December 2025. Ashford. Kent. The journey from Sheffield (Home 1) to Rye (Home 3) ticked into an 8th hour as we pulled into Ashford International, which I’ve seen far too much of these last two months. 36 minutes between trains, too long to admire the art trail, so I felt compelled to seek solace in… Continue reading A DASH FROM ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL
TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
December 2025. Sheffield. Ely. King’s Cross. London. You’ll be wondering by now what’s happened to my birthday (22nd December, make a note on your new Retired Martin calendar). That’s coming soon, and rest assured it’s not as bad as last year, but first a long day from Sheffield, to Rye, via long stops in Ely… Continue reading TOP PUBS FOR WHEN YOU’RE STUCK AT KING’S CROSS FOR HALF AN HOUR. No. 2 – THE KING CHARLES I
STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
December 2025. Manchester. Walking back from the City v Hammers match I got a text from Matthew; “Fancy a beer ?“, which is exactly the sort of thing you hope a child will grow up to ask you. Quosh had recommended a new brewery tap under the Piccadilly arches (“ANOTHER one ?“), only a 5… Continue reading STEELFISH BREWERY – COME FOR THE HAZY PALE, COME FOR THE COB
FLAT TRACK BULLIES
December 2025. Manchester. Normally I meet Matt in Manchester near Piccadilly before a City game, but last Saturday I just fancied getting to the Etihad early and jumped off at Ashbury’s. Note, map above, the astonishing number of sports stadia in East Manchester, a legacy of the Commonwealth Games of 2002 and the totally above… Continue reading FLAT TRACK BULLIES
“BY ‘ECK IT’S GORGEOUS”. THE STEELWORKS, BREDBURY.
December 2025. Bredbury. Stockport. A flying visit back Home (No. 1) at least gives me chance to do the laundry, discuss viscosity with Will, and get to the final game of the year. The last Saturday before Christmas was always going to put strain on the Sheffield-Manchester-Liverpool rail “service”, especially with the Egyptians and pixies… Continue reading “BY ‘ECK IT’S GORGEOUS”. THE STEELWORKS, BREDBURY.
THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY
December 2025. Sheffield. I’ve not much to say about our final stop on Black Eye Friday, but it’s a gorgeous stop, and a favourite of Mrs RM (as long as they don’t say she can’t have a pint of the strong one). She has now told this tale more than the one about me being… Continue reading THE CHRISTMAS TURKEY
RESISTING THE 10% JAIPUR X IN THE HALLAMSHIRE HOUSE
December 2025. Sheffield. Leg 4 (of 5) of my attempt to get to the heart of Black Eye Friday in my own city. But first ! I nip into Marks & Spencer’s, ignoring the lure of Alpine Bar, a Top 100 pub as recently as 2021 but which may lose that status as I need… Continue reading RESISTING THE 10% JAIPUR X IN THE HALLAMSHIRE HOUSE
CHRISTMAS JUMPERS
December 2025. Sheffield. Will had curated an itinerary for our mini-Sheffield Black Eye Friday crawl. As a southerner, he’d never actually ever heard of Black Eye Friday, but then unlike me he’s not slave to biblically-inspired Christmas rituals like dressing up as Santa and falling over. Most of the Daily Mail’s pictures from the great… Continue reading CHRISTMAS JUMPERS
IS THE BATH HOTEL GOING GASTRO?
December 2025. Sheffield. Back in Sheffield on Black Eye Friday with just enough time to put the laundry on, open the Christmas cards that will never be reciprocated, and make the sort of arrangements that on Mumsnet would take 3 months. “Fancy a pint Will“. “OK. Bath at 2:30 ish.” “See you there“. As Joe… Continue reading IS THE BATH HOTEL GOING GASTRO?
A QUIET START TO BLACK EYE FRIDAY AT THE FARGATE
December 2025. Sheffield. I’d left Mrs RM in Rye (Home 3) to keep an eye on her parents while I popped back on the train to check on Dad and Sunnyside (Home 2). But I also needed to make sure our actual home in Sheffield (Home 1) was still standing and pick up post, so… Continue reading A QUIET START TO BLACK EYE FRIDAY AT THE FARGATE
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