November 2025. Leeds. My last train back from Leeds to Sheffield would have been a ridiculously early 22:37, with a half hour walk from my gig out in Hyde Park’s student land. Could I possibly make it back ? I asked ChatGPT for my chances of making that train, based on probable stage times (often… Continue reading ANNAHSTASIA AT THE BRUDENELL. AND THE PROBLEM WITH Chat GPT
Tag: West Yorkshire
TALKING TIDES. FROM MARSKE-ON-SEA TO LEEDS
November 2025. Leeds. A few minutes at bucolic Bramley station, waiting for the train back to Leeds. It’s late, but is it late enough to Delay Repay ? In Leeds, which is one of the most confusing stations in the UK to escape from, I head towards Swinegate, the Calls, and a pre-emptive recommendation 5… Continue reading TALKING TIDES. FROM MARSKE-ON-SEA TO LEEDS
ANOTHER LEEDS SATELLITE TOWN, ANOTHER WOBBLY BOB AND SPICE BAG. NO. 2 – PUDSEY
November 2025. Pudsey. West Yorkshire. Back in Sheffield at the weekend for a couple of days to a) collect post (there isn’t any, except the Caravan Club glossy), b) put the bin out (it’s empty, but habit), c) make sure the heating is working in the middle of a sudden freeze (yep), and d) have… Continue reading ANOTHER LEEDS SATELLITE TOWN, ANOTHER WOBBLY BOB AND SPICE BAG. NO. 2 – PUDSEY
THE DEATH RATTLE AT THE FOX AND GOOSE
May 2025. Hebden Bridge. 36 minutes to clamber the 2 miles from Hebden station to pub tick, 27 minutes to sprint back down to the market place, where literally everyone is heading for the pub. I was astonished to discover the population is barely 4,500, which equates to 1.08 pubs or cafes per resident. It’s… Continue reading THE DEATH RATTLE AT THE FOX AND GOOSE
TOP 100 PUBS – THE ROBIN HOOD, PECKET WELL
May 2025. Hebden Bridge. £13.35 your off-peak return from Sheffield to Hebden Bridge, so you’re going to want to walk 13,350 steps, consume 1,335 calories, and drink NBSS 13.35 worth of beer, I guess ? It’s a glorious town, just a bit overwhelmed with day-trippers, the Matlock Bath or Bewdley of the North. Plenty of… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE ROBIN HOOD, PECKET WELL
IN PRAISE OF BREW YORK
April 2025. Otley. Otley felt a lot smaller than I remembered, a modest market town of 13,668 souls dominated by a bus station and courtyard cobbled shopping centre. But it’s certainly well-pubbed, five in the GBG. I thought Savage Crangle was a great name for a pub, recalling that Rorty Crankle up the road in… Continue reading IN PRAISE OF BREW YORK
CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
April 2025. Otley. Thank you to reader Pauline, who knows her Yorkshire, for gently pointing out that the Otley pub crawl is actually in Leeds, and all the pubs on it are student bars called Pop ! and Flares and The Duncan. I thought you’d like to see Pauline’s hubby modelling an early GBG back… Continue reading CURIOUSER AND CURIOUSER
TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
April 2025. Otley. The chap at Curious Hop, my actual new GBG tick, had opened up, shut up again, and left that “Back in 5 mins” sign up while I stood at the door. Would it still say “Back in 5 mins” in 5 mins time ? Would he ever come back ? I should… Continue reading TOP 100 PUBS – THE OLD COCK, OTLEY
MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
April 2025. Menston to Otley. OK, the set-up post for the big trip to Otley, and a question “Why Menston ?“. I’d only decided to take the train to Leeds roughly 45 seconds before it departed Sheffield. I think you’re supposed to buy your ticket earlier, but I like to be sure I’m getting a… Continue reading MISSING THE BUS FROM MENSTON TO OTLEY
ChatGPT recommends Sophie Jamieson. As do I.
January 2025. Leeds. I caught the No. 39 from Meanwood back to central Leeds and suddenly felt a bit woozy, which is a bit lightweight after 3 pints, though, one of them was murk (M = 1.5*C). So, even though the pus deposited me outside BRAPA’s favourite L***s pub*, the completely “reimagined” Stick & Twist,… Continue reading ChatGPT recommends Sophie Jamieson. As do I.
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