I’d parked up just south of Sunderland on Durham’s mining coast. It was a vibrant place before BRAPA went to the University of Sun’land in the late ’90s. This is the coast that pashmina’d Guardian readers DON’T go to, instead heading on to Northumberland with its Potter castles and smoked kippers. I’ve stopped off here… Continue reading EASINGTON – NO JEDI KNIGHTS OR POPES, BUT EVERYTHING IN BETWEEN
Tag: Community Pubs
BUTTER TUBS-THUMPING
First off, eagle-eyed readers (probably Joe the Cocker) may have noticed the embryonic Blog Map on the front of this blog. Many thanks to IT wizz James for the excellent web design work, Over the next few weeks I’ll link my blog posts to locations on the maap so you can navigate the map and… Continue reading BUTTER TUBS-THUMPING
REDHILL TICKING TOWN
(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
“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
