November 2025. Rye. “At least the trains from Rye are reliable” I tell Mrs RM, as I head for the bus into town to start my latest 3:15 hour rail trip north (Sheffield not Waterbeach this time). “18:48 cancelled” flashes the sign, followed by an excuse that roughly translates to “can’t be bothered. So, a… Continue reading THE 18:48 FROM RYE IS CANCELLED
Tag: Cricketers
OLD MAN
Well, this was good. The Cricketers in Worthing’s Broadwater suburb, which sounds very edgy but turns out to be as edgy as Petts Green or Heaton Chapel. On the 25 minute stretch from the Brewhouse & Kitchen I pass prep schools, a cemetery, a Domino’s, and have to waiting about 4 hours for trains to… Continue reading OLD MAN
RICHIE BENAUD
Someone is bound to complain that isn’t Richie Benaud, aren’t they ? But Richie IS cricket, if you ask me (you didn’t), and he’s celebrated in The Cricketers* in Longparish, another of those effortlessly gorgeous Test Valley pubs that aren’t half as posh as you expect. Longparish is, coincidentally, a long parish, with lots of… Continue reading RICHIE BENAUD
IT’S TAFFING CHRISTMAS !
OK, there is no actual verb “to Taff” (is there ?) but I’m running out of inspiration and need to get a move on so I can bring you “Silver pubs” or whatever you expect over the Christmas period. Anyway, after the Tim Horton timbits (am still awaiting the sponsorship deal) I fair flew back… Continue reading IT’S TAFFING CHRISTMAS !
EVENTUALLY, EPSOM EXCELLENCE
It’s always good to end a county on a high. Particularly an unsung one like Surrey. So a nice little trip out on the E10 to the bucolic bit of Epsom, probably labelled as “Stamford Green” next year. By huge coincidence, the Cricketers is next to the cricket green. Which was about to turn… Continue reading EVENTUALLY, EPSOM EXCELLENCE
LITTLEWICK GREEN KEEPS THE HOME FIRES BURNING
There’s a real possibility that BRAPA will complete Berkshire before me, and that won’t do at all. Regular readers will know that Maidenhead isn’t high on my list of great towns, though it’s worth a trip to the Conservative Club if you’re an American tourist with too positive a view of our fair isle. I’m… Continue reading LITTLEWICK GREEN KEEPS THE HOME FIRES BURNING
SAM SMITHS IN SELBY
In contrast to St Helens, I can’t claim to have been looking forward to my necessary trip to Selby, despite my recent acclaim for small shipbuilding towns in the east. I doubt Selby sees Goole as competition for the tourist dollar though. Pub Curmudgeon did recently highlight the appeal of the Abbey and at least one… Continue reading SAM SMITHS IN SELBY
MUCH ADO ABOUT MICROS IN SOUTH WARWICKS
I’m getting a bit bored of micropubs. There’s a predictability about layout, clientele, breweries and even the price of a pint (no need to ask, it’s £3). I appreciate that I’m wrong though; micros are revitalising real ale, increasing the number of pubs and allowing tickers to tick lots of overhopped beers. But there you… Continue reading MUCH ADO ABOUT MICROS IN SOUTH WARWICKS
BOURNEMOUTH & BOSCOMBE
I failed to get a ticket for what was, by the look of it, City’s best League performance since the heady days of Autumn. More time for exploring the pubs of Dorset, which is fast becoming one of my favourite counties. Bournemouth itself looks the weakest pub town, at least on the basis of a paltry… Continue reading BOURNEMOUTH & BOSCOMBE
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