February 2024. Austrey. Warwickshire. “That pub looks familiar !”. Yep, the Bird in Hand at Austrey went straight in to my “Half a dozen pubs in Warwickshire” even before this blog got there, so I’ve now got a job on to find something else out to say about it. The most interesting thing is that… Continue reading NO MAN’S LAND
CHINATOWN
February 2024. Manchester. A daft day to catch up with Matt in Manchester, with his salon literally on the doorstep of the Chinese Arch, and it being Chinese New Year (the Dragon this year) celebrations and all. But I was here for the football. and the street art, and a Northern Soul toastie outside the… Continue reading CHINATOWN
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 45 – WARWICKSHIRE
“From bucolic Bedworth, affluent Atherstone and naughty Nuneaton with their £2.30 Pedi, to languid Leamington Spa with its £4 Purity, and thence to the Cotswolds town where I headed now.” RM 2019 Getting to the BIG counties now. Warwickshire punches above its weight, the dreadful Stratford-upon-Avon apart, though I always imagine Rugby to be a… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 45 – WARWICKSHIRE
ROTHERHAM GOES GOTH
Yes that’s a coffin ! February 2024. Rotherham. Mrs RM was about to get her early Valentine present with a visit to Rotherham’s top goth pub, after we completed our extensive town tour. Next to the imperious Cutler’s, the Alma still lies bereft, awaiting investment from a Brunning & Pricey or Miller & Carter Steakhouse.… Continue reading ROTHERHAM GOES GOTH
If there’s anything in life better than watching folk come in and go out of the Cutler’s I’ve yet to discover it.
February 2024. Rotherham. Mrs RM had finally, finally, been released from her week of restraint and was in “Go big or go home” mode. She really wanted to visit the medieval looking Bridge Inn, but with an hour till 3pm opening it was a flat white in the cafe opposite the Minster or a pint… Continue reading If there’s anything in life better than watching folk come in and go out of the Cutler’s I’ve yet to discover it.
RUMOURS OF WETHERSPOONS DEMISE ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED
February 2024. Rotherham. We’d done “tourist Rotherham”, time for lunch. Google wasn’t very encouraging; virtually all those places marked in red are takeaways. “Spoons will do me” says Mrs RM. I thought this was a long overdue return to a GBG stalwart, but apparently I was here just before Covid drinking a classic Elland (RIP)… Continue reading RUMOURS OF WETHERSPOONS DEMISE ARE GREATLY EXAGGERATED
THE TRAM TRAIN TO ROTHERHAM
February 2024. Rotherham. The snow came to Sheffield on Thursday, but it was already clearing by the time I got round to spreading sand on the path that afternoon. English snow is always a disappointment, except to folk like me who have things to do, places to see. Still a bit too slippy on the… Continue reading THE TRAM TRAIN TO ROTHERHAM
BEER BEFORE CURRY
February 2024. Walkley. Sheffield. One always leads to two, doesn’t it, and two leads to an Indian takeaway you don’t really need but suddenly must have. So I ended up waiting for my Lamb Bhuna across the road from Cafe Masala, the golden light of Walkley Beer Co. drawing me in. As soon as I… Continue reading BEER BEFORE CURRY
HENDOS AND HI-VIS
February 2024. Sheffield. Another year, another reason to visit Wonderful Walkley. Last year the Blind Monkey, in GBG24 it’s the Raven that drags tickers up the hill(s) to my back yard, like in the Kelis song. I TOLD folk the Raven would get in the GBG, a refurbished urban flagship for Loxley’s beers. Simon made… Continue reading HENDOS AND HI-VIS
THE SENIOR’S MENU IN SOHAM
February 2024. Soham. My main “care” duty back in Waterbeach is helping Dad escape from the confines of four walls to explore the Fen Edge and give Mum a few hours to herself. On Tuesday we got to do a pub lunch in a pre-emptive tick as well. Not at the unexpectedly “closed Tuesday” Five… Continue reading THE SENIOR’S MENU IN SOHAM
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