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
GOING BELOW SEA LEVEL
I’m bored of these BRAPA posts now, so here’s the big run-in, from Coates to Glatton. I doubt many folk have heard of these places. Even in Peterborough CAMRA. All I remembered about the Vine was that I didn’t remember it at all. This is the Before.. And this is what we saw. Had I… Continue reading GOING BELOW SEA LEVEL
WISBECH WISE MEN WIND BRAPA UP
I’ve just got back from taking Matt to his Architects gig in Cardiff. A good night, only let down by non-existent Wi-Fi at the Future Inn. If the future is internet free then you can keep it. A week ago I was escorting BRAPA to his long-awaited Wisbech tick. On these trips I always feel… Continue reading WISBECH WISE MEN WIND BRAPA UP
LICKING LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO IN LEVERINGTON
Next stop on the Fens Flyer was Leverington, tantalisingly placed two miles out of Wisbech, and thus far too far for BRAPA to walk. I was here a couple of years ago; At the bar Simon discussed the imminent Cloudwater delivery with our old school hosts. Sorry, wrong pic. At 12.30 we were the only… Continue reading LICKING LAWRENCE DALLAGLIO IN LEVERINGTON
BRAPA AT HIS WHITS-END IN THE FENS
Look at his face ! Yes, here’s our hero, as happy as Frannie Lee c.1975 and he’d only done one pub, the inevitable Whittlesey Spoons. Just imagine what he’ll be like by Ramsey. I woke in Chesterfield, had the traditional bacon and scrambled egg with maple syrup wrap for breakfast at the Flags, and by… Continue reading BRAPA AT HIS WHITS-END IN THE FENS
SALTERGATE, SHEERAN, SOD’S LAW
A nice picture of That Sheffield for our Rich, who can no doubt interpret for us. A second new Guide pub awaited at the Neptune Ale House, just behind my hotel back on Saltergate. Another pub tucked away in the suburbs, with children leaving en-masse at the 9pm witching hour. It’s the sort of backstreet… Continue reading SALTERGATE, SHEERAN, SOD’S LAW
CHESTERFIELD – CROOKED SPIRE, HONEST PUBS
For those of you wondering when you’ll get the chance to read what really happened to BRAPA in the Fens, I’ll be there by tomorrow. First, a foray into northern Derbyshire, one of our most reliably pubby areas. By sheer good luck, my guest house was ideally placed for the new newbies in and around… Continue reading CHESTERFIELD – CROOKED SPIRE, HONEST PUBS
SOUTH YORKSHIRE – A TOP FINISH
I’m skipping over my 3rd micro pub in a row, not because the beer wasn’t good (the Acorn Porter was spectacular, NBSS 4), or the atmosphere unfriendly (it was great), but because even less happened than in the two in north Barnsley. No sniggering at a failed entrance, no doggie stand-off, no animated discussion about… Continue reading SOUTH YORKSHIRE – A TOP FINISH
BUT ARE YA OPEN ?
And so to Darton, a solid looking bit of north Barnsley that has suddenly sprouted a couple of micro bars to entice you away from the town’s Conservative Club. I’m more than slightly staggered to read the village has a population of 21,345, as many as Bridgnorth and Bewdley combined. It’s seemingly served by… Continue reading BUT ARE YA OPEN ?
retiredmartin 