That’s the first and last time I use the phrase “quoffing“. Eagle-eyed readers will note yesterday’s Swansea programme from ’76 cost a staggering 12p. Today, same division, just two years earlier, Darlo’s is yours for a shilling. EVERYTHING cost a shilling in ’74, before the 3 day week and hyper-inflation heralded a Callaghan Government… Continue reading DARLINGTON – QUOFFING IN QUAKERLAND
Tag: Durham
MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK
Some artists are best known for their worst work. McCartney made his fortune singing about frogs, Bowie is best known for a gnome, and BRAPA‘s fortune rests on a single act of public urination at a Nottinghamshire station. Despite classic blogs from Spurn Head, Kilmarnock and Gozo, my blogging highlight appears to be this faulty… Continue reading MY GRANDFATHER’S CLOCK
DURHAM DAWDLINGS
Just to prove I am going out for my prescribed/allowed one hour of continuous exercise, here’s the highlights from my walk up and down Car Dyke, Waterbeach’s third biggest tourist attraction. After the Sun and my parents’ house . This morning’s highlights come from Durham, for no good reason whatsoever. Bit surprising to see only… Continue reading DURHAM DAWDLINGS
A NORTON PIONEER
Next up an exciting yomp from Stockton up to Norton, which is definitely NOT a suburb of your new favourite Durham town. However much it looks like one on the Navigator. Sheer suburbia between the two towns, though I do fancy the building below as a future micropub accessible only by scaling the fence. It… Continue reading A NORTON PIONEER
CLOUDWATER COMES TO STOCKTON
WARNING: Contains trip to Stockton-on-Tees without a visit here; No banked Bass, but another day to admire the ongoing revitalisation of Darlington’s hitherto scruffy sister. Goodness me, Stockton is scrubbing up well. The big project is the refurb of the Globe Theatre, which once played host to the Beatles in the days before Lennon switched… Continue reading CLOUDWATER COMES TO STOCKTON
A DOUBLE IN DEAR OLD DARLINGTON
The second beer in the Wylam Tap was both a joy and a bad idea, necessitating a comfort break at Caffe Nero that only meant I needed another comfort break in the Bigg Market. Perhaps I shouldn’t make so many stops to take photos for you, but that’s the problem with the photogenic old… Continue reading A DOUBLE IN DEAR OLD DARLINGTON
SMOG, PARMO, VIMTO P***
I can only report what happens, you can censor it yourself by applying a Bass filter or something. But I’m afraid this post starts with Vimto Piss. No, not the legendary punk band from Louth (No. 41 in the 1987 Festive 50 with “Oi, get off my tractor“), but the subject of debate amongst two… Continue reading SMOG, PARMO, VIMTO P***
BANKING THE BASS
After the Wasp I checked in at my “value B & B” at 26 Outram. You can see my Booking.com review via that link, and speculate what I’m hinting at when I warn that shower rooms and bedrooms aren’t labelled. Highly recommended, and my car had been returned to its same position in the morning.… Continue reading BANKING THE BASS
PARMOLAND
Sorry for the gap between posts. I’m just back from the Isle of Man, which has wonderful coast, cask and cockles (well, Queenies), but cruddy internet. Resuming my chronology, I finished Durham’s GBG entries in Stockton-On-Tees, one of our greatest towns. You may disagree with that, but I doubt you’ve been. Or possibly you just… Continue reading PARMOLAND
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
retiredmartin 