Another post mainly for the benefit of Mrs RM, who features more prominently in this tale as Orkney looms larger. Onto Manchester, where Matt and the charming and chatty Emma were meeting us at the year old Northern Monk Refectory before the City game. Yes, Refectory. James remarked on the closed and sad looking boozers… Continue reading SONS OF SEITAN
EVERY TRIP TO THE ORKNEYS MUST INEVITABLY START AT THE SHEFFIELD TAP
Yes, this is the week I had all to myself, time to put the Orkneys to bed and make a huge splodge of pink at the top of that Beer Guide map. Light traffic means only 13hr57 minutes, or 13hr55 minutes if I borrow Mrs RM’s car. To put that in context, it only took… Continue reading EVERY TRIP TO THE ORKNEYS MUST INEVITABLY START AT THE SHEFFIELD TAP
FINE AND DANDY IN EARL’S BARTON
More childhood memories as I plunge back into rural Northants, just for you. LifeAfterFootball may even know some of these places from his career at the Cobblers. These are undiscovered lands off the old A45 from Purgatory to Despair, far from the neon lights of Pop World and Yates in Northampton. Some 43 years ago,… Continue reading FINE AND DANDY IN EARL’S BARTON
FINISHING BEDS – BEER, SKITTLES AND CRABAPPLES IN UPPER DEAN
It’s always important to get Bedfordshire clear before the end of October, before the tourists arrive in their masses. My last tick comes in the tourist honeypot of Upper Dean, just south of Thrapston Services and not far from that Ellington pub that BRAPA loved when I drove him round the Hunts. Look how frantic… Continue reading FINISHING BEDS – BEER, SKITTLES AND CRABAPPLES IN UPPER DEAN
SAM SMITHS – COCK OF THE ROOST
Five trains headed north from Archway to High Barnet before one eventually took me south to Goodge St. Why is that? Who’d want to go to Barnet? This stretch of tourist London north of Hamleys is unknown territory for tickers and giggers, What pre-emptive potential would the Cock hold ? More to the point, how… Continue reading SAM SMITHS – COCK OF THE ROOST
“She’s down in the dumps, she lives on Holloway Road”
Decent WiFi in Dunkeld last night after a great haggis supper, so let’s crack on with my Friday night is music night trip to That There London. Just time before a remarkable gig by Amber Arcades at Oxford Circus to do my last two North London GBG20 ticks, which is paltry when you think about… Continue reading “She’s down in the dumps, she lives on Holloway Road”
“WE BUILT THIS CITY ON SAUSAGE ROLLS”
A sentimental return to Earl Shilton, and there’s not many contexts in which you read that. Last time here was in 1996, before the Internet and colour TV, and we used Alistair Sawday’s Special Places to Stay to book a night at Gary’s House in Elmesthorpe. The “Special” came from Gary’s collection of grass snakes,… Continue reading “WE BUILT THIS CITY ON SAUSAGE ROLLS”
ANGUISH IN ASHBOURNE
I don’t mean to moan. Goodness knows I’ve plenty to be joyful about; my youngest son even introduced me to his girlfriend in a Manchester pre-emptive tonight, and you know how much I love pre-emptives. And it only took me two seconds to click on the news headlines just now and realise the torment some… Continue reading ANGUISH IN ASHBOURNE
OATCAKES
I couldn’t leave Leek without some more culinary highlights, starting with breakfast at the Green Man. It really is staggering how readily Dick and Dave follow my lead; next year I’ll order a Phal (hot) in a Manchester curry house, washed down with conker milk DIPA. Over cheese and ham oatcakes from Leek Oatcakes round… Continue reading OATCAKES
THE WILKES HEAD CRACKER THIEVES
One more pub for the Southworths in Leek last Thursday, and one more for me before the obligatory curry. Across the road to the Wilkes Head, Paul Mudge’s pick. It looks inviting during the day, but comes into its own at dusk. A Proper Pub always has a raffle of some sort, even if this… Continue reading THE WILKES HEAD CRACKER THIEVES
