“I’m so pleased you’ve been helping with the gardening” said Mrs RM, mistaking weary compliance for enthusiasm. I retired so I could walk aimlessly and mysteriously end up at the pub, NOT spend 2 days sawing up and putting wood into a skip. Actually, TWO skips were filled, though I’ve rescued the match ball from… Continue reading A POST-GARDENING TIPPLE
HANDSWORTH – THE HOLY GRAIL OF SHEFFIELD SUBURBAN PUB-TICKING
In four days time, God willing, I will be in a pub. Perhaps even in esteemed company. Only a few more of this pointless exploration of Sheffield’s eastern suburbs with their loveably scruffy pubs and artisan litter. But that’s Handsworth, Brum, which IS ethnically diverse, or was last time I went there. The South Yorkshire… Continue reading HANDSWORTH – THE HOLY GRAIL OF SHEFFIELD SUBURBAN PUB-TICKING
LOCK UP YOUR CHEESE SAUCE – BRAPA IS BACK
I sometime think this blog operates merely as a fan club/agent for BRAPA; “Boy, did you read BRAPA tonight ? He’s on fire“ “Is BRAPA OK ? It’s been SO long“ “Should I contact the RSPCV ?, Colin looks maltreated“ Anyway, he’s back, treating us to a detailed analysis of the tickers’ art last night… Continue reading LOCK UP YOUR CHEESE SAUCE – BRAPA IS BACK
“The drunks at the bar talk over the band”
“Where are your great posts on obscure modern music, retiredmartin, we love them” said no-one ever you all ask. What a good question. Last year my posts on melancholy melodies at the start of the first lockdown seemed to strike a, ahem, chord with my more discerning readers, but writing about music is about as… Continue reading “The drunks at the bar talk over the band”
GUESS THE PUB FOLLOWS THE BUNNIES
I’ve decided to give you an easy one today. Lorenzo has probably got it already. I’ve even told you what our island is famous for (above). I’ve visited just once, in 2008, when I got told off for taking photos of the airport. I think they were smuggling in copies of the Good Beer Guide,… Continue reading GUESS THE PUB FOLLOWS THE BUNNIES
12 APRIL – NEW FACTS EMERGE
My calendar* is looking a little bare. The highlights are the arrival of the skip on Thursday and the putting out of the green bin. Oh, and a couple of things on the 12th. I thought I’d have to do some work in the garden this afternoon but luckily the snow “storm” arrived just in… Continue reading 12 APRIL – NEW FACTS EMERGE
HAIRCUT v PUB
No, not a tribute band performing deep cuts from “Pelican West“*, but Part III of “Manchester in the sun” as Matt, Emma, Mrs RM and myself conclude 3 hours worth of mild exploration of the world’s greatest city by re-crossing the Irwell into Spinningfields. The Canary Wharf of the North ? Possibly. This posh office/bar… Continue reading HAIRCUT v PUB
“Where’s the Shambles ?”
I really love walking with Matt. He’s fast, chatty and unlike Stafford Paul sometimes stops when the red man shows at the crossing. But I sometimes forget he’s only nnnnnn19, and doesn’t remember the 2 events that define modern Manchester. By which I mean the closure of Tommy Ducks and the 1996 bomb which forced… Continue reading “Where’s the Shambles ?”
NO RAIN IN MANCHESTER
On Saturday we took advantage of the Government’s permission to leave our house for the first time since Christmas and meet people with long hair outside. A pleasing trip across the Woodhead Pass (A616/628) to Manchester, stopping to admire the bonfire of unread 2021 Beer Guides at Ironbower Moss. Half of east Manchester was heading… Continue reading NO RAIN IN MANCHESTER
CALVER – SOUGH WHAT ?
Making the most of our post-29/3 freedom, we’ve been heading south-west into the peaks. The mill village of Calver is just south of Hathersage, and just north of Bakewell (home of the 1995 “sausage incident”). I aim to be the Derbyshire Dales expert by the end of 2021. The only problem with these trips is… Continue reading CALVER – SOUGH WHAT ?
