retiredmartin

I know it’s not the end of December yet, but I won’t be flying back mid-holiday to tick an identikit micro pub in Southport, so I’m calling it (as the Yanks say). Here’s a couple of extracts from the giant spreadsheet. Don’t ask me what it all means.  Basically, I’ve been to about 80% of… Continue reading DECEMBER STOCKTAKE

I have now got cold AND hot running water in the Travelodge, and removed an offending article from the drawers, so our hotel is approaching Bates Motel standard, at least. But consistent WiFi, of course is still beyond Los Angeles in 2017. If you want to see how to run a hotel in the UK,… Continue reading SHUT UP ABOUT WEST COAST IPA ALREADY

Rubbish internet = short posts. Great fun on the metro back from Santa Monica. BRAPA can caption this one, Mrs RM made me go in the English pub that WAS open. No Bass in the Britannia, but something to remember the homeland by on Christmas Day.

  In no particular order, ten of my favourite pub photos from ten of my favourite blogs of the year.  Less effort went into this than you can possibly imagine. The top image is Simon approaching the Fat Cat by Richard Coldwell of BeerLeeds A classic image of a man who knows how to wear… Continue reading TOP PUB PHOTOS OF 2017

More ramblings from the West Coast onto a mobile phone, as my son hogs the only laptop. The boys enjoyed Universal Studios without us standing behind them complaining about queues.  Interesting to see the only other folk getting there by public transport were the Japanese, who share our fear of hire cars and taxis. Good… Continue reading A UNION JACK AND HUMMUS

  More irony, I’m afraid, though if I do find Draught Bass in Hollywood you’ll be the first to know. Don’t phone up, this is a a pre-prepared post. A few random* highlights from the second half of 2017. July – Everyday Sexism and IPA in Burwell.  What a metaphor for the year.   August… Continue reading BOXING DAY BONANZA

First post of the Great Again U S of A, and those old micro pub problems again. We arrived at our boutique hotel in Hollywood last night, a mere 3hrs 45 and four arguments after touchdown in LAX. Rather like in “Shawshank Redemption”, the letters TT are carved in our ceiling. Yes, it’s the same… Continue reading THOSE SANTA MONICA DRAUGHT BASS BLUES AGAIN

That’s ironic, by the way.  I hate all celebrations equally.  Every day you wake up alive is a gift.  Unless you wake up in Maidenhead, as I did once. I’ll probably be in a queue for the Star Wars ride at Universal Studios (not by my choice, oh no) on Christmas Day, so this is… Continue reading HAPPY CHRISTMAS

Yes, we got to Gatwick South Terminal 3 hours early like we were supposed to, after the inevitable argument about parking. So I’ve got 2 hours in the airside Spoons (Flying Horse), contemplating the merits of a pre-flight beer from this collection. Actually not bad at all, and the Spoons itself is an airy delight… Continue reading CREEPY CRAWLEY

Off to Gatwick for an 11 hour flight to LA shortly. Who knows what the Gatwick South terminal Spoons will offer. I’d wish you a happy Christmas but you’d know I didn’t mean it. Make sure you get to a pub on Christmas Day, perhaps the Bull Baiters in Worcester (open 12-3) and rejoice that… Continue reading MERRY MICRO