Back in Cardiff with an hour ’till Architects finished destroying my son’s ears, and no new GBG pubs to chase down, as the aforementioned Aberdare was a bit out of reach. A quick look at WhatPub and it jumped out at me; a Head of Steam pre-emptive. They’ve made the Guide immediately in Sunderland, York,… Continue reading STEAMIN’ AHEAD
COGAN’S RUN
Yes, it’s hazy photo time. Half an hour from Llantwit to Cogan, Gateway to Penarth. Half an hour in which to enjoy a lively atmosphere as Bridgenders head in to Cardiff for their nights at Pryzm and Liquid. Except that they all got out at Penarth. No idea why you’d go there, except ticking the… Continue reading COGAN’S RUN
A VAIN SEARCH FOR WELSH BEER
You left me in Llantwit Major in the drizzle, you sods, in the glow of a sublime pint of Doom Bar. Talking of which, I see one of our top beer writers has finally seen the light. This might be an after effect of my abstinence, but I’m drinking my first pint of Doom Bar… Continue reading A VAIN SEARCH FOR WELSH BEER
SLOW TRAIN TO LLANTWIT MAJOR
Three more days at home, then I broke for the border, in this case demarked by the Severn Crossing into Wales. How pleasing to report that the tolls have gone*, meaning you can make Newport in 3 hours from Cambridge. Shame the M4 grinds to a halt at Caerleon. I was bringing Matt to… Continue reading SLOW TRAIN TO LLANTWIT MAJOR
NO BIG 6 IN THE HALIFAX SIX
You left us at the foot of Upper Washer Lane, about to tackle the colossus that is the Big 6 Inn. But then, like Forrest Gump at Monument Valley, I just stopped. “I’ve had enough” I whined, like a Wokingham wimp. Charles didn’t argue, even though it was a bit like taking him to Downham… Continue reading NO BIG 6 IN THE HALIFAX SIX
HALIFAX – TAKEN TO THE TOWER
Leaving the Lantern as we found it, before Tiffany’s big visit next week, we headed west to King Cross for new GBG tick No.3. Or is it Savile Park ? Or Pye Nest ? Who cares ? It’s a good job Charles just does as he told, rather than saying “Why can’t we go the… Continue reading HALIFAX – TAKEN TO THE TOWER
THREE LITTLE BIRDS IN THE GENTS AT THE LANTERN
First things first. Is that Big Ron ? LifeAfterFootball will know. You left us in the Alex. The Lantern, the sister pub (of course !) was next door. Some CAMRA branches would have called for a taxi. We only vacated the Alex as we’d solved the B****t debate. We entered to the sound of Sinatra,… Continue reading THREE LITTLE BIRDS IN THE GENTS AT THE LANTERN
LACTOSE LOVING CREW IN THE ALEXANDRA
Yes, it’s a desperate title, but you do better. Charles and I headed for GBG pub No.2, a whole 3 minutes from the Chapel, through the admirable Westgate shopping centre. It’s what we call a colourful entrance to the Alex. Inside, one other customer at 4.51pm, and much (very neat) writing on beer boards. As… Continue reading LACTOSE LOVING CREW IN THE ALEXANDRA
HALIFAX GETS A PIECE OF THE ACTION
Charles had never been to Halifax before. I’m not saying that to embarrass him; I’ve never been to Bathgate. He’d been through Halifax, on the way to Hebden Bridge. Apart from the three new GBG ticks, I was keen to show which Yorkshire town starting with “H” is the best. (Hull is a city, of… Continue reading HALIFAX GETS A PIECE OF THE ACTION
PONTEFRACT CAKES
After three days break for “planning”, it was off to Halifax with Curry Charles. With Charles starting at Dereham, the town that makes Wisbech seem modern, there was always going to be a need for multiple “comfort breaks“. But there’s nowhere up the A1 that I haven’t stopped a dozen times. Except Pontefract. Charles became… Continue reading PONTEFRACT CAKES
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