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

“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”

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.