retiredmartin

April 2025. Otley.

The chap at Curious Hop, my actual new GBG tick, had opened up, shut up again, and left that “Back in 5 mins” sign up while I stood at the door.

Would it still say “Back in 5 mins” in 5 mins time ? Would he ever come back ?

I should do an Otley classic, I thought. The Black Horse was good when I brought an excited Simon here post-COVID jab, and I couldn’t go inside in 2021.

Perhaps, but frankly no-one comes here an doesn’t do the Old Cock.

It’s your classic West Yorkshire stone town boozer, proper seating,

loads of CAMRA awards, row of gleaming hand pumps, local beers (Chin Chin NBSS 3+),

two Old Boys discussing their golf trip. I never quite did the Old Cock justice, distracted by my late opening micro, but it was good enough.

I asked the Old Boys questions, we compared notes on Rotherham golf clubs, they stayed for a half of strong Tinderbox, decanted into their pint glass.

“A half pint glass just doesn’t work” says Dave. They’re all called Dave in West Yorkshire.

You can’t argue with a pub where they insist on drinking out of pint glasses.