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
AN OASIS IN BURNAGE
November 2023. Burnage. Manchester. My orderly night out in Manchester had been derailed by the Saddleworth sozzlers (?) Jim and Quosh, but at least I’d got a tick in Heaton Moor. All I had to do was get to Burnage and take the line back into Oxford Road where my gig awaited. But it was… Continue reading AN OASIS IN BURNAGE
“BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
November 2023. Heaton Moor. Stockport. Or is it Mauldeth ? Or Lower Burnage ? Or Lesser Didsbury ? Check next year’s GBG to find out. The road from the Bottle to the Beer Shop is paved with very South Manchester sounding bar names. One of the duller 14 minute walks, but The Beer Shop was… Continue reading “BLAME IT ON THE IMPERIAL STOUT” (NOT A TAYLOR DAYNE TRACK)
BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
November 2023. Heaton Moor. New Mills looked like Winter Wonderland as I waited for the train to Piccadilly. My plan for a quiet Friday evening was a) GBG pub in New Mills-tick, b) elegant dining curry in Ancoats, c) BC Camplight in the Albert Hall. It was all about to go spectacularly wrong, as Saddleworth’s… Continue reading BOTTLING IT IN HEATON MOOR
STILL NO SPACE TO SWING A CAT IN THE BEER SHED
November 2023. New Mills. An hour between trains at New Mills Central was enough to walk to Chalkers and back for the tick, admire the singular joys of the play area (I didn’t get on the horse), and resist the body piercing I’m saving for a special birthday. I walked over the Goyt, the rushing… Continue reading STILL NO SPACE TO SWING A CAT IN THE BEER SHED
NEW MILLS – SWEET AS SWIZZELS
November 2023. New Mills. A BIG day out in Manchester must always start with The Breaking Of The Journey on the way. The fast train from Sheff takes 54 minutes and stops in Stockport; the slow one through the Peak takes 83 minutes and allows you to finish Derbyshire in New Mills. Perhaps only Chorley… Continue reading NEW MILLS – SWEET AS SWIZZELS
SHEFFIELD ART TRAIL SPECIAL
November 2023. Sheffield. Last Friday was long and exhausting and regrettable. But before the regret, the street art on the way to Sheffield Station. Yes, even our tanning salons have great art. The Christmas markets have arrived in Sheffield, and as soon as Mrs RM gets back from Pembury Hospital we’ll explore the authentic German… Continue reading SHEFFIELD ART TRAIL SPECIAL
PIE AND PEAS AND POP
November 2023. Leeds. You know where Leeds is, I’ll spare you the maps. Northern Rail didn’t seem to know where Leeds was, as I attempted to get to Burley Park for my gig. Just the 32 minutes late for a 27 minute journey, meaning that despite a brave dash through the multicultural quarter of the… Continue reading PIE AND PEAS AND POP
LACY
Yes, I’m going to be nicking all of Olivia Rodrigo’s song titles for these blog posts because she deserves the honour. November 2023. Oatlands. Harrogate. Ooh, a bit dark as I left the warmth of the Harrogate Tap and headed for my actual tick in Oatlands. By now I only had 32 minutes to walk… Continue reading LACY
“I mean, if you’re there, you can’t NOT go in the Harrogate Tap, can you ?”
November 2023. Harrogate. Thursday night, back in Sheff from my parents, and straight out after doing the laundry to Leeds for the Julie Byrne gig, Except, having got to Leeds I thought I’d head straight on up to Harrogate and get the Oatlands Club ticked. A couple of cheap advance tickets would see me in… Continue reading “I mean, if you’re there, you can’t NOT go in the Harrogate Tap, can you ?”
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