Never forget that there are good people around. My daughter (with granddaughter) was driving on a single carriageway A road in Manchester this PM and came to a stop as the clutch seized. Two cars stopped immediately and the blokes got out to push her off the road to a safe place.

A treasure trove of Charrington pub photos released by the National Brewery Heritage Trust. Well done to them. www.prints-online.com/national-bre...

Our hosepipe ban notice now providing emergency supplies.

As CAMRA reports on its current financial difficulties here's my thoughts from a blog post in 2018. The more things change.... wp.me/p5209G-t5

Fine views over Youlgrave.

A lovely article by the other Ian, my Bass supporting compatriot. A perfect description of the institution and Mandy. A fine custodian of the Coopers Tavern. thebeertonian.com/2025/09/04/l...

The weirdest of years for fruit (loads) and veg (poor). 2kg of damson plums off a single tree. Nothing for 10 years before. All I need now is a cider maker to take apples.

Reading Forbidden Land (1989) at the mo. So important to remember the spirit of Tom Stephenson and Benny Rothman and those who strode out before them. Heroes all. Lovely memoir by @churchcat.bsky.social .

The best low alcohol (0.5%) beer I've tasted. Beck Pale from Fell Brewery in the Lakes. And yes I should have cleaned the glass properly.

A week on the Dales Way from Windermere to Ilkley. A few pub reflections. Micros have become the best bet in many towns for reliable beer and friendly service. The Factory, Kendal; Half n Half, Sedbergh; Friends of Ham, Ilkley all excellent.

The Dales Way aka The Malt Path finishes with a Pennine Amber Nectar at the Black Cat, Ilkley. A washout day, a short cut in Cumbria and a bus from Bolton Abbey but 70 miles not to be sniffed at.

An evening at the Devonshire in Grassington. A busy bar, restaurant packed, staff and beers excellent. Hospitality success by #TimothyTaylors. Dark Mild with Liver & Onions, fuel for our last day on the #DalesWay. Ilkley beckons.

Memories of 2009 Innway. Now only the knees click @teamwalking.bsky.social

Staying at the Buck Inn, Buckden tonight. Room very good, beer very good (Rudgate Sunbeam and Bitter), food very good. Pub somewhat empty for a Friday evening. Tough this hospitality lark, even for some good guys. Off for a soaking tomorrow.

Wensleydale beers in top condition at the George at Hubberholme on the Dales Way. J B Priestley was right, it is the loveliest village.

Last time staying in the Station Inn, Ribblehead was 2012. Massive improvement now. Friendly welcome, solid fare, good beer from Tirril, Settle and decent rooms.

Settling down for quiz night at the Half and Half, Sedbergh. Fuelled by Crag Bitter, Holy Well Blond and Beck Pale, all from Fell Brewery.

Beautiful weather on the Dales Way from Burneside to Sedburgh. Nothing better than finding tea shops in the middle of nowhere.

To Factory Tap in Kendal last night. Great staff, beer on top form (including the excellent Fell Beck Pale 0.5%) and pizzas from a van. Hospitality winner. Pubs where we've recently stayed in Bowness & Burneside suggest huge numbers still to close. Empty, grubby, not particularly welcoming.

Our first day walking the Dales Way will require a creative writing effort. "As we hiked out of Bowness the rain poured but our spirits were lifted". I'm sure Penguin will sign us up.

Do they think we believe this bollos? I'm sure other clubs are reaching similar comms heights.

Off to do the Dales Way next week. The bits where we catch the train and a bus should be viewed as part of our spiritual journey.

The northern Mediterranean aka the Peak District continues to produce despite the drought. This year's garlic crop is bigger and earlier than ever.

Well I didn't think I'd ever see Sir Jimmy bowling at Queen's Park, Chesterfield. At least it's the Kookaburra ball for the Derbyshire openers this morning.

“Then later, empty (beer) mugs were there, which were suddenly gone," said the Germany Under-21 press officer, who happens to be named Markus Beer. From the Daily Mirror. Obviously a potential ticker.

Earliest blackcurrant jam I've ever made. From fruit at 600 ft asl in the Peak District. Global jamming measure.

news.sky.com/story/son-of... Disgraceful. Another case of 'let's cover things up and learn nothing'.

For £2 more I could be at Headingley. Nottinghamshire v Yorkshire. The chap at the station co-op till telling me about his socks problem could be the most exciting part of the day.

Camping in the Yorkshire Dales. Plan to make sure we have enough layers of clothing....the Craven Arms at Appletreewick may be essential for rehydration after 7 miles along Wharfedale at 25C plus.

The perfect entrance to a perfect village pub. Hetton Pale at the lovely Crown Inn in Nidderdale.

Is this a record @tomthepub.bsky.social ? I called in at the local. 16 walkers taking up the outside tables. And....they'd bought 2 lime and sodas and a 1/2 of bitter. Magnificent.

www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/Article/2025... Sadly I think there's a much more serious consumer demand issue. Walk past many pubs, look in the windows to see empty spaces. Not enough people are using the pubs. Lockdown has changed habits forever.

Slates piled up on a building project in NW Wales. Made in Argentina.

Good place for a pint.

Beer of the year so far. Kirkstall Brewery Bitter at the George in Youlgrave. Superb.

Last bar of our trip. Weinstube Pizzini, Bamberg. Lovely beers and service at Zum Sternla earlier. Wonderful experience, with great tips from @europeanbarguide.bsky.social for our travels.

Kloster St Michael and the Franconian Brewery Museum, Bamberg. Beer may be involved.

First day in Bamberg. Schlenkerla too much of a tourist trap and staff who dislike customers. Marzen smoke beer in fine form. Impressed with Spezial Keller above Bamberg, good beers and food with excellent views from the terrace. Well organised and friendly staff.

WeissbierHex. Many thanks to @europeanbarguide.bsky.social

I've always liked Reading.

Stress reliever at Stretton Social Club.

Carbonnade Flamande using the lovely Saint Mars of the Desert's Abbey Brune and a tried and tested recipe from the great Richard Boston.

Excellent pasty, excellent pub

When in Costa Rica drink keg IPA. It's a bit warm on the Pacific coast.

Away you winter bugs, a beautiful pint of Theakstons XB to celebrate Spring.

Finally, Spring is springing.

A Peak District village with 3 tied pubs (Heineken, Greene King and Admiral) and a social club serving 1,000 people. One up for let, another awaiting a new manager (again). The tied pub becomes a less convincing business model by the day. Are the book values of pubs justified by the business level?

A mark for Mark @rfcider.bsky.social and the White Peak's loveliest tor.

Oh what's in the local...

Phew, might have missed it but for the signage.