased to know, back to Manchester posts soon), and this post congratulates Mrs RM on a) getting flights to Lisbon for £20 (environmental cost slightly higher), b) choosing cancellable accommodation under £50 a night. The Ambiente Hostel is £42, less than… Continue reading BED BUGS AND BAKED GOODS
ONE NIGHT IN LISBON
March 2024. Lisbon. Portugal. Yes, just the night in Lisbon to end 7 days in Portugal. I find I’m getting worried about my parents after a week; I guess it gets no easier. We made the best of those 36 hours; walking up and down the Old Town till Mrs RM complained bitterly. Cais do… Continue reading ONE NIGHT IN LISBON