Today sees us return to Greater Manchester for IRLAM LIVE, an annual music festival that takes place in a beautiful tree-lined outdoor arena in Prince’s Park, Irlam, nine miles west of Manchester city centre.
We set off from our rehearsal rooms around 11.30 as we had to be at the venue for about 1pm…
Keith is travelling with us this week…
No time for a film though as we arrive at our destination earlier than expected…
Time to get our passes as we park the bus…
Back stage!!!
We met up with Louise Orange and Helen Barnes of Loving 80’s Music…
Very acceptable
Out front it was time for a hotdog and some beer…
Brewed with American hops and bursting with flavour, take a trip to the New World with fresh hoppy aromas and bountiful notes of tropical pineapple and grapefruit. This sprightly citrus hit develops into a crisp, smooth IPA for you to earn your stars and stripes with.
Where’s Roy when you need him?
Cocktails were on offer with DJ John Locke…
More fun backstage…
And of course there was Peroni…
Peroni is a clean crisp beer great when you are having more than one.😃
And an unusually large amount of fruit…
Keith here demonstrating Newtons law of universal gravitation…
Thursday 26th March 2026 – Cambridge Corn Exchange
The Grade II Listed Cambridge Corn Exchange is the largest event space in the centre of Cambridge offering capacity for up to 1400. The flexible auditorium offers a variety of seating options including theatre style, cabaret and tiered, as well as a completely blank canvas of 456 square metres for exhibitions. The other rooms in the venue offer registration and breakout spaces for large-scale conferences.
We met up early at the rehearsal studios in Liverpool…
Today’s lunchtime venue is the ‘Foxton Locks Inn’ at Foxton near Market Harborough, Leicestershire…
It’s a historic area…
Foxton Locks are ten canal locks consisting of two “staircases” each of five locks, located on the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal about 3 miles (5 km) west of the Leicestershire town of Market Harborough. They are named after the nearby village of Foxton.
Nice sunny day again…
We had a film…
We’re enjoying this old favourite😄
We stopped off for a short break near Coventry…
Groovy plane?
Sort of… it’s the ‘Frank Whittle Memorial’ on a roundabout in Lutterworth, Leicestershire. The structure is a full-size replica of the GlosterE.28/39 which was the first British jet-powered aircraft to fly.
We approached the charmingly named village of Husbands Bosworth…
The prefix “Husbands” was added around the 16th/17th century to distinguish it from Market Bosworth, referring to the “husbandmen” or local farmers who occupied the land.All Saints Church, a Grade II listed building with medieval origins.
Nearly there…
It’s a beautiful place…
The pub…
The Foxton Locks Inn is a popular location for food and drink. A recent winner of the Leicestershire Tourism Awards ‘best pub’ category it is a well visited site especially in the summer months and at the weekends. It’s large beer garden can accommodate hundreds in the summer with views over the water.
They had 2 draught beers on…
Fuller’s London Pride is an iconic 4.7% ABV premium amber ale brewed in Chiswick, London, recognized for its well-balanced, sessionable character. It features a rich blend of malted barley (including crystal malt) for caramel notes and British hops (Target, Northdown, Challenger, Goldings) for a bitter-sweet finish.Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker is a renowned 4.0%–4.2% ABV Yorkshire bitter known for its well-balanced, creamy, and nutty flavor profile. Originally named Best Bitter, it was rebranded in 2012, subsequently winning the CAMRA Supreme Champion Beer of Britain in 2014. It is brewed with Golden Promise barley and offers a fruity, hoppy aroma.
Our table was inside but with a brilliant view…
Food was good…
FISH & CHIPS Hand battered fish of the day with chunky chips, peas & tartare sauce £14.95CHEF’S PIE OF THE DAY Homemade pie served with creamy mash potato and peas. £15.95
It was a great pub!
Half cut…
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. It is the principal navigable waterway between London and the Midlands. Starting in London, one arm runs to Leicester and another to Birmingham. The Birmingham canal is 137 miles (220 km) with 166 locks. The Birmingham line has a number of short branches to places including Slough, Aylesbury, Wendover, and Northampton. The Leicester line has two short arms of its own, to Market Harborough and Welford.
Time to go…
We’ve just enough time to finish the film and look for the venue…
Eventually we found it…
The writing’s on the wall…
The Cambridge Corn Exchange features a “timeline on the wall” as part of its 150th-anniversary celebrations, which highlights significant landmark moments and performances in the venue’s history.
We’d arranged to meet friends in Cambridge so we headed off after the soundcheck…
The Eagle is one of Cambridge’s oldest inns, dating back to the 14th century, and is one of the county’s most famous pubs. On February 28, 1953, pub regular Francis Crick came to The Eagle to announce to the pub’s guests, some of whom were fellow scientists and researchers, that he, together with James Watson, had discovered the double helix structure of DNA.
We hurriedly took a sample…
A classic English Amber ale, showcasing malty, caramel and subtle dark fruit flavours, complemented by balanced herbal, floral hops and a smooth finish.
The pub had plenty of character…
Back in the dressing room we still had some of the Vocation beer left…
Hop, Skip & Juice | 5.7% Hazy Pale Ale 440ml. A juicy pale ale with masses of tropical notes and stone fruit aromas. Hop forward, with a refreshing and balanced bitterness. A fun and exuberant beer to go with feel good moments.
It worked for me…
Time to go on stage…
New top!
Fantastic crowd…
As we were staying over, we went to watch the Mondays…
I’d met up with my brother-in-law Charlie…
24 minute party people
After the gig we met up with Andrew Lindsay creator of ‘66 clothing’…
Prior to the gig he’d kindly given us a selection of his latest designs…
66 Clothing is a division of Modshoes, which has been operational since 2011. Retro Inspired Clothing for both Men & Women, paying significant homage to iconic pop culture figures such as the Beatles, Paul Weller, and others.
We had a fantastic time in Cambridge!!
Next stop London…
Friday 27th March 2026 – London Roundhouse
The Roundhouse is a performing arts and concert venue at the Grade II* listed former railway engine shed in Chalk Farm, London, England. The building was erected in 1846-1847 by the London & North Western Railway as a roundhouse, a circular building containing a railway turntable, but was used for that purpose for only about a decade.
A brisk walk before breakfast was the plan so we nipped out of the hotel and headed for the countryside…
We found a cycle path…
The Tins cycle path, historically named after corrugated iron (“tin”) sheets lined the path west of the railway bridge; some sections are still present.
Eventually it opened out on to Mill Road in the town of Romsey…
The Cambridge Labour Party was formed in 1912 and initially decided to build its headquarters in Romsey Town due to the area’s left wing reputation. However after the plot of land had been purchased the Party decided to continue the search for an appropriate location and granted the land to the local party to build a club itself.
The road still has a sense of that reputation…
After breakfast it was time to get back on the bus…
The plan was to head to Epping with a view to finding a suitable pub…
We passed through Waltham Abbey…
And after a few wrong turns we eventually arrived at a pub called The Woodbine…
Welcome to The Woodbine. A multi award winning British Pub & Restaurant located at the entrance to Epping Forest just off junction 26 of the M25 near Theydon Bois, High Beach & Waltham Abbey, here you’ll find a warm & friendly welcome, we offer pub meals & Sunday roasts not only in our restaurant but also for takeaway and delivery. We are number 1 for sunday roasts in epping forest!
It was a brilliant independent pub with friendly staff…
We all decided on the Brewers Gold…
Supreme Champion Beer of Britain at the Great British Beer Festival 2005 and 2006, this multi-award-winning beer is pale, refreshing and extravagantly hoppy with gorgeous aromas of tropical fruits. Brewed with 100% extra-pale English barley malt and flavoured with heaps of choicest Brewers Gold hops, sourced with care from small-scale growers in the Hallertau.It tasted as good as it looks
We sat down to order some food..
A three pie meal…
Ploughman’s…
Liver & bacon…
Fish and chips…
All tasted great…who’s round is it?
Founded in 1981, Crouch Vale Brewery has survived (prospered, even) to be today, the longest-established brewery in the diverse, eclectic and damn fine county of Essex. We are immensely passionate about what we do and massively proud of our hand-crafted, multiple award-winning beers. The company is (and has always has been) independent and privately, family owned.
We’d arranged to meet friends nearby at the ‘Tapping The Admiral‘ public house…
Having been voted north London pub of the year in 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2023, you can be certain of the quality, and condition, of our ales. We pride ourselves in sourcing the finest cask, bottle, can and keg products from up and down the UK, as well as quality wines and spirits sourced from local distributors.
Plenty of beers on show…
A session pale ale with a variety of fruity and aromatic hops from around the globe. The malt and hop combination creates an interesting flavourful thirst-quenching beer.Bootiful is a new world take on a Best Bitter, with rich toffee and caramel malt flavours combined with modern tropical hop flavours. Ernest hops deliver New World characteristics with fruity notes of apricot, nectarine and spice. Mosaic hops provide tropical and soft fruit flavours and Challenger hops give a balanced, subtle bitterness.
The pub was suggested to us by our longtime friend and beer expert Julian Turton…
His recommendation was the ‘Prohibition Pale Ale’ by the Kent Brewery…
American highly hopped with some of the latest US hop varieties, this citrusy pale ale is a celebration of America’s contribution to modern brewing.
