“Let there be light”. Or at least Old Tom. But there wasn’t.

December 2023. Macclesfield. Barely a mile between these eight (8) pubs on the Old Codgers Macclesfield pub crawl (sorry, “curated hostelry exploration”, which frankly is a bit disappointing as it’s the street art and underpasses that make a place. Our penultimate pub was barely 3 minutes jog across the A523 (Paul Mudge speed), and the… Continue reading “Let there be light”. Or at least Old Tom. But there wasn’t.

A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD

December 2023. Macclesfield. Pub No. 6/7/4 (delete as appropriate) on the Old Codger Day Out in Macclesfield, as we reach the highlight (H for highlight on the map). Two years ago I didn’t even know the Jolly Sailor was a Bass shrine, and now it’s in the Top 20, if I’m honest, as much because… Continue reading A PINT OF BASS IN FRONT OF A ROARING FIRE. THE JOLLY SAILOR, MACCLESFIELD

A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS

December 2023. Macclesfield. Part of the Old Codgers Proper Day Out in Macclesfield (I’m their youthful chaperone) and a return to the trad family boozers that codgers treasure. The Queens Hotel has that stately look that Holt pubs often impart; it’s the first building you come across leaving the station though frankly I can only… Continue reading A.O.R. AFTERNOON IN MACCLESFIELD QUEENS

SHEFFIELD HATTER PUTS A COAT OVER THE SPEAKER IN THE CASTLE

December 2023. Macclesfield. A busy schedule for the Old Codgers trip to Macclesfield, so a good job for some that all the pubs were next door to each other. Actually, that was one of my minor issues with the day, no real chance to stretch the legs and visit the feral suburbs of Cheshire’s silk… Continue reading SHEFFIELD HATTER PUTS A COAT OVER THE SPEAKER IN THE CASTLE

TOP UK RAILWAY STATION PUBS – No. 3,788. THE CREWE HERO

October 2023. Crewe. But before Crewe, a few things I saw in Wem that weren’t pubs. To be fair, it didn’t convince me either, so unless you’re a fan of Victoriana or doors a foot from the ground, I’d saw Wem is for the pub purist or the Joules completist. Or that weird bloke who… Continue reading TOP UK RAILWAY STATION PUBS – No. 3,788. THE CREWE HERO

SOMEHOW I’LL FIND MY WAY HOME (FROM ELLESMERE PORT)

August 2023. Ellesmere Port. I’m homeward bound now, like Paul Simon in nearby Widnes, where “home” is a campervan at Chester racecourse. But first, Ellesmere Port. There really weren’t that many people on the Ellesmere branch of the Wirral line. I pride myself on finding the best in places. Think of my ground-breaking 4 part… Continue reading SOMEHOW I’LL FIND MY WAY HOME (FROM ELLESMERE PORT)