I didn’t do a preview of August when I summed up July. Mainly because Mum was poorly and it looked like all bets were off, but also because I hadn’t even thought about it. In fact, until my Sis asked me about a trip down to Helston this week I hadn’t looked at my diary… Continue reading A TENTATIVE AUGUST PREVIEW
THANKS RISHI, THANKS KIDS
Someone nameless sent me this. Shaming me for going to pubs during a pandemic, even though both the pubs and I are taking all precautions to avoid catching Covid. The world seems equally split between those cautiously re-entering the world and finding comfort in UK hospital deaths falling below 5 a day, and those staying… Continue reading THANKS RISHI, THANKS KIDS
LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO BIGGLESWADE
More saving pubs outside the GBG, this time aided by trusted Covid data expert and J20 connoisseur James. With my Mum on the mend (thanks for your kind words) but under watch I’ve committed to stay in “the county“. Let’s not argue about boundaries, folks. I was JUST over the Beds border when the ambulance… Continue reading LAUGHING ALL THE WAY TO BIGGLESWADE
THE RETURN OF PUBS
I’m not given to reflection; the blog is first and foremost definitely a pictorial diary of a life well spent travelling. But I need to reflect on the first month since pubs returned, if only to look back and marvel in five years time. Back on Friday the 3rd, the internet was a mix of… Continue reading THE RETURN OF PUBS
JULY 2020 STOCKTAKE
July 2020 will be one of those months that changed history, like December Year 0, December 1989 and of course December 1964. That first month of pubgoing deserves its own post, especially for Tim of the estimable Ullage. Pubs came back on the 4th, and standing in a queue in the drizzle outside Blyth Spoons… Continue reading JULY 2020 STOCKTAKE
WITHERING AT THE WREKIN
Welcome to the last post for my travels in July 2020, a tumultuous month of highs and highers. Expect a euphoric Review next up, unless I have to go into hiding after my infamous Daily Mail appearance on Monday. BRAPA may have endured 51 Surrey pubs last week, and now looks like my avatar, but… Continue reading WITHERING AT THE WREKIN
SUNSET OVER THE MERE
You left us in the Vaults, literally, with a cardboard box full of “jerk chicken pizza” and no doubt a guilt complex about the cultural appropriation. One more pub, preferably one with an outside garden so we didn’t need to carry a ton of pizza round the one way system. SEVEN pubs for 3,835 lost… Continue reading SUNSET OVER THE MERE
ELLESMERE LIKES
Today’s retiredmartin cover star, who hasn’t quite mastered the bemused look, is Mrs RM, modelling my Real Women Drink Gallons theme in the Vault in Ellesmere. She nicked my photo and converted it to her Facebook header within minutes, attracting a record 27.5 likes. Failure to like Facebook posts is a criminal offence in Waterbeach.… Continue reading ELLESMERE LIKES
SELBY – IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR
It feels like only a fortnight ago I was in Selby trying to scratch that irritating North Yorkshire itch and leaving feeling frustrated. Actually, it was only 14 days ago. My original target on the trip home from Durham was an equally irritating pub in the slightly better known county town which will remain nameless.… Continue reading SELBY – IN THROUGH THE OUT DOOR
PUMP & RUB, THE PUB IS THE HUB
Two more to finish the night in Chester-le-Street for you. It’s a hard place to describe. But pictures often help. A lovely/lively scruffy town of 24,227 souls that looks to Durham City for shopping and high culture in the Station House ,but always returns for the cheap beer and county cricket and Clems. Duncan and… Continue reading PUMP & RUB, THE PUB IS THE HUB
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