August 2023. Clitheroe. After the Beer Shack made GBG23 I started saving up a “proper” return to Clitheroe for so long I almost forgot to do it at all. Did you know the next GBG is less than a month away (unless you live in York when normal postal rules don’t apply). And then when… Continue reading FOLLOW THE BEAR TO CLITHEROE
Tag: Lancashire
YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST BED AND BREAKFAST IN AN ABBEY NEAR CLITHEROE (THERE’S EVEN MADRI).
August 2023. Whalley. In the Spring of 1997, fresh into my first Finance Director job, I joined an expedition from St Albans to Whalley (via a tick lunch stop at the Red Lion in Kegworth), where the two main NHS bodies responsible for learning disability services were comparing notes at Calderstones “Hospital”. One of my… Continue reading YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST BED AND BREAKFAST IN AN ABBEY NEAR CLITHEROE (THERE’S EVEN MADRI).
I’m Sawley tempted, but Mrs RM succumbs to the Unicorn
August 2023. Sawley, Bowland. As you can tell, my stint at the BRAPA course on witty blog titles wasn’t a great success and I want my money back. The problem with Sawley is you’re almost obliged to have “Sawley tempted” in the title; it’s a bit like Sexual Ealing. Anyway, two hour via Bradford on… Continue reading I’m Sawley tempted, but Mrs RM succumbs to the Unicorn
A NIGHT NEXT TO A GRAVEYARD IN OSWALDTWISTLE
April 2023. I had my Blackburn tick, I had my free bed for the night next to a graveyard in Oswaldtwistle*. To be fair, a very nice graveyard. But what to do now ? It’s only 20:45, the night is still young, even in greater Accrington. Oh look, there’s a pub. Last time here it… Continue reading A NIGHT NEXT TO A GRAVEYARD IN OSWALDTWISTLE
WHERE THE **** IS KNUZDEN ?
April 2023. In my dotage, I imagine I’ll re-read my own blog and reminisce about the magic night when I slept in my campervan in Oswaldtwistle (pronounced Os-twit). Oswaldtwistle is the mysterious land between Blackburn and Accrington best known for the eponymous Mills visited by coachloads of gentlefolks on the lookout for fragrant candles and… Continue reading WHERE THE **** IS KNUZDEN ?
BURNLEY, BURNLEY
April 2023. “If I was a Lancs GBG compiler, I’d make ‘Briercliffe’ a separate place, but I don’t make the rules” wrote illegal pub photographer Simon in January, during an epic blog catch-up I might soon need to replicate. And I agree with Simon. While CAMRA argues about how thick the paper should be in… Continue reading BURNLEY, BURNLEY
ALL TABLES SET FOR DINERS IN ORMSKIRK
12th February 2023. After seven (7) Lancashire micropubs in a row on Saturday, a Proper Pub on Sunday as I head to Ormskirk, whose new MP I’d just heard speaking on the local politics show. Ashley Dalton’s first job will surely be to ensure some geographical consistency to Ormskirk’s Beer Guide entries. I thought I… Continue reading ALL TABLES SET FOR DINERS IN ORMSKIRK
AM I BECOMING A CREATURE OF HABIT ?
11th February 2023. Last month I wrote on Pub Curmudgeon’s blog; “I’d rather visit a 100 different pubs and drink Holt than stay in one pub and have 100 different beers, however good.” Which is true, but after seven very similar Lancashire micropubs I can honestly say I’d rather have drunk 7 pints of Plum… Continue reading AM I BECOMING A CREATURE OF HABIT ?
DOES ANYTHING BEAT A PLUM PORTER AND THE BUGGLES IN THE BLACK HORSE ?
11th February 2023. Apart from being good company, Preston’s Matthew Lawrenson has the rare quality of being able to walk at my pace. So we arrived in the heart of Preston before the North End fans returned from their hammering at Burnley, before the pubs got too lively. Last time here with Matthew I’d forgot… Continue reading DOES ANYTHING BEAT A PLUM PORTER AND THE BUGGLES IN THE BLACK HORSE ?
A GUIDED TOUR OF SUBURBAN PRESTON’S MICROPUBS
11th February 2023. This was the day I singlehandedly revitalised the East Lancashire economy with purchases of halves in micros and award winning pork pies. I also bought four (4) separate £2 bus tickets on the trip from Adlington to Fulwood*, which seems an extravagance at the time but my feet were chafing so I… Continue reading A GUIDED TOUR OF SUBURBAN PRESTON’S MICROPUBS