Autumn brings falling leaves, an England defeat in that interminable rugger tournament, and the necessity to visit South West London if I’m going to complete the GBG for the capital by Christmas. The first Saturday in November gave me an all-day gig in Camden, with just enough time to brave Clapham. Or £10.45 for a… Continue reading SWING LOW, SWEET CLAPHAM
WATERBEACH CONTEMPLATES THE HEAD ON THE BEER
It’s a shame the Southworths missed the chance to visit my local on their visit last year. When they, inevitably come back they’ll find Waterbeach a beery boom town village. Not only is The Sun deservedly back in the Guide and selling “interesting” beer, the Brewery Tap was serving Landlord this week, the White… Continue reading WATERBEACH CONTEMPLATES THE HEAD ON THE BEER
MAGICAL CHANGES IN DEBENHAM
Debenham, not Debenhams, though there was a House of Fraser in the GBG in Darlington once. Odd GBG history in Darlo. This is the Debenham that sits uneasily at the heart of Mid Suffolk, a mere five miles from Ed Sheeran-owned Framlingham. Fears that Ed has given up his burgeoning musical career to retire to… Continue reading MAGICAL CHANGES IN DEBENHAM
BATTERED BEERMATS IN RICHMOND (THE REAL ONE)
A couple of years ago Pub Curmudgeon ran a poll to decide the UK’s best town, unexpectedly won by Mansfield after a VAR review. Richmond (the real one) scored well, which surprised me a bit as I’d never really got it, till a spring trip to the Holly Hill which provided some staggering views from… Continue reading BATTERED BEERMATS IN RICHMOND (THE REAL ONE)
STATE MANAGEMENT SURVIVORS
Now Dick and Dave have had their craft fix I can bring you the Proper Pubs in Carlisle. Ten minutes walk up Warwick Road to the Beehive, and a reminder of Carlisle’s leafy charms on the way to Brunton Park. Pubs look great early evening, don’t they ? Shame I rarely go out after dusk… Continue reading STATE MANAGEMENT SURVIVORS
THE GREAT CARLISLE BREW DOG v SPOONS MONDAY NIGHT SHOOTOUT
Do keep up, Russ. The Super Scottish Saunter was coming to an end now as I crossed Hadrian’s Wall the border and entered Carlisle. The city was in a sombre mood when I arrived, a chap sadly presishing after being stuck at the top of Dixons chimney. My Guest House was the Corner House just… Continue reading THE GREAT CARLISLE BREW DOG v SPOONS MONDAY NIGHT SHOOTOUT
ECCLEFECHAN TART (BUT NO REAL ALE)
This blog likes to bring you the pick of UK culinary hotspots, so here’s Ecclefechan. Effectively your first service station escaping “BRAPA in Cumbria” on the way to Glasgow, or your chance to stock up on the eponymous tart for your Scottish friend wife. It’s a bustling place. You can see the legendary Premier Stores… Continue reading ECCLEFECHAN TART (BUT NO REAL ALE)
THE WEAVERS – NO STRATHAVEN FOR HALLOWEEN HATERS
No, that’s not BRAPA after a third pint of barley wine tonight. This is the sight we’ve all faced in pubs since the middle of October, uniform Halloween tat, to be replaced by Christmas tat next week (if not already). As you’ll know, I don’t believe in celebrating anything, bar my own birthday (22 December… Continue reading THE WEAVERS – NO STRATHAVEN FOR HALLOWEEN HATERS
PERTH PERFECTION
My second pub in Perth was one I’d already visited before, 20 years ago, but I felt sorry for it. When I marked up my new GBG in September (cross-checking) I missed the Old Ship Inn, having only added the words “Ship” on my spreadsheet back in 1999 (SuperCalc days). An intern would have spotted… Continue reading PERTH PERFECTION
BLAMING SPOONS QUEUES ON THE SNP IN PERTH
More holiday snaps, this time from a surprise revisit to Perth only 6 months after I thought I’d finished it for ever back in those halcyon days of the CAMRA AGM. Apparently today the north of Britain is under water, but a week ago Perth was bathed in Autumnal splendour. Back in April I gave… Continue reading BLAMING SPOONS QUEUES ON THE SNP IN PERTH
