April 2025. Otley. Thank you to reader Pauline, who knows her Yorkshire, for gently pointing out that the Otley pub crawl is actually in Leeds, and all the pubs on it are student bars called Pop ! and Flares and The Duncan. I thought you’d like to see Pauline’s hubby modelling an early GBG back… Continue reading CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
April 2025. Otley. The chap at Curious Hop, my actual new GBG tick, had opened up, shut up again, and left that “Back in 5 mins” sign up while I stood at the door. Would it still say “Back in 5 mins” in 5 mins time ? Would he ever come back ? I should… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
April 2025. Menston to Otley. OK, the set-up post for the big trip to Otley, and a question “Why Menston ?“. I’d only decided to take the train to Leeds roughly 45 seconds before it departed Sheffield. I think you’re supposed to buy your ticket earlier, but I like to be sure I’m getting a… Continue reading MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
22 MINUTES BETWEEN TRAINS IN LEEDS
April 2025. Leeds. While BRAPA brings up the two-thirds mark in the GBG, my own progress towards a second completion is rather more sedate. Here’s a good example why, as I spend a 4 pint afternoon in West Yorkshire and come away with a solitary tick. You see, once you complete the Guide, you lose… Continue reading 22 MINUTES BETWEEN TRAINS IN LEEDS
TOO MUCH MUSTARD ON THE PORK PIE IN THE WONKY LABRADOR
April 2025. Sheffield. Spending an hour, an actual hour, in the Rising Sun did allow me to scour Untappd and What Pub for nearby pre-emptive ticks. That’s both a blessing and a curse of the internet, encouraging that extra exploratory pint half schooner. A couple of years ago in the Boak and Bailey recommended Union… Continue reading TOO MUCH MUSTARD ON THE PORK PIE IN THE WONKY LABRADOR
ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 382. THE RISING SUN, FULWOOD
April 2025. West Sheffield. The posh bit. I’m getting jealous of other #PubMen reports from trips to Plymouth, and Stafford (watch out Paul, there’s a BRAPA about) and Lucerne, while circumstances keep me closer to home. But the sun has been shining on Wolverhampton, and Bolton, and Sheffield, which looked splendid the other Sunday as… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN SHEFFIELD ON FOOT No. 382. THE RISING SUN, FULWOOD
STANDING UP FOR THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS
April 2025. Tonbridge. Kent. Credit where it’s due, I’m not sure I’d have fancied a 300 mile round trip and a lost weekend to see my Grandad sing Messiah when I was 25/23, and James and Matt (losing a day’s pay) did it voluntarily. Not even a posh hotel either side, just the satisfaction of… Continue reading STANDING UP FOR THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS
PUB WALKS FROM CLACKET LANE SERVICES. No. 2 – TITSEY BREWERY TAP
April 2025. Titley. Tastsfield. Surrey. In 2017 I brought you the first instalment in my award-winning series “Pub Walks from Clacket Lane Services;, a visit to Botley Hill Farmhouse you could just about make within the 2 hours parking if you get a sprint on. It’s taken 8 years, the duration of Donald Trump’s current… Continue reading PUB WALKS FROM CLACKET LANE SERVICES. No. 2 – TITSEY BREWERY TAP
A FUTILE FORAGE FOR BEER AT FOURWENTWAYS TRAVELODGE
April 2024. Fourwentways. Cambridge. My father-in-law has had a rough time of it these last few years, so we’ve been trying to cheer him up with pub trips out from Tunbridge Wells, Chinese takeaways, and encouragement at his performance in Handel’s Messiah last week. Getting his two grandson’s down to Kent and back again via… Continue reading A FUTILE FORAGE FOR BEER AT FOURWENTWAYS TRAVELODGE
BIRMINGHAM BLOOMS, BEYOND THE BINS
April 2025. Birmingham. Always best to have a rest day after a Proper Day Out, so I’d booked my return from Wolves to Sheffield at times that ensured I wouldn’t get to a new pub. Clever, huh ? A late start from a Premier Inn room with sheets covered in crispy beef sauce (you don’t… Continue reading BIRMINGHAM BLOOMS, BEYOND THE BINS
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