More fearless pubbing in the wilds of Norfolk, the inexplicably popular* county that came 71st in my list of top UK GBG counties.
Pleasingly, only seven new Norfolk entries this year, six of which I’ve already forgotten.
The Horse & Groom at Tunstead, on the edge of the Broads, was memorable only for a tense exchange about Rugby (Union. Not even the proper one).
Nice sign, unfussy village (pop. 744) pub, unwelcome drizzle, welcome sight of lights on.
It’s a shame Lockdown 2 has arrived just as I’ve got the hang of the September rules.
Enter (the right door), apply hand sanitiser, stay well clear of anyone dithering inside, take out phone and pretend to find NHS App but actually take surreptitious photos, log in to the NHS Track & Trace, wash hands again, present myself 2 metres from the bar and smile, scarily.
“Would you like me to sit down ?”
I can be well-behaved when I need to be.
“Would you like to sit through there and watch the rugby ?”
“I DON’T LIKE RUGBY !!!“
I sat by the window in the family room.
The Landlady brought my Wherry (only marginally better glass than the one the Adnams would have come in).
She was wearing one of those Swing Low, Sweet Chariot World Cup 2015 sweatshirts. I flinched as she left the glass on the side of the table and proffered the inevitable card machine, I gave her cash.
It was actually a lovely 3 roomer; food, family, football rugby. And the Wherry was cool and foamy (NBSS 3).
Amen Corner sang what I assumed was their only hit (I was wrong),
a family ate crisps and discussed R rates in Wroxham with their Emilys and Charlottes, and I remembered how nice it was just to sit in a pub as the rain pattered against the window pane.
But I still HATE rugby.
*I blame David Bowie, but then I blame Bowie for a lot.
retiredmartin 
Not wanting to play games with men with funny shaped balls is still an acceptable lifesyle choice.
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I like rugby
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One-all then.
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Can I cast another vote in the rugby debate: I can’t stand the wrong sort of rugby, but I just love rugby league and American football.
I’ll also join you in blaming David Bowie for almost everything that’s wrong with the world.
That pint of Wherry looks good!
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I don’t know one sort of rugby from another and my only memory of it was with the sports lessons I hated at school and a strangely shaped ball kicked from the other end of the pitch hitting me straight in the face as I watched seagulls flying overhead, not a typical sports injury but the resulting nose bleed excused me from the remainder of the afternoon.
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Watching seagulls flying is the national sport of the Faroes.
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The little rugby I’ve seen was quite exciting. Much more interesting than our American football in my opinion. You may have a sport out there you can hate more than Rugby.
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Oh, when you say “little rugby” did you mean the schoolchildren ? They’re quite good.
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LOL. I guess I shouldn’t call the Welsh National team a little rugby.
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Amen Corner -bend me Shape me (any way you want me -ooh err Missus )
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Was that them too?
Thanks Mrs Guinness Book of Hit Singles 👍
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Perhaps I’m missing something (it wouldn’t be the first time), but what is the connection (assuming there is one, and this isn’t just another of Martin’s “jokes” ), between the county of Norfolk and David Bowie?
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“From Ibiza to the Norfolk Broads”
Life on Mars, 1973
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Of course! 😊
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Half as Nice was the first record I ever bought. Just looked them up – never realised they were Welsh. Good ticking while you had the opportunity.
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Nice is twinned with Ystrad Mynach, of course.
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No, I thought it was Barmouth – but maybe not since Barmouth Biscuits were discontinued.
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“I can be well-behaved when I need to be.”
Anything for a half, right?
“Would you like to sit through their and watch the rugby ?”
Sit through ‘their’ what?
“(only marginally better glass than the one the Adnams would have come in).”
I guess I won’t take a photo the current glass I’m using for my 6.5% Hazy IPA.
“and I remembered how nice it was just to sit in a pub as the rain pattered against the window pane.”
Rain, (snow), or sun… sitting in a pub is (usually) pretty nice. 😉
“But I still HATE rugby.”
As much as Christmas?
Cheers
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“Their” is how they speak in the Broads.
Nothing is worse than Christmas, but at least it’s cancelled this year. Are they likely to stop you meeting at Christmas in Canada this year?
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“Are they likely to stop you meeting at Christmas in Canada this year?”
Don’t think so. At least not out west. We’re already booked (flight and AirBnB) to spend Christmas in Edmonton with our lads. 🙂
Cheers
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I concur totally!!!!!
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