There’s 4,522 pubs in the Beer Guide to visit, and they all have a story to tell, except the Ember Inns of course. Sometimes it’s the cheery landlord, often it’s the bizarre regulars, and occasionally it’s the sheer hard work needed to make a visit. I have mixed feelings that the Old Forge is out… Continue reading SALTBURN CRICKET CLUB – THE ANCHOR, ANCHOR OF THE NORTH
A HOLIDAY IN HEMSWORTH
I was chatting to a lady in her ’80s (as opposed to most people I know who are stuck in the 1980s). She’d moved from Warsop to the Fens 40 years ago, and still missed the scenery there. I pretended to know the town well, but eventually it dawned on me I’d only actually driven… Continue reading A HOLIDAY IN HEMSWORTH
THE ALETASTER, ST. NEOTS
Type micropubs into Amazon and two titles pop up; The first of those looks like an extended blogpost on the early flowering of the “Scene” in Herne, Hartlepool and Newark. If I invest the 99p I’ll let you know. The second (published 31 March) is a weightier looking volume (220 pages) apparently packed with anecdotes… Continue reading THE ALETASTER, ST. NEOTS
A NIGHT IN THE BEEHIVE
Not a new pub, but a photographic opportunity too good to miss as I spent an evening in one of Bradford’s iconic pubs. Even with a £5.40 train fare to Leeds, staying in Bradford was still the cheapest option. With the Milton Keynes Dons massif in town ahead of their crucial fixture at Valley Parade, I… Continue reading A NIGHT IN THE BEEHIVE
SALTAIRE – TITUS, CURRY AND FANNY’S
You’ll remember my failed attempt to finish Bradford’s lovely collection of GBG pubs last month, that ended in a rather basic but proper small pub. The other GBG newbie is a mile away, and a rather neater affair, inside and out. That mile west from Shipley is one of the greatest in England. Amongst other gems, it’s… Continue reading SALTAIRE – TITUS, CURRY AND FANNY’S
LEEDS, JULIA JACKLIN, NOODLES
Not quite sure why I decided to watch Julia Jacklin in Leeds on a Tuesday when I could have gone to London tonight; perhaps you can explain that. Two new Leeds GBG ticks, a great singer-songwriter in a new venue, and several failed attempts at tea (supper ?) in any of Leeds’s recommended eateries. Perhaps… Continue reading LEEDS, JULIA JACKLIN, NOODLES
FEBRUARY ’17 STOCKTAKE
I forgot to include the classic toilet art above in my posts; it comes from the worst pub of the month. Ten points for guessing it. Some great road-trips in February, to exciting places like Daventry (return), Keighley (twice), Rochford and Newport. In between some energetic uphill walking, six GBG counties were completed, finishing off… Continue reading FEBRUARY ’17 STOCKTAKE
SUNDAY NIGHT, BURY ST. EDMUNDS
We haven’t taken the campervan on any wild camping expeditions yet, but aim to make it to Cleethorpes soon. The surface car park at Bury St Edmunds is free on Sunday night though, and there’s nothing like a Sunday night pubbing when you don’t have to work on Monday. Bury isn’t heaving at 8pm, but it’s… Continue reading SUNDAY NIGHT, BURY ST. EDMUNDS
WOOLWICH – ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN
The best way to approach Woolwich is from the north. Take the pedestrian underpass one way, and come back on the free ferry. The river crossing is one of the things that make London quite good, and it won’t be there forever. Nothing will. I’m a big fan of North Woolwich, whose charms Deserter describes here. … Continue reading WOOLWICH – ENJOY IT WHILE YOU CAN
UP THE ELTHAM
I had an hour to waste before Eltham’s micro-pub opened, which gave me just enough time to get lost in Eltham Park, which in itself is quite a feat. With a better camera I’d have taken a nice shot for you showing the majesty of the London skyline. Use your imagination. This is a corner of our… Continue reading UP THE ELTHAM
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