November 2023. Bermondsey. Mrs RM dropped me off at Tonbridge Station, where I resisted the strong temptation to have a quick pint in Pub of the Year finalist the Nelson Arms, and half an hour later I was back failing to find the exit from London Bridge (the Birmingham New St of the south). These… Continue reading BERMONDSEY BEER MILE MAKES THE GBG AT LAST
BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE
November 2023. Blackfriars Bridge. One good thing about Waterbeach is that there’s a fast train into London every half hour so I could realistically visit my father-in-law and Mrs RM in Tunbridge Wells hospital. 2 hours by train isn’t much longer than the drive on a good day, and of course you save the parking… Continue reading BLACKFRIARS BRIDGE
QUIZ NIGHT IN THE SUN – THE MYSTERY OF “BAGELSTEVE”
November 2023. Waterbeach. Evenings in Waterbeach revolve around tea at 5pm and then The Chase. In fairness, tea is often from one of the village’s award-winning takeaways, and The Chase is the best TV quiz show since Deal Or No Deal, which was a game of great strategy skill under Edmonds. Typically I get more… Continue reading QUIZ NIGHT IN THE SUN – THE MYSTERY OF “BAGELSTEVE”
A PINT UNDER A FIVER IN THE EUSTON TAP
November 2023. Euston. Walking fast in London is an art form. Somehow I’d knocked that 42 minutes to reach the station down to 26 by the time the Euston Tap hove into view, and while other options ARE available, this seemed a good time to make my triennial visit to the old classic. Particularly as… Continue reading A PINT UNDER A FIVER IN THE EUSTON TAP
BLIMEY, AIN’T LONDON GORGEOUS ?
November 2023. Euston. Four hours “respite” from Waterbeach* equates to 150 minutes getting to and from King’s Cross, 20 minutes on a bus along Euston Road, 30 minutes in pubs, 15 minutes “idling” and 42 minutes walking. Oops ! That doesn’t quite work, does it ? Can see Dick doing the Math now. Better get… Continue reading BLIMEY, AIN’T LONDON GORGEOUS ?
THE PADDINGTON BEAR
November 2023. Paddington. 15 minutes in the lovely Monkey Puzzle left 65 minutes to get to the second new Paddington Guide pub and then find an interesting route back to Kings Cross, preferably without spending another penny on transport. 8 minutes takes you through Sussex Gardens and a warren of non-budget hotels. The Mitre will… Continue reading THE PADDINGTON BEAR
THE MONKEY PUZZLE
November 2023. Paddington. London. I’ve spent the last week in Waterbeach seemingly not being much use to my parents, though I did get to explain the plot of “Odette” (1950) to Dad and then buy them fish and chips which is care of a sorts. Opportunities for travel are limited, and Mum seemed as worried… Continue reading THE MONKEY PUZZLE
BACK ON THE SMOOTH IN THE GLEADLESS VALLEY
November 2023. Sheffield. I’ve only spent 4 days at “home” in Sheff this month, which is hardly enough time to do the laundry, hoover the cobwebs, and pretend to do the garden (whatever that means). No new GBG pubs close by now, but by Monday I really had to get out and stretch the legs… Continue reading BACK ON THE SMOOTH IN THE GLEADLESS VALLEY
MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION
November 2023. Waterbeach, Pembury, Rye. November has been a difficult month, though one we’d seen coming a while. Plans to spend the month in Rye and Tirana were scuppered as first my Dad, then my Father-in-law, decided a spell in A & E would be nice. We saw them both, starting with an overdue hair… Continue reading MOTHER AND CHILD REUNION
YOU’RE AN EMBARRASSMENT
November 2023. Manchester. The quiet Friday gig night out in Manchester had gone sadly awry even before that wonderful Sam Smiths diversion. I’d long missed the chance to see the support act Peaness (not as edgy as they sound, I think, as they’re from Chester), and as the train from Burnage trundles into Oxford Road… Continue reading YOU’RE AN EMBARRASSMENT
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