July 2023. Denmark Hill, South-East London.
If he’s not whining about pub opening hours, it’s geography.
What and where is Denmark Hill ? Wiki says Camberwell, in the borough of Southwark; but where’s Denmark Hill itself. I’ll never know.
I made an early trip there on Tuesday morning as my father-in-law had a hastily arranged scan at King’s Hospital, and was all ready to offer a helping hand on the stairs or a Spoons vouchr or at least a listening ear if needed.
But by the time I’d got there, he was already on the train home to Tonbridge, seen early and dispatched over the road. At 85, he’s a prime example of perpetual motion, bless him.
Clearly I wasn’t wasting a day in the Smoke, and for reasons unknown I’d long wanted to make a return visit to one of the premier JDWs, a London version of Exeter’s Imperial if you like.
OK, not QUITE as ornate inside, but there’s a touch of grandeur about it, as well as one of the biggest car parks in the ULEZ zone, with a barrier that tried to decapitate me on entry. I don’t care about decapitation since completing the Guide.
The Fox has been a GBG immovable for many year, though as you walk to the bar the cask range looks a little plain;
but that’s because the 50p off beers are round the corner. Note how the Bradford invader edges in between the Locales.
Even with live Wimbledon coverage (I thought Tim didn’t like TV sport) to tempt you, in the Fox is one of the quieter Spoons mid-morning,
I guess the question is, why would you be here, if not before a Hamlet home fixture or a hospital appointment.
Rather unspectacular carpets, more impressive tiling.
I sit outside as the plans fly over and phone my father-in-law, who tells me how good was the Wetherspoons down the road from the hotel we’d booked for them before their morning appointment.
“Have you been ?” he asks ?
“I’ve been EVERYWHERE” I reply.
Except the Salvation Army museum.
retiredmartin 