3rd March 2020 More brave exploration, a first-ever trip to the Rhins of Galloway, the bit in the South-West of Scotland that looks a bit like Italy. Just as I was drafting this postI noticed this tweet from the Great Tand, whose family come from Drummore. @NHS_Martin More spelling. pic.twitter.com/qsHY4rmg70 — Tandleman (@tandleman) March 8,… Continue reading DRUMMORE – LIVING LA JOE DOLCE VITA
NO SCARES ON ISLE OF WHITHORN
Getting into uncharted territory now, as I finally make Page 237 of the Navigator. In Windermere I met two blokes in their 30s who had never been to Wales (Wales !), let alone Bewdley and Ironbridge whose floods we were discussing, so I don’t feel too bad about never having made it to Isle of… Continue reading NO SCARES ON ISLE OF WHITHORN
DON’T DILLY DALLY IN (ST. JOHN’S TOWN OF) DALRY
3rd March 2020 Mrs RM has been a bit poorly, confined to her sickbed the last two days while I bring her Scottish pancakes, aubergine stir fry and black coffee. She’ll recover, and was devastated that my trip to sup Bass in Burton yesterday was cancelled. Thank you for your best wishes; I’ll survive. Just… Continue reading DON’T DILLY DALLY IN (ST. JOHN’S TOWN OF) DALRY
LANGWATHBY PUTS retiredmartin IN THE CORNER
And there’s more. An excellent day and a bit which took a big bite out of the Cumbrian GBG apple, and you know how vital it is to complete that before Si. More solid proper names like Kirkoswald and Langwathby; each with their own picturesque station. Great news for BRAPA. A really great bit of… Continue reading LANGWATHBY PUTS retiredmartin IN THE CORNER
NO “A” IN FETHERSTON
Still in Kirkoswald, with the Fetherston looking rather inviting, despite having more foliage than the Crown. Foliage often means a menu comprising “with a ragout of”. FACT. But it looks just as “locals pub” as the Crown, perhaps more so. Competition for the “Best beer mat display in Kirkoswald 2020” award is fierce. It had… Continue reading NO “A” IN FETHERSTON
KIRKOSWALD BEER MAT HEAVEN AT THE CROWN
More places you’ve never heard of, this time a gorgeous little village of 901 with TWO (2) GBG on either side of the road. Kirkoswald is in the heart of the Eden Valley (aka Lake District-lite), where apparently I have relatives, possibly in the Waterbeach rather than legal sense of the world. The only bit… Continue reading KIRKOSWALD BEER MAT HEAVEN AT THE CROWN
THE CRAFTY BAA
OK. Look at the next 3 photos and guess where I am. No looking at dialling codes you cheat. I know, looks like Wigan, doesn’t it ? But this is Windermere in the heart of the Lake District, one of the UK highlights I’ve rather neglected over the years, along with West Devon and the… Continue reading THE CRAFTY BAA
A STICKY (TOFFEE) END IN CARTMEL
2nd March 2020 More of those epic fails you lot love to read about, sitting at home in your underpants* drinking cans of DIPA. Next up I head down towards Cartmel, best known for, er, sticky toffee pudding. Oh yeah, there’s horsey racing. “Cartmel was the site of the Gay Future ‘coup’ in 1974 that… Continue reading A STICKY (TOFFEE) END IN CARTMEL
“IS NUMBER 5 JUST HAVING DRINKS” – A SOUTH LAKES PRISONER
2nd March 2020 My latest trip took me to Cumbria, which you’ll remember from my big spreadsheet is one of the key counties, a Super Tuesday of a county if you will. What a lovely bit of OS the South Lakes make. All the pubbing greats are heading here this last year. BRAPA reached Levens… Continue reading “IS NUMBER 5 JUST HAVING DRINKS” – A SOUTH LAKES PRISONER
A NIGHT AT THE ETIHAD
I arrived in Manchester just as City were winning their 8th domestic trophy out of 9. My disinterest in the Caribou Cup is such I can’t even spell it. The only cup that matters to City fans is any cup Liverpool fail to win. My bed for the night was in a flat, shared with… Continue reading A NIGHT AT THE ETIHAD
retiredmartin 