A MORE SOBER RETURN TO THE PIPEMAKERS

January 2025. Rye. The trains in Rye are fairly reliable; one an hour to Ashford or Eastbourne. Buses are less reliable (like I’m surprised); the number 313 back to our caravan timed to depart just before the train arrives, or not arrive at all. So my options are a) wait 40 minutes in the cold,… Continue reading A MORE SOBER RETURN TO THE PIPEMAKERS

IS THERE MORE TO THREE OAKS THAN A PUB ?

January 2026. Three Oaks. East Sussex. Mrs RM has been manically “improving” her blog, waiting for the next parental crisis. She’s a perfectionist; I guess that why she chose me to marry. Monday saw me in need of fresh air and a pub after a day of relentless drizzle in Rye Harbour, so I jogged… Continue reading IS THERE MORE TO THREE OAKS THAN A PUB ?

TAKING DOWN THE TREE

January 2026. Rye. Obligatory video, from the best Christmas album. I‘ve used this one, and the title before, (twice !) which is sort of self-plagiarism, no ? No decorations for us again this year, in Sheffield or Waterbeach or Rye. Mumsnet would be outraged. But, in keeping with the need of the country to honour… Continue reading TAKING DOWN THE TREE

THE JENNY LIND SAYS “DO ONE, DRYANUARY”

I’m very pleased with that pic above, touch of Dylan album cover I reckon. If Bob had recorded his sophomore album in Hastings 60 years later. January 2025. Hastings. The three pubs on gorgeous All Saints Street in the bag (though not in the GBG), we reached the eponymous church, and the actual hotel that… Continue reading THE JENNY LIND SAYS “DO ONE, DRYANUARY”

PROPER PUBS SIGN ALERT. THE STAG, HASTINGS.

January 2026. Hastings. A third pub on All Saints Street in an hour, and a second Heritage entry in quick succession at the Stag. We left the Cinque Ports just as dusk was about to weave its magic. I reckon a real architectural enthusiast could spend a good hour in this quarter mile stretch. Virtually… Continue reading PROPER PUBS SIGN ALERT. THE STAG, HASTINGS.

TOP 100 PUBS – CINQUE PORTS ARMS, HASTINGS

January 2026. Hastings. Look at those blue “P” markers above. Four (4) of them in Hastings Old Town alone (and a fifth, the Havelock, in New Town). Two of those a hundred yards apart in All Saints Street, a triumph of unexpected detail that would only be improved by getting shot of all the vehicles.… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – CINQUE PORTS ARMS, HASTINGS

MRS RM SETTLES IN FOR THE BIG HASTINGS N/A BEER CRAWL

January 2026. Hastings. The end of Dryanuary for me as we hit Day 3 of 2026, but Mrs RM has ambitions to “go low” and seek out all these exciting non-alcoholic alternatives we keep reading about. Let’s focus on one street, All Saints in Hastings, historic and affluent and a good bet for folk abstaining… Continue reading MRS RM SETTLES IN FOR THE BIG HASTINGS N/A BEER CRAWL

TURKISH DELIGHT

December 22nd 2025. Hastings. I’ve given up on getting the blog up-to-date before year end, and you’ll be wanting my awards issue tomorrow, but I’m not rushing Hastings. In fact, I think I’ve invented the birthday (22/12) equivalent of slow tourism, as we spent last Monday wandering aimlessly taking photos of crumbling Sussex-by-the-Sea. Crumbling, but… Continue reading TURKISH DELIGHT