Every time I go to a thrash metal gig I tell myself I’m too old for this caper and that this will be the last time… …and then something like this comes along.

Kreator and Carcass coming to Manchester next year! Splendid.

FML

Moston to Rochdale. Drier than yesterday.

Pint of cask Boddingtons too! Cream of Manchester innit.

The Baum in Rochdale. I’ve delivered beer here before but this is my first visit as a customer. What an absolutely stunning boozer!

Well we did need the rain.

Todmorden to Rochdale walk. Apocalyptic weather ☔️

Tomorrow I’m taking Mrs S for a romantic weekend away in, ahem, Rochdale. And I’ve just looked at the weather forecast. Oh dear.

Out with Firstborn

Sneak preview of my favourite building in the whole wide world, the Huddersfield Queensgate Market, as it enters the next phase of its existence. Just look at those hyperbolic paraboloids! Phwoarr!

Both cars needed new tyres this week. I took the first car on Tuesday and had to listen to a load of racist, sexist and homophobia “banter” from the fitters while I waited. I took the second car today to a new tyre shop. I’d been going to the first place for 30 years, but never again.

I’m not going to be deterred by a bit of rain #pizza

Evenin’ all. How’s everyone’s weekend going? I’m avoiding discussing current events, so here instead is a picture of me glaring at a horse.

I had a very nice day yesterday looking at hops (and apples) growing in Herefordshire.

And finally… served with rice, ratatouille (made with a bought aubergine unfortunately, but we grew the rest), those pickled green beans I bored you with a few weeks ago and a dollop of Mrs S’ Special Sauce. Smashing!

Outf*ckingstanding!

Final high temperature sizzle to crisp things up.

A quick peek inside to check on progress. We’re about half way through the cook at this point.

In other news, on our walk* today we stopped to admire The Great Wall of Todmorden. It’s actually much bigger and more impressive than it looks in this picture. *from Hebden Bridge to Walsden

Two boned and rolled breasts of lamb. One was rubbed with lemon and rosemary and the other with a Middle Eastern spice mix. Tomorrow they’ll be going into the smoker, but which will be best?!

Non carnivores may wish to avert their eyes before my next post. I’ve been rubbing my breasts and I’m going to show you.

Harvest season definitely in full swing now.

For those interested in my lamb rogan josh pies earlier, here is a better pic stolen from the butcher’s own Insta. To give them full credit, they are Yorkshire Craft Butchery from Golcar in Huddersfield and can be found on Insta and Facebook. I highly recommend.

Exhibit A #Pie

The world feels like quite a scary place at the moment, so I’ve been to Yorkshire Craft Butchery for lamb rogan josh pies to cheer us up.

Grassington Moor Lead Mine Trail just before the heavens opened.

After visiting twelve pubs in Skipton yesterday I thought it best to leave the car there. An added bonus now is a five mile walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal tow path to retrieve it.

I’m home. We’re going to watch Gardener’s World.

In related business, I just noticed that my last two pubs look almost identical. I wonder if they were the work of the same architect. That’s how my mind works.

I called in here earlier but there was a turn on and I can’t be doing with all that so I gave it a miss. Much better now without the racket. Half a Daleside Bitter. Lovely.

I may have a problem here as I don’t qualify for either.

Pub 11. I’m running out of filters now though. And witticisms.

Ok, we’re on a roll now (although our pants are still wet) so let’s keep going. Pub 10.

Sod it, the rain has eased off a bit and the night is young. Let’s do a few more. Pub 9.

Pub Eight. I’d planned to do a few more yet, but I’m soaked down to my undercrackers and feeling a bit lonely so I might call it a day after this one. It’s a really lovely boozer though. The Yorkshireman, Skipton.

Pub Seven, the Devonshire Vaults, and the delicious Goose Eye Chinook is actually in here and not in the last pub. I got confused in my haste to avoid the rain. Nowt to do with alcohol honestly.

Pub Number Six (I think) and a poorly composed picture because it’s chucking it down and I’m wet enough already.

I’ve got a confession. I miss Twitter. Not X, that can fuck off, and Musk with it. I had loads of mates there though and I miss them.

Moving swiftly on as I try to avoid the rain. No trip to Skipton feels complete without a swift half in here. A rather raucous clientele though, so I won’t linger.

I wonder if someone hung a flag at half mast on a lamppost and defaced a mini roundabout in Nuremberg in 1923 and thought “That looks brilliant; look how patriotic I am!”

Next stop is The Castle and it just rained significantly. I’m more than a bit damp now.

Next stop is the Boathouse Bar. Absolutely rammed, but I managed to find a canal side bench. The @wishbonebrewery.bsky.social Tiller Pin is stunning 🍻

The Narrowboat has a Harvey’s tap takeover!!! What a result!

We had a wonderful walk from Barnoldswick to Gargrave this morning so the other family members want a lazy afternoon. I’ve left them to it and come into Skipton for a pub crawl.

The Yorkshire/Lancashire border as seen in Wallace and Gromit.

Bubble & Squeak for tea, but made with chard and kale* so it’s “posh”. *Probably a few caterpillars too.

Pfft! Someone on a community Facebook group I follow asked for recommendations for a “Pinter/Decorator” this evening. I helpfully replied with this picture and some little Hitler of an admin rejected my post. Really! I was only trying to be helpful.

Late summer compost turning* session complete. *blah, not a euphemism, blah, etc

I don’t usually post what I’m currently listening to on social media, but I’m making an exception here because this is fucking brilliant. You’re welcome. youtube.com/watch?v=p_oB...