May 2023. Thee only way to finish the eastern part of the GBG is Essex. BRAPA’s adventures in getting from King’s Cross to Thurrock on a rail replacement bus and back in time for an unwise ESB at the Parcel Yard would make classic reality TV. Excitingly, one of my new Essex ticks is in… Continue reading REHABILITATING GRAYS
SUNSHINE OVER THE ETIHAD
3rd May 2023. I’ve let Matt use my season ticket for City’s title party, his first time seeing the League trophy lifted. Getting a bit boring now. A fortnight ago I had two games in a week, and after the walk back from Lowton on the Wednesday I fell asleep in Cathedral Gardens, a sure… Continue reading SUNSHINE OVER THE ETIHAD
LOWTON ADDS YET ANOTHER CLASSIC BOOZER TO GBG23
May 2023. You left me in prime Woolyback country, between Newton-le-Willows and Golborne (what ? where ? asks 99% of the population), pondering on the connection between Shakin’ Stevens and Carol Decker. Congratulations to Mr Paul Bailey from Tonbridge, who correctly worked out Shaky beat Carol on the TV show, Hit Me, Baby, One More… Continue reading LOWTON ADDS YET ANOTHER CLASSIC BOOZER TO GBG23
WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SHAKIN’ STEVENS AND CAROL DECKER ?
May 2023. My last Greater Manchester GBG tick didn’t come till May, which is poor form. But at least it gave me a rare trip into Woolyback country, and a chance to admire the flashy new Newton-le-Willows station. When you live in the scary lands between Warrington and Wigan you get your excitement from new… Continue reading WHAT IS THE CONNECTION BETWEEN SHAKIN’ STEVENS AND CAROL DECKER ?
A JOYFUL SURPRISE AT THE END OF FEN LANE, NOTTS
May 2023. I’ve always had a vague ambition to travel every road in the UK and pink it in on my Philip Navigator atlas. Sound familiar ? One road that had always escaped me was Fen Lane, just off the A1 in the triangle farming wilderness between the Vale of Beauvoir, Grantham and Newark; Sadly,… Continue reading A JOYFUL SURPRISE AT THE END OF FEN LANE, NOTTS
DIDN’T CAMRA USE TO RUN THIS PUB ?
May 2023. I’d popped into Cambridge from Waterbeach for a quick walk, but as I finished my pint of XXXB at the Kingston the heavens opened, proving that the sun shines on the righteous except when the righteous are about to do something very daft like do all the GBG pubs in Mill Road in… Continue reading DIDN’T CAMRA USE TO RUN THIS PUB ?
“The stars shine so bright, but they’re fading after dawn, there is magic in Kingston town”
May 2023. I intend to blog about why repeating Good Beer Guide completion isn’t on the card this year, and one of the reason stares me in the face as I write this from my parents spare bedroom out of which Baa Baa Toure and Alfie the Alpaca gaze longingly. Yes, spending three days a… Continue reading “The stars shine so bright, but they’re fading after dawn, there is magic in Kingston town”
MAY DAY, FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE
May 2023. The 1st day of May, in fact. Another “mystery tour” for Dad around the back roads of east Cambs. We were brought to an abrupt halt in Swaffham Bulbeck, a place notable only for its name, by some folk dancing in the streets. No, not Mick Jagger. Press PLAY now. And Name That… Continue reading MAY DAY, FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE
THE DRINKING TABLE, NEWARK
April 2023. Trekking up and down the A1 between Sheffield and Waterbeach we’re on the lookout for new and fascinating places to break the journey. Just south of naughty Newark (famous for a seminal event in pub blogger history, forget what), you’ll find a brand new service station with Pret, Greggs and Burger King/ And… Continue reading THE DRINKING TABLE, NEWARK
“I think it’s off” says Mrs RM. “No, it’s supposed to be a bit tart” I say.
April 2023. I’ve been skipping the GBG completed chapter pics because, well, my heart’s not in it. But I still can’t look at a page of the Guide with unticked pubs with anything other than unease, and it was good to put (the entirely fictitious) East Yorkshire to bed. The Bosville Arms is the annual… Continue reading “I think it’s off” says Mrs RM. “No, it’s supposed to be a bit tart” I say.
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