October 2026. Rye (East Sussex) to Ford (West Sussex). Simon’s blog is always a great read, a tale of derring-do, parental love and indomitable livers, if not bladders. Such has been the ferocity of his pub ticking that the Chronicles of BRAPA are some way behind (I also got massively behind in my GBG completion… Continue reading EPIC RAIL JOURNEYS OF THE WORLD. RYE TO FORD
Tag: history
NEVER MIND THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY, COME AND ADMIRE THE HAVELOCK PUB MURALS
October 2026. Hastings. East Sussex. My big shopping day in Hastings comprised; two pink Stabilo Boss markers, a pack of TePe interdental brushes, a comb, a five pack of Primark boxers (pic available to Patronised readers etc) and an order for a new pair of AI glasses. Yes, AI glasses, which I presume will tell… Continue reading NEVER MIND THE BAYEUX TAPESTRY, COME AND ADMIRE THE HAVELOCK PUB MURALS
SINKING SHEPS
October 2026. Tonbridge. I decided to let the train take the strain from Sheffield to Tonbridge; at £29.60 advance it was probably cheaper with diesel over £2 a pint or whatever they sell it in. Sheff-St Pancras, quick dash, St Pancras-London Bridge, quick dash, London Bridge to Tonbridge. I just wish it was easy to… Continue reading SINKING SHEPS
IGNORE THE CLOSED SIGN. THE HEWETT ARMS, SHIREOAKS
September 2026. Shireoaks. Nottinghamshire. 10 minutes through the old colliery site to the GBG brewery tap, ten minutes back to the station, still feeling that ache at the back of my leg but keeping up with Google maps generous timings now. One of the most attractive approaches to a Beer Guide pub anywhere, I reckon.… Continue reading IGNORE THE CLOSED SIGN. THE HEWETT ARMS, SHIREOAKS
COVENTRY – BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE (OF PUB CRAWLS)
August 2026. Coventry. A decent break from pubs between Frome and my next Big Trip Out, which I used dreaming up alternative blog titles to “Sent to Coventry“. I’ve been struggling with the relentless driving of the last few years (never mind the 30,000 a year of the previous 20), so it’s back to Platform… Continue reading COVENTRY – BACK IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE (OF PUB CRAWLS)
“Back to Crammy”
July 2026. Cramlington. Northumberland. When you say “Northumberland” these days you think Harry Potter, posh Cambridgeshire families at the beach, and a small island covered in bird muck. But there’s an awful lot of old mining towns before you get there, I can tell you. I spent ages getting ChatGPT to work out the best… Continue reading “Back to Crammy”
ST. ALKMUND’S CHURCH, WHITCHURCH (NCSS 4)
July 2026. Whitchurch. Shropshire. You can generate a mass of blog material in a 4 hour visit, even with 5 pubs and a 10 minute indecision about cheese purchase to interrupt your cultural exploration. As with pork pies, cheese is best heated up. Don’t @ me. I wondered what else the internet would reveal about… Continue reading ST. ALKMUND’S CHURCH, WHITCHURCH (NCSS 4)
SCOUSE
July 2026. Liverpool. Since we got back from all that foreign muck in Armenia you’ve had a string of classic UK pubs. The Harp, the Cock, the Rutland, the New Barrack, the KIT, the Tunbridge Wells Spoons…. And a trip to Liverpool on Thursday to see long-term RM favourite Julia Jacklin preview her upcoming 4th… Continue reading SCOUSE
IN SEARCH OF NOAH, IN SIGHT OF IRAN
June 2026. Armenia. I’ll be honest, by the 5th day of our Armenia trip last week I was knackered. Or specifically, my legs were. Sunday afternoon – 4 hours drive down to Waterbeach then Luton Airport. Monday – 5 hours in window seat on Wizz plane to Yerevan Tuesday – 3+ hours on packed train… Continue reading IN SEARCH OF NOAH, IN SIGHT OF IRAN
A LAST KISS BEFORE THE TOWER
May 2026. Târgu Mureș. Central Romania. An early night in Medias, before a 6am start on Wednesday morning . Only (great) coffee and ice cream on sale at the kiosk at the Autogare before the early bus to Târgu Mureș, where we arrive with early check-in at Pensiunea Select Central (£40) for reasons I can’t… Continue reading A LAST KISS BEFORE THE TOWER
