December 2025. Sheffield. Perhaps only Will the Sheffield Hatter is as passionate about beer quality in the pub as I am, starting many a scrap reasoned debate on CAMRA Discourse of late. Like Will, I reckon that quality can vary by the day, or session, even in the best of pubs, and discussion about “good”… Continue reading CHECKING WILL’S SHEFFIELD BEER SCORES
Tag: travel
TOP 100 PUBS – NAN MOOR’S, TODMORDEN
December 2025. Todmorden. “Look after yourself” says the Old Boy in the Fox with whom I’ve bonded over 5 minutes of dissing trad media, which says a lot about the joy of pubs. My state of mind will depend largely on whether Nan Moor’s is open. Unexpectedly closed half an hour ago, I search Instagram… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – NAN MOOR’S, TODMORDEN
RETIRED MARTIN’S 2025 IN TRAVEL
You’ve had the pub awards, now it’s time for Retired Martin’s highlights in travel, food and music. And possibly fashion. Though possibly not. Two maps for you, domestic, and international, with a heavy emphasis on countries nervously looking over the Ukraine and Russian borders. Talking of Soviets, Tirasapol in Transnistria was the higlight of 2025.… Continue reading RETIRED MARTIN’S 2025 IN TRAVEL
WHY, WIVELSFIELD ?
December 2025. Wivelsfield. West Sussex. But first, “Where, Wivelsfield ?” Firmly Mid Sussex, though as Mid Sussex doesn’t exist in the GBG, it’s a dip into the West Sussex chapter. Here’s one I completed earlier; Simon is making some inroads into this underrated county at the moment, a mix of micropubs along the coast and… Continue reading WHY, WIVELSFIELD ?
THE 18:48 FROM RYE IS CANCELLED
November 2025. Rye. “At least the trains from Rye are reliable” I tell Mrs RM, as I head for the bus into town to start my latest 3:15 hour rail trip north (Sheffield not Waterbeach this time). “18:48 cancelled” flashes the sign, followed by an excuse that roughly translates to “can’t be bothered. So, a… Continue reading THE 18:48 FROM RYE IS CANCELLED
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
GATECRASHING A 60th BIRTHDAY IN TONBRIDGE
November 2025. Tonbridge. A day attending to the in-laws of Royal Tunbridge Wells, where it transpires all Michael wants is a front row seat at the Assembly Hall, listening to a sombre piece about Anne Frank performed by his own choral society. It’s less fun than Rosie, I’ll say that. While the in-laws stay at… Continue reading GATECRASHING A 60th BIRTHDAY IN TONBRIDGE
ROSIE AT THE GRACE
November 2025. Highbury. London. A big (for RM) gig in London, a new venue for me just outside Highbury Station and just below the Arsenal ground, and I find myself with 2 hours to kill before doors. I know it’s imperative I get the largest size Rosie T-shirt before they sell-out, but 2 hours is… Continue reading ROSIE AT THE GRACE
LEICESTER CASTLE
October 2025. Leicester. 36 hours in Leicester, and with lunchtime approaching (though we’d barely finished breakfast) it’s time to explore the castle. Leicester looked quite lively with shoppers that late October Thursday, but tourist trade is light, and we are virtually the only folk in Castle Park, apart from that giant heron (or whatever it… Continue reading LEICESTER CASTLE
BACK ON THE DESI TRAIL. THE BLUE PETER, LEICESTER
October 2025. Leicester. 36 hours in Leicester; time to complete the GBG entries for the county and provide Mrs RM with enough material for her own blogpost to boost tourist trade, provisionally titled “Oh, go on, it can’t be worse than Maidenhead“. We’d petered out a bit after completing the art trail along the Soar… Continue reading BACK ON THE DESI TRAIL. THE BLUE PETER, LEICESTER
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