retiredmartin

November 2024. Waterbeach.

On the Wednesday morning, just as I was heading down to Rye to see Mrs RM for the first time in a fortnight, Mum had a fall in the bathroom. No bones broken, but immobile.

Fifteen calls and five hours sat in a parked ambulance outside Addenbrookes* later, Mum was in a “bed” on the emergency ward asking for Ovaltine, just like I’ll be asking for a can of Doom Bar when I’m 84.

So, while Mrs RM gets to listen to “A Little Respect” (press PLAY),

with a pint of Neck Oil in hand in a club house in Rye Harbour, I get to stay and watch Storm Bert blow the leaves off the tree outside “Sunnyside”.

With Mum asleep on a hospital bed, I got back just in time for a) Spicy squid and Singapore Rice at Chung Hwa, b) a pint at the Sun.

Grief, it was cold, touching freezing.

This late, the lounge once graced by the Southworths pizza was now empty, so I went let to the public, home to the TV,

the entrance to the outside Gents,

and a warming fire.

No-one wants a cold pub. Helen runs a warm pub, in every sense, and although my squid and rice would be ready in 20 minutes, I somehow squeezed in two pints of dark beer, the Mighty Oak another winner.

Should you be worried I’ve scored on Untappd, not What Pub ?

There’s no football on the telly, so a bit of chat about too much international friendlies as I find I’m not the only drinker making a late night dash to Chung Hwa.

Oh, is that a United scarf hanging up by the door ? Time to scarper.

*I know folk nearly always say this about our NHS, but everyone we met that day was efficient and caring with Mum and me. It’s not just the young people and the publicans that make this country great.