This blog is a diary, and if it’s dominated by pub visits that’s often because the pub is where you’re most likely to eavesdrop on meet people*. To steal from and corrupt Pete Postlethwaite; “Truth is, I THOUGHT it mattered. I thought that BEER mattered. But does it? Bollocks! Not compared to how PEOPLE matter.“… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S GASTRONOMIC 2024
Tag: travel
2024 RETIRED MARTIN TRAVELS – A YEAR OF TWO HALVES
You’ll be relieved to know Mrs RM and I welcomed in the new year and Dryanuary with a pint and a National trust tick yesterday, but before we get to 2025 I’ve got more of those contractually obligated “Best of ’24” posts for you. After all, there’s (marginally) more to life than pubs and beer,… Continue reading 2024 RETIRED MARTIN TRAVELS – A YEAR OF TWO HALVES
THE 2024 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
OK, let’s start the annual review posts with pubs, it’s all you’re here for. I’ll cover “LIFE” next. THE STATS Five hundred and sixty (560) different pubs, though barely two hundred pubs new GBG entries. I will do a GBG spreadsheet post soon so the professional tickers can laugh at it. With responsibilities to frail… Continue reading THE 2024 RETIRED MARTIN PUB AWARDS
SILK IN A GLASS. THE BEER HOUSE IN HILLSBOROUGH
December 2024. Sheffield. Mrs RM had kindly stayed with mum for a couple of days while I drove the boys home and got depressed at the Etihad. There’s one sure-fire way to cheer Retired Martin up, and it comes in two cardboard containers from Sang Lung in Hillsborough. And the 15 minutes it takes Sang… Continue reading SILK IN A GLASS. THE BEER HOUSE IN HILLSBOROUGH
BANTAMS IN BRADFORD’S RECORD CAFE
December 2024. Bradford. After a new Bratfud tick and an old classic, surely it’s time for a curry ? The route back into town from the Fighting Cock is an urban classic. That art installation, prepared for the UK City of Culture bid, is entitled “Tyres“. Now, you won’t believe this, but my chosen curry… Continue reading BANTAMS IN BRADFORD’S RECORD CAFE
(OVER)DUE A DEUCHARS. THE SIX BELLS, COVENT GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE
December 2024. Cambridge. Yes, another Covent Garden, this one tucked away between Fenners and the GBG pubs off Mill Road. Keep walking past the Six Bells and you’ll end up at that pub CAMRA used to run and the Live & Let Live, so why would a plain looking backstreet Greene King pub detain you… Continue reading (OVER)DUE A DEUCHARS. THE SIX BELLS, COVENT GARDEN, CAMBRIDGE
TOP 100 PUBS – THE ELEPHANT, FAVERSHAM
December 2024. Faversham. I’d paid the £7.10 (equivalent to a pint of Sam Smiths in London these days) to park the campervan overnight in Faversham, and was going to Do It All. A couple of ancient Sheps inns, the two new GBG entries, a Crispy Beef… My plans fell apart in the drizzle at the… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE ELEPHANT, FAVERSHAM
“I’M THE TICKER OF SOUTHWARK, IT’S WHAT I DO”
December 2024. Bermondsey. Thanks to Deserter for the title inspiration. Back to Cambridge from Sheffield on Wednesday morning, the laundry still not dry, I was straight off back to London that evening for a gig. Plenty of time to rest when you’re dead. A heaving Northern Line to London Bridge, and then 10 minutes walk… Continue reading “I’M THE TICKER OF SOUTHWARK, IT’S WHAT I DO”
HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY No.72 – THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
A belated return to the celebrated “Half A Dozen Pubs” series, an early Christmas present. I’ve completed my Christmas present shopping of course; on 1 January, in fact, same as in the last 30 years. The in-laws have been touting a trip to the Channel Islands next year, and if I didn’t have the concern… Continue reading HALF A DOZEN PUBS IN EVERY GBG COUNTY No.72 – THE CHANNEL ISLANDS
ALL THE PUBS IN RAMSGATE. No. 1 – THE HONEYSUCKLE INN
November 2024. Ramsgate. Another GBG year, another new Guide pub for Remarkable Ramsgate. “You’re joking – not another one!” says Brenda Mrs RM, who decides an afternoon in the caravan drinking discounted North Brewing cans beats Ramsgate in the rain. But I love Ramsgate, so much I’ve decided to start a mini-series on the pubs,… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN RAMSGATE. No. 1 – THE HONEYSUCKLE INN
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