Beer Guide safely back in hand, it’s time for some (increasingly rare) ticking action before GBG24 lands (ugh) and the whole charade resumes. “You’ll never finish” shouts someone. 20 minutes up the A303 from Longparish to The Edge of Basingstoke, which would have made a great Stevie Nicks song. I’ve been campaigning on the Old… Continue reading RAINBOW FRUIT COCKTAIL HANDWASH ? IT CAN ONLY BE BASINGSTOKE
THE DRAMATIC RECOVERY OF RETIRED MARTIN’S GBG IN LONGPARISH
September 2023. Longparish. I realise some of you have been unable to sleep since news of the loss of my GBG first broke last Thursday on our way to the End of the Road. Thankfully, someone invented mobile phones and Mrs RM contacted the Plough who confirmed that a middle-aged man had, indeed, stupidly left… Continue reading THE DRAMATIC RECOVERY OF RETIRED MARTIN’S GBG IN LONGPARISH
NOUGHTIES NIGHT IN THE NORTHERN MONKEY
All the pubs in Sheffield by foot No. 137 (est.) – The Northern Monkey, Hillsborough Sheffield has great pubs. It also has some quite good pubs, the sort of places that would be in the Scottish chapters of the GBG that young Simon is doing at this very moment. I took Mrs RM on a… Continue reading NOUGHTIES NIGHT IN THE NORTHERN MONKEY
CRAFT v CASK IN THE SANDBAR
September 2023. Manchester. The students are just about to return to Uni, bands will be releasing their “difficult” third albums and touring it round social clubs in University cities though the Fall. I’m still not sure when the Fall starts. Just a day after the five hour drive back from End of the Road (EOTR),… Continue reading CRAFT v CASK IN THE SANDBAR
SIXPENNY NONE THE RICHER
September 2023. End of the Road Festival, Cranborne Chase. One of the annual traditions at End of the Road, along with watching Mrs RM put the day tent up while we watch and spilling curry down our new T-shirts, is a half hour walk along the narrow lanes to the Museum for a pint of… Continue reading SIXPENNY NONE THE RICHER
MODERN MUSIC ISN’T RUBBISH. YOU’VE JUST NEVER HEARD ANY.
September 2023. End of the Road Festival, Cranborne Chase. Oooh, more pinking. I’d coloured in the things I wanted to see in the programme, forgetting to allow time to buy liquorice, craft murk and Nepalese curry. You’re probably thinking “But I don’t recognise ANY of those names, Retired Martin !“, and it’s true to say… Continue reading MODERN MUSIC ISN’T RUBBISH. YOU’VE JUST NEVER HEARD ANY.
IN THE GARDEN
September 2023. End of the Road Festival. Among the pub-focused bloggers I guess Paul Bailey’s wonderful blog is closest to mine, feeling more like a diary packed with the trials and triumphs of life as much as the hard facts about the pub. I know you live in anticipation of my non-pub posts, keen to… Continue reading IN THE GARDEN
REMEMBERING ROUSAY, A YEAR ON
I’ll never forget 10th September 2022. A year ago this morning I was eating the breakfast of the immortals in Kirkwall before my final ascent to Good Beer Guide completion on Rousay. It was the BEST breakfast I ever had, but also the most nervy. A real night on the town in Kirkwall, finishing with… Continue reading REMEMBERING ROUSAY, A YEAR ON
ALL CHANGE AT THE FESTIVAL BEER BAR
September 2023. End of the Road Festival. Food and beer are a big part of the End of the Road, even though (unlike many festivals) you can take as many cans as you like in. Loads of Punk IPA and Abbot, since you ask. A lot of local cask, a short-lived dalliance with Beavertown, and… Continue reading ALL CHANGE AT THE FESTIVAL BEER BAR
THE END OF THE ROAD
August – September 2023. Somewhere on Cranborne Chase. An eleventh End of the Road for me, though 2022 was a bit traumatic with Dad in A & E on the first night. This is the festival that re-fired my interest in modern music in 2011, an interest unexpectedly picked up by James. Here he is,… Continue reading THE END OF THE ROAD
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