Back to mid-July in Devon, and the centrepiece of my 3 days in Plymouth. Yes, I caught the train back up the line to Teignmouth via Newton Abbot. 20 new GBG pubs within easy reach by train from Plymouth, which is as good a reason as any to live there, I guess. And you won’t… Continue reading THE NEWTON ABBOT HABIT
Tag: Cloudwater
CLOUDWATER COMES TO STOCKTON
WARNING: Contains trip to Stockton-on-Tees without a visit here; No banked Bass, but another day to admire the ongoing revitalisation of Darlington’s hitherto scruffy sister. Goodness me, Stockton is scrubbing up well. The big project is the refurb of the Globe Theatre, which once played host to the Beatles in the days before Lennon switched… Continue reading CLOUDWATER COMES TO STOCKTON
CASK IN ANCOATS, CACK AT THE ETIHAD
Am I allowed to use the word “cack” ? My mum says cack-handed, so must be OK. Into Manchester, having narrowly avoided being lynched for missing the second “k” out of Kirkby Lonsdale (thanks Russ). Or more properly, into Salford, where I was spending a night in romantic Weaste. Never been before, a semi-mythical place… Continue reading CASK IN ANCOATS, CACK AT THE ETIHAD
TOP 100 PUBS – PRINCE OF WALES, FOXFIELD
The Prince of Wales has been near the top of my “Must-Do” list for years; it’s one of the few classic UK pubs I’ve somehow missed, along with Devon’s Crewe Arms (what !) and Lord of the Isles at Renfrew’s indoor ski slope. How exciting to do it on a gray December night the… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – PRINCE OF WALES, FOXFIELD
CLOUDWATER ARRIVES IN WESTHOUGHTON
There you go, a literal title perfectly evidenced by the photo. Don’t see that very often. Hands up who can place Westhoughton on the map ? Feels like a Wigan town, but it’s very Bolton (Francis Lee was born there), and there’s no way you’ll forget you’ve just left the South. Holt pub, mobility scooter,… Continue reading CLOUDWATER ARRIVES IN WESTHOUGHTON
CLOUDWATER IN CAMBRIDGE’S MAYPOLE – IT’S A 5
“Oh no, he’s not going to write about beer is he ?” I hear Dick and Dave groan. Only a bit. But I did want to show this picture of a proper “scummy head” on a beer I scored 5 (only the eighth this decade, fact fans). One of those NBSS maximums was the original… Continue reading CLOUDWATER IN CAMBRIDGE’S MAYPOLE – IT’S A 5
EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
His Highness Sheikh Mansour recently wrote to me to highlight the progress made under his stewardship of Manchester City over the last decade. 40 points in every season, half-and-half scarf sellers for every game, folk who turn up in Colin Bell Stand 15 minutes after kick off looking for Row R etc. etc. No mention… Continue reading EMPTY SEATS AT THE ETIHAD, STANDING ROOM AT CLOUDWATER
HEATWAVE IN HARROGATE
Certain towns can be relied for an annual visit that will deliver a) a decent new Guide pub, b) a new aspect to the place, and c) a decent lunch. All of those were present in lovely Harrogate this week, which was just about to unveil a magic fountain in the Valley Gardens that turns curious children into stone. Simon… Continue reading HEATWAVE IN HARROGATE
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)
MICRO PERFECTION IN PETTS WOOD
Since the latest Beer Guide came out at the end of August I’ve been to another forty micropubs, and a good hundred overall, with mixed feelings. Their best feature, chatty owners and locals, can also mean they’re not great places to visit if you want a bit of time to yourself. One of my bug… Continue reading MICRO PERFECTION IN PETTS WOOD
retiredmartin 