Pubs & Restaurants


Stockholm in January: Where the Cold Means Business

Posted on January 30, 2026

The first thing you notice when arriving in Stockholm in January is just how cold it is. Not “oh, I should’ve brought a thicker jumper” cold, but through-your-clothes, into-your-soul cold. The kind of cold that laughs at scarves. So if you’re visiting in winter, layer up. Then add another layer and you should be warm (ish). That said, the cold does give the city a certain clarity. The air feels clean, sharp, and very Scandinavian. ...

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Bland, Pricey and Pointless: The Curious Case of Pub Food

Posted on April 4, 2025

There was a time when going out for dinner at the local pub felt like a treat. A little reward for not being a total underachiever, perhaps. But these days, more often than not, I find myself sitting at a table, staring into the abyss of a flavourless £18 main course, wondering why I didn’t just stay at home and make beans on toast with a cheeky splash of paprika for excitement. Where Did It All Go Wrong? Let’s be honest: pub food ...

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A Podding Holiday in West Dorset

Posted on September 8, 2024

When I went camping with the dog last year, it was tough. I enjoyed it, but it hurt. Let’s just say, there were more aches than adventures. It saddened me as I realised my hardcore camping days were probably behind me. However, a couple of weeks ago, I began to contemplate a 'Last Dance' with camping. The thought popped up when I was sent a marketing email about the place I stayed last year (those targeted ads know how to get you). The ...

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Feeling Liberated From Hope in Cornwall

Posted on August 5, 2023

When I drove down to Cornwall last week, a strange thing happened. I knew the weather was going to be utterly miserable but I didn’t care. I was looking forward to a break and there was nothing the weather could do about it. Hope and Despair Why was this? How could I possibly be looking forward to a wet break? Well, it’s like this. There is an old saying that goes, “Give me despair, I can take despair…it’s the hope that kills ...

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The Death of the Pub

Posted on January 13, 2023

I went to a pub for a birthday meal last night. It was expensive and bang average. I can’t bring myself to say the pub's name, as on occasion, my blogs get picked up and put on web pages for crap pubs or something. I haven’t got the heart to put another nail in it’s coffin as the staff were nice and glad of company on another pitifully slow night. An Unwanted Cocktail Most country pubs appear to be finished. They are dealing with ...

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