Before I take you back to the heatwave of July, Mrs RM has asked that I introduced you to Alfie the Alpaca, the newest member of our family. Baa Baa Toure has been bringing Alfie* up-to-date on the house rules, which can be summed up as “Cup of tea and chocolate for Mrs RM, on… Continue reading BRACE YOURSELF, IT’S THE VALE OF GLAMORGAN
What were YOU doing on the hottest day EVER (EVER)
I’m curating this blog using photos taken the best part of three (3) months ago, and wondering what on earth to tell you. But as it’s a diary, you ought to know that on the hottest day in UK history I was in a pub. Not by choice, oh no. Look at this message exchange… Continue reading What were YOU doing on the hottest day EVER (EVER)
HIGH VIS, HIGH HOPES & HORLICKS IN ILMINSTER
Matthew didn’t do Indy Man yesterday, but he did send me his musical tip for the month, another load of old (old = over 21) punks with tunes. A blend of the Manics, Stone Roses and The Cult, I reckon. I left you towards the end of my week in the West Country, on the… Continue reading HIGH VIS, HIGH HOPES & HORLICKS IN ILMINSTER
HOMEBREW TO RIVAL DONNINGTON IN SEAVINGTON
Not only was I closing in on Devon, but July would also see the end of Somerset in sight. Nice county, from coast to the levels to the scruffy market towns, and I used the Best Western three (3) times in 3 weeks. They’ve named the bridal suite after me. You’ll have forgotten, but a… Continue reading HOMEBREW TO RIVAL DONNINGTON IN SEAVINGTON
A HONITON HOLT
Important domestic news before we head back to July. Our sloping garden has nearly been unsloped and we will soon have actual grass. Not sure what we do with it, but hey-ho. In mid-July a rejuvenated Retired Martin was tackling another of the tricky Devon ticks, the Holt offering limited hours, and feeling very much… Continue reading A HONITON HOLT
STEAK OR SAUSAGE FOR TEA ? IT’S A BIG DECISION IN A TOWN CALLED OTTERY ST. MARY
The blog returns to that endless month of July 2022 (101 GBG ticks); will it ever end ? A signature tick next, the London in Ottery St. Mary having thwarted me at least once with it’s whacky opening hours (per What Pub); Ottery St Mary (pop. 4,898) is your quintessential faded east Devon town (see… Continue reading STEAK OR SAUSAGE FOR TEA ? IT’S A BIG DECISION IN A TOWN CALLED OTTERY ST. MARY
364 SLEEPS TILL INDYMAN ’23
Clearly no-one is interested in IndyManBeerCon in 2022, it’s as old hat as the Arctic Monkeys or financial prudence, but Matthew is heading there tomorrow for the first time and it’s TRADITION, dammit, that I bring you a report from my sixth (6th) successive Mancunian celebration of high strength thirds in refurbished Victorian baths. But… Continue reading 364 SLEEPS TILL INDYMAN ’23
SEPTEMBER ’22 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
It was the best of months, it was the worst of months. September was by some way the most stressful month of my adult life, a month that started in a field in Wiltshire Dorset and saw some of the most manic journeys imaginable, even by my standards; In the August Stocktake telling you I… Continue reading SEPTEMBER ’22 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
BBB (BUCCANEER ON BABBACOMBE BAY)
It had been 27 years since I last set foot in Torquay. Back in 1995 I bought the Lemonheads album on cassette (honest, it was a thing in 1995), and watched a basement league 3-3 draw with Chesterfield while Mrs RM bought shelving, a theme for our marriage. The Hole in the Wall was the… Continue reading BBB (BUCCANEER ON BABBACOMBE BAY)
NOBODY GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE (to GBG glory). NOT EVEN STOKE FLEMING
The task ahead seems endless, but I shall press on, if only to see if Mark Crilley is still reading (I haven’t read all the great BRAPA posts so don’t feel guilty). Perhaps a reader from Zaire will one day find this post on Stoke Fleming of use, who knows ? Just beyond the gorgeous… Continue reading NOBODY GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE (to GBG glory). NOT EVEN STOKE FLEMING