Having goaded Alan Winfield the other day, I’m on safer ground with this trip to rural Notts, about 10 miles north of Alan’s turf. And about five miles north of the scariest place on earth, the divorce capital of the world. Owing to an amendment to our marriage contract, Mrs RM must always make trips… Continue reading BRINSLEY – MIDNIGHT FIG & POMEGRANATE HANDWASH
WINCHESTER – FINDING ALFIE
Hampshire is nearly conquered for another year, and then I can turn my attention to the funny little island calling from across the Solent. Winchester (a.k.a. best place to live in the UK) has turned into quite a decent base for us, with a little home for our campervan at No Man’s Land a couple of miles east of town… Continue reading WINCHESTER – FINDING ALFIE
THE HOME OF GREENE KING IPA
Perhaps the question I’m asked least is “Just why is Greene King IPA so good ?“. As the 13th anniversary of its success in the 2004 Best Bitter awards approaches, I bravely took a trip to Bury St Edmunds to test the nectar at source. Actually, I went there to get some brutal hardcore metal… Continue reading THE HOME OF GREENE KING IPA
SIPPING IN STRETFORD
I do love lunchtime kick-offs at the Etihad. Up at 5am, train across the High Peak from Sheffield (why isn’t their Tap open at 9am ?), too early for breakfast curry at This’n’That, freezing up in Colin Bell Level 3. At least I had perfect conditions for some early morning exploration along the Medlock Valley. Five… Continue reading SIPPING IN STRETFORD
LEARNING TO LOVE LEICESTER
In celebrating Simon’s birthday, a special post from the UK Capital of Crisps, a great favourite of his based on recent posts. I’ve declared a truce on Leicester as well, though I do get the hump with the big money “soccer” teams who look down on less successful, but proper football clubs like Manchester City. I know… Continue reading LEARNING TO LOVE LEICESTER
FRIDAY LUNCHTIME IN THE ELM TREE
I’m not as committed to the cause as Pints and Pubs, but I am attempting to visit all the Cambridge pubs over the year, so I can moan about their inclusion/exclusion from the Guide with a clear conscience*. Today I had a few options. Hoover the house, write more blog posts or walk Cambridge looking… Continue reading FRIDAY LUNCHTIME IN THE ELM TREE
NO OTTER AT THE OTTER IN OTTERBOURNE
Some titles write themselves, which is just as well as I’m running out of puns and a lot of these places have no famous residents to draw on for inspiration. Otterbourne, for example. The most famous person to come from here named Eastleigh “Eastleigh“, rather than “Trunge” or “Grod“, presumably. How can I resist the… Continue reading NO OTTER AT THE OTTER IN OTTERBOURNE
ROMSEY PASSES THE QUALITY v QUANTITY TEST
Having just moaned about a (rare) duff pint, I feel I need some balance today. The two new Beer Guide pubs in Romsey are a triumph of quality over quantity, joining a third that fits the bill too. You’ll be delighted to know that the pinked Navigator maps are back today, thanks to some technical… Continue reading ROMSEY PASSES THE QUALITY v QUANTITY TEST
FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE, NO HURRY !
A rare postcard from home to break up the Hampshire monopoly of May. We’ve yet to take our campervan to exciting places like Wythenshawe or Sheerness (the year is still young), and the Five Miles from Anywhere may be the dullest overnighter possible from a Waterbeach base. It’s at Upware, a mile west of Wicken Fen,… Continue reading FIVE MILES FROM ANYWHERE, NO HURRY !
AN INCONSISTENT OTTER
Mention of a marvellous Palmers 200 recently reminded me how much some of our family brewers beers get written off these days, when it’s really all about cellarmanship. Arkells and Wadworths fall into the same bracket; I’ve had very good 3B and 6X this year, and you know my views on Bass. It took me a while… Continue reading AN INCONSISTENT OTTER
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