It was soon time to head back to the venue…
One of our Sheffield pals Steve had got the train down to see us.
Backstage, Carl’s son Chay had come to see us…
And tonight’s setlist is…
A massive London crowd was waiting…
It was a brilliant atmosphere…
After the show, amongst others we met up with Paul Oakenfold, James Brown and Gary Stonadge from Big Audio Dynamite…
It was a fantastic night in London…
Next stop Southend…
Saturday 28th March 2026 – Southend Cliffs Pavillion
Southend’s premier entertainment complex, the Cliffs Pavilion is a great place to experience live performances. The region’s leading theatre and concert hall, programmes include touring West End musicals, ballet, concerts and comedy.
We stayed overnight in a Travelodge and woke up to sunshine…
Another brisk walk…
Thought we’d head to the train station…
Following the station’s opening 1 October 1868, the Midland Railway built the Midland Grand Hotel on the station’s façade. George Gilbert Scott won the competition to design it, with an ornate Gothic red-brick scheme. St Pancras has been widely praised for its architecture and is now a Grade I listed building.St. Pancras International, an iconic London landmark and the gateway to highspeed travel across the UK and Europe. With its stunning Victorian architecture, St. Pancras is more than a station – it’s a destination in it’s own right.
We passed the iconic Scala venue…
Built to the design of H Courtney Constantine, the Kings Cross Cinema, was nearing completion when the First World War began. The partially completed cinema was first used to manufacture airplane parts, and after 1918 as a local labour exchange for demobilized soldiers returning from the war. Finally completed, the Kings Cross Cinema opened on April 1920. Seating over 1000 people, the auditorium offered a three-hour program, accompanied by a 20-piece orchestra.
Then back to the hotel…
And breakfast…
Carl’s of course
The plan was to head to Canvey Island and the ‘Lobster Smack’…
Canvey Island is a town, civil parish and island in the Thames Estuary. It forms part of the Castle Point district of Essex, England. It is separated from the mainland of south Essex by a network of creeks, but is connected to the mainland by bridges. It has an area of 7.12 square miles (18.44 km2). At the 2021 census the parish had a population of 38,327 and the built up area had a population of 38,010.
Took us a while to get there but at last we saw the pub in the distance…
Everyone out…
We headed to the shore line…
Looking out to sea from Canvey Island, you primarily see the expansive Thames Estuary. The view focuses on the Kent coastline in the distance, shipping channels, and industrial infrastructure across the river.
Now for the pub…
Nestled on the edge of the coast, the Lobster Smack is a charming traditional pub offering a warm welcome, fantastic range of drinks, and classic British pub food. With its original wooded beams, roaring open firers, and cozy corners, it is the perfect spot to unwind with family and friends. In those summer months if inside is not for you, we have a large outdoor area serviced by our outside bar.
We ordered the IPA…
Greene King IPA is a widely available, budget-friendly English session ale (typically 3.6% ABV in cask) often described as a mild, “entry-level” bitter rather than a modern, hoppy IPA. It is known for a light, toffee-malt sweetness with subtle, earthy hop notes.
The food was nice…
Lemon SoleWrap
Some history…
There are several books and articles where the Lobster Smack is portrayed as the Inn in Charles Dickens’ Great Expectations, chapter 54.
Time to get on the bus…
And make our way to Southend…
We travelled through Canvey Wick…
Canvey Wick is a 93.2-hectare Site of Special Scientific Interest at the south-west corner of Canvey Island in Essex. It is owned by The Land Trust and 18.5 hectares is managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and Buglife as a nature reserve, who are working to bring more of the area under management and to improve public access.
Eventually we arrived at the venue and our dressing room…
Only ever made and bottled in Italy at breweries in Rome, Bari and Padova, Peroni Nastro Azzurro beer is brewed using the creativity and flair of Italians; blending the finest hops with two-row spring planted barley and a quarter of Italian maize which produces its uniquely crisp and refreshing taste.
It’s a great venue…
After soundcheck we went in search of a watering hole but instead found ourselves in the middle of a car rally!!
‘Old fellas’ apparently… (not us!!)
Welcome to “OLD FELLAS” Home of the ‘Old Skool Boy Racer Era’ If you were a part of the vibrant car culture during the 80’s 90’s and 00’s, this is the place for you. We’re a nationwide community of enthusiasts reminiscing the good old days.
Time to find a pub…
We are a craft beer, real ale and cider pub in Westcliff-on-Sea, near to Southend. The name comes from the length of Southend Pier.
Brilliant bar…
Sup was designed to be an accessible, easy-drinking beer with subtle citrus and resinous notes with a hint of pine.
Perfect for an early evening drink…
One more then it was time to head back…
It’d gone dark and there were queues of cars everywhere…
Meanwhile, back in the dressing room…
It was time to go on stage…
Groovy
ATN
After the show we bumped into an old friend Tony and his daughter Bayley who had taken the videos above…
Tony and a few of his mates had followed our tour bus in their car during our European dates back in 1991.
Later on we watched the Mondays set…
Then finished the night off with a kebab…
Next stop Norwich…
Sunday 29th March 2026 – Norwich LCR, University of East Anglia
The LCR or Large Common Room is a live music venue and nightclub situated on the campus of the University of East Anglia and run by the Union of UEA Students.
Overnight our hotel was at Southend airport…
The 4‑star Holiday Inn is perfectly located at London Southend Airport for seamless travel. Ideal for early flights, late arrivals or stress‑free short breaks, the hotel combines modern comfort with direct terminal access and excellent on‑site facilities.
Up early we thought we’d check it out…
The airport is only 30 minutes from London on the train…
‘Searchlight Beacons’…
This artwork was created by sculptor John Atkin and is made from brushed stainless steel and granite. The sculpture serves as a landmark beacon for the airport terminal. The conical shapes represent searchlight beams from the World Wars, populated with silhouettes of various historical aircraft.
Keith had been up early as well…
And so to breakfast…
Carl’s of course
Then back on the bus…
Today’s lunchtime setting is the Norfolk Broads…
The Norfolk Broads, or simply “The Broads,” is a 303-square-kilometer National Park in Norfolk and Suffolk, UK, offering over 125 miles of lock-free waterways. Formed by medieval peat digging, it is a vibrant wetland habitat for rare wildlife and a premier destination for boating, sailing, and birdwatching, largely managed by the Broads Authority.
Off we popped…
We were heading to the village of Ormesby St Margaret…
Ormesby St Margaret is a large village within the parish of Ormesby St Margaret with Scratby in the Borough of Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, England. The village is situated 7 miles northwest of Great Yarmouth and 20 miles northeast of Norwich.
Nearly there…
Eventually we arrived at our pub for the day ‘The Boathouse’…
The Boathouse incorporates a magnificently refurbished pub and restaurant with intimate dining areas as well as areas for larger groups. The interior is finished to the highest standard using natural finishes with subtle lighting for a warm ambiance.
Inside they had a brilliant beer with a connection to the area…
Eels Foot Ale is a 3.7% ABV blonde/golden session ale produced by Wolf Brewery in Norfolk, England. Often found on cask, this session beer is notably served at The Boathouse who’s former name was The Eels Foot.
Sunday lunch was the order of the day…
It was fabulous…
Another eels foot…
Some vintage pics on the wall…
Ormesby Broad…
The Boathouse in Ormesby St. Michael is located directly on the banks of Ormesby Broad, which is part of the Trinity Broads within the Norfolk Broads.
Sadly it was time to head off…
A short journey to the LCR…
Our dressing room…
Nick Rayns (died 2013, aged 61) was the beloved, long-serving entertainments manager at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in Norwich for 36 years. He transformed the UEA Students’ Union entertainment, booking thousands of bands for the LCR venue, which was later renamed “The Nick Rayns LCR” in his honor.
Our soundcheck…
As there were no pubs in the vicinity, we had a wander around the venue with our cans of ‘Hop, Skip & Juice’…
The beer pours a lovely, hazy as you like, straw colour. Another gorgeous smelling beer from Vocation. Tropical fruits mix with a fresh English orchard with aromas of pear and stone fruits as well. The beer itself is super juicy with peaches and pear coming through on the taste in addition to pineapple chunks. There is a soft, moreish bitterness that keeps you coming back for more.
Soon it was time for us to go on…
It was a brilliant night and the crowd were great but we had to go home straight after our set.
DEPOT is Cardiff’s natural home for live music, DJ-led club nights, and large-scale events. A versatile multi-purpose events space with state-of-the-art production and an in-house creative team that can bring any vision to life, DEPOT has hosted everything from major gigs and electronic music takeovers to corporate showcases and full-scale immersive events.
Today’s lunchtime venue is the White Lion in Ross-on-Wye…
Looks a beautiful area…
Nestled on the border of England and Wales, the picturesque town of Ross-on-Wye is the birthplace of British tourism. For centuries, the town has welcomed visitors wanting to soak up the stunning views of the Wye Valley. The local landscape inspired Wordsworth, Coleridge, Alexander Pope and countless other poets and writers.
Lovely sunny day with plenty of time to get there…
Time for a film…
We’re enjoying the film…
Just crossing the River Severn…
The lake in the background is the former Ripple quarry site.
