Only one more post before I get to tell you about the CAMRA AGM and how Stafford Paul and I defeated the “broccoli amendment” (long story). First, my emotional reunion with Mrs RM, after my exhausting day ticking in Surrey and her more leisurely exertions fixing IT in New Cross. In order to get back… Continue reading RAKING OVER MRS RM’S DAY
ASKED FOR TASTING NOTES IN REDHILL SPOONS
As you’ve asked (you really haven’t) here’s the pics from my inadvisable 20 minutes trip to the Spoons in Redhill. 20 minutes isn’t much, but it was long enough to get from the station, barging past 417 schoolchildren to the Sun, order a pint and chicken dippers, and still get back for the train to… Continue reading ASKED FOR TASTING NOTES IN REDHILL SPOONS
BREXIT BANTZ IN DORKING
I’m typing this on the train to Box Hill Station, a pleasant walk from my penultimate Surrey tick in Mickleham. Bet you thought I did all my blogging from a soundproofed room in Waterbeach, interrupted only by the butler bringing my cans of Four Pure on a silver platter. That’s BRAPA you’re getting mixed up… Continue reading BREXIT BANTZ IN DORKING
REDHILL TICKING TOWN
(with apologies to Bono). My extensive spreadsheets show the Garibaldi was my sixth Guide tick in ravishing Redhill. Which is odd, as I can only remember stopping there once. In 1998, on the way to Gatwick for a work assignment in Zimbabwe memorable for jacaranda trees and bayonets rather than Harare pubs. Actually, I jumped… Continue reading REDHILL TICKING TOWN
SURELY NOT HORLEY ?
“What makes a Great Pub ?”, asks one of those interminable polls in Beer Twitter Land. Stuff your pub cat (not literally), your ten homebrewed ales, your Michelin star. I say any pub with a copy of the 1981 Royal Wedding Album on the shelf is a cast iron classic. But we’ll come to that… Continue reading SURELY NOT HORLEY ?
CAMRA PUBS IN CAMBRIDGE
Just back from taking Mrs RM and two hungry lads (when are they not ?) for Sunday lunch at the Salisbury Arms, just off Cambridge’s famous Mill Road. We’d also popped in on Mothers Day, a dry day for me. This is, oddly, one of the city’s historic pubs, run by CAMRA Investments in the… Continue reading CAMRA PUBS IN CAMBRIDGE
CLENT CLUBBING
Having decided to report on ALL the pubs I visit (except THAT one in Lincs), I’m faced with the reality that some places are a bit dull, particularly the Social Clubs that seem to be making the Guide with a vengeance this year. Unless there’s some admission drama e.g. “Oooh, we don’t let you CAMRAs… Continue reading CLENT CLUBBING
A HURRICANE THROUGH STOURPORT ?
Just for our US of A readers today, a spurious Dylan/boxing/Worcestershire canal town mash-up. If Mr Zimmerman lived in Brum he’d no doubt enjoy pensioners days out to Stourport-on-Severn, which looks increasingly like Felixstowe without the sea (and depressed Ipswich Town fans). A great place for wandering along the canal towpath contemplating how best… Continue reading A HURRICANE THROUGH STOURPORT ?
BREAKFAST IN BRUMINGHAM
Because this blog is my diary and doesn’t pretend to be about beer, I can write about what I like as long as I don’t upset Mrs RM. Even breakfasts, which come thick and fast at the moment. This is the Miners Benedict in Dudley, possibly the best thing Spoons have ever done. Paul Bailey… Continue reading BREAKFAST IN BRUMINGHAM
“WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM FAMOUS FOR ?” ASKS JULIA JACKLIN
Day 3 of my 4 day Midlands tickathon ended in east Birmingham, with a gig, a pub and a Chinese takeaway. I know how to live. Cheapest room was in the Ibis Budget, that probably wanted more to park than to stay, so I dumped my Aygo in industrial Balsall Heath and walked. Just… Continue reading “WHAT’S BIRMINGHAM FAMOUS FOR ?” ASKS JULIA JACKLIN
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