Important domestic news before we head back to July. Our sloping garden has nearly been unsloped and we will soon have actual grass. Not sure what we do with it, but hey-ho. In mid-July a rejuvenated Retired Martin was tackling another of the tricky Devon ticks, the Holt offering limited hours, and feeling very much… Continue reading A HONITON HOLT
Tag: Devon
STEAK OR SAUSAGE FOR TEA ? IT’S A BIG DECISION IN A TOWN CALLED OTTERY ST. MARY
The blog returns to that endless month of July 2022 (101 GBG ticks); will it ever end ? A signature tick next, the London in Ottery St. Mary having thwarted me at least once with it’s whacky opening hours (per What Pub); Ottery St Mary (pop. 4,898) is your quintessential faded east Devon town (see… Continue reading STEAK OR SAUSAGE FOR TEA ? IT’S A BIG DECISION IN A TOWN CALLED OTTERY ST. MARY
NOBODY GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE (to GBG glory). NOT EVEN STOKE FLEMING
The task ahead seems endless, but I shall press on, if only to see if Mark Crilley is still reading (I haven’t read all the great BRAPA posts so don’t feel guilty). Perhaps a reader from Zaire will one day find this post on Stoke Fleming of use, who knows ? Just beyond the gorgeous… Continue reading NOBODY GONNA BREAK MY STRIDE (to GBG glory). NOT EVEN STOKE FLEMING
SHARING PRAWN COCKTAILS IN SLAPTON SANDS
First things first. A first ever blog view from Burundi overnight. The world’s unhappiest country, apparently, but surely a visit to tick all Burundi’s bars would cheer them up ? This is Lacosta Beach Bar, an Amstel stronghold in Bujumbura; I see sand. Really, not much different from Slapton Sands in Devon. Except for the… Continue reading SHARING PRAWN COCKTAILS IN SLAPTON SANDS
A DOOM BAR CHECK-IN FROM INSTOW
No, NOT a check-in on Un****d ! What do you think I am, a beer blogger ? I’m not even a fan of Doom Bar, really, but it is a useful measure of beer quality between pubs. I’ve had really good DB, as well as a lot of under-conditioned sweet nothingness in Spoons. Whenever folk… Continue reading A DOOM BAR CHECK-IN FROM INSTOW
MORE BASS CLICKBAIT FROM THE AVON INN
I’m home in Sheffield today, almost forgot what it looks like, and would have brought you one of those beer smellier descriptions of the Sam Smiths Stingo (which I always confuse with Spingo) I bought from Dram Shop last night, but Mrs RM drank it in 8 minutes (one minute per ABV) while I wasn’t… Continue reading MORE BASS CLICKBAIT FROM THE AVON INN
TOP 100 PUBS (No. 407) – THE CHERUB, DARTMOUTH
More July ticking, and a second tick in Dartmouth, and another “famous” pub that I distinctly recall walking past in 1995 when Mum and Dad (I’d forgotten they came down to Devon) were impressed by the floral display but not impressed enough to go in. Beautiful pub, rather off-putting alley (and steps if you’re 82).… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS (No. 407) – THE CHERUB, DARTMOUTH
TICKING THE SEVEN STARS, DARTMOUTH – EASIER THAN YOU’D THINK
The small band of hardy GBG tickers are the jolliest people you’ll ever meet, cheerful even when spending a day travelling to New Mills for a brewery tap (only open Monday and Tuesday evenings) that’s unexpectedly closed. Our WhatsApp group is full of helpful tips on how to cadge a pint when your target pub… Continue reading TICKING THE SEVEN STARS, DARTMOUTH – EASIER THAN YOU’D THINK
27 YEARS ON, A RETURN TO KINGSBRIDGE
Someone askedme when I started “ticking” and I reckon that, bar some Cambridge favourites like the Free Press, it really started just after I married Mrs RM (I really did) at which point I was teetotal. My first GBG was the 1994 edition, a design classic, but for a year or so we only did… Continue reading 27 YEARS ON, A RETURN TO KINGSBRIDGE
PUBS SURPRISED THAT THEY’RE OPEN VOL 1. – SALCOMBE
The week of July saw my raid on the South-West reach Devon. When GBG22 landed (ugh) on 12 November 2021 (my copy was late) I needed 48 Devonian ticks, having rather neglected the county over 28 years on account of the hedges and my aversion to scones. A summer of Devon heaven starts in Salcombe,… Continue reading PUBS SURPRISED THAT THEY’RE OPEN VOL 1. – SALCOMBE
retiredmartin 