Nearly there…
St Mary’s church…
The church spire has dominated the town’s skyline for over 700 years.
At last…
Is it a bird, is it a plane…
No…it’s the pub!
A friendly pub right on the banks of the beautiful River Wye, a 10 minute walk from the centre of Ross-on-Wye. With great food and an extensive drinks menu, there is nowhere better to relax. The pretty beer garden with its hanging baskets is perfect for enjoying a cold beer or wine and watching the wildlife pass by on the river.
No words needed…
Brewed using Maris Otter and Crystal malts together with locally grown Target and Goldings hops, Pyoneer has a delicate hoppy aroma leading on to a full malty flavour and ending in a crisp, clean bitter finish.
Our table was inside…
But we didn’t want to miss the views outside…
That’s not 8 pints by the way…
Time for our lunch…
BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS Beer battered cod served with homemade mushy peas, chips & homemade tartare sauce (GF*) £16.95SCAMPI & CHIPS Served with mushy peas, chunky chips & homemade tartare sauce £14.25CHEF’S HOMEMADE PIE OF THE DAY Served with a choice of mash or chunky chips & seasonal veg £16.9510oz PENGETHLEY FARM GAMMON STEAK Served with a fried egg, pineapple, grilled tomato, peas & chunky chips (GF) £16.95
All the food and beer was great…
Snap decisions…
Sadly it was time to go…
Just enough time to finish the film…
Soon enough we arrived at the venue…
It’s a massive space…
Catering was finishing early today…
So we grabbed some food for later and headed to the dressing room…
Peroni Red (4.7% ABV) is a popular, crisp, and refreshing Italian lager, often considered Italy’s favorite, offering a slightly darker color and more pronounced malty/hoppy flavor than Peroni Nastro Azzurro.
Time for a quick soundcheck…
Before heading off into Cardiff Bay to meet some old friends…
Opening in the 19th Century, The Packet was established during a time when Cardiff’s docks were bustling with trade. Ships from across the globe once docked at the busy port, bringing goods and people who often settled in the city, transforming it into their new home. Though the docks have changed beyond recognition, The Packet remains one of the few surviving institutions from that time. Named after the packet ships that ferried mail to British outposts, The Packet has been an integral part of the docks’ narrative since 1864.
Inside we met up with our mates from Cardiff who were big fans back in the 90’s & 00’s…
A great pint too…
Brewery: Brains ABV: 3.5 – 3.7% Style: Bitter using Goldings and Fuggles hops. The aroma is very sweet and foremost hoppy. The taste is malty yet sweet with slightly grassy notes. Smooth and clean on the palate. Quite refreshing with a very bitter finish.
Time for one more photo…
Then a cab back to the venue…
Time to go on…
A great crowd…
It was a great gig but we had to head home straight after…
Next stop Liverpool…
Saturday 21st March 2026 – Liverpool University Mountford Hall
Liverpool University Mountford Hall stands out as a premier venue in the heart of Liverpool, known for its exceptional ambiance and remarkable acoustics. The hall offers a unique blend of historical charm and modern facilities, making it an ideal spot for a diverse range of events, from concerts to cultural gatherings.
No travel today as we arrived home from Cardiff in the early hours…
The plan was to meet up in ‘The White Hart’ pub around 3.30pm…
Our snug pub is a Dickensian styled labyrinth of nooks, crannies and rooms. We’re in a gorgeous town house building in Liverpool’s historic Georgian quarter, spitting distance from the Catholic cathedral and the Philharmonic pub. We are all about cask ales, roaring fires, great tunes and we have a fantastic indoor/outdoor beer garden.
They had White Rat…
White Rat is a popular 4% ABV, pale hoppy ale brewed by Ossett Brewery, often produced by their dedicated ‘Rat Brewery’ craft arm. It is characterized as a sessionable pale ale with a very pale appearance, featuring intense citrus, pine, and floral hop notes derived from Cascade, Columbus, and Amarillo hops. It is widely considered a top cask ale.
We headed off to the venue and our dressing room…
ShinDigger’s West Coast Pale is a clean and crisp pale with a burst of orange from the lead hop Amarillo. It is our homage to the West Coast styles that dawned a new era in world brewing and inspired us to start brewing.
We had a quick soundcheck then headed back to the pub…but via the back door!
The Engineer is a hidden gem located on Arrad Street in Liverpool’s Georgian Quarter, just behind Hope Street. This back-street boozer is known for its historic setting and cozy atmosphere, offering a true cask pub experience reminiscent of another time.
A quick couple of pints with our guests, then back to the venue…
The Octagon Centre, built in 1983, is a multi-purpose conference centre and music venue at the University of Sheffield, England. Situated in the Western Bank campus, it is joined by a skyway to University House and comprises an eight-sided auditorium with a capacity of 1,800 (1,230 seated), offices, meeting rooms, and a lounge with bar and patio.
12pm meet in Liverpool as our lunchtime venue is the ‘Riverhead Brewery Tap’ in the village of Marsden in Yorkshire…
Looking forward to it…
Marsden is a large, vibrant village in West Yorkshire’s Colne Valley, about 7 miles from Huddersfield, famous for its rich textile heritage, stunning Pennine moorland, and the historic Standedge Tunnel. It offers a mix of urban culture-independent shops, cafes, and pubs-and immediate access to nature, making it a popular spot for walkers and tourists.
Straight on to the M62…
Hollingworth Lake Country Park
We took a diversion across Saddleworth moor…
Atmospheric…
Eventually we arrived in Marsden…
And the pub…
The Riverhead Brewery Tap is ideally placed in the picturesque village of Marsden. On the ground floor in the bar, there are 10 real ale hand pumps several of which are permanently dedicated to the popular Riverhead beers brewed on-site. The famous Riverhead micro-brewery is housed downstairs in the cellar. Here we brew a wide range of beers all with a local connection. Hot and cold food is served regularly with all dishes freshly prepared on site.
Great selection of their own beers…
The Riverhead brew-pub opened in 1995, with Ossett Brewery purchasing the site in 2009. The core range are named after local reservoirs, with the height of the reservoir relating to the strength of the beer. Brewer, Richard Armitage, has created many new beers whilst retaining the old local favourites such as Butterley and Redbrook. The Riverhead is our smallest brewery, which now boasts a new five brewers barrel plant producing just fourteen firkins per brew which means the majority of Riverhead beers are sold through the Brewery Tap itself.
We went for the black stuff…
One of the original Riverhead recipes. Brewed using traditional English hops. Dark ruby dry mild with a roasted flavour.
Great street food menu…
We had some very messy wings…
Washed down with a nice pint of bitter…
This is fresh from the rolling hills of Marsden. Butterley became so popular with our Riverhead brewpub locals, we had to share it with the world. Made from all-English ingredients, with waves of malt and honey, we’ve captured the essence of our lush landscapes in every sip.
We had a bit of time to walk off our Bao Buns…
Carl had given his to this friendly mut!The River Colne in West Yorkshire rises near Marsden at the confluence of Redbrook Clough and Haigh Clough, 768 feet up in the Pennines. It flows east through the village, joining with Wessenden Brook before passing toward Slaithwaite, forming a 12-mile-long, historically significant “stony river”
Marsden Mill…
Bank Bottom Mill, later known as Marsden Mill, was from 1824 an important centre for the production of woollen cloth in Marsden, West Yorkshire, England. Originally a fulling mill, Bank Bottom Mill reached its heyday in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries under the ownership of the Crowther family, in particular John Edward Crowther, a businessman and philanthropist. However, the cloth industry declined in the late twentieth century, and production of woollen cloth finally ceased in 2003.
We enjoyed our time in Marsden but it was time to go…
Eventually we arrived at the venue…
Carl had designed and printed out our new mailing list beer mats…
They came in handy in the pub before!
Time for the soundcheck…
We’d arranged to meet up with some old friends in a nearby pub…
The bath hotel occupies a triangular site at the end of a mid-victorian terrace on Victoria Street, Sheffield. Despite a covenant preventing the use of the site for the sale of alcohol, it became a pub in the 1880’s & was bought around the time of the first world war by Ind Coope, which in 1931 refaced the ground floor and gave it an internal refit. The layout and fittings are as they were then apart from the closure, some time ago, of the off-sales. So there are two seperate bars, each with their own character.
Some good beer…
Lord Marples was the first ever Thornbridge beer! Brewed in 2005 at the Hall Brewery we wanted to try a traditional style for our initial offering, and a classic Bitter seemed perfect. It pours an attractive mahogany, bringing forth flavours of honey and caramel with just a light bitterness in the finish to keep it balanced. It’s named after Mr Marples, a former owner of Thornbridge Hall, who enjoyed using the title of Lord while never quite achieving it officially, we thought we would bestow it upon him.
And good company…
The Sheffield and Hull contingent
Back in the dressing room, the Sheffield lads had bought us some boxes of Vocation Brewery beer…
We brew bold and flavourful beer for the many because we believe beer should be an experience and there should be a beer for every occasion, whether celebrating a milestone, reminiscing with friends or the first cold sip after a long day.
Time for a shave…
ShinDigger Mango Unchained is a popular 4.2% ABV Session IPA brewed in Manchester, UK, blended with natural mango and pineapple extracts. Known for a “juice-bomb” flavor profile, it offers a tropical, fruity taste with a light, smooth body, often described as a refreshing, “grown-up” version of mango juice.
