I caught Skipton at it’s best on Sunday, with the freak sunshine bringing tourists from as far away as Keighley and Colne. It’s a typically handsome North Yorkshire market town, but it’s own visitor attractions (castle, canal, chips) and proximity to the Dales enable it to punch well above it’s weight. I’d compare it to… Continue reading SUNNY SKIPTON
LEEDS & THE BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB
Some of the best weather ever yesterday lunchtime made my walk up to the Bronte Waterfall a joy. The fact that this was in November made it scarcely believable. Predictably thick fog descended on the A660 into Leeds, but didn’t stop me completing a 19 mile day. In the evening I saw the welcome return to… Continue reading LEEDS & THE BRUDENELL SOCIAL CLUB
SHIPLEY PRIDE
Recovering from a heart stressing afternoon at the Etihad, I spent Saturday night in Bradford. The Ibis Budget is a poor sub for Travelodge, but cheap and central. This must have been my first trip to Bradford without a curry; I’d overdosed on Spinach & Beef at This & That in Manchester, and even the… Continue reading SHIPLEY PRIDE
PUB MIRRORS I HAVE LOVED
While my heart recovers from today’s exertions at the Etihad, here is a more gentle post prompted by this week’s Somerset survey. Back to reality, or at least to Wigan, tomorrow. If Mrs RM is reading this, here are a few Christmas present suggestions. All would look good in my man cave garage, and can… Continue reading PUB MIRRORS I HAVE LOVED
TOP 100 PUBS – THE SHEPPEY INN, LOWER GODNEY
I’m just back from Glastonbury, a town I eventually warmed to as the winding path up Bove Town and Wick Hollow toward the Tor wove some magic on a windswept morning. Apart from that, its a nondescript place, in common with pretty much all the Somerset towns apart from Frome (a classic) and Wells. Minehead… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE SHEPPEY INN, LOWER GODNEY
WOOKEY
I’m really enjoying exploring Somerset this year, having largely bypassed it (literally) until now. Today, with some morning showers damping down hopes of a trek over Cheddar, we took some friends to Wookey Hole, a name I thought was made up till our first visit. Wookey Hole is a commercialised series of show caves just… Continue reading WOOKEY
FALLING FOR MINEHEAD
Great weather in Somerset today, painting Minehead at it’s best. On a couple of earlier visits it’s lived down to it’s status as a pleasant but nondescript seaside resort, comparable to a Cleethorpes or Ayr, but it shone today. In the sun, the shapes and colours of Exmoor meeting the sea came through, and the walks… Continue reading FALLING FOR MINEHEAD
RICHARD HAWLEY
Last night I went to the Cambridge Corn Exchange with Mrs RM to see Richard Hawley, a rare favourite of both of ours. Like latest LP, Hollow Meadows, the gig wasn’t quite perfect, with gentler stuff (What Love Means) brushing up against the robust rockouts (Heart of Oak) that were a little too close to late-period… Continue reading RICHARD HAWLEY
SOUTH CAMBS LOSSES
With trips to Minehead and then Leeds this week, I stayed closer to home today in the gorgeous Autumn weather. It was a mistake. The area of Cambridgeshire south-west of the city down to Royston, is generally thought of as an ideal place to live, and scores highly in those irritating surveys by the BBC and… Continue reading SOUTH CAMBS LOSSES
A SATURDAY IN E1
Yesterday I took Mrs RM for a leisurely 15 mile walk around the City of London. I think I may have told her 5 miles; sure she’ll start talking to me again soon. I think she’ll insist on the Bermondsey mile next time. Mrs RM is the ideal company when you’re trying to visit several… Continue reading A SATURDAY IN E1
