MOPING AROUND, WAITING

Only three more days and we’re in March, which is basically April Eve, when pubs come back.

Something to look forward to in another grim month. Even the showroom dummies in the Hillsborough Sue Ryder store have fallen asleep.

With pubs closed, Walkley-ites have taken to drinking their exotic cocktails atop the blue recycling bins on Freedom Road.

On Tuesday Mrs RM came for a walk with me down to the Botanics, a rare escape for her from the decorating.

Frankly, the first half mile is the worst when you’re not used to hills (though Mrs RM’s bit of Kent was steep enough).

We stopped to admire the student houses and occasional art of Commonside,

and you’ll get half a point if you can identify this pub reflected in then Wards window and your name’s not Will.

Last time heading to Crookes I brought you Burnley, this time I bring you the peculiar Sheffield trait of placing cartoon figures in windows to scare off cats.

On Fulwood Road you get the essential 1st year Undergrad experience. Balti house, micro pub, Frank Ifield singles, posh pub to take the parents to Sunday lunch.

It all looks rather sad now, but give it a few months and we’ll be rushing back to the pubs, mark my words.

As Hazel Dean herself sang in 1984, “Whatever I Do (Wherever I go) I’m always coming back for two (pints)“.

Actually, she’s 67, unbelievably.

What lovely, unpretentious pubs. Tetley Bitter in 4 pint jugs here;

The sign at the entrance to the Botanic Gardens, a gem, says “STAY AT HOME”.

Which is a bit sad, since you’re less likely to catch Covid outside with the flowers than you are in Tesco.

Unless the rules have changed again.

Published by retiredmartin

Retired NHS, doing long walks around UK and the world to record the great bits. Focused on Good Beer Guide pubs and live music.

12 thoughts on “MOPING AROUND, WAITING”

  2. Those really are lovely unpretentious pubs. I can’t help thinking some people might have a rather innocent, Disney-esque image in their minds when they hear the name “Fox & Duck,” then get a nice big shock when they see that sculpture!

    Yes the whole “Stay Home” message seems overly simplified, given that a walk out in the open air, tremendous distances from other people, is surely about as safe from Covid as you can really be. Well, short of living in New Zealand. 😉

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    1. Unpretentious is the word, Mark. What I really love about Sheffield (and Manchester’s) pubs is the sense that anyone can just walk in and not feel out of place, and it’ll be not too quiet and not too busy, and you’ll find something good to drink that’s not too wacky.

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  3. “Even the showroom dummies in the Hillsborough Sue Ryder store have fallen asleep.”

    Pfft. They’re doing push-ups. Need to exercise when you’re standing around all day.

    “With pubs closed, Walkley-ites have taken to drinking their exotic cocktails atop the blue recycling bins on Freedom Road.”

    Definitely a theme there. I take it they were drinking Curaçao?

    “On Tuesday Mrs RM came for a walk with me down to the Botanics, a rare escape for her from the decorating.”

    Just a different way to work up a thirst for one of those Beer 52 cans. 😉

    “and you’ll get half a point if you can identify this pub reflected in then Wards window and your name’s not Will.”

    Pass. 🙂

    “this time I bring you the peculiar Sheffield trait of placing cartoon figures in windows to scare off cats.”

    I don’t know why they bother with the Cooper Security System when they have those scary things in the windows… unless the security system is fake as well? 😉

    “posh pub to take the parents to Sunday lunch.”

    Since the parents will most likely be paying. 🙂

    “It all looks rather sad now, but give it a few months and we’ll be rushing back to the pubs, mark my words.”

    Sigh, agreed.

    “As Hazel Dean herself sang in 1984, “Whatever I Do (Wherever I go) I’m always coming back for two (pints)“.”

    Or those immortal words from the Big Yellow Taxi;

    ‘Don’t it always seem to go, you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone.’

    “What lovely, unpretentious pubs.”

    Unpretentious indeed.

    “Which is a bit sad, since you’re less likely to catch Covid outside with the flowers than you are in Tesco.”

    Too right mate!

    “Unless the rules have changed again.”

    I think it’s about time we paraphrased a line from the Treasure of the Sierra Madre. To wit:

    “Rules? We don’t need no stinkin’ rules!”

    Cheers

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