9th May 2022. Yes, Will, nearly 4 weeks behind. Shoddy work. I press on. A gig in Leeds, a pretty good place for music as Chris Dyson knows. And just a teeny chance of a pre-gig pint. By chance, I walked out of the station the wrong way and ended up at Ossett’s Hop in… Continue reading A HOP INTO GRANARY WHARF
BREAKFAST AT ALBERT’S
Matt lives and works in the heart of Manchester and seems to know every nook and cranny, though he’s never been in the Hare & Hounds, which means he’s not a proper Manc. He’d never been in Albert’s Schloss, either, the giant German beer hall in the heart of the entertainment district. It’s virtually always… Continue reading BREAKFAST AT ALBERT’S
MISSING BRAPA BY MINUTES IN CHEADLE, CHESHIRE
Our Welsh trip had ended, but with Matt wanting to meet up on the Sunday morning we decided to park up in Greater Stockport. It’s one of our favourite campervan overnighters, but the exact location must remain top secret so no-one else stays there and dumps rubbish outside their van and gets the place shut… Continue reading MISSING BRAPA BY MINUTES IN CHEADLE, CHESHIRE
THE ANGEL OF WELSHPOOL
One last Welsh tick (16 in the bag !) before we head home, or at least to Cheadle (Cheshire), our resting place for the night. Welshpool never fails to disappoint, pubwise, but it does at least have a good Morrisons where Mrs RM could stock up on artisan cheese for tea while I ticked the… Continue reading THE ANGEL OF WELSHPOOL
THE LAMB OF KERRY
Back in the ’90s my boss asked me my favourite part of the world and I said “Powys“, which he misheard as “Paris” and took him aback as he assumed I was a Francophobe. If I’d used the GBG-approved “Mid Wales” I’d have annoyed Mudgie. You can’t win. Anyway, I still love Powys, and the… Continue reading THE LAMB OF KERRY
BARA BRITH ON TOWY BRIDGE
This was what the chart of our Welsh travels looked like now. Wait till you see the Channel Islands map. Stop R takes us in to Rhandirmwyn, which I’ve already spelt wrong twice. The Google Maps 3D view is full on unpronounceable joy, but the only place you might recognise is Llanwrtyd Wells, a contender… Continue reading BARA BRITH ON TOWY BRIDGE
THE BASS CLOCK STRIKES 12 IN LLANDOVERY
Last day of the West Wales Wander, with 4 ticks on the way home to add 16 to the West Wales column of The Spreadsheet (soon, soon). Llandovery is Stop Q, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons and looking pleasant in the sun that always shines on the righteous, even in Wales. It’s the… Continue reading THE BASS CLOCK STRIKES 12 IN LLANDOVERY
MAY 2022 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
Progress, progress, progress. That’s the theme for June 2022, as I ploughed on with ticking the Good Beer Guide and simultaneously visiting every hitherto unexplored nook and cranny of the UK, uncovering gems like the Mansel Arms in Porthyrhyd, my Pub of the Month. May saw sixty (60) new GBG ticks from 105 different pub… Continue reading MAY 2022 STOCKTAKE + JUNE PREVIEW
Was it wrong to get the cleaner to pour my pint in Pumpsaint ?
There is (almost) nothing in life so good as an unexpectedly open pub door (only edged out by finding some uneaten crispy beef the next morning). Not only was it open, but the door to the Dolocauthi Arms was bright red. Yes, the National Trust-owned Dolaucothi invited me in. At 11:09 ! Mrs RM let… Continue reading Was it wrong to get the cleaner to pour my pint in Pumpsaint ?
LLANELLI BEFORE BREAKFAST
Staying in the Llanelli Travelodge for £40, rather than the £100+ being asked everywhere else in this crazy year, paid for my beer, my takeaway, and the therapy sessions needed after that Felinfoel pub. And the next morning I had time to do Llanelli justice. OK, perhaps 8am Saturday morning isn’t the best time to… Continue reading LLANELLI BEFORE BREAKFAST
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