It’s a shame the Southworths missed the chance to visit my local on their visit last year. When they, inevitably come back they’ll find Waterbeach a beery boom town village. Not only is The Sun deservedly back in the Guide and selling “interesting” beer, the Brewery Tap was serving Landlord this week, the White… Continue reading WATERBEACH CONTEMPLATES THE HEAD ON THE BEER
Tag: NBSS 4
TWA DUGS
Just when I need to be on top of my game, in the first week of the new GBG season (highlights embargoed till 12 Sep) I’ve got man flu, the worst type. No long trips yet this week, and my cross-checking between GBG19 and GBG20 is a pain. And I’ve got two dozen pubs in… Continue reading TWA DUGS
PENNY LANE, GBG GAIN
Onward and upward to my last “Merseyside” tick in what the GBG calls Wavertree*, but you might think of McCartneyville as you approach the myriad delights of Penny Lane. This is practically heaven for me, entering a part of the UK I’ve never been to before, about to tick the last pub in a GBG… Continue reading PENNY LANE, GBG GAIN
DERBY – 17 HAND PUMPS AND THE BEER’S STILL GOOD
I’d been hoping for a Proper Night Out in Derby with Charles; the curry must be OK there. But it hasn’t happened and I need to finish Derbyshire off so I can start on the more challenging counties. Like Fife. The Standing Order has been irritating me. I’m sure I’ve been to more Spoons… Continue reading DERBY – 17 HAND PUMPS AND THE BEER’S STILL GOOD
SLOW TRAIN TO LLANTWIT MAJOR
Three more days at home, then I broke for the border, in this case demarked by the Severn Crossing into Wales. How pleasing to report that the tolls have gone*, meaning you can make Newport in 3 hours from Cambridge. Shame the M4 grinds to a halt at Caerleon. I was bringing Matt to… Continue reading SLOW TRAIN TO LLANTWIT MAJOR
HALIFAX – TAKEN TO THE TOWER
Leaving the Lantern as we found it, before Tiffany’s big visit next week, we headed west to King Cross for new GBG tick No.3. Or is it Savile Park ? Or Pye Nest ? Who cares ? It’s a good job Charles just does as he told, rather than saying “Why can’t we go the… Continue reading HALIFAX – TAKEN TO THE TOWER
IN THE VALE OF THE WHITE HORSE
On the Sunday I picked up Sis from the pre-booked car park north of Bristol Temple Meads and headed home. “Anywhere you want to stop on the way” she said. Funny you should say that. The social club at Stanford in the Vale has the sort of opening hours designed to annoy pub tickers, no… Continue reading IN THE VALE OF THE WHITE HORSE
ST. HELENS – ONE FOR THE GBG CONNOISSEUR
Tricky one, this. The Connoisseur Ales Tap in St Helens prompted my post about opening times in the Good Beer Guide back in September. Back then I said “Now the Connoisseur can open whenever it likes, but having a place in the GBG open 11 out of 365 days is just daft. ” And I… Continue reading ST. HELENS – ONE FOR THE GBG CONNOISSEUR
THE POMPEY PLUM PORTER MIRACLE
“It’s coming home, it’s coming. Football’s coming home” screamed the bare chested Pompey fans as I left the Fawcett Arms tonight, armed with huge Chinese meal for one from the Golden Horse and sixteen aspirin. Any sensible person would have popped in the Beer Guide pub (Lawrence Arms) or recent GBG entry while waiting for… Continue reading THE POMPEY PLUM PORTER MIRACLE
THE TAYLOR’S TALE – MICROS IN CANTERBURY
I like Canterbury. If it’s good enough for my niece Emily (4th year at Uni and still no trip to Thanet) it’s good enough for me. This was my first visit since 2014, when I stayed in the Premier Inn on opening night for £29. Same room next Saturday is £115.50. Premier Inn have… Continue reading THE TAYLOR’S TALE – MICROS IN CANTERBURY