May 2026. Whitby. Too many pub crawls artisanally curated exploration of public houses over-focus on beer and miss the point of visiting pubs. Always visit a Sam Smiths pub over a pokey micro called “11 o’clock craft bock” or something. Equally, never forget why you’re in Whitby, rather than Wokingham, say, or...

May 2026. Whitby. Whitby was busy enough for a Goth-free Wednesday in May, enough to keep the cake shops, and the pubs ticking over, though of course Sam Smiths pubs close for reasons unrelated to trade. “Still seeking a management COUPLE” says the advert for the Jolly Sailors, and that couple won’t be Mrs RM and...

May 2026. Whitby. Dave “US Dave” turned up just as Stafford Paul were contemplating the merits of the pubs across Whitby harbour. Slightly reduced merits these days in the Duke of York and the Board, as Whitby has gone full-on “small pub”. But our Wednesday was very “proper”, four pubs outside the GBG, starting at a...

May 2026. Whitby. I’d told Mrs RM if she was ready to leave for Whitby at 6am that Wednesday morning I’d take her along. I even threw in the prospect of a campervan overnighter opposite Loftus Police Station, where I parked up, alone, at 9am. Ten minutes later I was on the X4, a picturesque 41 minute meander around...

May 2026. Leeds. 3 hours between train in Leeds, time for the Freedom breakfast in Spoons (Becketts Bank), the culture, and a pint in a re-opened classic. Oh, they’ve got rid of the “Family” in the title. Sign of the times. Anyway, the Victoria, one of the Leeds gems, refurbished by the ubiquitous Kirkstall Brewery,...

May 2026. Leeds. A night in Bradford, then a descent through the ornate passageway in the Midland Hotel to Forster Square station, from which you take the Kirkstall route back to Leeds, not the most scenic. But Leeds is scrubbing up well, and that endless renovation of the station entrance may well be a cracker,...

May 2026. Bradford. Time flies. Five years ago I was sitting outside the Jacobs Well (aka Beer House aka Jacobs etc etc), waiting for BRAPA to be vaccinated. Afternoon all! Pre vaccine fun at Jacobs Beer House, Bradford. The Abbeydale Deception is drinking well, the locals and staff seem perky, it is raining and...

May 2026. Bradford. You can always trust a person who likes Bradford, or Blackpool, or is torn on the virtues of Maidenhead. The Southworths always seem impressed by Bradford’s centenary square; the city hall, the fountains, the Wetherspoons, the view across to the Alhambra and the wonderfully revitalised Science...

May 2026. Bradford. We’ve been stalking the Southworths on their 2026 UK (well, mainly Yorkshire) Tour, which inevitably reached Bradford last Sunday. I’m sure Dave really comes for the marvellous street art, recently enhanced by the addition of Greggs wrappers, but in truth it’s the curry that brings the boys to...

May 2026. Sheffield. I’m no glory-hunter. Not for me the trip to Crewe Alex to see Cambridge United promoted. I couldn’t get a ticket. I chose the last Saturday of the grass roots season to watch “Proper Football”. Bramall Lane, home of legends like, er, Eddie Colquhoun, where the modern day stars drive normal cars....

May 2026. Sheffield. A rare Saturday in Sheffield, and a designated “dry” day, which is quite an effort in my hometown. On a whim, I thought “about time I went to Bramall Lane“, and was a bit miffed to see the Cricketers Arms opposite the ground closed on match day. I took an aimless stroll round semi-industrial...

April 2026. Cannon Street. London. I’m always interested in The Honest View on Beer Quality. Chris Dyson and Paul Bailey always give their beers scores; folk on the “We love Bass, us” Facebook page seem reluctant to admit Bass can sometimes be less than perfect (though it always seems to photograph well). Our...