Greetings from Southampton Airport Premier Inn, where I’ve put my foot down and SHAN’T go down to reception and ask for more coffee and milk for the 5th time on this trip. A week ago Mrs RM was sleeping off a Jaipur-induced hangover so I made the 9:20 trip to Manchester alone, promising her a… Continue reading THE EARLY KICK-OFF
A DRY DAY IN SHEFFIELD
Non-alcoholic beer ? Pointless. About as pointless as this post, which is basically an inferior rehash of what Blackpool Jane has already given you (here). But it’s my diary, so here’s the highlight of a dry day (3 a week I told Jane, and she believed me). Lee and Jane arrived in Barnsley on Friday… Continue reading A DRY DAY IN SHEFFIELD
SWAN LAKE
Bucket List No.83 – Trip to the ballet (No. 82 – spend a night in Carluke). “Would you like to come to see Swan Lake at Sheffield Lyceum, Mr RM. I bet you don’t”. I’m determined to do ALL that Sheffield has to offer. I’ve a seat at the Snooker in April, and I may… Continue reading SWAN LAKE
“I Don’t Like Citra” – A TWANG IN KIDDERMINSTER
Right, let’s finish That Worcestershire. Look very closely and you’ll see the splodge covering Kidderminster is a lighter shade of pink (Procul Harum Outtakes, 1969) than the rest; that’s because the Bear & Wolf was the ONLY new GBG entry in this lovely county. That’s the sort of churn that has given us GBG tickers… Continue reading “I Don’t Like Citra” – A TWANG IN KIDDERMINSTER
CHEPSTOW BOOKED
The end of the Welsh Wander, on a gorgeous day that started with avocado smash at the wonderful Parc Pantry in Malpas. I bet you didn’t think you could even get avocado smash in suburban Newport, did you, let alone that it looked like this; Chepstow is practically England, but it never feels quite as… Continue reading CHEPSTOW BOOKED
Well, could YOU walk past the Murenger ?
Not the first time I’ve been in Ye Olde Murenger House, and hopefully not the last, but I always say that about the Dead Poets and the Coopers Arms. The Murenger, of course, was built to Sir Humphrey’s exact specifications, unlike all those Rochdale pubs he snapped up on the cheap, and is a gem.… Continue reading Well, could YOU walk past the Murenger ?
FOUND IT !
Back into town on the Number 28, with me feeling slightly guilty about taking it all the way back to the Newport bus station, would my sins catch up with me ?, till I realises the £4.40 bought one of those Day Riders. I should have taken a ride out to the Transporter Bridge; still… Continue reading FOUND IT !
ON THE (NEWPORT) BUSES
The last night of January’s Great Welsh Tickathon started at the Ibis (stylised ibis) budget in Newport. Highly recommended, particularly now they’ve added a kettle to the rooms. Tell them I sent you. For your £34 you get a bloke who advises you to not make a chicken run across the M4, but rather start… Continue reading ON THE (NEWPORT) BUSES
MY BEAVERTOWN TUMBLER RUNNETH OVER
One more from Glamorgan before I hit Newport (Newport), always a life highlight. The GBG says Llanharry. Google says Llanhari. Sort it out before the next Guide, will ya ? There is little in life that can beat a pub at dusk. Unless it’s empty, which is the modal outcome for pubs in 2022. But… Continue reading MY BEAVERTOWN TUMBLER RUNNETH OVER
COWBRIDGE GOES CRAFT
Onward and (slowly) upward to the pashmina and prosecco capital of Wales, its Wilmslow, its Saffron Walden. Actually, Cowbridge isn’t THAT bad. Unllike Monmouth, where the schoolchildren are immaculate, in Cowbridge all the tied are undone and worn loose round the collar à la Cottenham 1977. The long High Streets appeals to mums and toddlers… Continue reading COWBRIDGE GOES CRAFT