This blogging lark is a doddle. Visit a pub, take photos surreptitiously, keep a running gag about pashminas going, and hope against hope for a witty pun or an “Out of Order” condom machine. Ashton-in-Makerfield was always going to let me down on the pashminas, even in the Wetherspoons. Though the potholes give some opportunities… Continue reading PROPHYLACTIC PROBLEMS IN ASHTON-IN-MAKERFIELD
Tag: Greater Manchester
SIPPING IN STRETFORD
I do love lunchtime kick-offs at the Etihad. Up at 5am, train across the High Peak from Sheffield (why isn’t their Tap open at 9am ?), too early for breakfast curry at This’n’That, freezing up in Colin Bell Level 3. At least I had perfect conditions for some early morning exploration along the Medlock Valley. Five… Continue reading SIPPING IN STRETFORD
BOLTON TODAY, BURY TOMORROW
Our little M61 tour took us into the TK Maxx at a wet Bolton. Fen folk know how to live it up on Easter Saturday. I have a lot of time for Bolton, particularly it’s northern suburbs like Doffcocker and Egerton. But it’s looking a bit tired at the moment, though my youngest son could tell from the… Continue reading BOLTON TODAY, BURY TOMORROW
SAVED BY PI(E) IN ALTY
A year ago I was staying in Altrincham, an ideal base for the Manchester Beer Fest (good and bad of that to follow). This year, I’ve gone upmarket and given Mrs RM the fast Wi-Fi she deserves in Stockport, an ideal base for trekking back to Alty. Since last year, the refurbished railway station has… Continue reading SAVED BY PI(E) IN ALTY
DISSECTING STOCKPORT v HARROGATE IN THE ARMOURY
Two for the price of one here. You can use the Armoury before your trip to see 10-Man City (our new name) or the so-called “proper” football at Edgeley Park. The proper football last Saturday starts at 2 min 19 secs on this clip. I actually popped in just as County v Harrogate ended, which meant a) beer… Continue reading DISSECTING STOCKPORT v HARROGATE IN THE ARMOURY
ASHTON – QUIRKS, QUALITY, QUOSH
The current Beer Guide has already given me trips to Tameside (twice) and Tyldesley, and spared me a trip to central Slough. Back of the net, as Mrs RM would say. An early highlight of 2017, Ashton-under-Lyne delivered gorgeous architecture, bargain food, my two favourite beers, and Quosh. And unintentional street art. All yours only 12 minutes… Continue reading ASHTON – QUIRKS, QUALITY, QUOSH
UP TO BONGS, DOWN TO LEIGH
There really is only one place to start a new year, and that’s Tyldesley, not least among Wigan‘s beautiful necklace of towns. It helps if you were tucked up with cocoa by 9pm on New Year’s Eve. Elliot Street was beautifully embellished with the remnants of a New Years Eve clearly celebrated with Holts and kebabs, judging… Continue reading UP TO BONGS, DOWN TO LEIGH
WESTHOUGHTON WETHERSPOONS
Pub Curmudgeon has been exploring Britain’s real ale deserts on his blog. It’s a good read, and like him, I’d rather see a busy keg pub providing an essential service to old folk than an empty ale emporium. Westhoughton is one of those suburbs of Bolton (or Wigan) that in my mind I’d expect to… Continue reading WESTHOUGHTON WETHERSPOONS
THE NEW WIGAN, THANKFULLY JUST LIKE THE OLD WIGAN
I wasn’t the only City fan secretly happy when Wigan nicked the FA Cup in 2013; it’s hard to dislike a town that gave us Stuart Maconie, Limahl and pie on a barm. As I’ve wrote before, it’s a beautiful town with proper shops, unlike one close to home I could name. It’s also fast… Continue reading THE NEW WIGAN, THANKFULLY JUST LIKE THE OLD WIGAN
A PERFECT NIGHT IN STOCKPORT
There are times when you just to have to say it. Last night at the Etihad was as good as it gets, whatever “it” is. So good that I won’t even ridicule the “tourists” who spent the first half looking for their seat and the second half visiting the (alcohol-free) bar, thereby missing what they… Continue reading A PERFECT NIGHT IN STOCKPORT
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