Almost a Pixies song title. Advice to young bloggers. If your pictures are really dull, just stick a picture of a pub cat at the top. Works every time. Aptly, Martin was very dull. Yes, never mind Chatteris and March, I’m out in the real Fens, even if it isn’t called that. An hour from… Continue reading THIS MARTIN’S GONE TO MARTIN
RUNNING UP THAT HILL – A LINCOLN LOLLOP
More Autumn loveliness before the floods. You know where Lincoln is, I’m sure. In fact it’s locally known as “28.6 miles from Scunthorpe“. Better to show you the close-up. It all happens north of the station. Still one of the iconic views up Broadgate. Not much street art on view, though there is a fading… Continue reading RUNNING UP THAT HILL – A LINCOLN LOLLOP
2 MILES FROM FISHLAKE
I spent Bonfire Night at the Travelodge in the picture postcard location of the M18/M180 motorway services, because I’m worth it. Not only was it £33, and gave me 20% over the overpriced confectionery at WH Smith, but it allowed me to walk to my final South Yorkshire tick for GBG 20. Look closely at… Continue reading 2 MILES FROM FISHLAKE
THE GOOLIES “R” GOOD ENOUGH
I’ve been trying to use a Cyndi Lauper reference on this blog for years. “I Drove All Night (to get a half pint and kebab in Scunthorpe)” is still on my reserve list, and “She Bop” is being saved for a special occasions. But Goonies, Goolies ? Close enough. There was a huge crowd of… Continue reading THE GOOLIES “R” GOOD ENOUGH
THE DRAX FACTS
There’s been a bit of coverage of Drax Power Station lately, mainly bemoaning the loss of the Ferrybridge towers that brightened every ticker’s journey up the A1. Oddly, I’ve never seen “Visit Drax” on the Yorkshire Tourist brochures left in my hotel rooms in Harrogate, Wakefield and York. So it falls to the Good Beer… Continue reading THE DRAX FACTS
KOMMUNISTS
No, not a political comment, just a lunchstop in Sheffield before that shopping ordeal from hell. Kommune was the recommendation of the cheery micropub owner in Brimming with Beer in Brimmington, yet another Greater Chesterfield micro. I’d recommend a visit here as much for the pre-emptive picks as the Pale from Stancill, which was a… Continue reading KOMMUNISTS
THE PEAK BEFORE THE FLOODS
From Oxford I headed up to Sheffield on an errand for James involving shopping for clothes. As you’ll imagine, errands involve shopping for clothes are high on my bucket list. On a beautiful Autumn day I wove up through the area known as BeerMatLand into Matlock, looking all hilly and industrial and lovely as I… Continue reading THE PEAK BEFORE THE FLOODS
THE BULLINGDON CLUB
Yes, Oxford. No, not the Bullingdon Club with the pig “menu”. But close enough. First time in our second University city since last year, music not pubs this time. No new pubs, and nothing new in a city centre still clinging to the 1500s. You were hoping I’d go back to the Lamb & Flag,… Continue reading THE BULLINGDON CLUB
KING OF THE MANOR (PARK) – MY FIRST E12 GBG TICK
All-day gigs test your patience, don’t they ? I managed the lovely Winnie Raedler and Stoner at the Roundhouse before deciding I needed a walk and a tick. Or two. Let’s finish East London, shall we ? Overground to Stratford, past the craft enclave of Hackney Wick, then underground to Leyton. The Hammers are playing… Continue reading KING OF THE MANOR (PARK) – MY FIRST E12 GBG TICK
TOP SERVICE IN LONDON GBG DESERTS
One for my craft readers now (Hi Derek), as I tip up at Chalk Farm with an hour to kill before a Mirrors All Dayer at the Roundhouse starring all your favourite alt-indie-alt stars. As always, the GBG App is your friend, highlighting with a big red marker the recommended places in the giant swathe… Continue reading TOP SERVICE IN LONDON GBG DESERTS
