I took Mrs RM for a day out pubbing in South West London yesterday. On Waterbeach station she met one of her mates who was off to shop in Liberty for pashminas or something. Some folk don’t know what they’re missing.
The full, gory details will follow, but Sutton deserves it’s own post. Partly because it won’t then look like we did nine pubs in a day, but also as I’m convinced is in Surrey anyway.
In the 1970s, I actually thought it was the small Fenland village a few miles north of Cambridge that held the mighty Leeds to 6-0, and to be honest the Pathe News footage doesn’t entirely dispel that view now.
The glory-hunters were out in force yesterday, as Sutton entertained the giants of Cheltenham Town in the FA Cup. At least one child, presumably on his way to Gander Green for the first time, was repeatedly asking his dad about a half-and-half scarf. I blame Manchester City for that atrocity.
We didn’t spot much Cup fever walking through Sutton’s endless pedestrianised High Street, which is a triumph of modernity and tradition. Perhaps.
The Winning Post is the only traditional pub among the biggest collection of discount pharmacies I’ve seen outside of Cairo. That was quite handy, allowing me to buy a legitimate Christmas gift for one of our family.
FIVE POINTS FOR GUESSING WHAT THIS WILL BE USED FOR
I’m a fan of functional High Streets, as opposed to a row of coffee shops with attached retail park. Sutton has things that people want, including an outlet of M. Manze’s eel and pie shops. You really could be in Barking, rather than the edge of Surrey.
Architecturally, Sutton has some good examples of the brutalist tradition (I haven’t got a clue what that means), but the Wilko is incapable of categorisation.
The street art is short but sweet, even if I thought Herbert was a resident of Woking.
All the pub action is focused in a fairly small area between the shops and the station, and a few attractive side streets to the west. Fans of chain pubs will find their All Bar One, Spoons, Slug & Lettuce etc. within easy staggering distance.
Our Beer Guide tick looked awfully familiar, but that’s something Fullers pubs tend to have in common. The Cock & Bull is a spotless example of the style, and we were privileged to enter just before Gary Cahill kindly gave City the lead against Chelsea. My modest cheer attracted no interest among a room of modest Chelsea fans.
Mrs RM wasn’t sure, but I thought this was a superbly kept Pride (top), worth NBSS 3.5 at least. The steps to the toilet probably warranted NSSS 1.
The whole pub looked like an advert for Peroni, and one chap at the bar who asked for that but got Carling provided the main half-time entertainment. “Carling ! I’m not having that foreign muck !”. He really did say that.
“Get outside your comfort zone” said Mrs RM, pushing me into a crafty new pub just over the road. Look how fast she walks when she spots a 6.2%er.
Well Mrs RM, you mucked up our plans, but Shinner Sudtone was a great little place, reminiscent of Fuggles in Tunbridge Wells. What’s wrong with a normal name like 67 High Street though ?
On reflection, it could only have been a new Antic, but it took a look on WhatPub to reveal that chain as the source of this slice of shabby chic heaven/hell. I thought the use of no-expense spared popcorn on the Christmas tree, the beer menu, and the department store relics compensated for a slightly dull cask beer from Bristol (I think) , but I can blame that on the handled jug.
The lovely barman kindly asked me if the handle was OK after handing it over, bless him. Apart from that he was a star.
As was the Guardian reader across the room whose loud phone conversation included the line “I met Father Christmas this morning“. All my life I’ve wondered where he lives, now I know it’s in suburban Sutton. To be fair, it could equally be Carshalton. Carshalton has the Hope, so if I were Santa I’d live there too.
retiredmartin 
Great great post. Really laughed a lot on this one. Quiz: filling the trash?
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Thanks it was an entertaining session. I have no idea at all how your answer relates to that product Dave, which is why it’s the winner. Possibly.
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And I have no idea what that thing is.
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I though “filling the trash” was your guess ! What question were you answering then ?
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What it would be used fot😄 Waste bin? Tossed in other words? I saw no genuine use. It was my guess.
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It’s a present for my 15 year old if that helps. It’s nothing medical.
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That leads more research. I am quite curious what this is now. I thought you were giving him the respirator though.
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Ha Ha Ha as they say. I think he’d use it to play the guitar.
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I had to read your comment twice and go back a few days and reread. You bought a present?
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Yes I did. Mrs RM had forgot her purse so no choice. Not a Christmas present, and it cost £1.75, so don’t get too excited.
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And he took Mrs RM into a craft bar. Not sure what’s going on. Infused with holiday spirit?
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Er, other way round. I was dragged in there. To be honest it looked more interesting than the “corporate” craft places you see in bigger towns. I don’t touch spirits.
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You had us going there for a moment. You are the last of the big spenders!
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Quiz: disco tech miss sporty! Nails!
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Mmm. Normally for nails, but in this case used for varnishing guitars, oddly enough. Wonder if Jimmy Page used that brand 😉
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Only in his later post disco phase.
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I never knew what a half and half scarf was until today. Interesting articles out there on the subject.
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Is there a Hilary/Donald half and half scarf ? I’ll be wearing my Brexit/Remain one in the Hungry Horse. The Manchester Unity/City ones are in the same realm.
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We are still incapable of laughing regarding that subject:) A very sore point… LOL.
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Will the count (let alone the recounts) be finished by the time you come over here ? Genuinely interested; we’re used to getting complete vote analysis the day after.
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I believe the recount deadline is 12/13. The Electoral College votes on 12/19. There are recounts in Wisconsin, Michigan and a small one in Nevada. The one million dollar price for a recount in Pennsylvania was not raised. I only use half of the scarf, and it is soaked in tears.
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And it doesn’t appear there is any chance the results change.
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What idiots wear an half and half scarf,
if you are a true supporter of a football club your allegiance should be with that club and wear their colours with pride.
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They’re largely tourists and one-off fans Alan. Years ago it was rosettes, now its half and half scarves. Wait till Forest get back to the Premiership; you’ll see it then.
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I car’nt see that happening for many years,they were poor against Newcastle who had nine men on the field.
I would like to think Forest are more tribal than Manchester City or Chelsea and hopefully not do them.
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I loved the Cock and Bull when we were staying nearby in August for GBBF. Outstandingly good beer and a great Assistant Manager. A gallon of ESB (NBSS 4) later I still just about managed the stairs…
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Well done Chris.
Interesting I thought the Pride was that good (and I often don’t rate it in London), didn’t much impress Mrs RM)
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