On stage!!!
Couple of vids…
Groovy Train
Groovy Train 2
Great crowd…
What an absolutely brilliant night we had but sadly it was time for us to head off home.
Newcastle City Hall, designed by the architect firm Nicholas & Dixon-Spain and opened on November 7, 1928, is a renowned entertainment venue in Newcastle upon Tyne, UK, originally built alongside the City Baths. It is famous for hosting legendary rock, pop, and classical acts.
Early start to the 2026 season as part of the Happy Mondays UK & Ireland tour celebrating 35 years of Pills ‘n’ Thrills and Bellyaches!
10 o clock start as we have a soundcheck in Newcastle at 4. This gives us plenty of time to head to our lunchtime destination, ‘The Three Horseshoes’ in the village of Running Waters near Durham…
Weather looks promising…
Time to decipher the DVD machine…
Our choices today…
We laughed at the film and eventually arrived in Running Waters…
Running Waters is a beautiful and serene location in Durham that is perfect for nature lovers. The area is surrounded by lush greenery and is home to a variety of wildlife. The sound of the running water adds to the peaceful atmosphere, making it a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of city life.
Everyone off the bus please…
And into the pub…
The Three Horseshoes is a long-standing country pub and popular food destination located 15 minutes east of Durham. Known as a characterful, family-friendly venue, it serves classic pub meals, offers seven en-suite accommodation rooms, and acts as a cozy base for exploring local landmarks like Durham Cathedral.
First pint of the tour…
The Consett Ale Works, established in 2005, is a four-barrel brewery located at the rear of the Grey Horse (Consett’s oldest pub). The name, beers and branding commemorate the former steelworks in the town, which closed in 1980. White Hot is a sweet fruity beer with citrus hops lasting well into the finish.
Grubs up…
HOMEMADE STEAK & KIDNEY PUDDING £15.85 Our homemade traditional steam suet pudding, served with choice of potatoes & vegetables.TRADITIONAL FISH & CHIPS…£15-75 Beer battered haddock, served with chips & choice of peas.SEABREAM…£18.95 Atop spring onion mash & drizzled with a caper lemon butter sauce.
The food was excellent and we were a big hit with the Chef…
Time to head off to Newcastle…
We passed the ‘Angel of the North’…
The Angel of the North is an iconic 20-meter (66-ft) tall steel sculpture in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear, England, designed by Antony Gormley and completed in February 1998.
And we were just about able to see the Tyne Bridge in the distance…
The Tyne Bridge is a through arch bridge over the River Tyne in North East England, linking Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead. The bridge was designed by the engineering firm Mott, Hay and Anderson, who later designed the Forth Road Bridge, and was built by Dorman Long and Co. of Middlesbrough.
Eventually we arrived at the venue and headed for the dressing room…
Sound check soon…
All done, we checked out our new merch stall…
Before checking out a nearby boozer…
Experience the vibrant atmosphere of the Crows Nest, a historic pub in the very heart of Newcastle upon Tyne. Perched opposite St Thomas’ Church and surrounded by all manner of urban amenities including shops, transport links and cultural hotspots, this lively pub makes the perfect pitstop during your day out in one of the UK’s most iconic cities.
And a quick pint…
Morland Old Golden Hen This light golden beer delivers both flavour and refreshment, brewed using the finest pale malts, and the rare Galaxy hop to give a light golden colour, subtle tropical fruit notes and a deliciously smooth finish.
Backstage we tried out a couple of cans we’d brought from home…
Seven Bro7hers Throw Away IPA is a 5% ABV sustainable ale brewed in collaboration with Kellogg’s using rejected cornflakes. It’s a light, refreshing malty session beer. It is considered a unique, eco-conscious, and easy-drinking option.
It was now time to go on stage…
Look at these great photos taken by Jamie Huntley…
What a great reception and what a brilliant crowd!
Next on…the Mondays😀
They were brilliant👏👏👏
Next stop Leeds…
Saturday 14th March 2026 – Leeds O2 Academy
O2 Academy Leeds inhabits one of the city’s most historic venues. The Grade II listed building opened as the Coliseum in 1885 as a concert hall and then a theatre, hosting everything from variety shows to political meetings and religious gatherings and even a circus. After a long stint as a successful cinema and then a bingo hall and social club, the building became the legendary Town and Country Club in 1992.
We stayed overnight in Newcastle and woke up to sunshine…
Not ones to ‘skip’ breakfast, we decided to get some exercise first…
A brisk walk taking in the River Tyne air is just what we needed…
Harry Clasper was a professional rower and boat builder from Tyneside in England. He was an innovative boat designer who pioneered the development of the racing shell and the use of outriggers. He is said to have invented spoon-shaped oars.
Oarsome…
Blog on the Tyne?
We best get back to the hotel…
Carl had worked up quite an appetite…
Leaving at 11.15, we decided to head to a pub in the Richmond area of Yorkshire on the way to Leeds…
Too early for lunch but the pub sounded so good we headed off there anyway…
In no time we arrived…
The Shoulder of Mutton is a traditional family owned 400 year old village pub, set in the picturesque village of Middleton Tyas located in the heart of the village, on the outskirts of the Market Town of Richmond.
A number of us tried the house beer…
A light coloured, exceptionally well balanced smooth ale with a light fragrant hop finish.
While others chose the Black Sheep…
Pours a foamy frothy almost 2 finger head with moderate retention, a bit of lacing, mostly clear honey blonde to slight copper colour.
Some interesting photos on the wall…
Time for a sharp exit…
Destination Wetherby…
We thought we’d have lunch in a pub we visited a couple of years ago – ‘The Mews’…
Tucked away down Bank Street, Wetherby, The Mews serves a good selection of regional and local ales and has a reputation for good quality food. Along with the six handpumps on the bar is a good range of keg and bottled beers plus an extensive selection of gins. Wood-floored with a variety of seating, to the side of the pub is a paved outdoor drinking area with plenty of tables and chairs.
Second pint of the day…
Our Bread & Butter beer is the ultimate fresh, easy-drinking, dry-hopped ale that balances British malts with US hops for a modern take on a classic. With mild and refreshing citrus notes, a crisp pine finish, and a rounded bitterness. This 3.9% ABV brew proves that the simplest of things are often best. Bread & Butter is a vegan-friendly staple for craft beer lovers.
Everyone loves the Pies…
Moo…
British beef steak & craft ale, mash potato, minted mushy peas & gravy Available vegan / gluten free upon request
Fantastic food and drink but now it was time to head off to the venue…
Go Alex!!
After soundcheck we headed over to Whitelock’s Ale House…
We hadn’t got much time so I quickly ordered the Kirkstall Brewery bitter…
Amber malt taking centre stage in this bitter, East Kent Golding adding a touch of forest fruits alongside a thirst-quenching bitterness.
Time to ‘sup up’…Carl had arranged to meet Leeds based music photographer Simon Walker…
Easy Going. Easy Drinking. Easy Decision. Northern Monk SUP. 3.4% golden beer, for the Gold Times.
The pub was great and we should’ve ordered another drink but we had a tight schedule…
Back at the venue we opened a couple more of the cans we’d brought along…
Throw Away is a hoppy IPA, brewed using upcycled Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. Throw Away benefits from residual sweetness as a by-product of the cereals in the mash. Hopped with Chinook, Amarillo, Loral and Talus Cryo to create a truly modern IPA.
Time to go on… (Photographs by Simon Walker)
Again the crowd were fantastic!!!
Backstage brought an unexpected highlight when our former Housemartins tour manager and now one of Europe’s leading promoters, Simon Moran turned up to see us. He reminisced about our Leeds shows from back in the day and came over to soak up the atmosphere once again.
Next stop Nottingham.
Sunday 15th March 2026 – Nottingham Rock City
From their founding in 1980 to the present day, Rock City has been at the forefront of Nottingham’s music scene! Bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the magic of live music and entertainment.
We drove home from Leeds last night so met up at the start of the M62 this morning to avoid Liverpool city centre as the roads were closed for the Liverpool half marathon…
We’d planned a pub stop off on the way but anywhere that looked decent was fully booked for Mother’s Day so we decided to find somewhere in Nottingham…
Just passed Radcliffe-on-soar power station…
Ratcliffe-on-Soar Power Station in Nottinghamshire, the UK’s last coal-fired power station, closed on September 30, 2024, after 57 years of operation, marking the end of coal power in the UK. The site is transitioning into a zero-carbon technology, energy, and advanced manufacturing hub, with demolition scheduled from 2026 to 2031.
Soon enough we were in Nottingham and arrived at our lunchtime venue The Canalhouse…
The Canalhouse is an iconic Nottingham pub, housed in a Grade II listed former canal museum. It’s famous for having a canal that extends inside the building, complete with resident narrow boats and a foot bridge.
Great choice of beers…
Delicate and refreshing Extra Pale Ale. Easy drinking with subtle notes of tropical fruit, citrus and pine on the nose, a beautifully soft mouthfeel and a satisfying crisp finish. 3.4% ABV
Great setting for the pub above the Nottingham & Beeston canal…
Time for some food…
Most of us went for the roast dinner…
SUNDAY ROAST £9.95 All Sunday roasts are served with seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, mashed potatoes, grauy and a Yorkshire pudding – a veggie option is always available.
