When a GBG entry is called “Drovers” you expect something rural and unfussy, but actually you rarely get it. The Drovers in Memus in agricultural Angus promises mor(e) than it delivers, sadly. Wiki tells me “A story is told of a kelpie at Shielhill Bridge, leaving its cloven hoofprint behind on a stone as a petrosomatoglyph.[2]“. Which is… Continue reading MEMUS MEANDERINGS
ANGUS, BON AND THE ROODS
You left me waiting for a Chinese takeaway in Kirriemuir. I nipped back to the car to retrieve Baa Baa Toure, who I’d left behind. He gets very upset at being abandoned in the dark in a council car park, particularly next to a statue of Bon Scott. Now, I never knew Bon was raised… Continue reading ANGUS, BON AND THE ROODS
PETER PAN AND THE ETERNALLY YOUTHFUL GBG TICKER IN KIRRIEMUIR
Still reporting from late June, as I head along the Angus coast and spend a night in the birthplace of two (2) legendary names. Last year we stopped in Blaigowrie (3 ticks), another place I’d never heard of before 2021. Kirriemuir (pop. 6,000) ? Nope. Best stop the night and explore. The Airlie Arms is… Continue reading PETER PAN AND THE ETERNALLY YOUTHFUL GBG TICKER IN KIRRIEMUIR
ANY POT PLANT IN A STORM
As you’ll know by now, my final twenty-two GBG ticks are in northern Scotland, a country I didn’t actually believe existed a year ago, but have spent more nights in than Sheffield this summer. My late June trip to Perth, Tayside and the Grampians was a triumph, though I must have sat on my phone… Continue reading ANY POT PLANT IN A STORM
MADRI SAMPLED. NOT BAD, SHOCKER
James is about to have a fifth (5th) go at his driving test. Five attempts is a respectable number if you ask me. When I took my 5th test all you had to do was change the Dire Straits CD for Chris Rea while going round corners. I look forward to the time when my… Continue reading MADRI SAMPLED. NOT BAD, SHOCKER
MINDING THE BIKE IN THE LION
I came back from the Isle of Man on the Mannanan, a boat obviously named after Liverpool wing legend Steve McManaman, somehow resisting the keg option on board. The ride down the Mersey towards Pier Head give you tremendous views of the Merseyside Marvels; New Brighton beach, the Magazine, Birkenhead docks… Sadly I’m returning home… Continue reading MINDING THE BIKE IN THE LION
THE PREEMPTIVE MAN
One night on Man, 5 ticks = 1 chapter of the Guide completed, 6 revisits to old Manx favourites, and 2 pre-emptives. A good 38 hours work. 38,000 steps, too, including a walk back from the Tram Terminus, whose eponymous pub found favour with Baa Baa and a few tourists eschewing the Okells for the… Continue reading THE PREEMPTIVE MAN
ONCHAN – FAIRY GLEN, FREE LATTE
A mid-afternoon return from the Isle of Man, via Liverpool, gave me a morning to be off with the fairies (again). The walk to Groudle Glen in Onchan takes in the full array of Douglas guest house colours. Onchan (pop. 9,172) itself is an oddity. Seemingly indistinguishable from Douglas but with a quaint village feel… Continue reading ONCHAN – FAIRY GLEN, FREE LATTE
I didn’t take ANY notes in the Rovers Return but it hardly mattered.
It was 21:33 when Irish Sea Dave and I made the Rovers Return. 21:33 on a Tuesday night in June after the TT races. Most places in the UK the pub would be emptying out; the Rover was filling up. You know where you stand with the Rover; It’s not fussy. I compared it to… Continue reading I didn’t take ANY notes in the Rovers Return but it hardly mattered.
SOOTY HAS A BLACK EYE BUT THE DOUGLAS MARKET PUBS AREN’T TO BLAME
I’d woke up that Monday at my usual 05:45 (sorry, Duncan) to catch the farming news, and now it was 18:45 on Tuesday and I’d only had two (2) hours sleep in thirty-seven, snatched on the Ben-My-Chree on that early morning crossing from Heysham. Technically, I could have caught the evening journey back to Heysham,… Continue reading SOOTY HAS A BLACK EYE BUT THE DOUGLAS MARKET PUBS AREN’T TO BLAME
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