I’m disappointed that I’m missing the 2026 UK heatwave; don’t get many of those, do you ? Meanwhile in Yerevan; Oh. On our tours this week all that visitors from the Netherlands, Sweden and Kaliningrad wanted to talk about was the World Cup the weather, yet another thing the UK cultural export. Can we blame… Continue reading DESCRIBING ARMENIA IN ONE WORD
Tag: travel
MIDNIGHT IN ARMENIA
June 2026. Armenia. There’s no stopping Mrs RM. No sooner did Wizz Air start twice-weekly flights from Luton to Armenia than she’s booked bargain seats and got a full itinerary for the trip, 16 hour bus tours and all. The theme for Yerevan will be ticking camels. I haven’t seen a camel yet. Or a… Continue reading MIDNIGHT IN ARMENIA
NEW AND SHINY IN SHEFFIELD – ABBEYDALE AND LOXLEY
June 2026. Sheffield. Having just got back from Sudbury (the drives are now more physically than mentally wearing, which I think is a good thing), I had an actual day in Sheffield. Obviously, I’m not staying at home, that risks gardening or something worse, but a proper walk to Abbeydale Road and beyond. Why DO… Continue reading NEW AND SHINY IN SHEFFIELD – ABBEYDALE AND LOXLEY
LYTHAM LACINGS
June 2026. Lytham (not St Annes). An afternoon in Lytham (not St Annes, for a change) to meet up with Blackpool Jane on her blogging return and swap World Cup stickers with Lee. You remember Lytham ? The one with the windmill and the 1940s obssession ? “Leafy Lytham” they call it, which seems to… Continue reading LYTHAM LACINGS
PROUD PRESTON, PROBLEM PARKING
June 2026. Preston. At last ! We’re leaving Yorkshire ! I’d forgotten what it was like to be able to wake up on a Saturday morning with freedom to go anywhere I want as long as I’m home by tea so Mrs RM can check her blog clicks. Mrs RM had bought some walking shoes… Continue reading PROUD PRESTON, PROBLEM PARKING
LITTLE MESTERS
June 2026. Sheffield. From the Park Hill flats we followed the path of the tram toward town, with the UK’s scruffiest tourist sign at the Park Square roundabout. Much of central Sheffield has been modernised beyond recognition in recent years; heck, we’ve even got a Pret a Manger* ! There’s a big building site where… Continue reading LITTLE MESTERS
A DESTINATION KENTISH PUB FOR MICHAEL’S 88th
June 2026. Somewhere near Tonbridge, Kent. In truth, I’d been looking forward to the usual “Meal for Three” from Southborough’s Meows for Michael’s birthday, Mrs Meow is my second favourite lady in the whole world and it’s not even close. But arriving at the door of the in-laws at half-eleven we’re greeted with “Michael needs… Continue reading A DESTINATION KENTISH PUB FOR MICHAEL’S 88th
STANDING AT THE BAR
May 2026. North Yorkshire. There’s been a lot of Yorkshire on this blog this year. I won’t apologise; Yorkshiremen never apologise (I assume, having listeded to Geoffrey Boycott on Test Match Special all those years). Am I a Yorkshireman yet ? This year’s “pub just outside Northallerton” is one of those that will split opinion,… Continue reading STANDING AT THE BAR
I AM JIM B’s TAXI
May 2026. Sheffield. While I was in zen mode back in 2022, focused only on completing the Beer Guide before family disaster/pandemic/ash cloud struck again, I’d have got irritated with anyone wanting to pop over to Sheffield to spend a Saturday revisiting good pubs. But now I’m delighted to entertain visitors, as long as they… Continue reading I AM JIM B’s TAXI
THE KIRSTALL BRIDGE
May 2026. Kirkstall. Leeds. We’d managed 2 1/4 miles from the start of our Cask Camino before we called it a day due to holes in Mrs RM’s shoes (Neil not Traffic version), but in fairness we clocked up a few steps that day; 972.9 calories is a couple of pints and a pork pie,… Continue reading THE KIRSTALL BRIDGE
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