Next up was another from Castle Rock…
Refreshing, multi-award-winning beer with delicate citrus character. Brewed with gently kilned malt and an aromatic blend of American hops. A beer with exceptional poise. 3.8% ABV
The pub was really good but we had to get back to the venue for the soundcheck…
Lovely to see Helen Barnes of ‘Loving 80’s Music’ and her boys…
Following a poor performance ⚽️ we endeavoured to find the oldest pub in England…
It’s a fabulous pub…
A light coloured beer that is exceptionally well-balanced smooth ale with a light fragrant hop finish. Completely citrusy and zesty.
We sat in the snug…
Time to head back to the venue…
Seven Bos7hers easy IPA. An easy drinking American-style IPA. A pale and lightly kilned caramel malt base is met with the classic combo of Chinook, Centennial, Columbus and Simcoe hops. Providing a perfect balance of fruit, resin and slight pine notes.
And then on to the stage…
Groovy Train at the show…
The crowd were brilliant!
Back stage we met up with former Everton manager and local to Nottingham, Sean Dyche…
We had a great time in Nottingham but it was soon time to head home as we’d come to the end of our first weekend of gigs.
This week we’re off to Bristol and then Devon for our final gigs of the summer.
Friday 29th August 2025
Thekla is a converted German cargo ship moored in Bristol’s harbour, that is now home to an award winning nationally renowned live music venue.
9.30 start for us as we have to be in Bristol for around 2pm…
We were determined to have a stop-off this week so we set the controls for the heart of Gloucestershire…
It’s the Silver bus this week so not much legroom…
Off we go…
We were glad that the video player was working so we watched a violent thriller…
We’re liking it up to now…
Although Keith and I had to watch it as a mirror image using Roy’s laptop camera due to the rear screen not working…
We motored on…
After a while we arrived in the village of Forthampton…
Forthampton is a village in Gloucestershire, England. The village is located three miles from the market town of Tewkesbury and features “a great number of interesting buildings”, fine views, several duck ponds, a church, a collection of thatched cottages and farmsteads, a village hall and a village club.
It was of course the location of our pub of choice, ‘The Lower Lode Inn’…
A Traditional Public House dating back to the 15th Century, the Lower Lode is set in a picturesque location on the banks of the River Severn, not far from the historic medieval town of Tewkesbury.
Excitedly we parked up…
You could sense the anticipation😆
Inside we all ordered something different…
Roy went for the dark ale…
Ledbury Dark Ale is a dark-colored real ale known for its balanced notes of chocolate and coffee with hints of marmalade and honey. Brewed with a blend of five different grains and local hops like Goldings, First Gold, and Pilgrim, this cask-conditioned beer is a local favourite.
Carl went for the Piffle Snonker…
A straw coloured pale ale. Aroma is sweet and almost jammy with honey and a little malt and hop. Taste is well balanced with a slightly hoppier aftertaste.
Could be a band from the 70’s, I went for the Pure Ubu…
Pure UBU is a distinctive, full flavoured beer with a sweeter finish and dark fruit notes. Brewed with Pale, Crystal, Black and Wheat malts, with Pilgrim, Jester, UK Chinook and Godiva hops.
Taking the drinks outside, Peter can be seen here holding the limited edition Fuggles & Goldings…
A Hook-Norton custom brew with a light flavour but dry hopped bitterness to it. Cracking spot to drink by the riverside.
And what a view of the river we had…
The mighty river Severn, famous for its tidal bore, is Britain’s longest river. It flows for 220 miles from its source in the Welsh Cambrian mountains before finally emptying into the sea in the Bristol Channel. The estuary forms a physical boundary between England and Wales and the river meanders in and out of the English counties of Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire.
We’d ordered food earlier and our table was back inside the pub…
The pub is only about one mile to the west of Tewkesbury but involves a five mile journey to get there by road. The Severn was once fordable at this point (‘Lode’ is an old English name for Ford) and it is said that the river was crossed by troops fleeing the Battle of Tewkesbury in 1471. A ferry was established between Lower and Upper Lode in the late 19th century but the service was eventually withdrawn.
Keith was hungry…
Ploughman’s…
Pies…
Fish and chips…
After those delicious main courses, we fancied some dessert…
Time to leaf…(sorry)
…as we’re running a bit late!
Looks like we’re not going to get to the venue before 4pm…
Off we pop…
Eventually we arrived at Bristol Harbourside…
Once a busy dock where sailors and merchants would trade goods and set sail for voyages of discovery, Bristol’s Harbourside is now a vibrant area filled with restaurants, bars, shops and hotels.
Our boutique dressing room…
We had a quick look around the boat…
Decent set up…
Time for a sound check…
Then off to find our hotel…
As it happened it had a pub in the grounds…
We took the advantage…
Butcombe…
Our most highly awarded beer! Butcombe Original is created from Maris Otter malt and a secret blend of English hops. Meticulously crafted before ‘craft’ was even a thing. Its distinctive bitter, clean and refreshing flavour has been Bristol’s go-to for good times since the 1970’s. From the first sip to the last drop, you’ll never taste a beer quite like it.
We had a quick half in the hotel bar then headed off to The Hole in The Wall pub which was opposite the venue…
We’d arranged to meet up with our mate Andy and friends to try out the Timothy Taylor beers they sell here…
The drinkers’ favourite, a 4.3% classic pale ale with a complex citrus and hoppy aroma. A recent survey revealed that Landlord has the highest proportion of drinkers who call it their favourite ale. And it has won more awards than any other beer, winning both CAMRA’s Champion Beer of Britain and the Brewing Industry Challenge Cup four times. The ABV in bottle is 4.1%.
An enjoyable time was had but it was time to head off to the venue…
Inside we found more interesting beers…
A session IPA for all, supercharged with new-wave hop energy. Taking you from the New Mexico mountains with Sabro’s iconic tangarine & orange to Cryo Pop’s tropical blend hop glory.
Research over, it’s time to get on stage…
What a great audience!
After the show we headed over to the Fleece club to watch a friend performing a DJ set…
Then back to the hotel for a nightcap before bed…
What a brilliant day in Bristol we had!
Saturday 30th August 2025
Today we’re off to Devon for Sheb Fest 2025. Established by the Skinner family in 2015, Sheb Fest is North Devon’s very own family-friendly, independent music festival. Two days of live music across two stages, as well as local food and drink, makes for the perfect way to end the summer. Having started in 2015 with just 500 visitors, Sheb Fest has grown dramatically over the last nine years and now has over 3,000 visitors each year.
We left Bristol after breakfast at about 11 am as we were due in Devon at 3.30 pm…
Peter had planned a stop-off in Topsham…
The quaint historic estuary port of Topsham has a cosmopolitan atmosphere with an eclectic cluster of specialist shops and fine restaurants, plus wonderful sunsets above the estuary. Once a thriving port and shipbuilding centre, Topsham still retains a strong maritime flavour.
We decided we’d finish watching yesterday’s film (or rather a mirror image)…
Didn’t seem that long a journey…
Our pub of choice is The Bridge Inn…
This historic cosy 16th century inn is beautifully positioned overlooking the River Clyst and has been run by five generations of the same family since 1897. It was visited by the late Queen in 1998. This pub is a delight for cask ale fans with a continually varying range of beers dispensed by gravity direct from the cellar. There are two rooms in the unspoilt interior plus the malthouse which is used at busy times and for functions. There is regular live music in the malthouse ranging from folk, blues and classical concerts. Traditional lunches such as ploughman’s and sandwiches are served.
Barrels everywhere…
The bar had no hand pumps, beer was poured straight from the barrel in a shed…
Great pint though…
Powderkeg Brewery Gold coloured session pale ale, zesty citrus fruits and malts, well balanced ale. ABV: 4.3% Hopped With: Azacca, Chinook, Citra Ingredients: Water, Barley, Wheat, Hops, Yeast
We all agreed…
We had a pasty and another pint…
What a brilliant pub!
Then jumped back in the van…
Still a way to go…
Eventually we arrived at the festival…
We were made very welcome by the owners and they showed us around the festival…
And got us each a pint of ‘Otter Ale’ from the bar…
4.5% ABV. A premium ale with full flavour and a fair strength. Mahogany in colour with malty aroma and hints of fruit.
As it was now raining hard, we took the beer into the tent stage where a Police tribute band were on…
They were very good
Time for us to head back as we were on soon…
Miraculously the rain stopped and the sun came out!
The crowd were brilliant…
What a great festival…
We’ve had a brilliant couple of days, now for the long trip home!
Today we’re off to County Durham to play the ‘80’s Calling’ festival (part of the Touchdown Festival) which launches its bank holiday weekend celebration at Darlington Mowden Park Stadium.
80s Calling! is a new-wave and synth-pop all-dayer held in varying locations across the UK. First taking place in 2024, the events have previously hosted performances from The Human League, Bananarama, Level 42, The Farm, Hue & Cry, The Christians, Bananarama, Holly Johnson, Toyah & Robert, T’Pau and more.
