“Of course, the whole point of this day (in Shirley) was to beat Martin, SI and Duncan to a GBG entry and I think I might just have done it on this occasion.“. Thus spake Zarathustra Life After Football in June, and he was right. I hadn’t been to Shirley since 2008 and this classic… Continue reading SHIRLEY SEES BETTER DAYS
“And now we go live to the pool table at Welham Green”
I’m spending a couple of days a week at my parents in Waterbeach; enough time to do the Tesco run, take Dad to buy peat compost, and tick a few irritating stragglers in Herts. Today’s quiz question is “What, where and why is North Mymms ?”. The North Mymms Social Club, runner-up in the Mercury… Continue reading “And now we go live to the pool table at Welham Green”
HELLISH HEMEL, MARVELLOUS MONKS
Closing in on a Hertfordshire completion now, but it’s not an easy task. Facebook pages have either not been updated for 18 months or only tell you their dining hours or are just a succession of job ads or tell you opening hours for their sister pub but not themselves. Please, please, put your opening… Continue reading HELLISH HEMEL, MARVELLOUS MONKS
ALBION
You left me with a tummy full of curry, contemplating a long walk into Norton Woodseats, but then noticing Stockport John’s tweets from his own recent tour of Sheffield; Oh, why not. Got to be done some time, a possible pre-emptive tick, and the Railway Hotel near the United ground doesn’t look like it’s opening… Continue reading ALBION
APNA STYLE – VERY HANDI
Enough pictures of beer. Let’s do a curry. As always, let Glaswegian legend Curry Heute be your guide. His website is to Chicken Dhansak what BRAPA is to John Smiths Smooth. But he’s little positive to say about Sheffield, and to be honest there do seem to be far more Chinese than Indian/Bangladeshi options in… Continue reading APNA STYLE – VERY HANDI
BOLTMAKER
Dave expressed mild surprise at my continued enthusiasm for Harrogate despite it’s predilection for pashminas, Prosecco bars and pints costing more than a fiver. But it retains a refined charm, rather like Mrs RM, and its attractions are free once you leave the unfathomable queue for Betty’s and head for the Valley Gardens. In case… Continue reading BOLTMAKER
IT’S HARD TO HATE, HARROGATE
Perhaps uniquely, I bring you news of an event that you haven’t missed. I’m betting Pashmina Pauline is a big Gilbert & Sullivan fan; probably “Alone Again (Naturally)” is her favourite. Harrogate is still a favourite of mine, despite a few less than stellar new Guide entries of late. I was a bit distressed to… Continue reading IT’S HARD TO HATE, HARROGATE
BASS BY CANDLELIGHT
Another day, another Bass gem. The 3 weeks since “Freedom Day” have produced enough activity to keep our US readers jealous for years. If they ever return to Leek so Dick can drink strong Belgian beers, I recommend the minute bus journey out to the Black Lion in Cheddleton in the underrated Staffordshire Moorlands. Or… Continue reading BASS BY CANDLELIGHT
A WONKY PEAR IN CONGLETON
One of my last pre-Covid pub crawls was round Congleton with the inimitable Stafford Paul. Paul wouldn’t have appreciated this trip to a new micro bar/cafe, though he’s have enjoyed the locals waving at him from their windows. A colourful, vibrant little town, much enhanced by the new street art. And if the Little Shop… Continue reading A WONKY PEAR IN CONGLETON
BASS IS BACK IN BOLLINGTON
I’m afraid this blog is a bit pub-heavy at the moment, lacking those in-depth appraisals of the art, architecture and artisanal pizza of our UK towns. My recommendation is Jane Stuart’s review of her trip to Bristol this weekend, which will guide you to the best cask, Colston (statue) and Bristol Rovers condoms. It’s a… Continue reading BASS IS BACK IN BOLLINGTON
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