5th February 2020 Our favourite Kentish blogger Paul Bailey is doing a great job avoiding me (or it the other way round ?). First a trip to Dundee when I joined Mrs RM in Tonbridge last month, and now my flying visit to Charcott coincides with his Welsh funeral. We’ll probably catch up somewhere weird… Continue reading I’M WEALD, WEALD GONE
A SURREY THROWBACK
3rd February 2020 So here it is, my last Surrey tick. I only beat Duncan by a week, but a week is a long time in pubbing. Surrey may not be around when Simon gets there, it’ll probably have been sold to reduce the national debt. We could probably clear the whole debt by selling… Continue reading A SURREY THROWBACK
“YOU’RE MAKING ME SURREY, SURREY, SOMEHOW”
3rd February 2020 Surrey to a finish (nearly) , before it gets all blown away tomorrow by Storm Ciara. Two nicely contrasting Guildford GBG entries left, and they sum up a county bravely resisting the surge of micros and craft to the east. I never quite get the county town (dont @ me, Kingston), and… Continue reading “YOU’RE MAKING ME SURREY, SURREY, SOMEHOW”
“WE’RE THE WALTONS, WE’RE THE WALTONS OF SWING”
2nd February 2020 Now Walton gets interesting, a bit like The Waltons gets interesting when John-Boy joins CAMRA in the 3rd series (it’s on Netflix, check it out). Part II of my Elmbridge evening, rather more exciting than the first half as Dire Straits make their customary appearance. There are 1.2 million people in Surrey,… Continue reading “WE’RE THE WALTONS, WE’RE THE WALTONS OF SWING”
TAKE COURAGE, IT’S ONLY WALTON-ON-THAMES
2nd February 2020 Lots of short posts from Walton-on-Thames (“Boo ! long posts !”) , the wonder of West London Surry. Yet another town of about 25,000, but not a disused mine in sight unless the bitcoin in mined in Hersham. February is an odd time for #pubmen. Floods and storms with funny names can… Continue reading TAKE COURAGE, IT’S ONLY WALTON-ON-THAMES
WAITING FOR A STAR TO FALL IN SUNBURY-ON-THAMES
2 February 2020 Tonight’s Top 5 Trending on Twitter (great alliteration there) makes fascinating reading; #IfTheWorldIsEndingSoon, by the way, is a hashtag started by the residents of Maidenhead alerted to BRAPA’s impending visit. Go, Si. But even more important than the end of the world, it’s old Top of the Pops night, highlighting middle-aged UK’s… Continue reading WAITING FOR A STAR TO FALL IN SUNBURY-ON-THAMES
PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN BAR BLOCKING STAINES
2 February 2020 So to the highlight of the year, attempting to make Surrey look like an attractive pub destination for our American readers. With a Sunday night in Walton-on-Thames to come (calm down, calm down), I start in Staines. Perhaps not the most startling town in England, but you’re surrounded by runways and reservoirs… Continue reading PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN BAR BLOCKING STAINES
BROWNHILLS IN THE RAIN, LA LA LA LA LA
31st January 2020 You STILL on January, retiredmartin ? Well, I left you on a cliffhanger last post, which feels a lifetime ago. Would I find somewhere to eat on the Cannock/Walsall border or starve to nothing a mere 472 pubs short of completing the Beer Guide. Since that last post I’ve actually finished Kent… Continue reading BROWNHILLS IN THE RAIN, LA LA LA LA LA
BURNTWOOD BONANZA
31st January 2020 Shortest post ever, but putting Burntwood and Brownhills in the same blog post still carries the metaphorical death sentence. I won’t lie, Burntwood is just a large Morrisons, a miniature railway round a lake, and the lowest ranked football team ever to reach the 3rd round of the FA Cup (akin to… Continue reading BURNTWOOD BONANZA
RUGELEY’S CATHEDRAL OF BASS
31st January 2020 (ring a bell ?) Another day, another underrated Midlands mining town of about 25,000 souls. With daylight to help, you get the whole tourist package with Rugeley. Cancel those holidays in Rome and Runcorn and come to Rugeley this summer. Best known for the cathedral to rival Lichfield, I’ve given the town… Continue reading RUGELEY’S CATHEDRAL OF BASS
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