April 2025. Ely. “Have you been there ?” asks Mrs RM as we pass Ely’s top hotel on the walk down hill back to the campervan. And I have to confess that I haven’t, but I really want to. I’d popped my head in the Lamb a fortnight earlier on the search for the Abbot… Continue reading LAST ORDERS IN THE ELY LAMB
Tag: Greene King
A SEARCH FOR ABBOT IN ELY
April 2025. Ely. Weekly trips down to Waterbeach to see Dad in his care home, finding a cosy place to park up the campervan and give Tumble, Ginger Tom and Buzzy Bee a break from the monotony of Sheffield life. Buzzy Bee had spent (we think) two decades hidden in the back of Mum’s cupboard… Continue reading A SEARCH FOR ABBOT IN ELY
STEALING THE PRINCE OF CAMBRIDGE’S SEAT IN THE FORT ST. GEORGE (IN ENGLAND)
January 2025. Cambridge. The route from Cambridge North station past Haymakers and along the Cam (until you’re stopped by Rowing Club “Keep Out” signs) to the home of the May Beer Festival is a tranquil pleasure, and the view across to the Fort St George (in England) from the footbridge at Peterhouse RC one of… Continue reading STEALING THE PRINCE OF CAMBRIDGE’S SEAT IN THE FORT ST. GEORGE (IN ENGLAND)
£10.40 ? FOR TWO PINTS !
August 2023. Ely. My sister continues her market gardening business near the Chung Hwa (Beach Blooms), but has moved house to just off Ely waterfront, which gives me an excuse to visit her for a beer when I get bored of Waterbeach. (“bored of Waterbeach ! Surely not ?“). Ely isn’t over-pubbed, considering its population… Continue reading £10.40 ? FOR TWO PINTS !
IN SEARCH OF ABBOT
August 2023. Sheffield. September brings the new Good Beer Guide (Londoners on Privilege Club probably have theirs already, mind); August brings (after a 4 year break) news of the cutting-edge flavoured ales awarded “Beers of the Year” by CAMRA at the big beer festival (GBBF) in London. Obviously the only category we’re interested in are… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF ABBOT
A MIRACLE ON PERCY STREET
31st May 2023. Newcastle. Three GBG ticks down, one left till I could colour in the Tyne & Wear chapter for another year. The problem with having done the whole book is you lose discipline and are much more tempted to wobble off from the Wobbly Duck and get distracted by old favourites on Percy… Continue reading A MIRACLE ON PERCY STREET
GREENE KING GLASS ATROCITIES IN TODWICK
More autumn pub exploration, this time to the odd area in what we professionals call the Sheffield-Rotherham-Worksop triangle. There’s been a few GBG entries in this mining area graced with a butterfly park and 1957 Ryder Cup course, but the only one left is a Greene King diner in North Anston. I took the train… Continue reading GREENE KING GLASS ATROCITIES IN TODWICK
SHAKESPEARES, SHAKESPEARES, EVERYWHERE
One of the undiscussed risks of pub ticking is that of “ticking the wrong pub”. Amber Valley Mark had the excellent idea (I think it’s copywrite) of adding postcodes to his spreadsheets, but where’s the fun in that. I knew my second Bristol pub was called the Shakespeare and was close to King Street and… Continue reading SHAKESPEARES, SHAKESPEARES, EVERYWHERE
SAVED BY THE BELL – MAGIC IN THE MELTON INDOOR BOWLS CLUB
My second GBG tick in Melton Mowbray, and a moment of pure joy south of the River Wreake. Sluice valves, cricket on the green, all very bucolic Midlands England, right down to the indoor bowls club housing this year’s surprise new Guide entry; It wasn’t open, of course, the doors locked and no-one about despite… Continue reading SAVED BY THE BELL – MAGIC IN THE MELTON INDOOR BOWLS CLUB
“IS A SOUP SUFFICIENT ?” – PUBGOING IN TIER 2
Some thoughts on Gordons; Great Gordons (Warning : Saville at the start) Bad Gordons (Warning : Possibly the worst song you’ll ever hear) Run-of-the-mill Gordons Yes, another Peterborough edge-of-town dining pub. I spoil you, I really do. At 2.30pm I seem to be the only customer, the school children having finished their pints of Stella… Continue reading “IS A SOUP SUFFICIENT ?” – PUBGOING IN TIER 2
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