I’ve been having weird dreams, just like in the Number 8 smash by Old Mudgie’s favourite sisters. My hair will soon be that long, despite having a son who’s a barber. Most of these dreams involve me working in an office (aaagh !), but the other night I rejoined the United Nations. Was this the… Continue reading OUR COW MOLLY
GUESS THE PUB GOES TO SURREY
I’ve given Surrey short shrift over the years, it was No. 93 in my Top 75 GBG counties, but there’s no doubt that it’s not all Brunning & Price and slow-moving Ranmore Ale. Our mystery pub is in a small town which rotates its GBG entries based on the quality of the jukebox and CAMRA… Continue reading GUESS THE PUB GOES TO SURREY
CHIPPY HUNTING IN ECCLESFIELD
Fish and chips are essential. Apparently. The sun on your face and the first bloom of Spring is even more vital. It felt like a minor rebirth as we strolled round the ancient village of Ecclesfield, just north of the Northern General and south of the birthplace of those Arctic Monkeys, whose most famous track… Continue reading CHIPPY HUNTING IN ECCLESFIELD
RAM JAM
I had to pop back to take my Dad to a health clinic today. It’s not my 50th birthday, so don’t go grassing me up. Dad is OK (and wants golf back), perhaps better than when I left, but my heart sunk at a return to dour, featureless Cambridgeshire. No overnight stay, no pint in… Continue reading RAM JAM
GUESS THE PUB GOES TO SALOP
Yes, looks a corker today, doesn’t it. I see you heading to Page 357 of your GBG right now, looking for a place that sells those BBB favourites. It won’t help. Never been in the Guide in my ticking lifetime. A trip to the lounge dispels any hopes you’re in a basic boozer. In fact,… Continue reading GUESS THE PUB GOES TO SALOP
PLOTTING A RETURN
The snow has cleared, the temperatures in Sheffield will soon exceed those in Seville, and Covid hospitalisation rates have turned a corner. Let’s beer positive, as someone said, and plan a return to pubs. Remember pubs ? Mrs RM just said “You need to think about a Proper Plan for when we can travel again“.… Continue reading PLOTTING A RETURN
FORGED IN STEEL
Dave will be bleating if I don’t get a new post out today (the Stocksbridge one “dropped” (ugh) at about 7 minutes to midnight last night); so what better for Valentines Day than the giant Sheffield Forgemasters building that dominates the approach to IKEA on the majestic A6178. Yes, another trip to the edge of… Continue reading FORGED IN STEEL
STOICAL IN STOCKSBRIDGE
A bit more exploration of northern Sheffield, as we head to Surprising Stocksbridge. Yes, a bit further than I expected; I thought it was just north of Hillsborough beyond the picturesque villages of Oughtibridge and Grenoside, but as the A61 became a bit, empty, I wondered if I was pushing my luck. Luckily, I was… Continue reading STOICAL IN STOCKSBRIDGE
The Official RetiredMartin guide to your 2021 “Staycation”
“What you giggling at ?” asked Mrs RM, inbetween giggling at something on Facefriend. She knows full well what I’m giggling at. It’s either Russ’s comments on my blog, a tweet about a kitten, or a mum on Mumsnet planning a holiday; It’s easy to forget that many Londoners (and it’s always Londoners) have never… Continue reading The Official RetiredMartin guide to your 2021 “Staycation”
ART FOR ART’S SAKE
It’s turned bitterly cold here in t’north, so my daily walks need some fortifying Breakfast Stout before I set out. Whatever happened to the plain old un-twisted award-winning Breakfast Stout we know and love ? Why is there an obsession with changing things that work ? I blame CAMRA. Just a short walk round the… Continue reading ART FOR ART’S SAKE