Ten o’clock start today as we have to be in Darlington for 1pm…
New driver Brad out on manoeuvres…
We’ll struggle to get to Darlington for 1pm especially as we’ve not allowed any time for a lunch stop off…
Not much chance of watching a film today😝…
We drove past the former Art Deco ‘Littlewoods Pools’ building…
A work in progress
In its day it was a prominent landmark…
Meanwhile, Peter found us a decent pub to have lunch…
The Three Coopers in Bedale…
Hopefully we’ll have enough time to stop off…
We were soon near Huddersfield…
Unfortunately approaching Bradford we hit traffic!
We hadn’t taken into account that it was a bank holiday…
It took us an hour to get to Wetherby…
We started to imagine what the pub may be like…
Warm and welcoming with excellent customer service is always our intention at The Three Coopers – a traditional style pub in a 17th century building with a glorious sun trap of a garden at the rear. We are located just off the high street but we are very easy to find. At the Market Cross look down the hill called Emgate and you will see us on the right with large original coaching lanterns on our façade. Bedale is a little gem of a place and being located just off the A1 we are at the ‘Beginning of the Dales’ which gives rise to the name Bedale (not Bed and Ale as suggested by some!). Bedale is packed with fantastic little independent shops selling just about everything you can imagine as well as a Tourist information Centre, Bedale Museum, Bedale Golf Club, Bedale Leisure Centre, and Bedale Park with a children’s play area and Car Boot Sales every Saturday during the summer.
And which beers they may be serving…
Pouring a rich golden amber with a decent white foamy lid, which continues to lace the glass as you drink. Delivering a mellow fruity aroma that plays with the nose. Below the surf, the taste buds experience a mild bitterness that is crisp and light. Paired with a modest but refreshing carbonation a fruit background creeps in for a rewarding finish.
And where we might sit to eat…
But…disaster – we were running out of time!
We’d already gone past Bedale and were approaching Richmond…
Nearly at the festival now…
We arrive bang on 1pm…
The arena was opened in the summer of 2003, as the new home ground of Darlington F.C. With a seating capacity of 25,000, the arena rarely attracted large crowds, with the usual attendance being around 2,000. The cost of the arena caused the club to go into administration and they decided to leave. In 2012, after rumours that the arena could be closed down, rugby union team Darlington Mowden Park RFC purchased the arena for £2 million.
Time to get our wristbands…
Our dressing room was the Rugby changing rooms…
Standard, drinkable Euro Lager. Malt and noble hops in the aroma. Malty taste with notes of bread. Minimal bitterness. Clean and kind of boring, but not bad.
From the corridor we could hear T’pau on stage…
We had a quick look at the lineup…
First, the bar…
The Stonewall Inn IPA is a Citra-hopped session IPA. It features a hint of grapefruit and citrus peel on the nose, with a crisp yet mellow finish. We partnered with The Stonewall Inn to brew this beer to celebrate their history and to support the continuing work of The Stonewall Inn Gives Back Initiative.
Altered Images were up next…
We’d arranged to meet a fellow blogger Jackie in the VIP area, she came to see us when we played in Newcastle City Hall last year and she reviewed our gig.
She messaged me to say she was coming today with her friend Angela who took this photo…
Photo of Angela with the Festival Fever Blanket made by JackiePhoto’s by Gillian
Great crowd…
It was a brilliant gig…
Back stage we were so pleased to meet up with the Christian’s drummer Lionel Duke who only two months ago had suffered a cardiac arrest on stage at the Liverpool On The Waterfront gig…
This week we’re off to Ireland for the Forest Fest Music & Arts weekend in Emo, Laois…
Forest Fest began as a passion project fueled by a love for live music and community spirit. With a unique blend of big-name performers and intimate surroundings, it quickly garnered attention and acclaim. Over just a few short years, Forest Fest has grown in popularity, being voted the 4th best festival in Ireland.
Thursday July 24th 2025
We left Liverpool in the afternoon to catch the Dublin ferry from Holyhead…
Arriving in Holyhead we thought we’d have a quick bite to eat and a pint but we couldn’t find a pub…
We found a shop but nobody fancied anything…
Despondent, we trudged back to the bus to sit in a queue…
There was a rumour that one of these containers might sell beer…
It remained a rumour
Eventually we started to move…
On board, we headed off to find a bar…
Plastic glasses but the Guinness was fine…
Unmistakeably GUINNESS, from the first velvet sip to the last, lingering drop. And every deep-dark satisfying mouthful in between.
Sea was fairly calm…
Several pints later it was time to disembark…
Our hotel was in Tallaght…
Decent…
We dumped our bags and met downstairs in reception…
Go Alex!
The plan was to head to the village of Clondalkin…
A focal point for Clondalkin is the eighth-century round tower, one of the four remaining towers in the historic County Dublin. Acknowledged as one of the oldest in the country, the Clondalkin Round Tower is 25.6 metres high and has its original conical cap.
It was about a 15 minute drive away in a cab…
We tried the Black Lion first as we were all starving…
Disaster! No food after 9pm…
Alex, driver Dom & Karl
The Guinness will have to do…
Guinness is a stout beer with a rich history – the yeast that’s used to brew it can be traced back to the original strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, first employed in 1903. Made from five main ingredients – roasted barley, malted barley, hops, yeast and water – Guinness is famed for its rich dark, ruby red colour and distinctive creamy head. Unlike most beers which are carbonated, Guinness is pressurised in the keg with a nitrogen and carbon dioxide mix. It is the nitrogen that creates the famous creamy head, and is why Guinness pours differently and takes longer to settle in the glass.
Great pub…
The next pub was just up the road…
This was the Crème de la crème…
The gang…
Still no food yet but we were content eating our way through the foam…
After an eventful night, we stumbled upon a pizza takeaway…
I remember ordering the kebab and Roy ordered everything on the menu!
What a fantastic start to our Irish adventure!
Friday July 25th 2025
Keith was up early today and in the hotel gym before anyone else was up…
He put us all to shame so after breakfast we set off on a walk to have a look round Tallaght as we weren’t needed at the venue till around 6pm…
We only got as far as the local precinct…
Serendipity!
Just what I needed…
We couldn’t find much else to do so we planned a scenic route back to the hotel…
The river Dodder…
Eventually we arrived back in the vicinity of the hotel where we discovered the Tallaght Stadium…
Home to Shamrock Rovers FC…
Opened in 2009, it has a current capacity of over 10,000 seats and has undergone several developments to become a state-of-the-art facility, becoming a significant community and sporting asset for the area.
We wandered over to the reception area and a member of staff showed us around the stadium…
The new manager😄
Back at the hotel, the plan was to head to the festival via the village of Sallins…
It’s a beautiful place…
Sallins is a town in County Kildare, Ireland, situated 3.5 km north of the town centre of Naas, from which it is separated by the M7 motorway. Sallins is the anglicised name of Na Solláin which means “the willows”.
We parked the bus as we had a couple of hours to spare…
Pub maybe…
Great pint. Lovely staff. Great atmosphere. TV’s for sports and can order food from one of the local takeaways.
More Guinness…
We still couldn’t find any cask beer for Carl, here he’s drinking Moretti but most of the time he was drinking Smithwick’s Red Ale…
Smithwick’s is not a great beer, but it’s not terrible either. And tasting it makes you see that if someone wanted to, the beer could easily be great. That’s not necessarily for Smithwick’s to do. I’m sure they couldn’t care less. Rather, it should serve as inspiration for other skilled brewers out there. And that’s what many have done.
Meanwhile Keith was planning on more exercise…
Soon enough we were all heading next door for our dinner…
Nestled along the banks of the Grand Canal in Sallins, Lock 13 Brewpub is more than just a place to eat and drink – it’s a story of family, flavour, and craft. For over two decades, we’ve been welcoming locals, travellers, and food lovers through our doors with one promise: great beer, great food, and great company.
Great food indeed…
and great beer…
Soldier’s Island Pale Ale is a refreshing 4.5% brew with the perfect balance of zest and smoothness. Unfiltered and unpasteurised, it delivers brewery-fresh flavour in every sip.
Alex tried the unfiltered lager…
Kildare brewery lager is crisp, clean, and refreshing, with a light, smooth finish. Perfectly crafted for any occasion, it’s your go-to for ultimate refreshment.
The brewery was next door…
Time to go…
But first we’re off to find a famous grave…
Wolfe Tone was a founder of the United Irishmen and a leading figure in the fight for Irish independence from British rule. In 1798, Tone led the United Irishmen in a major uprising, hoping to begin a nationalist and republican revolution in Ireland with the support of French troops.
I suppose we’d better head off to the festival…
On the way there, we received a directive from our management to delay our arrival by at least one hour as the dressing rooms weren’t available yet…
Cue: screech of brakes…
Treacy’s Pub & Restaurant, established in 1780, is one of Ireland’s oldest family-run establishments, renowned for its traditional thatched roof and warm hospitality. Located in The Heath, Co. Laois, it offers a cozy atmosphere with a bar adorned with historical memorabilia.
Great little pub just off the main road…
More Guinness…
More exercise…
Eventually we arrived at the festival…
Great lineup…
We were introduced to ‘The Magic Mod’…
He was very good👏👏👏
Brighton’s Got Talent😃
We were on stage soon…
Groovy Train
All Together Now
The Fields of Athenry
All Together Now – finale
What a crowd👏
What a brilliant end to the second day of our Irish adventure.
