December 2023. Grimsby. Dock Beers doesn’t really feel looks like it belongs in Grimsby, but there it is, tucked away top right, just over the bridge above the Tesco extra. I guess it’s the Grimsby equivalent of Heist or St Mars of the Desert Tap in industrial Sheffield. I’d been before, but wasn’t sure I’d… Continue reading Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Clap Fish
6 pints of Madri and 6 raspberry sambucas for the Grimsby “social after Christmas” lads
December 2023. Grimsby. Part 3 of my Greater Grimsby crawl curated tour of public houses, as I realised I might as well do ALL the GBG pubs while I’m here. I hadn’t been in the Barge for 10 years, but I remembered the best haddock and chips ever there, and a man should not enter… Continue reading 6 pints of Madri and 6 raspberry sambucas for the Grimsby “social after Christmas” lads
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 12 – ESSEX.
“Half a dozen…”reaches Essex, that most consistent of counties, though not one where “must visits” spring as easily to mind as Durham. But here’s five to start you off. Brentwood – Victoria (last visited in 2017) The Gray & Son signage is almost a guarantee of near greatness. I did Proper Pub bingo here; “1.… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY COUNTY. No. 12 – ESSEX.
THE 2023 RETIRED MARTIN AWARDS. PART 2 – THE PUBS
“Nah. Readers want tales of the happy babble of the real ale and the sloshing about of the customers, Martin.” wrote Etu, and he’s right. Here’s a typical pub customer sloshing about while the Bass babbles happily in the Chesterfield Arms. I actually met Etu in 2023 in Cardiff, what a babbly/bubbly chap he is.… Continue reading THE 2023 RETIRED MARTIN AWARDS. PART 2 – THE PUBS
THE 2023 RETIRED MARTIN AWARDS ISSUE – PART 1 – LIFE
Well, you made it to 2024. Now, and only now, can we look back and do a highlights issue. It’s a two-parter, splitting life from pubs and beer so folk like me with the attention span of a gnat can get to the end. You’ll know I’m not one to look back, but this Annual… Continue reading THE 2023 RETIRED MARTIN AWARDS ISSUE – PART 1 – LIFE
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 11 – DURHAM.
Another blog to upset you all due to inexplicable omissions in Durham and Stockton, while I make my usual excuse about geographical spread. CAMRA branches make the same justifications for forcing you to visit all the ropey pubs outside the county town all the time. One of my favourite counties, with wonderful coastline, great walking… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY. No. 11 – DURHAM.
LINCOLNSHIRE HAS FALLEN
December 2023. Great Grimsby. Not only does Elton John’s “classic” 1974 album contain “Grimsby”, it also has “Ticking”, a Taupin tale of a chap frustrated by micro pub opening hours. “Don’t ever ride on the devil’s knee,” Mama said. Remember Mama said . Ticking, ticking“ I wasn’t riding the devil’s knee to New Waltham to… Continue reading LINCOLNSHIRE HAS FALLEN
“Oh, oh, Grimsby, a thousand delights couldn’t match the sweet sights of my Grimsby”
December 2023. Great Grimsby. Those are actual lyrics there, from an actual UK and US Number 1 album. I only know about “Grimsby” because Caribou is currently in the Top Albums on Tidal, along with “Guts” and, er, “Rumours”. Possibly only because they’ve added “Step Into Christmas” onto the CD, mind. Bing’s new AI function… Continue reading “Oh, oh, Grimsby, a thousand delights couldn’t match the sweet sights of my Grimsby”
…AND A BOXING DAY TRADITION STARTED
Boxing Day 2023. Sheffield. As one tradition dies, another one starts. With both lads disinclined to a) watch TV, b) play Monopoly, c) start their own blogs, Boxing Day became the day for a long walk. Yes, a two hour slog west past the University residences into posh Ranmoor and Fulwood, the places without a… Continue reading …AND A BOXING DAY TRADITION STARTED
A CHRISTMAS TRADITION RUINED…
Christmas Day 2023. Royal Tunbridge Wells and Sheffield. You’ll know I’m not one for Christmas, or celebrations of any kind, really. We spent our 25th wedding anniversary in the Letchworth Spoons, and the best 25 Decembers I remember flying home from somewhere distant after a curry. This 25 December was spent at the in-laws in… Continue reading A CHRISTMAS TRADITION RUINED…
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