TheWickingMan
@ianthurman.bsky.social
Walking to the pub with a beer in mind. See also https://thewickingman.wordpress.com/
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.
October 11, 2025 at 5:38 PM
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...
www.prints-online.com/national-bre...
www.prints-online.com
October 8, 2025 at 4:46 PM
A treasure trove of Charrington pub photos released by the National Brewery Heritage Trust. Well done to them.
www.prints-online.com/national-bre...
www.prints-online.com/national-bre...
Our hosepipe ban notice now providing emergency supplies.
September 21, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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
wp.me/p5209G-t5
I’m stupid, but it’s simple
The recent e-mail from Jackie Parker, the National Chairman Elect of CAMRA, is well-meaning in its focus on the future of the organisation, but for me it set the alarm bells ringing. In some ways i…
wp.me
September 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
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
wp.me/p5209G-t5
Fine views over Youlgrave.
September 5, 2025 at 11:09 AM
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...
thebeertonian.com/2025/09/04/l...
Last Orders at The Coopers
During her 42 years in the licensed trade, including eight at The Coopers Tavern, Mandy Addis has called last orders more times than she could ever count. But on this final Saturday as Landlady, sh…
thebeertonian.com
September 5, 2025 at 6:40 AM
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...
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.
September 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
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 .
August 26, 2025 at 8:32 AM
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.
July 25, 2025 at 6:14 PM
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.
July 21, 2025 at 11:14 AM
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.
July 20, 2025 at 1:17 PM
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.
Dark Mild with Liver & Onions, fuel for our last day on the #DalesWay. Ilkley beckons.
July 20, 2025 at 6:26 AM
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.
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
July 19, 2025 at 8:23 AM
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.
July 18, 2025 at 8:25 PM
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.
July 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
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.
July 17, 2025 at 6:59 PM
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.
July 16, 2025 at 7:16 PM
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.
July 16, 2025 at 4:16 PM
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.
Pubs where we've recently stayed in Bowness & Burneside suggest huge numbers still to close. Empty, grubby, not particularly welcoming.
July 16, 2025 at 11:43 AM
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.
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.
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 AM
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.
July 10, 2025 at 8:18 PM
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.
July 9, 2025 at 5:43 AM
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.
July 3, 2025 at 12:03 PM
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.
June 30, 2025 at 9:50 AM
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.
Obviously a potential ticker.
June 29, 2025 at 1:54 PM
“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.
Obviously a potential ticker.