We’re taking our campervan for some short breaks in Britain’s top destinations – Newark, Bury St Edmunds and the Dengie peninsula. Mrs RM did a robust business case before spending our children’s inheritance on what’s effectively a portable Travelodge, but even at assumed post-Brexit discount rates of more than 50% p.a. we need to use… Continue reading DENGIE’S NOT DINGY
WALKS BY THE CAM – A WARNING
The quality of our printed media continues to deteriorate into click-bait and rehashed Twitter, but I don’t care. If I need to know what’s happening I just pay attention to what Mrs RM is saying for a few minutes. She’s alerted me to some garbage in the Guardian recommending people walk (nearly) past our house. It’s… Continue reading WALKS BY THE CAM – A WARNING
THE JOY OF 6X
Wiltshire is a great county, particularly if you have the strength of character to appreciate Swindon. Despite having an Ember Inn and a Yates in the Guide, the pubs aren’t that bad. 20 years ago Wadworth 6X was one of the revered beers in CAMRA circles, as common in Beer Guide pubs as Adnams, Pride, and Castle Eden. … Continue reading THE JOY OF 6X
POST-GLASTO SHEPTON MALLET
Since GBG16 came out I’ve been to 32 new pubs in Somerset; only Cornwall (34) has seen more pubs ticked since September. I wouldn’t say Somerset has the best beer, but the county is now a real favourite for its walking and proper pubs. All I need now is to get to see cricket in… Continue reading POST-GLASTO SHEPTON MALLET
THE BLUE PETER AT POLPERRO
I didn’t have any inherently bad beer in Cornwall while I was there, just a bit too much showing the effects of warmer cellars, low turnover or too many handpumps. The only pub I took exception to was the Falmouth Packet near Prussia Cove. WhatPub shows every possible symbol against the pub, but just one indicating a restaurant… Continue reading THE BLUE PETER AT POLPERRO
SURVIVING ST IVES
Whatever I say about beer quality in Cornwall, it’s a wonderful county when you avoid the crowds. Gurnard’s Head gave us the coastline all to ourselves, but the walk from Carbis Bay to St Ives five miles east was clearly the designated ambling route for unfit Britons. There were some compensating views; The coast walk… Continue reading SURVIVING ST IVES
AT GURNARD’S HEAD
I’m visiting my sister in the “up and coming” bit of Falmouth. Penryn has the character and history, if not the craft beer yet. She’s living next to the pub, which is nice. We made a trip round west Cornwall (near St Ives) to the remaining Beer Guide pubs, a varied bunch. It’s what sisters are for. … Continue reading AT GURNARD’S HEAD
YES YOU CALNE
Sorry about yesterday’s rant; a little information would have gone a long way. Back to deliriously happy Retired Martin today. One of the joys of travel is finding you were badly wrong about a place you’d thought had little discernible merit. Calne is a place I’d written off on the basis of one previous trip from Bath… Continue reading YES YOU CALNE
CHAPEL ST LEONARD’S GOLDEN HOUR
I have a battered Philip Navigator that records my travels with a pink pen. After completing all the entries in a current Beer Guide, I aim to travel all the roads in England. There’s a bit of work to do in east Lincs, as this excerpt shows; I haven’t been to Skegness since I bought the… Continue reading CHAPEL ST LEONARD’S GOLDEN HOUR
BARTON-UPON-HUMBER
The great 1 July Pub observation moved on to Barton-upon-Humber, in search of pub games, political banter and weird clothing. It drew another blank. I held high hopes for Barton (A Town With A Past — And A Future™), which has always seemed a place apart. It’s home to one of the UKs great pub commentators (see… Continue reading BARTON-UPON-HUMBER
