October 2026. Tonbridge. I decided to let the train take the strain from Sheffield to Tonbridge; at £29.60 advance it was probably cheaper with diesel over £2 a pint or whatever they sell it in. Sheff-St Pancras, quick dash, St Pancras-London Bridge, quick dash, London Bridge to Tonbridge. I just wish it was easy to… Continue reading SINKING SHEPS
Tag: writing
MANCUNIAN UNITY IN SHEFFIELD
October 2026. Sheffield. I spent Sunday morning giving RM Towers a thorough Autumn clean before heading back to Kent, by which I mean a clean that would meet most bloke’s lesser standards of housekeeping. By noon I was bored, and idly glancing at the Women’s FA Cup fixtures (spoilers alert). Ooh, Barnsley Women, wonder which… Continue reading MANCUNIAN UNITY IN SHEFFIELD
DRAUGHT BASS AT THE FLOWERPOT
October 2026. Derby. Rushing out of the Tiny Tap to avoid the strains of the debut Duran Duran single I find myself at the Darley bus stop with a (late) bus called either 9.1 the nines, 6X the sixes or the comet approaching. I try to pay on my phone. It fails, the driver taps… Continue reading DRAUGHT BASS AT THE FLOWERPOT
DERBY’S ODD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BEER GUIDE
October 2026. Derby. Mrs RM has been down in RTW, as the kidz call it, arranging care packages for my father-in-law. Just because it’s been on the horizon for ages doesn’t make it less draining. I’d had to take the morning train (like Sheena Easton) back to Sheffield to get the boiler serviced, clear out… Continue reading DERBY’S ODD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BEER GUIDE
SEPTEMBER ’26 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
Right, now I’ve reached the end of September I can bring you the highlights; none of this posting a summary two (2) days early nonsense. Nothing particularly startling about the travel map; but September 2026 was a notable month for good and bad reasons. Beginning with the privilege of taking James and Matt and Emma… Continue reading SEPTEMBER ’26 STOCKTAKE + OCTOBER PREVIEW
ANGLING FOR SAXILBY TICKS
September 2026. Saxilby. Lincolnshire. Only back three (3) days from an overnight stay one rail stop out of Lincoln, and I’m off on t’train, one stop shy of Lincoln again for a lone GBG newbie. Saxilby is the GBG ticker’s “low hanging fruit” (ugh, ugh) for me (less so if you’re starting in Paisley). An… Continue reading ANGLING FOR SAXILBY TICKS
KILLING TIME IN DRONFIELD
September 2026. Dronfield. There’s a large number of new Beer Guide entries that only open at weekends, including one 10 minutes away on the train to Dronfield. Actually, 10 minutes on a train that’s delayed 19 minutes and then a 20 minute walk along the road to Unstone. where the Drone Valley tap awaits. Well,… Continue reading KILLING TIME IN DRONFIELD
A NEW SPOONS FOR NORTH HYKEHAM
September 2026. North Hykeham. Lincolnshire. You left me in Poachers Brewery Tap at North Hykeham in the suburbs of Lincoln, showing no ill effects from the handful of Devil’s nuts foisted on me by the locals after securing the “tricky” tick in GBG27. Parked up in my campervan in the industrial estate on the junction… Continue reading A NEW SPOONS FOR NORTH HYKEHAM
THE BEER GUIDE PUB OPEN FIVE (5) HOURS A WEEK
September 2026. North Hykeham. Lincolnshire. Friday was a perfect day, and not in a corny Lou Reed charity single way. I drove down to see Dad, who despite advancing dementia was as chatty as he’s been for many months, was eating well, and had somehow acquired the Russian resident’s hat. I stayed a couple of… Continue reading THE BEER GUIDE PUB OPEN FIVE (5) HOURS A WEEK
ADMIRING PUB AI IN SOUTH ANSTON
September 2026. South Anston. South Yorkshire. Obviously I’m not actually aiming to complete the Beer Guide again; not sure I could afford all those helicopter flights and ferries in the final year anymore, never mind the stress. But I’m still visiting as many new Guide pubs as I can, and a bit more conscientous about… Continue reading ADMIRING PUB AI IN SOUTH ANSTON
