I always thought Aberfoyle (pop. 790) was in Wales, so the August trip to Tick the Lomond/Trossachs chapter was educational as well as triumphant, though I still have no idea who Mr(s) Trossach is/was. These “gateway” villages to the hills are pretty much one long street with a garage, Co-op, two hotels (one with cask)… Continue reading WOMEN MANSPLAINING “CHEEBATTA” IN ABERFOYLE
AWAKE, KIPPEN, A WAKE
Another small west Stirlingshire village, another tick in the tricky (and artificial) Loch Lomond chapter of the Guide, another weathered information board, this one welcoming me to Kippen (pop. 1,140). If you can make head or tail of that you win the battered haggis I’ve keeping in a sock in the campervan since early August.… Continue reading AWAKE, KIPPEN, A WAKE
The Gargunnock’s “Soup of the Day” is Curried Parnsip.
Am I having a midlife crisis ? I can’t even get excited about the imminent arrival of the new Good Beer Guide (where “imminent” = “no idea when”). Novelty books are a good idea on pub shelves as they make excellent props when there’s nothing else to comment on apart from the Curried Parsnip soup,… Continue reading The Gargunnock’s “Soup of the Day” is Curried Parnsip.
A STIRLING EFFORT (SLIGHT RETURN)
If I did a blog post on GBG oddities, it would obviously focus on daft opening hours, pubs only selling Doom Bar, and bars that (permanently) don’t serve real ale. But I’d also tell you about sizeable places that haven’t had a new entry in what feels like 20 years. Like Walsall. And Tring. And… Continue reading A STIRLING EFFORT (SLIGHT RETURN)
IN FOR A PENNY, INN FOR A DOLLAR
My bed for the night on the first leg of the August Assault on Alba (?) was in a carpark in the hills high above Dollar. About £105 a night cheaper than anything in town. Of course Dollar was originally named Sterling, but when officials realised this risked confusion with the similarly named city to… Continue reading IN FOR A PENNY, INN FOR A DOLLAR
ALLOA – ROCK “n” ROLLS AND 80/ AND KILT HIRE
Every morning when I wake up (hey ! great song !) I take a look at what old posts have been read by some bemused soul in Uzbekistan or Saudi Arabia, hoping I’ll one day get views in Greenland and Lesotho. And occasionally I’ll re-read one of those old post like this one from Wilburton… Continue reading ALLOA – ROCK “n” ROLLS AND 80/ AND KILT HIRE
BO’NESS SELECTER (for the GBG)
“Have you up to date with the blog yet ?” said Mrs RM today, implying I’m a skiver. Well, the Rye post at least closed out a July when I only spent seven (7) nights at home, a situation which from memory may make me a tax exile. August proved to be even worse/better with… Continue reading BO’NESS SELECTER (for the GBG)
All the pubs in Rye that AREN’T the Ypres Castle – No.1 – The Hope Anchor
The Ypres is a great drinking house, it really is, but it’s not the only pub in Rye, and I suppose I need to do all of them now Mrs RM has a caravan down there. Perhaps best not to do them all after 3 pints in the Ypres, but I did attempt to walk… Continue reading All the pubs in Rye that AREN’T the Ypres Castle – No.1 – The Hope Anchor
LUNCHTIME AT THE YPRES
36 minutes walk from the caravan, our closest GBG pub, and one of the best in England. Run by Jeff and a highly motivated team, it’s one of the best places to sample cask at its best. My trip coincided with the late July heatwave, so the garden was heaving and the inside quiet. I… Continue reading LUNCHTIME AT THE YPRES
ENDING DORSET WITH A DOOM BAR BANG
I know many of you were disappointed, nay devastated that I couldn’t close the Devon chapter of the Good Beer Guide with a pint of the nation’s favourite, but I was able to make up for it the next day in Laymore’s Squirrel, at Dorset’s end. I’ve included a helpful OS extract to show you… Continue reading ENDING DORSET WITH A DOOM BAR BANG
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