December 2025. Sheffield. Will had curated an itinerary for our mini-Sheffield Black Eye Friday crawl. As a southerner, he’d never actually ever heard of Black Eye Friday, but then unlike me he’s not slave to biblically-inspired Christmas rituals like dressing up as Santa and falling over. Most of the Daily Mail’s pictures from the great… Continue reading CHRISTMAS JUMPERS
Tag: Sheffield
IS THE BATH HOTEL GOING GASTRO?
December 2025. Sheffield. Back in Sheffield on Black Eye Friday with just enough time to put the laundry on, open the Christmas cards that will never be reciprocated, and make the sort of arrangements that on Mumsnet would take 3 months. “Fancy a pint Will“. “OK. Bath at 2:30 ish.” “See you there“. As Joe… Continue reading IS THE BATH HOTEL GOING GASTRO?
A QUIET START TO BLACK EYE FRIDAY AT THE FARGATE
December 2025. Sheffield. I’d left Mrs RM in Rye (Home 3) to keep an eye on her parents while I popped back on the train to check on Dad and Sunnyside (Home 2). But I also needed to make sure our actual home in Sheffield (Home 1) was still standing and pick up post, so… Continue reading A QUIET START TO BLACK EYE FRIDAY AT THE FARGATE
PLATFORM 1b, SHEFFIELD STATION
November 2025. Sheffield. Back from Leeds on Monday morning, quick walk to RM Towers to take the brown bin in, check taps, put heating down, then return to Sheffield station for the train south to Waterbeach. Wash and repeat. The rain adds something to central Sheffield. But obviously not the rail network, with a points… Continue reading PLATFORM 1b, SHEFFIELD STATION
THE DELICIOUS CLAM
November 2025. Sheffield. In an era where folk spend £500 watching old Mancunians knocking out meat and potato pub rock in a park in Prestwich, £15 for a night of modern music in a club in Sheffield seems a bargain, though I’m sure one of you will tell me they’ve seen Dylan in a Dudley… Continue reading THE DELICIOUS CLAM
FATHER TO SON, HEART TO HEART
November 2025. Sheffield. A night in Sheffield between the statutory two in Waterbeach, just time for laundry, a read of the mail, a gig and a catch-up with James. He’d phoned to ask to catch-up, possibly to make sure I’m not investing his inheritance in Crypto, and it pays to keep in touch with your… Continue reading FATHER TO SON, HEART TO HEART
SHEFFIELD’S CASTLEGATE
November 2025. Rye. Waterbeach. Sheffield. While Mrs RM stays down in Rye Harbour till Christmas I’m doing the Rye-Waterbeach-Sheffield trudge (all by rail thankfully), checking on parents and children and cottages. Might even get the occasional pub/gig/City game/Chinese takeaway in, if I remember where I am. I seem to be keeping Chung Hwa in business… Continue reading SHEFFIELD’S CASTLEGATE
WOBBLY DAGGER REVISITED
November 2025. Antifascist Walkley. Sheffield. Back from London to Cambridge (eventually, someone pulled the emergency cord at Stevenage), then a slight return to Sheffield for a couple of nights before bringing Mrs RM down to Kent and the in-laws. It never stops. Mrs RM had her haircut, presumably especially for the opera we’ve just been… Continue reading WOBBLY DAGGER REVISITED
THE VIEW FROM THE BLAKE
October 2025. Sheffield. It’s approaching five years since we escaped Cambridgeshire for The North, only to spend every week since driving back. That first six months in Lockdown Sheffield was spent gazing longingly at the Blake and Blind Monkey, impatient for their reopening. In 2020 the Blake was as famous as the Tap and the … Continue reading THE VIEW FROM THE BLAKE
ANOTHER FAILURE TO FIND A DUFF PINT IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
July 2025. Sheffield. At the Great British Beer Festival* yesterday I had to confess to living on the edge of Kelham Island but not visiting its pubs every day. In truth, I seem to make it to the Kelham Island Tavern, perennial Pub of the Year, barely biannually. And on one of these trips I’m… Continue reading ANOTHER FAILURE TO FIND A DUFF PINT IN THE KELHAM ISLAND TAVERN
