October 2025. Trafalgar Square. London. Another year, another paltry handful of GBG newbies in what you’d imagine was a vast chapter of central London pubs. On the other hand, a lack of churn suggests consistent standards year-on-year, surely ? A couple of debutants right by Trafalgar Square within sight of Big Ben, which a generation… Continue reading TOURIST PUB, TRAFALGAR SQUARE
Tag: ESB
FUGGLES (II) – ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
April 2025. Royal Tunbridge Wells. As you leave High Brooms for T’Wells you notice more characterful houses, and some unprepossessing pubs. I’m tempted by the What Pub description of the Black Horse, “locals like to talk to you” and all, but inexplicably decide to head for my second Fuggles of the weekend, the original Tunbridge… Continue reading FUGGLES (II) – ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS
TOP 100 PUBS – THE PRINCE OF WALES, FARNBOROUGH
September 2023. Farnborough. The night was young, but my ticking was complete. What else did Farnborough have to offer the intrepid tourist ? Well, the Harvester next door to the Premier Inn where Mrs RM was beavering away on VAT returns had Doom Bar, the Travelodge housed a GBG Spoons, and somewhere near that airstrip… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE PRINCE OF WALES, FARNBOROUGH
ONE OVER THE EIGHT (and it’s all BRAPA’s fault)
June 2023. King’s Cross Station. A successful day had produced eight (8) London ticks, my most successful raid (no GBG completist language) of the year. What you need now is to drink four pints of water, make sure you get on and off the right trains, and get to bed. If only life worked like… Continue reading ONE OVER THE EIGHT (and it’s all BRAPA’s fault)
I KNOW WHERE THE ESB HAS GONE, SIMON
I visited the parents the week after The Completion, as much to make sure the Waterbeach takeaways were surviving as to check up on Mum and Dad. And I popped in to help Sis sell flowers and veg down the field, mainly by keeping out the way. That week after the Queen died, before the… Continue reading I KNOW WHERE THE ESB HAS GONE, SIMON
TOP 10 PUBS – THE LAMPLIGHTER, ST HELIER
Yes, that is a Top Ten (10), Dave. The Lamplighter is your BIG reason to visit Jersey, apart from the excellent Marks & Spencer lingerie department (oops, wrong blog) and the chance to take home a sack of potatoes as an acceptable present. The route to this Channel Islands classic, cunningly disguised as The Pet… Continue reading TOP 10 PUBS – THE LAMPLIGHTER, ST HELIER
ANOTHER INADVISABLE ESB AT THE PARCEL YARD
We headed back along Oxford Street into Fitzrovia and back to King’s Cross, cheered by an afternoon of London discovery, ticking and culture. London’s main shopping street seems to consist entirely of “Candy” stores. But there’s beauty, everywhere. Amorino ices on Goodge Street was a joy, too. I reckon James deserved 3 scoops after letting… Continue reading ANOTHER INADVISABLE ESB AT THE PARCEL YARD
THAT UNWISE FINAL PINT OF ESB IN THE PARCEL YARD
We are all BRAPA. Thankfully, we’re not, or waiting on railway platforms would be a messy affair. I managed to make it back from the Jackalope to King’s Cross, which does have loos, only stopping to admire the Green Man (now renamed Greene Man to cash in on Graham Greene craze sweeping the nation). And… Continue reading THAT UNWISE FINAL PINT OF ESB IN THE PARCEL YARD
QUEUEING FOR BEER
You might on occasion think this blog is a bit obsessed with BRAPA, and of course you’d be right. Laughing at Simon’s “antics” has either added or taken 3 years to/from my life, and his lack of litigation awareness means I can nick whole words without fear of being sued. And that obsession clearly runs… Continue reading QUEUEING FOR BEER
ESB AND ECCENTRICITY IN SOUTH CROYDON
There are disadvantages to playing your Cup match on Friday night, but only if you’re the poor souls having to make the Manchester-East London return journey. It was ideal for proper plastic fans like me, home by midnight on Friday and fresh for a trip back to the Smoke with Mrs RM. I know she… Continue reading ESB AND ECCENTRICITY IN SOUTH CROYDON
retiredmartin 