A toast to Des de Moor (1961-2026). Cheers! desdemoor.co.uk/about/

NEW: Deserter Pubcast, Home and Away - www.podfollow.com/deserter-pubcast In which we discover what "trillionaire" means, how to milk a little wizard and provide a hack to defrost your car windscreen. Everything. Plus pubs, beer and crisps.

Goals. HT @pisci.bsky.social

Spotted by The Fox On The Hill, Denmark Hill. ‘Ssssshhhhh, it’s just magic’

First class rest stop - with en suite - on way to or from the Islay Inn, Glasgow. Spotter: @aaww80, Insta

Can something be disgraceful and admirable at the same time @deserterblog.bsky.social ? www.theguardian.com/football/202...

I had a phase in the late 80s when I did a load of drugs and booze. Rented a room in North London and moved all my stuff in, went on a bender, lost my paperwork and could not find the place afterwards. My car was outside too, never found that either.

Enjoying this.

Podcast idea @deserterblog.bsky.social

When Martin Parr was fourteen, his teacher wrote that he was ‘utterly lazy and inattentive’ in a school report. King. 📷: @mr-celery.bsky.social

Playing a blinder in Lanzarote. 📷: D. McGill We can’t provide the beach but we can provide the book: deserter.store

And your specialist subject? Price of pints 1986 to 2005 in East Dulwich @deserterblog.bsky.social

@deserterblog.bsky.social #pintwatch

In Amsterdam, leaning, which @deserterblog.bsky.social considers the most sublime form of human existence, is forbidden in some places. That, in turn, strikes me as inhumane.

I don't know what your New Year's resolutions are. I wanted to listen to a podcast episode, and that's it for my resolutions this year. Thanks, @deserterblog.bsky.social.

The first two hours this morning

If you like your podcasts frost-bitten, with pubs, pixies, potatoes and people dressed as plants, this one’s for you. www.podfollow.com/deserter-pubcast

Winter has cast its spell on South London. There's frost upon the pile of fly-tipped sofas this eve.

My favourite ever New Year's Eve was about 15 years ago when I worked for a text-answering service and I sat home on my own and got paid about £300 for texting "Happy New Year to you too!" to drunk people.

Part 1 of my story The Publican, as published in Londonist. To the person asking if there was a map of the pubs Gavin visits in the story - it’s in this piece!

Here's a real treat for you: The Publican, a short story from the new book by Deserter featuring a south London pub crawl (part one here, part two to follow very shortly) 🍺

“The Good Beer Guide meets Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.” ’Tis the season to rejoice. Our first book, Today South London, Tomorrow South London is once again available. Now in our shop, along with Shirk, Rest and Play and, of course, the new one, Deserter Stories. 👉 Deserter.store

My son bought me what I thought was a drill. Turned out to be a toblerone gaffer-taped to a bottle of Bailey’s.

An evening at the brilliant Dash the Henge, Camberwell. Our Deserter Stories tour finale and a chance to put our feet up and retire again.

We’re doing our traditional Xmas Day opening. Andy G opening for 12 noon, Doddsy along to take us thru to 3 (and a bit). As ever, we’ll have some snacks to share and feel free to bring your own. And if you’re feeling a bit skint, come anyway and we’ll sort you out. No purchase necessary.

On stage with Meatraffle at Dash the Henge last night. Kinda. Living the dream! Thanks to everyone who came along. Now to retire again.

And thanks to @andrewgrumbridge.bsky.social and @vincerai.bsky.social for their @deserterblog.bsky.social short story readings at Dash The Henge.

The @theshirkersrest.bsky.social has the A120 lounge. I present the A14 sit down… @andrewgrumbridge.bsky.social @vincerai.bsky.social @deserterblog.bsky.social

It’s our final gig of the year! Join us at the Dash the Henge store in Camberwell from 7pm, Friday for books, pints and readings.

Man answering his phone on the train: Yes? Correct, I’m not at work (pause) I’m not going to answer that because I am not at work today. No, you’re going to have to ask someone who is. Goodbye.

Hello Camberwell! Looking forward to a hometown gig on Friday. Come down if you can - it’s free and there’s beer.

Ten stories. South London roots, universal reach. Idleness, outsiders and the small joys that make life worth living. Review on the blog today: themadridreview.com/f/beyond-the... @deserterblog.bsky.social @vincerai.bsky.social @andrewgrumbridge.bsky.social #london #stories

Not satisfied with filling our eyes & ears with magic over the years, these two have written a book of short stories without peer. Buying several copies each would seem the best approach.

Our Deserter Stories World Tour (of South London) reaches its finale this Friday. Join us at Camberwell’s brilliant Dash the Henge for a last night of books, beer and bonhomie. All welcome, free entry. We’ll be chatting about the new book and doing a couple of readings before getting right on it.

Badge wanker:

The escaping the laundrette pint

Do you like crisps? Do you enjoy nostalgia? How about graphic design? If you can say yes to any of these you might like this amazing book from #SportsBanger sportsbanger.com/products/u-k...

Thanks for coming along, Crystal Palace! And thanks for having us @booksellercrow.bsky.social

Great evening at The Bookseller Crow at an event with @deserterblog.bsky.social and my excellent pal @whenisbirths.bsky.social in conversation with @clairywoowoo.bsky.social about his 80stastic new book Into The Groove

If we weren’t doing the gig in. Crystal Palace tonight, we’d be here. Still hoping to make it for last orders!

Last few tickets remaining for tonight in Crystal Palace. 📚🎶🍷

Important new retail concept in south London: the pot offie. cc @deserterblog.bsky.social

Taking my @deserterblog.bsky.social Stories Dublin-style. It's true what they say, books really do taste better in Dublin. No! Wait, it's Guinness they say that about. Both seem true

Join us tonight for an hour of merriment, 7-8pm.

Christmas shopping? Order Deserter Stories now. Feet up. Job done. 👉 deserter.store

Would you talk to these men online? Meet the authors of Deserter Stories for a chat, a reading and a drink. This Weds, 10th Dec, 7pm. Free, obviously. Sign up here: luma.com/n5jmckv2 and bring a bottle!

Couples retreat, Grove Vale @deserterblog.bsky.social

Sad news via @retiredmartinpubs.bsky.social. We've been chatting to Peter online for years – often disagreeing with him, admittedly. We'd noticed he'd been quiet lately and were concerned. retiredmartin.com/2025/12/07/p...

NEW PUBCAST: Carousing in Catford & Lewisham Feat. dementia, dossers and Doritos, plus the Desert Island Crisps of an actual professional pub snack buyer. Out now wherever you get your podcasts, or right here on our website, with dates of upcoming live appearances. deserter.co.uk/2025/12/pubc...