
Pub No.3 on the Great Lockdown (2) Eve London Crawl coming up, after a short hop from Borough to Southwark,

though I never really know where Southwark starts. Or stops. Bing Maps has some strange ideas.

Wiki doesn’t have an easy-to-read Southwark map, and the Deserter book witters on about the Bishop of Southwark “incident”.
One interesting fact from Wiki though.

Note the de-population, faster than in Liverpool, as the arrival of CAMRA and those pesky Beer Guide tickers forces South Londoners out to Kent.
A bit more street art than you get in Littleport on Southwark Street, much of it questionable.


I like the area, a touch of north Bristol about the earthy pubs tucked under council housing.
Who could resist the Lord Nelson with red “N” and Noel Edmonds mural ?

Well, me, I was on a mission, determined not to need unauthorised loo stops on my mission today.
And here’s my target, The Ring, which What Pub tells me is in Waterloo, which I guess allows the GBG to move it there next year to avoid complacency.

See how the guys on the left look nervously at the sight of the approaching ticker. Or perhaps confusing me with Stafford Paul and wondering if I’ll scamper across on the red.
My favourite kind of pub. Street corner, one bar, tables and tat round the walls.

Loads of solo drinkers, too.

£2 a pint doesn’t hurt, either, though I regret that pubs are having to resort to this to clear their cask. Again.

I’m invited to take a seat near the bar and it’s just like Covid never happened for a while.
The TV tells me that “Donald Trump has managed to get his bass out“,

but whether that’s due a daring raid on the Coopers, a bit of luck on the fishing lake, or a return to his musical career post-Presidency I never find out*.
The barperson has a lovely Sunderland lilt** and is coping with a bit of a rush with grace and efficiency, as you’d expect from a Mackem.
AND she pour a perfect foamy pint of Southwark Brewing Porter (NBSS 3.5+) that temporarily eases the regret of turning down Cornwall’s finest.


An eclectic soundtrack goes from “Brimful of Asha” by Cornershop, to “Uh Huh” by Jade Bird, to “The Obvious Child” by the ubiquitous Paul Simon and although I’ve only had 2.5 pints I’m feeling maudlin for the loss of pubs.
Even if it IS only 4 weeks this time.

*Am I trying TOO hard here ?
**She was probably from Dulwich
Some great pics on the walls in The Ring if you’re into your boxing history.
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This is as close as I ever got to liking it
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(I prefer the Jerry Lee Lewis version(s), actually, but he doesn’t mention handwear)
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For some reason, the Lord Nelson is always rammed. I doubt it is the people of the attached estate drinking in there though.
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Yes, odd place.
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No women want to be around when he gets his bass out that’s for sure.
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I remember taking a lunchtime pint of Spitfire in the Prince Of Wales, Brighton, and being fully entertained by the BBC’s then Speech Recognition-based subtitling on the TV news.
I couldn’t have asked for more. I only wish I could remember some of the pearlier renditions.
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Love that expression “taking a lunchtime pint”.
And yes, the BBC subtitling service is on a par with the rest of their broadcasting.
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Artificial Intelligence has rather a lot to learn, I reckon.
At the moment it seems to be stuck at Authentic Daftness.
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Nice to see that mural of yourself and Simon. When did you get the hat?
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(slow golf clap) 🙂
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“Bing Maps has some strange ideas.”
Since it’s London, I declare all names therein are perfectly normal. 😉
“Note the de-population, faster than in Liverpool, as the arrival of CAMRA and those pesky Beer Guide tickers forces South Londoners out to Kent.”
You sure it wasn’t something along the lines of finally being able to commute from, you know, Kent? 🙂
“A bit more street art than you get in Littleport on Southwark Street, much of it questionable.”
I think that second one is ‘old Laurel meets young Hardy’, or some such.
“I like the area, a touch of north Bristol about the earthy pubs tucked under council housing.”
Sorry, I got sidetracked reading ‘north Bristols’ being ‘tucked under’.
“Who could resist the Lord Nelson with red “N” and Noel Edmonds mural ?”
And why is Lord Nelson going on about an ethnic Sri Lankan group?
(the ‘h’ is silent)
“And here’s my target, The Ring, which What Pub tells me is in Waterloo, which I guess allows the GBG to move it there next year to avoid complacency.”
Maybe it’s on a ‘ring’ so it can move around a bit?
“Or perhaps confusing me with Stafford Paul and wondering if I’ll scamper across on the red.”
It’s a wonder he’s still alive. 😉
“Loads of solo drinkers, too.”
I can relate!
“though I regret that pubs are having to resort to this to clear their cask.”
Sigh… agreed.
“The TV tells me that “Donald Trump has managed to get his bass out“,”
Is he now doing commercials to help raise money for his legal team?
“AND she pour a perfect foamy pint of Southwark Brewing Porter”
Blimey. That does look scrumptious.
“and although I’ve only had 2.5 pints I’m feeling maudlin for the loss of pubs.”
Totally understandable old chap.
“Even if it IS only 4 weeks this time.”
Ah, to be so naive. 🙂
Cheers
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