(with apologies to Bono). My extensive spreadsheets show the Garibaldi was my sixth Guide tick in ravishing Redhill. Which is odd, as I can only remember stopping there once. In 1998, on the way to Gatwick for a work assignment in Zimbabwe memorable for jacaranda trees and bayonets rather than Harare pubs. Actually, I jumped… Continue reading REDHILL TICKING TOWN
Tag: Community Pubs
“WARNING: This is a Proper Pub”
Well, we’ll be the judge of that, won’t we ? First stop in Sussex (West) is that intriguing breed, the community-owned pub. Balcombe’s Half Moon could be one of those all-out gastros that guarantee gentkefolk a supply of £7.95 sandwiches, or one of the drinking clubs where middle-class pashmina wearers block the bar and the… Continue reading “WARNING: This is a Proper Pub”
LIPSMACKIN’ CHEPSTOW
You’ll be delighted to hear that, following discussions between myself and our readers in Kent and Ireland, brokered by Kofi Annan, I have agreed to discontinue the weird “paint effect” filter. Instead, I bring you Chepstow in black and white, which I hope you like. Actually, it looked like a black and white town in… Continue reading LIPSMACKIN’ CHEPSTOW
BAPS & BOMBARDIER
Baps. Or Cobs. Or rolls. Or whatever you call them. But never muffins. One of the best indicators of Proper Pub, along with mobility scooters and stolen goods, is a supply of baps behind the counter, available throughout the day. On that basis the Black Horse west of Durham City scores highly. You even get… Continue reading BAPS & BOMBARDIER
SAVING GREAT OAKLEY
As you’ll know, I love Essex. Particularly estuary Essex around Tendring. So a trip to the Maybush in Great Oakley was always going to be one of my GBG18 highlights. Regular readers will recall our last trip down here at Christmas. The great ” Recovery of Mrs RM’s Handbag episode“. Back then, I wouldn’t have guessed… Continue reading SAVING GREAT OAKLEY
WONSTON WINNERS
A few average beers and pubs of late, but I ended the life of GBG17, and completed Hampshire, on a high. Wonston’s eponymous pub is in the mysterious triangle (and virtual GBG desert) between Andover, Winchester and the “posh bits of Basingstoke“. At a push this is Watership Down country, but really it’s where… Continue reading WONSTON WINNERS
MICK JOGGER IN MELKSHAM
If in doubt, add a cat. Even if it is a cat having a rest on a dustbin outside the pub you’re writing about. Porcelain cats remain a poor substitute. You might think our feline friend is the best thing about Melksham. And you’d be right. But a close second is the juxtaposition of the Labour… Continue reading MICK JOGGER IN MELKSHAM
