On the 6 hour journey back from the Highlands we stopped in a layby in a business park just off the M73 so that Mrs RM could speak to a French IT bod while I made coffee on the campervan stove. I know you come here for the pointless detail. Any chance I could walk… Continue reading BOWIE AND BITTER IN THE QUEEN’S GROUND
THE DAY IT ALL WENT RIGHT
This revisiting of the Great Scottish Summer Tickathon may be dull for you, but it does mean I can dump any photos I didn’t post earlier, and no-one should keep photos any longer than necessary. Just ask my mum. August 28th 2022.We (Mrs RM, Baa Baa and I) had just finished those tricky Hebridean ticks,… Continue reading THE DAY IT ALL WENT RIGHT
HARRIS OR LEWIS ?
Some more reflections on the frankly manic trip round the Western Isles at the end of August in search of two ticks. Disappointingly for my readers, if not Mrs RM, both the Westford and the Crown were OPEN. Take notes, English micros. Sadly, our schedule was limited by family dramas and music festivals, so we… Continue reading HARRIS OR LEWIS ?
GO UIST, LIFE IS PEACEFUL THERE
More offcuts and outtakes from the first assault on the Scottish GBG entries at the end of August. This really is the “Hatful of Hollow” of Retired Martin. But then, “Hatful of Hollow” is The Smiths best album. Best track, of course, was this cracker. That’s the best 2 minutes in the history of film,… Continue reading GO UIST, LIFE IS PEACEFUL THERE
“Chiquitita”, arm wrestling and more than adequate cask. No Mallaig malaise…
Last post I was rehashing old material filling in the gaps from the mini posts from The First Great Scottish Beer Guide Assault in late August. We’d arrived in Mallaig at 11pm, keen to find out from locals how to pronounce Sgeir Dhearg, Rubha na h-Acasirseid and (Come on) Eileen na h-Acairseid, all of which… Continue reading “Chiquitita”, arm wrestling and more than adequate cask. No Mallaig malaise…
LOCHABER NO MORE
As I approached the Final Countdown at the end of August, the blogging became a bit manic, so think of these next few posts as a sort of “artists reworking”, or “RetiredMartin – How It Should Have Looked“. A reminder of those final 22; Reader “US $1=$1 Dave” wrote “21! You’re so close now I’m… Continue reading LOCHABER NO MORE
WATERBEACH WEISSE
Both of the Waterbeach brewery taps were open that glorious Summer Saturday. My Dad was sceptical when I told him Pastore was one of the UK’s most popular new breweries, but Mum knows the mother of of the brewers and has kept that bottle on her windowsill. Pastore have some great bottle designs, which rather… Continue reading WATERBEACH WEISSE
MILTON BREWERY TAP – THE PINNACLE OF THE BREWER’S ART ?
A gorgeous August weekend spent at my parents contemplating the completion of the Good Beer Guide over takeaways and views of the sunflowers in their Waterbeach garden. The approach to Milton Brewery in the industrial estate across from the former RAF barracks soon to contain 10,000 new homes isn’t quite as glamorous, but their occasional… Continue reading MILTON BREWERY TAP – THE PINNACLE OF THE BREWER’S ART ?
KEBAB NIGHT, WATERBEACH
I knew August was hot, but just look at the state of Waterbeach’s village green on my trip back to see my parents the week before the First Big Assault On The Highlands. I try to get back every week to see my Mum and Dad, staying till they get bored of me, which normally… Continue reading KEBAB NIGHT, WATERBEACH
“CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
There were two (2) weeks between the last ticks in England and Wales and the resumption of the assault on the Beer Guide in the Scottish Highlands and Islands. Those two weeks were agony, if I’m honest, each day increasing the chances of family drama (of which, less later) or illness or “Winter” hours intervening.… Continue reading “CHICKEN IN A BASKET” REACHES SHEFFIELD
retiredmartin 