Today we are playing the Doncaster Music Festival known locally as ‘Donny Fest’. It has grown from a small affair on the outskirts of Doncaster featuring mostly local bands to a stadium-filling multi-stage event that now includes several world-renowned bands and solo stars.
Since its opening in 2007, the Eco-Power Stadium (formerly known as Keepmoat Stadium) has become one of Doncaster’s most iconic venues. As the home of several prestigious sporting teams, including Doncaster Rovers, Doncaster Rugby League FC, and Doncaster Rovers Belles, the stadium is a vibrant hub for sport, entertainment, and community events.
It was a 10.30 start from our rehearsal rooms in Liverpool as we were due in Doncaster at 1.30pm…
Lower Sprotbrough was our lunchtime destination…
The weather forecast wasn’t great…
Roy was driving in his car as he had tickets to see ‘The Boss’ at Anfield that evening…
Meanwhile on the bus, Carl brightened my day with a surprise birthday gift…
Dario Argento has directed a wide range of films, including horror, thriller, and crime genres. Some of his most notable films include ‘Susperia’, ‘Profondo Rosso’, ‘Inferno’ and ‘Tenebrae’. He is known for his distinctive style, often featuring vibrant colours and suspenseful soundtracks.
No vibrant colours here!
or suspenseful soundtracks…
Still an hour to go before lunch…
Carl’s friend Frank – the current Children’s Laureate – had a brilliant new book out…
Head to Tinseltown in this hilarious and heart-warming adventure by the bestselling, award-winner Frank Cottrell-Boyce.
Also we have a brilliant new album out and recently we spent the entire morning signing copies of the CD version…
The Farm’s “Let the Music Take Control” is a vibrant and euphoric return, blending electronic sounds with dynamic guitar riffs, and is described as a “bonafide banger”.
Eventually we spotted a sign…
Then a boat…
Then the pub!
The Boat Inn is a 17th Century pub on the grassy banks of the River Don, next to Sprotbrough Lock. We offer character, history, distinctive surroundings and some lovely riverside walks from the doorstep.
Inside, we weren’t disappointed…
An easy drinking pale ale. Brewed using Slovenian Bobek hops; this session beer is light and hoppy with delicate floral aromas and a well balanced finish.
We took a beer over for Roy who was about to join us…
We all agreed that Yorkshire makes the best beer!
Bang on time…
We chose from the tapas menu – 3 dishes for £12…
We enjoyed the food and as we were leaving the landlord came over with a free drink…
A solid gold legend. The combination of four hop varieties infused with malted barley and a touch of wheat gives this easy-drinking golden beer tropical aromas of citrus and passion fruit.
As we didn’t have time to drink the pint, the barmaid poured it into two takeaway cups…
These aren’t coffee’s
We bade farewell to the bus as we drove to the venue with Roy…
Ben, Alex & Quinnie
Just up the road really…
Roy of the Rovers…(well it’s actually Pete)
We got our passes then went inside to look around…
A quick look at the line up showed us that Afflecks Palace were about to go on stage…
They were great…
Sun-dappled Manchester indie quartet taking influence from late-’80s/early-’90s indie-dance, ’60s West Coast psychedelia, and ’80s jangle pop.
Also watching were two of our biggest fans…
Those ‘coffees’ came in handy
The bar area was at the other end of the ground…
Sadly we had no time to advise
Time for us to wander back stage…
And to our dressing room…
The rider was fully stocked👏
The French lager contains Strisselspalt hops, unique to Alsace, which are used in its brewing process and give the beer its bitter and fragrant citrus taste.
Some crisps…
Ok we’re on!!!
(Fantastic photos by @crosfieldcontent)
“We love your Yungblud, but we hate your Jeremy Clarkson!,” opined lead singer Peter Hooton as he reeled off a few words on Doncaster’s famous sons, before leading the band on a hit-packed set that took us down memory lane with favourites such as Groovy Train, Mind, Love See No Colour and of course, All Together Now, which sparked the first big singalong of the day. (Doncaster Free Press)
The gig was great, afterwords Carl & Peter went to watch ‘The Twang’…
Formed 2004 in Birmingham comprising of vocalist Phil Etheridge, bassist Jon Watkin, guitarist Stu Hartland and drummer ‘Grandmaster’ Ash Sheehan, The Twang are one of the seminal indie bands of the mid 00’s.
Back in the dressing room we had some food then got back on the bus home…
This week we are returning to Scarborough as guests of the Interzone festival. Last year we played the festival in Newcastle but today we are in Scarborough the scene of our 2023 concert supporting Cast.
Scarborough Spa is located in Scarborough’s picturesque South Bay and is one of the most prestigious venues for conferences, exhibitions, entertainment and events on the Yorkshire Coast.
We’d planned to leave at 11.30 to take in a pub along the way.
Team Mullin had gone ahead the day before but disaster struck…
Their camper van broke down😢
They tried again today as did Team Grimes who themselves were travelling separately…
It was a couple of hours drive to Old Malton in Yorkshire…
It was a beautiful day…
Some encouraging signs…
After a while we arrived at our destination…
Old Malton is a pretty village just north of Malton. It is a designated conservation area and is populated with many stone cottages on either side of the main road, Town Street. Old Malton village is thought to be the original settlement of Malton. There is evidence that the earliest church in Malton was located on the site of the current St Mary’s Priory. Artefacts found in the area also provide evidence of Saxon and Anglo-Scandinavian activity in the 10th and 11th Century.
We found the pub quite easily and parked over the road…
The Royal Oak in Old Malton is a Grade II listed inn with a history dating back to 1780 when it was first registered as an alehouse. Originally, it’s believed to have been two farm workers’ cottages that were converted into a pub. Over time, it has been expanded and altered, including the addition of a Victorian extension and a “Tudor” look after World War I. Today, the pub features a cozy snug, a larger garden-facing room with original beams, and a large beer garden.
We quickly found seats outside…
And ordered from the bar…
Mosaic hops are full of blueberry and citrus flavours and seriously pack a powerful punch. This is one juicy banger of a pale ale. ABV 4.3%
It didn’t disappoint…
Decent menu…
Team Grimes ordered the fish and chips…
Fish and Chips £14.75 Battered served with triple-cooked chips, tartare sauce and mushy or garden peas.
and the Bunny Chow…
Bunny Chow £16.25 Often referred to simply as a bunny, this South-African fast-food dish consists of a hollowed-out soup roll filled with a Cape Malay Curry. It originated among Indian South Africans of Durban. Served with tomato sambals.
Time for a depleted team photo…
Before setting off again…
Not far to Scarborough now…
At last we arrived…
Both teams had their own parking spec…
We took a walk up the hill to see Scarborough Spa in all its glory…
While Alex enjoyed a frozen treat by the beach…
As there was no soundcheck, we headed off in to the town to find the pub we visited last time we were here – The Cask Inn…
Sadly it was closing down so we just had a pint of Guinness…
We met up with a couple of fans outside the venue…
Until it was time to go inside…
Backstage…
The rider…
The French lager contains Strisselspalt hops, unique to Alsace, which are used in its brewing process and give the beer its bitter and fragrant citrus taste.
Time to go on…
The crowd gave us a great reception👏
We spent some time with a few dedicated fans before setting off on the journey home.
Our first summer gig of 2025 takes us to the award-winning Old Fire Station in Carlisle. As the city’s largest independent entertainment hub (capacity 500), they host a diverse array of events, up to 20 per month—from famous touring bands and hilarious comedy headliners to captivating talks & interviews.
We’d arranged to meet up at Starbucks at the first junction of the M58…
The plan was to drive to Shap in Cumbria for some lunch…
We set off about 11.30…
We were all very excited as it was the start of the new festival season…
Keith was enjoying a mellow moment…
And the sun was shining…
In no time we arrived in Shap…
The village of Shap consists mainly of two long lines of grey stone houses, many dating from the 18th century, lining the A6 road that runs through the village. In the centre of the village is the market hall, with its curious windows and rounded arches, dating from a few years after the village was granted its market charter in 1687.
It was hot…
Our pub of choice was The Greyhound Inn…
Occupying a stone building overlooking fields, this charming pub with rooms is 2 miles from both the 15th-century ruins of Shap Abbey and the M6 motorway. It’s 7 miles from Lowther Castle.
Good choice of beers…
We wanted to order the Loweswater Gold but as it was a new barrel it was too lively to pour so we ordered the Wainwright Gold…
A superb thirst quenching, refreshing beer packed full of flavour, lightly hopped with subtle sweet notes and a delicate citrus aroma. Inspired by the author Alfred Wainwright, famous for his Lakeland Fell guidebooks. For every summit Wainwright conquered through his passion and commitment, each one delivered the ultimate reward. Refreshingly rewarding for those who think they’ve earned it.
