Day 1 actually started close to Hi-de-Hi Essex, but for reasons that will become obvious I’m saving that report for later. The Stena overnight crossing from Harwich to Hook of Holland is a family favourite. A pleasant drive down the A12 (compared to M11 chaos), easy check-in, spacious cabins, and a smooth 8 hour crossing. I… Continue reading POLSKI PODROZ DAY 1 – HOOK OF HOLLAND
MARKET HARBOROUGH GETS A £2.80 PINT
Market Harborough has a similar population to Dukinfield, but I’m much more comfortable rattling off stuff about this anonymous Leicestershire dormitory town; A posh version of Melton Mowbray Superb award-winning indoor market A few ancient buildings ruined by busy traffic Surrounded by canals (2 adjacent pubs in Foxton) The first place I enjoyed Wetherspoon’s breakfast… Continue reading MARKET HARBOROUGH GETS A £2.80 PINT
MRS RM’S SIGNIFICANT DAY
Tomorrow is a significant day for Mrs RM. This is what she’ll be tucking into tonight on the ferry to the Hook of Holland. For the benefit of readers, the one on the left is craft. The one on the right is an aged 10% beer from Pitfield, acquired from the brewer. That’s mine (joking).… Continue reading MRS RM’S SIGNIFICANT DAY
TWO TRAD PUBS IN TAMESIDE
Micropubs and craft beer bars haven’t infiltrated “Tameside” yet, but no doubt they will. I’ve no idea if the folk of Ashton and Mossley feel any particular affiliation with “Tameside” akin to, say, a “Potteries”or a “Cambridge Boglands”. In 1995 the little CAMRA guide to the nine towns seemed to capture an area distinct from smart Manchester, with… Continue reading TWO TRAD PUBS IN TAMESIDE
LINCOLN’S UPHILL PATH TO CRAFT
Beer talk bores me, but I have been amused by the reaction to Richard Coldwell’s excellent series of posts on his Craft Beer box. Mrs RM clearly has impeccable judgement anyway, but her perception of “craft” as stuff not on hand-pump, often chilled and normally strong is pretty much mine. One of these days she’ll… Continue reading LINCOLN’S UPHILL PATH TO CRAFT
ANCIENT & MODERN IN NEWARK
We spent Monday night in Newark in our campervan. “This is life, this is living”, as Allo Darlin’ once sang. I recently suggested that craft was never going to make it as far along the Trent as Newark and Lincoln, never mind Grimsby and Skegness. I was wrong. This is the sight that greets you… Continue reading ANCIENT & MODERN IN NEWARK
HELLO HACKNEY, GOODBYE ALLO DARLIN’
Having finally escaped the Gooners in lovely Clissold Park (few of them walk very far to the ground) my journey’s end came after a detour through Stoke Newington. Stokey seems to have lost its proper pubs. I invite you to read the What Pub description of the Stoke Newington Tea House here. ” the lease was taken… Continue reading HELLO HACKNEY, GOODBYE ALLO DARLIN’
N19 – DODGING THE GOONERS
From Rotherhithe I took the Overground service to Highbury, hoping to do my last couple of GBG ticks in North London. You’d assume that the internet would work on the Overground service but it didn’t, so my planning reached BRAPA-esque depths. Usually my travel plans factor in football matches limiting entry to pubs near the… Continue reading N19 – DODGING THE GOONERS
BERMONDSEY RAILWAY ARCHES, ROTHERHITHE JETTY
It’s always awkward when the truth undermines your underlying narrative, and I have to admit that beer quality in London has been decent in recent months (the financial heart apart). On the other hand, I’m always stressing my admiration for CAMRA branches and their ability to find the best beer for the Beer Guide, which… Continue reading BERMONDSEY RAILWAY ARCHES, ROTHERHITHE JETTY
THE BALD BUZZARD LIFTS LEIGHTON EVEN HIGHER
I doubt anyone took notice when I rated Leighton Buzzard my pub town of 2015. Nothing in Bedfordshire can be that good ? As BRAPA has discovered, the county has some gems, and any pub you fall asleep in is clearly worthy of merit. You’ll notice I visited a month after Simon but managed to hold my drink. Just… Continue reading THE BALD BUZZARD LIFTS LEIGHTON EVEN HIGHER
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