This post is a prime example of the difficulties of the Sophomore* GBG completion. In the year you first complete, your maniacal focus is entirely on getting counties ticked off. There’s no time (or bladder) for sentimental revisits, pre-emptive micros or pints of Prosecco. But once you’re a completist, your rail journey to tick that… Continue reading IN THE HORSE & GROOM, CONTEMPLATING THAT SOPHOMORE GBG COMPETION
Tag: Harvey’s
All the pubs in Rye that AREN’T the Ypres Castle – No.1 – The Hope Anchor
The Ypres is a great drinking house, it really is, but it’s not the only pub in Rye, and I suppose I need to do all of them now Mrs RM has a caravan down there. Perhaps best not to do them all after 3 pints in the Ypres, but I did attempt to walk… Continue reading All the pubs in Rye that AREN’T the Ypres Castle – No.1 – The Hope Anchor
BLESSED BE THE LAMB
Nearly three (3) months ago we were finally reacquainted with a portion of the Southworth clan as Joan and Dave made their first UK trio for three (3) years. No idea what held them up. Worryingly, they seemed to have gone all hipster and craft since 2019. So when we finally met up in Eastbourne,… Continue reading BLESSED BE THE LAMB
HOPS ON THE CEILING, HARVEY’S ON THE BAR
There’s an assumption that the annual 500 or so new GBG entries are all micropubs and brewery taps inaccessible by public transport and never open, and of course there’s some truth in that. But not a lot. My final batch of Kent ticks comprised one micro that was really a social pub, a young people’s… Continue reading HOPS ON THE CEILING, HARVEY’S ON THE BAR
ONE BEER IS PLENTY (PART 337)
I mentioned that Southborough, home of the in-laws and Meow’s is not well pubbed, but we actually stayed in what most folk would consider a pub for 3 nights last weeks. The Hand & Sceptre is decidedly not a pub. In fact, I’m sure the words “Rooms and Edibles” is probably scribbled on the ancient… Continue reading ONE BEER IS PLENTY (PART 337)
FLYING FISH, NEWHAVEN. A CRACKER.
Back at Newhaven Premier Inn I considered my ticking options. I’d fancied a 90 minutes trip east to visit 3 pubs in Hastings and Bexhill, but Mrs RM reckoned we should do something local. Local ! NOT in the Beer Guide ? What, like the Brewer’s Fayre next door ? Calm down, calm down. There… Continue reading FLYING FISH, NEWHAVEN. A CRACKER.
QUEUEING ! IN PUBS !!!
A week ago I had to leave Mrs RM in the luxurious Newhaven Premier Inn while I did the hard yards ticking West Sussex. You won’t believe the planning that goes into these trips. TWO (2) train changes on the way to Portslade, the Cheadle of the South. You won’t believe how filthy those Southern… Continue reading QUEUEING ! IN PUBS !!!
A SHERE DROP INTO HASCOMBE
I drafted a post entitled “My Strategy To Complete the Good Beer Guide in 2022” but I haven’t been able to finish it, which may be a metaphor for the GBG conquest itself. But a key part of the strategy is one big trip each week to bag a dozen outliers, now I’ve exhaused all… Continue reading A SHERE DROP INTO HASCOMBE
SALT AND PEPPER SQUID
I’d arrived in London at 11:40, was rating that Harvey’s in Balham at 12:10, and at 12:30 was heading off to Tick 2, the Abbeville in Clapham. Now, your heart always sinks a bit when you see a new Guide pub in Clapham, home to atrocities like this one with its £10.45 G & T… Continue reading SALT AND PEPPER SQUID
BALHAM – GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH, AND MY LONDON GBG COMPLETION
Another benefit of “going home” is it gives me those shorter trips into London that made Waterbeach bearable. On the Wednesday, possibly in 1997 I’m so far behind, Mrs RM drove the campervan back to Sheffield and I took the 10:10 to King’s Cross. I know I mercilessly take the mick out of West London,… Continue reading BALHAM – GATEWAY TO THE SOUTH, AND MY LONDON GBG COMPLETION
