April 2023. Big news from Waterbeach where Chung Hwa is under (slightly) new ownership, or rather old ownership, and is as wonderful as ever. I feel the need to tell you that as some folk moaned about changes on Facebook. Never trust “folk”, particularly electric. Back “home” I’ve been taking Dad out to the nicer… Continue reading PUBS WITH WRITING ON THE WALL AREN’T ALL BAD
Tag: Swan
I’M SORRY, I HAVEN’T A CLEWER
A year ago retiredmartin was in a bad way. Pubs had just closed as the unexpected Lockdown 2 hit as dark descended, and after a final hurrah in London my blog material dried up. Both of our lads were kicking their heels, and our move north to Sheffield hit an unexpected snag due to an… Continue reading I’M SORRY, I HAVEN’T A CLEWER
GUESS THE PUB GOES LOCAL
Only 8 more days and we can confine “Guess the Pub” to the dustbin of blog history. At least until the tricky Carluke variant (only tackled by adding Buckfast to the vaccine) comes along, anyway. I’m staying local today, barely 20 minutes from home. Duncan will be able to identify the location from my drone… Continue reading GUESS THE PUB GOES LOCAL
MONKS ELEIGH – ALL RIGHT NOW
I reckon one photo is all you need to guess where I went next; Yes, it’s the brightly coloured cottages of Greater Lavenham, pilgrimage for Americans in search of the true fake Lil Ol England for decades now. If you know the Eleighs at all, it’ll be the famous Cock at Brent, whose bench seating… Continue reading MONKS ELEIGH – ALL RIGHT NOW
BLACK SHEEP ON THE IRON BRIDGE
To the bridge ! First stop here for a decade, and it was good to see the Friday evening daytrippers out in decent numbers, drawn by free parking and Holdens Bitter. Not quite the honeypot of Bewdley or Bilston, but there’s little better than a stroll over the Iron Bridge. And back again. Takes,… Continue reading BLACK SHEEP ON THE IRON BRIDGE
THE PROBLEM WITH CHOICE – PART 72
I’d been considering a night in Halesowen, but Stourbridge beckons in a couple of weeks, and you can have too much Black Country fun. The appeal of the former rests on a couple of famed free houses, and a couple of social clubs, one of which (Somers) was always an exhibition of Black Country bitters. Like all… Continue reading THE PROBLEM WITH CHOICE – PART 72
WONDERS OF WANTAGE
Wantage is an ideal overnight stop for exploring South Oxon, with a couple of great pubs, decent Chinese takeaway and, vitally, a Waitrose. Hotel prices might be described as “ambitious” though; you’re best off camping on this nice bit of greenery; The town itself is neat but functional, pubs apart. Perhaps it lacks the architectural appeal of similarly… Continue reading WONDERS OF WANTAGE
MRS RM JOINS THE BATHAMS SET
On a whim we stopped at Chaddesley Corbett, one of those villages that tries to deny an acquaintance with Bromsgrove and almost gets away with it. The village has had its three varying pubs in the Beer Guide over the years, and they make great stop-offs on the way back from 1-0 defeats at Kidderminster… Continue reading MRS RM JOINS THE BATHAMS SET
NO NEED TO BYPASS TARPORLEY
My earliest experiences of Robinsons pubs were the slightly run-down but cheery places in the Dark Peak, close to the train carriage B&B at the Little Mill in Rowarth. It wasn’t just the cheap beer that impressed in the unknown lands of Marple Bridge and Romiley; some of our group had never seen a hill before,… Continue reading NO NEED TO BYPASS TARPORLEY
POST-GLASTO SHEPTON MALLET
Since GBG16 came out I’ve been to 32 new pubs in Somerset; only Cornwall (34) has seen more pubs ticked since September. I wouldn’t say Somerset has the best beer, but the county is now a real favourite for its walking and proper pubs. All I need now is to get to see cricket in… Continue reading POST-GLASTO SHEPTON MALLET
retiredmartin 