East Northamptonshire is a beautiful part of England to visit in Autumn, with the fallen leaves sharp against the honeyed stone. And the World Conker Championships. Apart from Corby, with it’s Deuchars IPA and Haggis, the highlight is Oundle, famous for the Iron Maiden singer. And Louise Mensch. Goodness me it’s an old fashioned place,… Continue reading NENE VALLEY BRINGS OUNDLE INTO THE 21st CENTURY
THE UNCONVENTIONAL PORTLAND ARMS
If Mondays are quiet times for pubs, Sundays aren’t much better outside the dreaded family roast rush. Sunday saw the arrival of thousands of international visitors for graduation ceremonies in Cambridge, not many of them headed for the town’s famed ale houses in their Ede & Ravenscroft gear. In fact not many students propping up… Continue reading THE UNCONVENTIONAL PORTLAND ARMS
HISTORY IS MADE IN COVENTRY
Warwick is a great base for an afternoon in Coventry, provided you can cope with a 30 minute wait in Leamington Spa. Just enough time to photograph all the tourist photos, or use the loos in the Jug & Jester while it’s still a Spoons. By the way, why do all provincial railway stations have those… Continue reading HISTORY IS MADE IN COVENTRY
WARWICKSHIRE HAS FALLEN
I’m not saying Warwickshire is dull, but there were only two new entries (out of 48) in the Beer Guide this year. One of those was the inevitable, and rather wonderful micro in Nuneaton, one of the pubs of the year. My last tick wasn’t a micro. The Tilted Wig has been in Warwick’s market… Continue reading WARWICKSHIRE HAS FALLEN
I DON’T LIKE MONDAYS
Always topical this blog. Never mind Johnnie Fingers, I’d assumed Paula wrote that one anyway. We’re enjoying a night in the campervan on Warwick racecourse for the bargain sum of £14. I’m assuming it’s cheap because a) You can’t see any horses, b) It’s wet and c) It’s Monday, so the pubs are shut. Obviously… Continue reading I DON’T LIKE MONDAYS
CHECKING OUT CHATHAM
Obviously my son James’s choice of University will be determined only by a detailed cost-benefit analysis, with higher earnings built into a DCF model at discount rates of 13.7%. I was, however, hopeful he’d be looking at some exciting open days in Exeter, St Andrews and Lampeter, all places meeting his requirements and near Good Beer… Continue reading CHECKING OUT CHATHAM
MILTON’S **** UP IN A BREWERY
“Did you enjoy your night staying in your own village” – “Yes” “And are you still going to slag my Facebook friends off” – “Yes” Mrs RM knows me too well. Some friends in Waterbeach had wanted to visit our own Milton Brewery* for a while, but needed a decent group size (25) to make… Continue reading MILTON’S **** UP IN A BREWERY
MARCH ! MARCH !! MARCH !!!
I’ve always wanted to use that headline, the name of a pointless walk through nothingness to Cambridge. Reading the 35 year history of the walk tells you quite a bit about Fenland pubs. Far from walking, on Thursday night my sister and I took two rattling trains to March via Ely, while cousin Keith came in … Continue reading MARCH ! MARCH !! MARCH !!!
BILLERICAY- REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
It’s raining micropubs in Essex, though in Billericay this is as much the Tap and bottle shop as micro. Billericay Brewing is in a prime spot behind the Waitrose, allowing a division of labour between buying Tzatziki and 7% IPAs if there’s two of you. The Tap Room is functional but pleasant, and you’ll struggle to… Continue reading BILLERICAY- REASONS TO BE CHEERFUL
CHELMSFORD – REAL MICROPUBS, FAKE PUB CATS
Autumn is a good season for me to reacquaint myself with all my favourite East Anglian towns, most of which seem to have a lone new entry in the Beer Guide this year. Surely micros will take over Essex as completely as they have done Bexley and Bromley; if they ever get to Harlow you’ll know they’ve arrived.… Continue reading CHELMSFORD – REAL MICROPUBS, FAKE PUB CATS
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