Just off the Manchester, UK, inner ring road there is a pub called the 'Land O' Cakes'. Puzzled me for ages so I decided to look it up. The only sensible reference I can find is that Robert Burns used it to describe Scotland in one of his poems.

A little further out, just near the commonwealth games stadium, is the "Spanking Roger". Imagine what I found when I looked that up! Again there is a sensible expanation - A famous racehorse in the 1750's. There was also a piece of music ny Thomas Nuttall of the same name but which begat the other I know not!

Heading further out, on the A6 towards Derbyshire, is the "Soldier Dick". Excellent pub with good beer and food and a roaring fire for those chilly days agter you have come down from the high peak. The story of it's name is on the wall in the bar so you will have to go to find out;-)

Anyone any more? One I don't know is on the A34 near Congleton on the Cheshire/Staffordshire border, "The Bleeding Wolf". Any of our Stafordshirites know?

Cheers

Dave the Gnome