Some reflections on the New Normal, but more importantly the answer to the question posed 2 months ago – How many pubs did I visit last year ? I’m wary of speculation about what pubs will be like on 4th July (if they even open). In fact I’m not sure I’ll be rushing back. You… Continue reading REGISTERING FOR PUB VISITS – ALL 1,128 OF THEM ?
DYKE’S END, PUBS RESTART
4th July, then. No, after YOU. Politicians, radio hosts and royalty think all pubs look like this; rather than this; Talking of royalty, across the Bottisham Fen (5 minutes by crow, 20 by car) is the Dyke’s End, a pub graced by Prince Charles when the community rescued it 20 years ago (see also :Hesket… Continue reading DYKE’S END, PUBS RESTART
FINCHAM PUTS THE BABY OUT
If you thought blogging on those unsung Fenland villages was tough, welcome to West Norfolk. Fincham (pop.496) is one of those places you drive past at 39 29 mph, take a look at the Swan with its Abbot sign and Thai deals and think “I wonder“. Then you get distracted by the sound of… Continue reading FINCHAM PUTS THE BABY OUT
QUAFF ‘EM IN SWAFFHAM
Pubs serving beer again ! Sort of. Kentish Paul requested this trip out to Swaffham, capital of the, er, North Brecks. I had Swaffham down as a town of at least 10,000, with eight pubs, three supermarkets and a lucrative trade in selling fish and chips to pilgrims/gentlefolk on their way to Walsingham and… Continue reading QUAFF ‘EM IN SWAFFHAM
THE ROVERS RETURN
Less than a week after that lightning birthday mission to Salford to see Matt, we were back today, this time with Mrs RM in tow (not literally, that would slow us down). Leaving the house bang on 12, stopping only for 2 packets of Doritos and some diesel in Birchencliffe, we still made Ordsall Park… Continue reading THE ROVERS RETURN
FATHER’S DAY
I was touched to re-read Pub Curmudgeon’s poignant piece on visiting pubs with his dad this morning; It's been more than ten years now, but I still miss our chats in the pub over a pint, dad 😢🍻 https://t.co/8E1bunyYN4 — Curmudgeon (@oldmudgie) June 21, 2020 “(the pub) was where we had our best and… Continue reading FATHER’S DAY
SOCIAL DISTANCING IN NEW YORK (NEW YORK)
It’s a year since our Big Trip to New York, possibly our last family holiday. Possibly our last foreign holiday, come to that. Some readers insist on maps showing my destinations. So here’s America, just below Canada. We’d had to cancel our US trip the previous Autumn after the Primera collapse, and I’m glad we… Continue reading SOCIAL DISTANCING IN NEW YORK (NEW YORK)
FEN DITTON’S BUMPY RIDE
“What did you do during the Corona, Daddy ?” “I re-read old football programmes, took photos of local closed pubs and ate crispy shredded beef, Son“. For those who are collecting the set, Fen Ditton is Number 87 in the series of Your Top 100 Cambridgeshire Villages. A special folder is available from the usual address.… Continue reading FEN DITTON’S BUMPY RIDE
HIGH HOPES & HIGSONS
More from Liverpool, as my Everton programmes reach the ’70s, the decade when goalies were finally allowed to dive to attempt to prevent goals. Everton spent the decade in the shadow of their Stanley Park neighbours, writing songs about their ” ‘istree” and attempting to develop their commercial income through a range of cuddly toys… Continue reading HIGH HOPES & HIGSONS
EVERTON – THE THRELFALL YEARS
Tense times at Taylor Towers, as I wait to see if I’ll have pubs to blog about visit on 4th July. The cupboard of football programes is running low, and I can’t keep recycling that same photo of Draught Bass forever (or can I ?). Anyway, THIS is apparently what I’m going back to on… Continue reading EVERTON – THE THRELFALL YEARS
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