So many songs with eight (8) in the title, and I choose A Tribe Called Quest. Yes, it’s started. Yesterday saw a nine hour journey from the Chung Hwa to a four poster bed in Kingussie accessed by a secret code, a journey beset with disasters such as a detour through Grantham, flooded motorway in… Continue reading EIGHT MILLION STORIES, EIGHT PUBS TO TICK, LET’S LICK WICK
THE BELLS OF MERE
Can I start by thanking Elizabeth for her service to the nation. She will be missed. Back to lesser matters as I ease from Hampshire to Dorset to Wiltshire and a first ever visit to Mere, just off the A303 so beloved of holidaymakers. Mere will not detain you long, a one street town of… Continue reading THE BELLS OF MERE
MORE PUBS NAMED AFTER ANIMALS IN GILLINGHAM (not THAT Gillingham !)
More from my massive July West Country Tickathon, and some prime Dylan for you; Possibly US Dave’s favourite Dylan, though personally I prefer the cover version by The Wiggles. Man had to give names to the animals as nearly all of the pubs in Gillingham (Dorset) are named after them; I was only in the… Continue reading MORE PUBS NAMED AFTER ANIMALS IN GILLINGHAM (not THAT Gillingham !)
AT MY WHITSBURY END
Back on the GBG ticking trail in early July, this time from our new Rye base (I only spent 7 nights in Sheffield that month). Oddly, hardly any quicker to get into the New Forest and Dorset from Rye than Yorkshire. That drive through the New Forest took us on a gorgeous slow road between… Continue reading AT MY WHITSBURY END
RYE HARBOUR
I’m in a bit of a quandary with the blog. On the one hand, I’ve been counting down to GBG completion, which IF it happens (and after the traumas of the last week I’m taking nothing for granted) will represent a culmination of a near 30-year pursuit. So I guess you’ll be wanting real-time posts… Continue reading RYE HARBOUR
THOSE FATEFUL FINAL NINE (9)
Evocative names, and some classic looking bars like the Auld Motor Hoose in Kirkwall. It’s quite possible I could do the Five (FIVE !) Kirkwall ticks within 0.3 mils walk in an hour, you know. This will be one of the easiest GBG pub crawls in the whole Guide. Got to get there first. Wick… Continue reading THOSE FATEFUL FINAL NINE (9)
THE RETIRED MARTIN GBG22 COMPLETION SOUNDTRACK
Many of you* have asked me what bangers I’ve been listening to as I rack up hour after hour on the UK’s motorways and single track bumpy roads this year. 96 hours in August, says Google. During the first lockdown my Marvellous Melancholy Melodies post was a huge hit with readers in the Philippines and… Continue reading THE RETIRED MARTIN GBG22 COMPLETION SOUNDTRACK
AUGUST ’22 STOCKTAKE + MINI SEPTEMBER PREVIEW
The August highlights package (prescribed by law) comes late, but at least I’ve got the Google Maps travel summary to share with you. Blimey. A month of exhausting travel saw Wales and England conquered, just like in 1066 or whenever it was. History was never my strong point. Clearly the highlight of any month is… Continue reading AUGUST ’22 STOCKTAKE + MINI SEPTEMBER PREVIEW
9 CRIMES, PROBABLY NINE (9) RULE VIOLATIONS AT BEN LAWERS
Where was I ? Oh, telling you about the Great Scottish Ticking Trip, which came to a halt last Monday in Ben Lawers last Monday, leaving me stranded on nine (9) pubs to go to complete the lot. Will BRAPA get there before me at this rate ? 40 minutes off the glorious A9 from… Continue reading 9 CRIMES, PROBABLY NINE (9) RULE VIOLATIONS AT BEN LAWERS
TEN YEARS AFTER, TEN TICKS TO GO. A PAUSE IN PITLOCHRY
A little pause on the blog of late due to “life events” and “irregular WiFi”, neither of which are Kangaroo Air Force Ventilator covers. Due to those “life events” I’m NOT in Orkney tomorrow, but a week ago I was in northern Scotland reducing my GBG pubs required down to a round ten. I think… Continue reading TEN YEARS AFTER, TEN TICKS TO GO. A PAUSE IN PITLOCHRY
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