I’m a bit worried how much food is featuring in this blog these days; that’s the influence of culinary Queen Blackpool Jane, I guess. I doubt she’ll need to a report on Shildon, Durham’s famous Railway town. The parmos of Teesside call when she heads back to Middlesbrough. I wouldn’t have needed to drop in… Continue reading SHILDON TAKES THE TICKERS SHIELD FOR MOST INTERESTING NEW GBG ENTRY
Tag: Durham
NOT A SPENNYMOOR, SEVERAL PENNIES LESS
“What ! You didn’t WALK to Spennymoor ?” I hear you say. “It’s only six miles, you wimp“. In honesty, Mrs RM was a bit exhausted and I didn’t want to abandon her too long. And the bus (No.6, Sapphire), electric sockets and irritating juvenile behaviour free, had me outside the Little Tap in 20… Continue reading NOT A SPENNYMOOR, SEVERAL PENNIES LESS
OLD DURHAM TOWN
Looking at my review of 2021 it’s full of personal highlights but lacks completely new discoveries, due to the unattractiveness of overseas travel. But I always reckon that the more you visit a place, the more you learn*. And so with Durham, on perhaps a tenth visit over the last 20 years, and whose Queen’s… Continue reading OLD DURHAM TOWN
BEAMISH – PATIENCE REWARDED
The last trip out of the year, which produced a nerve-settling eight ticks to end the month (though not the year) ahead of BRAPA. I know you think us pub tickers live in a commune near Halifax from which our ticking taxis depart each weekend, but in truth I’ve got Baa Baa sticking needles in… Continue reading BEAMISH – PATIENCE REWARDED
EAST OF PETERLEE
I assumed you’d want to see what Horden looks like. The Bell, which is the last licensed place that ISN’T a club left in this mining village, is a gem. Well beyond my normal budget, but with the addition of the new railway station (back after 50+ years) last summer it has added value for… Continue reading EAST OF PETERLEE
TO BILLINGHAM, TO FINISH DURHAM
I clearly need a break; I must complain to the Pub Tickers Union. The blog titles have gone to pot of late, my crack team failing to come up with a suitable, “R” rated name for a post featuring THIS; It’s no wonder BRAPA is now within 4 Twitter followers of me (1,344 v 1,340);… Continue reading TO BILLINGHAM, TO FINISH DURHAM
LUCIFER OVER STOCKTON
As I mentioned the other day, there’s some stupid hotel prices being quoted as our summer (“what Summer ?”) limps to an end, as lifeless as an Arsenal performance at the Etihad. Pub men have their work cut out finding cheery B & B s from which to tick Guide entries using unreliable trains. Step… Continue reading LUCIFER OVER STOCKTON
CASK AT THE CRICKET – A STICKY WICKET ?
This afternoon Durham play Glamorgan in the final (the final !) of the nation’s premier one-day cricket competition. Search in vain for any mention of it on the BBC’s website, which is devoted to The Hundred, the purest form of cricket. Now the final is played on a Thursday at Nottingham, which with the greatest… Continue reading CASK AT THE CRICKET – A STICKY WICKET ?
SOUTH CAUSEY – THE POSHEST PUB IN THE BEER GUIDE ?
Regular readers will know that I’m not the smartest dresser in town; the suits, ties and cravats all went in the bin when I retired and I hope I won’t be expected to wear black tie for my own funeral. Dave noted that Durham (and Northumberland) have a fair few posh pubs in the Guide,… Continue reading SOUTH CAUSEY – THE POSHEST PUB IN THE BEER GUIDE ?
SEARCHING OUT COMMUNISTS IN CHOPWELL
I’m working far too hard, curating this blog. You can find Chopwell yourselves on the map, somewhere between Consett and Chester-le-Street. An intriguing area of coal mines, Cava and clubs. Where the bus drops you off in Blackhall Mill, note the leg to the sign stolen by a vandal from Vindolanda. Sadly the Social Club… Continue reading SEARCHING OUT COMMUNISTS IN CHOPWELL