Everyone Happy At The Cross Keys

It’s the gift that keeps on giving but this will have to be my last World Cup related blog post – for about four years anyway! As Vladimir Putin keeps up his charm offensive with Donald Trump he is basking in the glory of the fact that Russia put on a good show as hosts…

Earth, Wind And Fire At The Jolly Potters

“Oh oh, England are in Russia, Oh oh, drinking all your vodka, Oh oh, England’s going all the way”  A World Cup semi-final for the first time since 1990 and I’d forgotten how good the nation feels when England play well in a major competition. If we beat Croatia on Wednesday – and I reckon…

Rock And Roll Lifestyle At The Apiary

A Saturday night in Castle Donington to celebrate my birthday…I know how to party!   As befits a fortysomething I shunned the bright lights of dance/trance clubs and took in a bloke playing an accordion. However, not wishing to do Lil’ Jim a disservice as his live show with guitarist Cain Paisley is absolutely top drawer. …

Head Wetting In Nottingham

Wetting the baby’s head, hen parties, stag parties, Christenings, Weddings, Divorce parties, Christmas parties, sports tours, pub crawls and wakes are just some of the examples us Brits use to get stuck into a beer. I can think of countless other ‘clubs’ and ‘walking groups’ whose primary objective is to have a pint but find…

Sexy Seventies Memories In Castle Donington

Anybody over the age of 45 must remember Barry Sheene overtaking Kenny Roberts and flicking the ‘V’ sign to his American rival in the British Grand Prix of 1979.  This was an era when there were ‘characters’ in sport i.e. people who liked a pint!   With Sheene being world champion in 1976 and James Hunt…