February 2026. Turin. In 1985 the New Musical Express gave a legendary review of The Jesus & Mary Chain, berating them for no longer having the energy to play the twenty minute sets, slipping into the “rockism” of hour long shows with encores. Similarly with blogging, it’s harder (for me, anyway) to write concise posts… Continue reading TURIN – SHROUDED IN MYSTERY
Tag: France
A PINT IN MONACO OLD TOWN
February 2026. Monaco. One night in Monaco, as Murray Head nearly sang; one day is plenty, but not more than enough. I really enjoyed the principality, but you can walk from shops to casinos to the Old Town in half an hour, though you’ll appreciate those evcr-present free elevators on the walk back. We left… Continue reading A PINT IN MONACO OLD TOWN
Ffarwel, Byn
Here’s the answer to last night’s Guess the Pub, my craftiest so far. Tavarn Ty Elise, run by Byn from Merthyr in the middle of Finistère, though to be honest I’d have guessed it was somewhere near Maenclochog from those clues. If I hadn’t edited the photos (all from Google Maps) you’d have seen the… Continue reading Ffarwel, Byn
PISSOIRS & PARISIAN PUBS (SORT OF)
Last post from France before I head toward Alton Towers. Phew. Two myths to debunk first. First, Paris didn’t stink (come back in Summer though), it was perfectly pleasant, bar the risk of stepping in newly laid dog mess; don’t they have laws ? And the French were courteous and efficient in the face of… Continue reading PISSOIRS & PARISIAN PUBS (SORT OF)
PARISIAN MICROPUB HUNT
I made Mrs RM walk all the way round central Paris while we were there, 15 miles on the Monday alone (she tells me, bitterly). After all, you can’t see backstreet pubs from the metro, can you ? From the lower Mousse we ambled back to Montmartre via the Louvre and Les Halles, guided only… Continue reading PARISIAN MICROPUB HUNT
POMPIDOU AND CIRCUMSTANCE
More shameless use of this blog for my Parisian holiday snaps. But fear not, there’ll be posts from rural Staffs coming up soon enough. Blog views overnight from Oman, Pakistan and India, but none from France, so I think I’m safe with an honest perspective on the capital. Our tourist route took us away from… Continue reading POMPIDOU AND CIRCUMSTANCE
NO CASK AT LE FROG & ROSBIF
Day 2 of our Paris Match, and I’m despatched by Mrs RM to get the croissants, something you can only legally do in France. This is the view from the Adagio at Montmartre. That’s right; you can’t see a single micro pub. Montmartre is the quirky heart of Paris, and more importantly has lots of… Continue reading NO CASK AT LE FROG & ROSBIF
MOULIN MURK
I know you’re desperate to see my holiday snaps from Paris by now, so here’s the highlights from the great Montmarte to Galeries Lafeyette crawl. I’ll say this; it’s no Wolverhampton, is it ? Loads of specialist cheese and cake shops down Rue des Martyrs, but where are all the pubs ? It’s no wonder… Continue reading MOULIN MURK
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