April 2023. Another midweek trip to Manchester for haircut and pub tick, with a twist. I probably shouldn’t tell you this, but it was actually cheaper to go to Hyde via Piccadilly than just go to Piccadilly. Honestly, they paid me £9.90 (nearly a tenner !) to extend my trip beyond Manchester’s main terminus. How… Continue reading YOUNG PEOPLE ARE GREAT, AREN’T THEY ?
GHOST SHIPS & MYSTERY SURPRISES IN SAPCOTE
April 2023. Another day, another county falls; Leicestershire took longer than usual to complete due to the 5pm opening at Sapcote Club. “Sapcote ?” you ask. “Never heard of it“. Another of those unsung Leics/Staffs/Warwicks border style* places with much to be unsung about. But, as with Warton last month, I will do my best… Continue reading GHOST SHIPS & MYSTERY SURPRISES IN SAPCOTE
STONY STRATFORD – A COCK & BULL STORY
April 2023. It’s traditional in these posts to give you a nice map extract which shows where you the place I’m rambling on about is in relation to other major cities, so you can rearrange your road trip accordingly. Stony Stratford, half way from Heathrow to Leek, if that helps. The Beer Guide determinedly plonks… Continue reading STONY STRATFORD – A COCK & BULL STORY
JUMPING THE SHARK
April 2023. Yes, a flood (slew ?) of mini-posts for you this week, even though Mrs “Jen the IT Manager” RM broke the internet* at the weekend and I’m (checks instruction) using a tethering device. Still in Oxford, over to Headington, once home to one of the Football League’s most characterful grounds. I used to… Continue reading JUMPING THE SHARK
SPURIOUS THOMAS HARDY REFERENCES AND A DRENCHING IN NORTH OXFORD
April 2023. Panini and flat white – tick. World class museum – tick. Parking drama – tick. Oxford complete, bar the pub. I decided to walk across Port Meadow to Guide newbie the White Hart in Wolvercote. About half an hour from Jude the Obscure said the map. A gorgeous crisp day, a setting Far… Continue reading SPURIOUS THOMAS HARDY REFERENCES AND A DRENCHING IN NORTH OXFORD
IN PRAISE OF OXFORD (BUT NOT ITS PARKING CHARGES)
April 2023. Getting to what we tickers call “the Home Counties clearances” now. Oxfordshire is probably listed under North-West Region in the new GBG though. A couple in Oxford to finish, and a chance to re-evaluate Cambridge’s historic rival. Mum tells me my home town just won the boaty race (never knew it was on),… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF OXFORD (BUT NOT ITS PARKING CHARGES)
WOKY IN WOKINGHAM
April 2023. Americans landing at Heathrow and heading straight down the M4 will encounter those well-known honeypots of Windsor, Cookham, and the estate pubs of bucolic Bracknell (honest). And of course Maidenhead. Folk who have never been to Maidenhead would be astonished at the contrast between it and Wokingham a few miles south, what with… Continue reading WOKY IN WOKINGHAM
A MAIDENHEAD REDEMPTION ?
April 2023. Well, possibly. Is it possible to redeem Maidenhead ? Just as importantly, is it possible to redeem Wagner ? Mumsnet is in meltdown tonight; Go straight to the foot of the page to hear the latest. The 25 minutes walk from Maidenhead Station to GBG newbie the North Star is as terrifying as… Continue reading A MAIDENHEAD REDEMPTION ?
NBSS 3.5 FOR GREENE KING IN SARRATT
April 2023. A second new GBG entry for unsung Sarratt in short order, following the Brunning & Price I daringly took my dad to after a trip to the free day at Wisley. Watford is, by common consensus amongst me, a dump, but the edge-of-Chilterns villages are rather gorgeous, even if on this Spring Sunday… Continue reading NBSS 3.5 FOR GREENE KING IN SARRATT
A BOOZER IN BERKHAMSTED
April 2023. If January is the cruellest month for Pub Men, with Dryanuary and unexpected micro closing times, then April is when tickers really get into gear. Only today I hear of GBG pros who have ticked off 100 pubs this month already. Half of them in Preston, no doubt. And April is when Pub… Continue reading A BOOZER IN BERKHAMSTED
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