Food was good…
14oz Gammon Horseshoe Grilled pineapple, fried free-range egg and chunky chips. £17.95Crisp Battered Fish & Chips Crisp battered fish with mushy peas, chunky chips and tartare sauce £17.95Whitby Wholetail Scampi Whitby wholetail scampi, chunky chips. garden peas & tartare sauce £17.95
One more pint then time to bid farewell…
Carlisle wasn’t that far away…
We watched an episode of the series Black Mirror…
Not for the faint-hearted😮
We eventually arrived at the venue…
and we were made very welcome…
There was a smashing fridge…
Full of Staropramen – a crisp Czech lager with a golden aroma and a good white head. Grainy, malty aroma with herbal notes. Taste with a slight bitterness in the finish.
and some nice fruit…
Here we go gathering assets in May…
We waited for Peter to finish an interview then proceeded to our hotel where we ordered a cab to take us to meet guests at the West Walls Brewery…
A brewery & taproom under one roof, in a unique and inviting open plan space with 12 draft taps pouring our latest brews alongside a curated selection of the UK’s finest craft beers, both local and from further afield, it’s the perfect spot for any beer enthusiast. We also feature 4 real ale hand pulls, showcasing our own real ale creations and a rotating selection of guest beers.
We enjoyed a couple of these IPA’s…
Bright, juicy, and full of flavour. Chinook and Mosaic hops deliver bursts of citrus and stone fruit with a crisp, refreshing finish. A sessionable IPA that punches above its weight.
It was a ten minute walk back to the venue so we took in some of the sights…
Carlisle Castle is a stone keep medieval fortress located in the city of Carlisle near the ruins of Hadrian’s Wall. First built during the reign of William II in 1092 and rebuilt in stone under Henry I in 1122, the castle is over 930 years old and has been the scene of many episodes in British history.
Back outside the venue with Carl’s former student Toni and her dad Jordy…
Time to go on…
Thanks to Gillian Thomas for the photo’s
Comedian and and writer Jo Caulfield and her partner Kev were in the audience…
Today we are heading to the Black Isle Showground near Inverness as guests of the band Peat & Diesel. Their Black Isle Belter music festival is set to return for it’s second year this weekend, taking place at the Black Isle Showground on May 3 and 4.
A familiar sight when staying overnight in a hotel is seeing the gold bus parked up outside…
Another cheery sight is the hotel breakfast, although sittings are usually a quiet affair with people coming to terms with their hangovers…
Bacon & sausage on toast was very nice😊
We all made sure we had plenty to eat as the journey to Scotland looked ominous…
The forecast was for rain but the day started out fine…
After another stressful Black Mirror episode, we stopped off in Perth for petrol and to stretch our legs…
Think we dozed for the remainder of the journey…
At last we arrived in Muir Of Ord…
Must be near the venue now…
We arrived on site to collect our wristbands…
and our handy plan of the festival site…
You guessed it…straight to the bar area and this fabulous IPA from Cromarty…
A seriously hopped up session white IPA brewed with modern classic hops such as Citra, Motueka and Mosaic. A smooth wheat backbone helps support the hops, round the body and creates an awesome straw haze to the beer. Volume: 440ml BREWERS NOTESABV: 3.8% IBU: 20 Malts: Pale, Wheat, Oats, Cara Hops: Motueka, Citra, Mossaic, Simcoe
We were on stage at 3pm so didn’t have much time to look around but we noticed the crowd building up…
We had a wander over to the entrance of the tent and bumped into our friend Lorna…
Lorna made us some Farm cupcakes back in 2019 when we played Inverness with Madness and we signed her record collection.
As you can see from what I’m holding, the Whiteout IPA had ran out so we were on to the Tenants lager – a blast from the past as we did a tour of Scotland in 1989 sponsored by Tenants…
First produced by Hugh Tennent at Wellpark in 1885, our flagship brand has long been established as Scotland’s best-selling pint. Tennent’s Lager is brewed to meticulously high standards, using exceptional ingredients and characterised by its clean taste and refreshingly crisp finish – best served ice cold. Having maintained its popularity in the face of changing tastes and fashions, Tennent’s Lager has also earned widespread acclaim for its staunch commitment to football and music in Scotland.
Back stage Keith had met up with Team Mullin’s Lily the Chihuahua…
Time to go on – some amazing photos of our performance taken by Vhairi Walker…
The crowd were fantastic!!!
It was a brilliant gig!
Time to get some food…
The venison wrap was amazing!
Peat & Diesel where on next so we went back into the tent…
It was packed…
We also watched them from the side of the stage…
They went down brilliantly and it was a great festival but it was time for us to head off to our hotel in Inverness…
Enjoy impressive panoramic views of the meandering River Ness and striking Inverness Castle
We dumped our things and a few of us met downstairs to take a look around the town – a sort of ‘coalition of the willing’. The idea was to head off to the Black Isle bar which was just up the road…
We had a good pint of the Goldfinch Session IPA…
Visually, the beer is a nice and hazy amber colour and a good carbonation gives it a big, white head. Very citrusy on the nose, predominately of grapefruit I think. It’s telling you straight away it’s going to be a hoppy beer. And as expected that first taste is instant hop. As the beer goes down that hoppiness slowly dissipates but does leave a faint lingering hop in the back of the throat. While the hop level is punchy the beer is not too bitter. There is a slight but very pleasant bitterness that is moreish to an extent.
From there we went on to the ‘An Seomar’ venue where Peat & Diesel were having their after show party…
We had a good laugh with the lads and their families.
Here we tried the Nitro Stout by the Dog Falls Brewery in Inverness…
This smooth & creamy nitro stout offers rich, roasted flavours with a velvety texture. Brewed with a balanced and complex grist, it delivers notes of coffee, cocoa, and caramel. Goldings hops provide subtle earthy balance, leading to a smooth, clean finish. For a perfect serve, swirl, pour hard and fast.
As time was getting on, Carl wanted to find a bar he’d been to before called ‘Gellions Bar’…
The legendary Gellions Bar is the oldest venue in Inverness and features live music 7 days a week, along with an extensive range of Scottish Gins, Whiskys and Beers
It was jam packed…
It was full of music lovers who’d been to the festival and we were recognised immediately!
Needless to say we didn’t have to buy another drink again that night…
Swirling clouds tumble as the storm begins to calm. Settle. Breathe in the moment, then break through the smooth, light head to the bittersweet reward.
We managed to get out alive and staggered back to the hotel…
‘Coalition of the swilling‘🍻
Monday May 5th 2025
Travel day today so a big breakfast was on the cards…
Team Mullin had gone on ahead sightseeing…
We planned to stop off in Moffat for some lunch…
It was a beautiful day…
We stopped off in Sterling to get petrol…
About an hour later we arrived in Moffat…
We ordered two pints of the Highlander…
A nutty, caramel-malt body with sweet red fruit notes and a gently bitter finish. Proudly traditional, Highlander is the punchy, bittersweet amber ale that Fyne Ales was built on.
And two pints of the Black Bull best…
A balanced flavor with equal amounts of fruit and bitterness, leading to a smooth and creamy finish. You might also taste notes of malt, caramel, toffee, and digestive biscuits.
Food…
HAGGIS NEEPS & TATTIE PIE £14.95 In a scotch pie shell, served with a tender stem broccoli & whisky sauceHOMEMADE PIE OF THE DAY Freshly made pie served with seasonal veg, mash or chunky chips £16.95BEER BATTERED FISH & CHIPS £15.95 Thick cut chips, minted mushy peas, chargrilled lemon wedge, homemade tartar sauce & side salad
The pub was great and had loads of character so we had one for the road before setting off once more on the journey home…
Today we’re off to the Shiiine weekender in Butlins at Minehead. It has become THE platform for the ultimate indie party over the last 9 years. Alongside the weekenders they have also hosted boat parties along and cruises, all with live music and DJs. The weekender though is the ultimate for true indie fans.
Great line up this year as we’re on with The Lightning Seeds and Echo & The Bunnymen!
It’s a long journey to Minehead so we planned a trip to Frampton on Severn for lunch…
The journey called for two films so first off was this Will Ferrel comedy…
Very funny
Then after a short stop we plumbed for this favourite…
Probably cancelled nowadays
On route we found out the ‘three horseshoes’ pub we’d planned to visit was shut but fortunately there was another one in the vicinity…
The Bell is a welcoming village pub serving traditional food, real ales and charming accommodation overlooking the longest village green in England. Situated just minutes from the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and a short drive from both Stroud and Gloucester, The Bell is a favourite for locals, walkers and visitors exploring the local area.
The otter beer is one we’ve had a few times…
Otter Ale is a very well balanced beer that delivers the flavours of quality floor malted barley and finishes with a combination of fruit and some bitterness.
And this one was a decent alternative…
Butcombe Gold, a golden ale brewed by Butcombe Brewery, is a well-balanced and full-bodied beer with a subtle floral and herby aroma. It’s described as fresh and fruity, with a robust apple taste and a slight bite to finish.
The food was very good…
Chef’s homemade shortcrust pie with fresh mixed vegetables & choice of potato £14FRESHLY BATTERED COD FILLET, CHIPS & GARDEN OR MUSHY PEAS | £18WHOLETAIL BREADED SCAMPI, CHIPS, SALAD & TARTARE SAUCE | £18All Together Then
Time to head off to Minehead…
Still a way to go…
At last we arrived…
Straight to the dressing room…
Peroni Nastro Azzurro is a widely popular Italian lager known for its crisp, refreshing taste and light-bodied profile. It’s a favorite for those who enjoy easy-drinking, flavorful beers.
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