retiredmartin

September 2025. Werrington. Peterborough. Another year, another micropub in the suburbs of Peterborough, which could really do with something new and exciting in the city centre so I can bore you with descriptions of naves and fan vaulting in the marvellous cathedral, one of the UK’s greatest. But the Butchers Arms brings you to Werrington,… Continue reading GATECRASHING BIRTHDAY PARTIES IN THE PETERBOROUGH SUBURBS

September 2025. Bury St Edmunds. It’s hard to tire of Bury St Edmunds warren of streets, though the crowds tend to head to the string of cafes leading to the Abbey, leaving the timber for the toper to enjoy. Some weird stuff here, even before you get to Spoons on a Saturday night. I was… Continue reading HAVE YOU THOUGHT OF THE “C” WORD YET ?

September 2025. Bury St. Edmunds. T’other Bury, the one without black pudding, is a beguiling place (as is the real one, obvs). Two new Beer Guide entries, a new Tap in an old building for Nethergate, and an unexpected debut for the overlooked Masons Arms. At least, I think it’s a debut; I’ve completed Suffolk… Continue reading AN NBSS 4 GREENE KING IPA (HONEST). THE MASONS ARMS, BURY ST EDMUNDS

September 2025. Bury St Edmunds. If you were wondering why the blog posts have dried up here’s the answer; checking-in Untappd off-licences near Dracula’s castle. Back home, looks like I’ll be in East Angular for a while yet, which at least means easier visits to London and towns like Bury (t’other one), which delights us… Continue reading NETHERGATE GET A FOOTHOLD IN BURY ST EDMUNDS

September 2025. Brinkley. Cambridgeshire. Only two (2) new Guide entries in Cambs again this year, and one of them is only 18 minutes from Dad’s care home. The day started in near disaster, as Mrs RM dropped Wilbury on the way to Gregg’s, but luckily a caring passer-by stuck him on the bonnet. That’s a… Continue reading CHRISTIE GOES TO BRINKLEY

September 2025. Stockport. We met Blackpool Jane at Piccadilly and headed for Stockport, after dashing back down to the metro to tap out. Why do all forms of public transport have different rules on tickets tapping ? Plans to finally try curry at the Pyramid had been scaled back on the realisation that none of… Continue reading BODDIES v BASS. WHO WEARS THE CROWN IN STOCKPORT ?

September 2025. Sale. My new GBG pub in Sale was unexpectedly closed (“hope to be open by 4”, they said), so an hour to get to the soul of Sale. If there was a local TIC, they could have that for a pint of Holt. We decided to loiter for an hour, despite a less… Continue reading GETTING TO THE SOUL OF SALE

September 2025. Sale. What a joyous thing the Beer Guide is for alternative UK tourism. BRAPA in Rochdale tonight, and me in Sale a fortnight ago. I thought I was struggling keeping the blog up-to-date till I saw Simon is still in August. All I wanted was a rare new tick in Sale, and some… Continue reading LOUNGE-ING AROUND

September 2025. Bramley, Rotherham. Last year was the most exciting in the history of Rotherham, since the Chuckle Brothers met me at their Harperbury TV show set in 1998. Four (4) new GBG entries, all worthy, but only the posh golf club survives the churn. But the Autumn of GBG26 brings me back to Bramley,… Continue reading A DEE-DAR IN ROTHERHAM

September 2025. Sheffield. From the Itchy Pig (2) I took a walk through Sheffield’s genteel southern suburbs, along Psalter Lane with its solid housing, “Do not take the bowel” sign and “help yourself” apples. The next pub on the half marathon is opposite the Salvation Army citadel, a Thornbridge flagship of sorts. Packed at evenings… Continue reading PSALTER LANE