14th February 2020
Back home, where Mrs RM is working on a huge IT project that makes 5G look like the installation of Supercalc at the village social club (they’re not really that advanced).
I fancied a proper pint in a Proper Pub, and with Storm Derek on her way that meant the local.
I don’t recognise any of those folk from Waterbeach past, but I do just about remember the Tolly signage that lasted into the 90s.
The City european ban (stuff em) had just been announced and I couldn’t face the interminable football debate in the public bar, so I took the best seat in the lounge, which only gets the regulars in at 6pm.
I know the Landlord and Landlady well enough to exchange more than “Hello” but less than an interrogation.
A few words on storms, holidays and a guest keg from Laine Brewery while a pint of Boltmaker was poured. A lovely, foamy pint, enjoyed reading the local CAMRA magazine in proper seats where your feet touch the floor.
It was great.
Mrs RM asked for a Chinese takeaway from Chung Hwa (crispy beef, squid, Singapore rice) which I ordered on my phone without fear of abuse.
So I stayed for another, even better (3.5+). As I’ve noted before, the Sun sells a lot of cask.
Half an hour after I came in I was out, 2 pints up and ready for the worst (actually it’s a great Chinese).
As others have remarked this week, not everyone goes to the pub for banter.
You ae lucky to have a good Local and a Chinese too -we have neither !
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😯
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Where DO you live? Thought it was just outside of Maidstone.
I always feel guilty I don’t use the Sun more often, probably once or twice a month as I’m rarely at home.
If it was a pub I visited anywhere in the country I’d rate it highly.
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Use it or lose it.
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I live about mile & a half from Maidstone -nearest pubs are a Beefeater & a Marstons family pub which is awful.Our Chinese closed.Rest of pubs are in town centre & I am almost ashamed to say,my favourite is the Society Rooms (Spoons ) None are close enough to be considered a “Local “
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I’m a big fan of the Society Rooms too.
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Yes he is, Pauline.
We live in quite a lively area with a several pubs and restaurants, but nothing like that.
We’re right by the park too, which means that the pubs are also kennels clubs most days too – not really relaxing.
We really could do with a chippy what’s more.
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I am a Northerner in exile in Kent -our chippy does not come up to scratch as it cooks in oil & not best dripping so we don’t indulge very often which is just as well I suppose (we are tight wads too & it is rather pricey ! )
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At least it opens at mealtimes though, I suspect?
Yorkshire can keep its dripping too IMO 🙂
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“in proper seats where your feet touch the floor” –Ha! That’s the thing about high tables: they seem to say “Sit if you must, but don’t get too comfortable, we’re hoping you’ll move on before long.”
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I don’t know how anyone can be comfortable on high tables, Mark. Surely the theoretical ability to fall asleep is a prerequisite for any pub visit? 😉
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You’re not a real pub (wo)man if you haven’t dozed off standing at the bar at least once in your life.
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I meant sitting down!
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In a mobility scooter?
The ability to drink a bar dry of your tipple of choice and then doze off at the bar whilst listening to a Polish Slayer clone bash away is an under-rated talent.
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Is that Krakatoa?
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Not yet!
Strange concrete place in Glasgow many moons ago.
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Lucky man with a lovely local. And with Boltmaker on tap, even better.
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It’s a pub where you can relax, Morten. If you ever visit, you can stay at our house (I’ll leave the key under the Bass mirror).
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