Following the freak discovery of my lost notes on parchments preserved in the reed beds of Rutland Water last week, I’m able to bring you “jottings from Belvoir“. They’re so old, some record banners on pub walls saying “Leycester Cittie – ye Premyr Champione“. Belvoir doesn’t help the photographer much, but it is a pleasant place to explore,… Continue reading BLANKED IN LONG CLAWSON
IN COOKLEY, ON CLUBS IN THE BEER GUIDE
Another Working Men’s Club in Knott End last week (they’re actually always full of retirees, tickers and children, but never mind), and now a Village Hall and Sports Social Club in Cookley, which will mean more to some of you than others. So here it is, near Kidderminster; Not that anyone knows where Kidderminster (small town full of… Continue reading IN COOKLEY, ON CLUBS IN THE BEER GUIDE
YARMOUTH – IT’S GREAT
I’ve an affection for Great Yarmouth that I don’t have for many other East Anglian resorts. I have particularly fond memories of an early career training event in the Imperial Hotel that culminated in a session on snakebite*. If anyone around then is still alive, I can only apologise. And for the string vest incident in Ritzy’s.… Continue reading YARMOUTH – IT’S GREAT
BACK TO THE BROADS
It’s been a frantic month so far, and I’m still some way behind with my blog, though reading the excellent pieces from Alan and Simon on trips from 1998 and 2012 made me feel lightly less bad about bringing you a report from early April. I can’t claim my heart sings for joy at the prospect… Continue reading BACK TO THE BROADS
“WAHEY” – TOP QUALITY IN BLACKPOOL
I’ve saved the best of Lancashire (on this trip, not ever, clearly) ’till last. Blackpool never disappoints, and gave us that winning combination of street art, great beer, squalor and drunken Accrington supporters on Saturday. Not for the first time, those Stanley fans (sans drummer) were the highlight of a trip north, unless you were… Continue reading “WAHEY” – TOP QUALITY IN BLACKPOOL
A FERRY FROM FLEETWOOD
Another League 1 promotion candidate to follow Bolton. I do hope the 26,000 folk of Fleetwood realise the achievement of Uwe Rösler and the team in guaranteeing a Play-Off place. That’s a bit like a small East Midlands team winning the Premiership by ten points. We took the slow train out to Fleetwood Ferry from Blackpool… Continue reading A FERRY FROM FLEETWOOD
BOLTON TODAY, BURY TOMORROW
Our little M61 tour took us into the TK Maxx at a wet Bolton. Fen folk know how to live it up on Easter Saturday. I have a lot of time for Bolton, particularly it’s northern suburbs like Doffcocker and Egerton. But it’s looking a bit tired at the moment, though my youngest son could tell from the… Continue reading BOLTON TODAY, BURY TOMORROW
HOT PIES IN HORWICH
Yes, I know I haven’t told you about Lancaster yet. But you can only really follow Chorley Cakes with Horwich pies. Lots of lovely contours for this one (Note to Cambridge readers ; they indicate hills). Horwich was heaving on Saturday, full of road racers, leisure cyclists, horse riders, and families walking from car to… Continue reading HOT PIES IN HORWICH
CHORLEY – BOB, BISCUITS & BASS MIRRORS
We stopped in Chorley Market for Chorley cakes, as you do. They’re not as good as Eccles cakes, if I’m honest, but I didn’t say that while I was there. Don’t get me wrong. The baked goods are reason enough to dodge the endless amateur cyclists on the road from Euxton. The lady here sold me… Continue reading CHORLEY – BOB, BISCUITS & BASS MIRRORS
DO THE CONTINENTAL
The second of my Pride of Preston posts (their TIC should use that one) revisits a real hero(ine), and an iconic pub. But first, Preston. As lovely as ever, even if we never actually found the retirement flats Mrs RM had been exploring on-line. The fairy lights along Fishergate looked new, and of course there’s… Continue reading DO THE CONTINENTAL
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