COULD WE HAVE SPOONS FOR BREAKFAST ?

March 2025. Hilsborough. Sheffield. Much of the non-political discussion that Saturday night with our guests from Chicago centred on “service” culture and Wetherspoons. Dave (not THAT Dave) was in awe as I described folk drinking beer with their full English at 9am, and added a morning pint in Spoons to his To Do list, alongside… Continue reading COULD WE HAVE SPOONS FOR BREAKFAST ?

PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN WALLINGTON

March 2026. Wallington. South London. Another week, another American troubador*, another chance to makes inroads into London GBG, another chance to marvel at the capital’s integrated transport system as I whizz from St Pancras around Croydon towards Wallington, a mile’s walk from Carshalton and The Hope. It’s not an essential visit, even by my meagre… Continue reading PRIDE DRINKING WELL IN WALLINGTON

STEALING VEGAN BREAKFASTS IN CLEVELEYS SPOONS

January 2026. Blackpool. When you left us Mrs RM was in St Annes Spoons, resisting the onion rings but succumbing to Chardonnay and Cointreau after that Imperial Stout. It may be her only relapse during an otherwise impeccably observed Dryanuary. In consequence, she was in no mood to join me in the chill of the… Continue reading STEALING VEGAN BREAKFASTS IN CLEVELEYS SPOONS

MRS RM’s DRYANUARY RUMBLES ON

January 2026. Sheffield. Enough of me, I’m sure you’re all keen to know how Mrs RM is getting on with her 0.0 January. Well, she holds on to the lie that alcohol-free beer tastes just like the real thing, and was ready to have temptation placed in her way with a Sunday in Kelham Island.… Continue reading MRS RM’s DRYANUARY RUMBLES ON

ANOTHER HOBGOBLIN IN STREATHAM

January 2026. Streatham. London Dad got the full ambulance treatment on Friday night, but made such a miraculous recovery overnight that I felt confident about trekking back to Rye the next morning. 90 year olds have incredible bouncebackability. Time for a couple of London pubs ? Half an hour and £8 from St Pancras brings… Continue reading ANOTHER HOBGOBLIN IN STREATHAM

ALL THE PUBS IN HASTINGS NEW TOWN. No. 1 – THE JOHN LOGIE BAIRD

December 2025. Hastings. You’ll know that I fund my hedonist lifestyle by not buying clothes, but by Monday I realised I was going to have to replace my dark fleece, inexplicably left on the 17:35 from Uttoxeter after 4 pints of Bass. 20 minutes by rail brings you to Hastings, which has shops and pubs.… Continue reading ALL THE PUBS IN HASTINGS NEW TOWN. No. 1 – THE JOHN LOGIE BAIRD