Once a week I go cycling in the countryside with a friend. We cycle about 30 miles and visit 2 or 3 pubs. It’s my favourite day of the week.
Recently I visited the Friendly Inn, Frankton, Warwickshire, and noticed a plaque on the wall defining the rules of cricket. It was so good, [...]

Unfortunately if you like alcohol, hangovers are part of the deal. I prefer drinking real ale, especially ’session’ beers with an alcoholic strength of around 3.7%.  These beers are weak enough to avoid bad hangovers, (unless you consume vast quantities of course)!
Recently my brother arranged a ‘Risk and Rioja’ night at his house; Playing the [...]

I live in Leamington Spa in the Midlands. However I have relatives in Newcastle Upon Tyne who regard me as a ‘posh southern jessie’.
There is a social and cultural divide in the United Kingdom due to London being the centre of political and economic power. The gap has widened even with ‘New Labour’ in government.
I [...]

Interpol have issued an international alert warning all clubbers, party-goers and unsuspecting pub regulars to be on their guard and stay cautious when offered a drink by any woman. A new date rape drug on the market called ‘beer’ is used by female sexual predators at parties and bars to persuade their male victims to [...]

My first love – ah, I remember it as if it was yesterday. 1971, I was 17 years old and still learning the ways of the world. I marched into the Warwick Hotel and asked for a pint of Double Diamond. The TV adverts assured me that “it works wonders” and If I drank enough [...]

Even an economic recession has some good points – real ale at only 99 pence per pint for example. We have Wetherspoons to thank for this excellent bargain – long may they prosper. As a marketing strategy it certainly works, judging by the long queue at the bar lining up for Green King IPA. The only way [...]