Of course, the question is “What’s that Swan wearing on his/her/their head ?” Post 1 from the Grand Tour comes from Wighill, dangerously close to BRAPA and Emma’s parents, so I’d better be kind. The late Richard Coldwell, who lived almost next door, never mentioned the White Swan which says a lot. The highlight is,… Continue reading NO SWANNING AROUND AT THE START OF THE GREAT MR & MRS RM NORTHERN TICKATHON
SEPTEMBER ’21 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
What a month September was, even if the travel map suggest I’ve been ploughing up and down the middle of the country and ignoring the wings. HIGHLIGHTS Frankly, if I hadn’t visited a single pub this month I’d have declared it one of my best ever, as End of the Road gave me 4 days… Continue reading SEPTEMBER ’21 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
GOODBYE PILCROW…
…..Hello, Sadler’s Cat. I finished that last post a little abruptly, about 20 seconds before I fell asleep, leaving you no doubt on tenterhooks as to where I’d found a post-match pint. Just here. And if you don’t know where Sadler’s Yard is, you’re not alone, as neither does Matt. “Near Victoria Station, y’know, behind… Continue reading GOODBYE PILCROW…
TRYING TO GET A PINT AFTER THE MATCH
Posting from the car park of the Flowing Spring near Henley, so excuse the typos. You left me at Oxford Road station where I briefly contemplated a pre-match pint at the Bulls Head before remembering the limitations of my bladder. Sadly, the walk to the Etihad may be paved with curry but there’s no cask… Continue reading TRYING TO GET A PINT AFTER THE MATCH
TO URMSTON, TO COMPLETE GREATER MANCHESTER !
My last “Greater Manchester” tick came before City’s thrilling draw with Southampton, and may be seen as a tad contentious. So my plan to do Urmston properly, perhaps take a week’s holiday here and declare it “the next Didsbury” will have to be put on hold. Instead I’ve just decided to take the easy tick… Continue reading TO URMSTON, TO COMPLETE GREATER MANCHESTER !
BACK ON THE TUBE, BACK ON THE ESB
Six London Guide pubs ticked on a Friday afternoon in 3 hours, leaving seven needed (2nd right column below) in the capital. Should be able to knock those off when I head back to Kings Cross to see a gig next week. Don’t worry, Duncan, there’ll be a full spreadsheet soon enough. My two trips… Continue reading BACK ON THE TUBE, BACK ON THE ESB
WEST ONE SHINE ON ME
AKA Let me take you by my hand……..and walk you through the streets of London to a back street Beer Guide pub*. In this case, the Barley Mow in W1. But they do show how gorgeous it is in The Smoke at dusk, even if/because it’s quieter than you’re used to. Usual prize for identifying… Continue reading WEST ONE SHINE ON ME
THE ASPARAGUS
Four pubs up (down ?), and time for a second Spoons. Another short hop on the Overground over the Thames to the unbridled joy that is the rear entrance to Clapham Junction, the busiest in Europe. Last time here I was walking to Sambrooks Brewery, admiring the Church of the Nazarene en-route. I’d admired The… Continue reading THE ASPARAGUS
PUSH, PUSH (on towards the GBG goal) IN THE (SHEPHERDS) BUSH
Back in late 1978, with punk at it’s height, the chart was dominated by disco classics like this one; As a naive 13 year old, I had no idea that this track was about the joys of pub ticking in W12. 1980 saw post-punk, with bands like The Icicle Works and The Electric Banana Band… Continue reading PUSH, PUSH (on towards the GBG goal) IN THE (SHEPHERDS) BUSH
BUT IS THIS REALLY FULHAM ?
I headed west, which isn’t a Jam song but sounds like something from that golden year of 1979 when Cambridge United finished level on points with Chelsea in Division II. Chelsea is, appropriately enough after Sunday’s display, a bus park in the west of Fulham, my next target after Holborn. But the GBG App told… Continue reading BUT IS THIS REALLY FULHAM ?
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