A coveted Top 100 place secured on my first visit; I bet the owner of Geordie’s Byre will be over the moon. Or not. Geordie’s has it all, even an alternating position between Newton-on-Ayr and Ayr in the Beer Guide. Small things please small minds etc. Just a short hop over Old Bridge Street at Poundland to Newton,… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – GEORDIE’S BYRE, AYR
HOLDING UP THE HEARSE IN AYR
The nice ScotRail man sold me a £10.50 Off-Peak return to Ayr; I’m sure Tom would have found a cheaper way. To get the most out of the investment, I had a plan to stop at five stations on the way back to Glasgow for my gig at King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut. Simon visited… Continue reading HOLDING UP THE HEARSE IN AYR
THE SUNNYSIDE OF COATBRIDGE
An emotional trip to Coatbridge, which as a child I thought was called Albion. In the late ’70s I collected football programmes, largely from the legendary Steve Earl of Bungay. On my 13th birthday I was allowed to visit Steve’s stockroom on the way back from Southwold; I’m not sure Steve was that pleased by an unannounced personal visit,… Continue reading THE SUNNYSIDE OF COATBRIDGE
GLASGOW HIGH STREET
I’ll be arriving at my Coatbridge post very soon. I can feel your anticipation from Southwold. Yes, the Adnams is drinking very well, thank you. But first to Glasgow’s High Street. With most of Glasgow‘s Beer Guide entries around the Merchant City, Charing Cross, the West End and south towards Hampden, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t… Continue reading GLASGOW HIGH STREET
RECKLESS IN RUTHERGLEN
With any luck these posts on last weeks trips to Scotland will take so long I’ll never have to try to remember the session with Duncan McKay, the notes for which are a bit tardy. I could, of course, lump reports on pub visits to Coatbridge in with Troon, but I expect the residents of… Continue reading RECKLESS IN RUTHERGLEN
BIGGAR, BETTER ?
While this blog is essentially a way of reminding Mrs RM where I’ve gone, if rarely where I am, I do feel some obligation to promote the great nation I spend my time travelling, whether Carluke or Cartmel. So I’ll start by telling you Biggar is beautifully situated, just 17 miles from historic Carluke. Excitingly, I… Continue reading BIGGAR, BETTER ?
MOFFAT – TINSELTOWN IN THE RAIN
Only a third venture into Dumfries & Galloway, ever, but a second stop in Moffat. The rain they hadn’t mentioned at the Visit Scotland website was arriving horizontally, but I bravely visited Station Park to capture this shot of Nessie, who entertained our two boys on our last visit to Swan Boat Lake a decade ago. … Continue reading MOFFAT – TINSELTOWN IN THE RAIN
CARLISLE (PART 2) – A CROWN, A SPINNER & A FAT GADGIE
I left the bustling centre to the youth, noting only for the record that the Moo Bar had closed before I had a chance to visit. I made a mental note to return to explore its replacement when I was past the point of no return, before heading north. Carlisle Castle is a disappointment, at least… Continue reading CARLISLE (PART 2) – A CROWN, A SPINNER & A FAT GADGIE
A SUNDAY NIGHT IN CARLISLE (PART 1)
When you’re visiting Beer Guide pubs, what you really look for is a town with at least four new “ticks”, a bit of non-pubby interest, and a dirt cheap B&B. This year towns like that are few and far between; so come in Plymouth and Carlisle. Cumbria’s jewel made a perfect stop on the way to Rutherglen,… Continue reading A SUNDAY NIGHT IN CARLISLE (PART 1)
A “MOMENT” WITH ROBBIE & PLUM PORTER
Greetings from Burslem, where I’ve taken a break from a colossal write-up of Carlisle to bring you my reflections on tonight’s events at Old Trafford, which isn’t something you’ll hear me say very often. I was actually in the newish Bursley Ale House when Robbie Williams started “Angels” tonight, enjoying a decent Falstaff Mild while… Continue reading A “MOMENT” WITH ROBBIE & PLUM PORTER
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