In the year that Sonic Youth’s much abused Goo sleeve was released, I bought the Wagner Ring cycle (’60s Karajan, obvs) from Garon records in Cambridge. I must have played one side of those 19 LPs in the 25 years since, that good bit from Tristan und Isolde. Without the mental fortitude acquired from a session… Continue reading BAYREUTH – CRAFT WORK BUT NO WAGNER
MARATHONS, ZOIGL AND PHILIP BAILEY
On Saturday Matt went to the World Finger Board championship in Schwarzenbach, an essential experience for anyone who like seeing German youth culture accompanied by a soundtrack of ear-splitting Public Enemy. Great steal from Sonic Youth too. Fast Fingers 19 was won by a fourteen year old Italian, so there’s hope for us all I… Continue reading MARATHONS, ZOIGL AND PHILIP BAILEY
FINDING LIFE IN MUNCHBERG
Munchberg sounds more exciting than it is, but it’s still a lovely slice of rural Germany, with the usual pale colours, cobbled streets and manicured gardens you’d expect. It makes attractive use of the tiny river running through. Our hotel, the Braunschweiger Hof (top and below), looks like the only place in town, and reminds… Continue reading FINDING LIFE IN MUNCHBERG
THE REAL FRANCONIA
Just a quick post to prove I’m alive and haven’t been murdered by Erlanger Nick for pronouncing Zoigl wrong. Posts on Fingerboarding and Philip Bailey to come but wifi is rubbish in rural Franconia, and I’m not humouring Matt by sepnding any longer in Bayreuth’s McDonalds. Munchberg was a decent stop, all pretty churches and winding… Continue reading THE REAL FRANCONIA
CHIPPING AWAY AT LIFE’S LITTLE PLEASURES
I’ve given them enough praise over the years, but I can’t let Wetherspoon’s discontinuation of draught Punk IPA go without a hissy fit. I’m just glad Mrs RM isn’t here. The anomaly that saw draught available before flights, certainly at Stansted and Edinburgh, was one of the few benefits of air travel these days. Cruelly,… Continue reading CHIPPING AWAY AT LIFE’S LITTLE PLEASURES
WETHERSPOONS – EU DEBATES AND VINDALOO
I gave my remaining Wetherspoons vouchers to the old chap in the Bank House in Cheltenham, so it’s club deals till the end of June for me. I’ve been nipping in the newish Weeping Ash in St Neots for a coffee most weeks I’m there, and it always seems a pleasant enough Spoons. An architecturally… Continue reading WETHERSPOONS – EU DEBATES AND VINDALOO
VEGGING OUT IN NEWARK
A new development in Mrs RM’s plans (and presumably mine) this week, as she explored motorhome options in a Newark showroom. I’ve always wanted to live in a motorhome. We could base it midway between Preston and Stockport, perhaps in Skelmersdale. You haven’t experienced life till you’ve experienced Skem, and they’re bound to be the… Continue reading VEGGING OUT IN NEWARK
TOP 100 PUBS – THE MAYPOLE, CAMBRIDGE
Up to Number 21 on my Top 100 (+/- a few), and still no entries from Stockport. Or Maidenhead. I’d been on the brink of featuring my third Cambridge entry for some time, but the Maypole isn’t a pub I go to as often as it deserves. Two quick visits this week after the Cambridge Beer Festival have settled… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE MAYPOLE, CAMBRIDGE
CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL(S)
I was a bit dismissive of beer festivals last week, but I do appreciate the voluntary effort that goes into them and the positive impact they have on membership recruitment and public perception of beer as a drink for all. I’ll no doubt get to Stockport next week, if only because they have plenty of… Continue reading CAMBRIDGE BEER FESTIVAL(S)
DUXFORD – FROM THE PLOUGH TO GENETICS
More “giving East Angular” a chance on Sunday with Mrs RM, who performed commendably over a 10 mile walk round the Genetics triangle. You do walk faster when you need the loo, and remember to wear appropriate footwear. You may associate Duxford with the Imperial War Museum and the Air Show which will clog up… Continue reading DUXFORD – FROM THE PLOUGH TO GENETICS
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