There’s a lot of good beer in Gravesend, but walk a couple of miles west to mainly residential Northfleet and things dip alarmingly, as you’d expect, near the Ebbsfleet football ground. You could, at a push, walk to the George & Dragon at Swanscombe, but not today. A succession of run-down pubs promote cheap lager,… Continue reading THE CASE FOR DOOM BAR
GRAVESEND – MORE THAN BEER AND POCAHONTAS
A change to our plans meant a day trip to Gravesend, and a chance to tick the famous Tilbury-Gravesend passenger ferry off my bucket list. It’s even better than Woolwich, and at £3 off-peak return a saving of 16p each way on the Dartford tunnel. Over a month that’s almost enough for a half of… Continue reading GRAVESEND – MORE THAN BEER AND POCAHONTAS
SCRATCHINGS IN THE OLDE SUN, ST. NEOTS
I’ve had a few days closer to home, before I embark on the great Doncaster/Tunbridge Wells/Hull odyssey (unfortunately in that order) this weekend. No new GBG ticks for 3 days; BRAPA will be catching me up by May. My now regular St.Neots Thursday has just uncovered a gem though. I wrote about the town’s pubs… Continue reading SCRATCHINGS IN THE OLDE SUN, ST. NEOTS
GREAT BEER GARDENS – PRATER, VIENNA
Pub Curmudgeon can spot a good story, and this Guardian one on his Twitter account via Old Holborn is a cracker. The title is self-explanatory. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/feb/23/vienna-police-fine-man-70-for-loud-belch Let me reassure you that Mrs RM and I have nothing to fear from such draconian policing, but I cannot be sure of the rest of the family. The Wurstelprater… Continue reading GREAT BEER GARDENS – PRATER, VIENNA
THE SHELFORD GROUP
I’ve had some less than glowing things to say about South Cambridgeshire recently, but I’m going to give it every chance this year. Shelford, Great and Little, is the first rail stop out of Cambridge, and therefore one of the main commuter villages in both directions. It’s also on the doorsteps of the Addenbrookes Hospital/Biomedical… Continue reading THE SHELFORD GROUP
CHICHESTER – PROS & CONS
My trip to the South Downs was in part prompted by Premier Inn, who rewarded my questionable brand loyalty with a free night in Chichester. Although this Inn is on the leisure park just off the A27, it’s actually only a 5 minute stroll into the centre, where the Chichester Cross presides over some impressive… Continue reading CHICHESTER – PROS & CONS
BIGGING UP BOGNOR – THE INGLENOOK
Last summer I revisited Bognor Regis and was astonished by the transformation of a Butlins I recall with horror from the Summer of ’79. The town itself was workaday, but at 8am it was redeemed by sunrise over the coast, and the memories of a classic Non-League ground. The town’s sole Beer Guide entry remains… Continue reading BIGGING UP BOGNOR – THE INGLENOOK
ANCHORED IN WORTHING
Much as I enjoyed Wisbech Museum, it’s good to be back in the hills of the South Downs. I’d hardly explored Worthing at all 5 years ago, but it’s now at least an annual trip, with the Downs providing as much of a draw as the annual new Beer Guide tick. Last year I camped… Continue reading ANCHORED IN WORTHING
MICRO HUNTING IN EAST KENT
As Simon Everitt discusses in his BRAPA blog, planning pub visits is half the fun. But while annotated A-Zs and WhatPub map functions are fine, there’s nothing as rewarding as tracking down a pub that doesn’t want to be found with just an out-of-date Ordnance Survey map. Take a bow, The Wrong Turn in Barfrestone in… Continue reading MICRO HUNTING IN EAST KENT
WISBECH & A FENLAND BEER DESERT
It’s snowdrop time, as you’ve probably noticed, and Dad wanted to buy some to plant. Wisbech in the Cambridgeshire fens is pretty much the centre of the horticultural world, famed for its splendidly old-fashioned plant auctions. The auction rooms were actually a real disappointment, but we had a great time exploring the majesty of the Fens. We took… Continue reading WISBECH & A FENLAND BEER DESERT
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