November 2025. Rye.
I’d almost overdone it on that first visit to the Ypres on my return to Rye (not the only one, apparently), and it was unfortunate that I had exactly 32 minutes till the bus back to our caravan park, which is exactly the time needed for a last pint. Yes, yes, I could have walked, but it’s pitch black along the two or so miles down to the harbour, which is deeply unpleasant.
So I considered a Harvey’s in the ancient Mermaid,
but that was packed with gawpers.
How about the other ancient, heavily timbered, pub in town ?
A year ago Mrs RM did a Rye solo pub crawl while I was attending to Mum. It was guest blog gold;
In 2025, it was time I followed her lead; the Old Bell is the only pub in town I hadn’t been in yet.
“Historic interior”, “oldest pub in Rye”, “does not adhere to published opening times”. Sounds exciting.
It made almost no impression on me at all.
Which is interesting, as in 2024 I’d noted this about Mrs RM’s visit;
What I can say is that the Harvey’s Sussex was unexpectedly superb; cool and chewy (must come up with a 3rd “C” word) NBSS 3.5.
As someone who’s often remarked how dull the Harvey’s Best can be in Sussex gastropubs, I should say that in unfussier pubs of late it’s been consistent, and consistently good. Which is just as well, as it’s as ubiquitous round here. Except in Jeff’s pub, of course.
retiredmartin 
When Mrs E goes to the bar in er, semi-rural Yorkshire, she’s often asked by a barfly “What’s up? Doesn’t he look after ya?”
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Bet the third word isn’t “cheap”.
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“but it’s pitch black along the two or so miles down to the harbour, which is deeply unpleasant.”
Especially if it turned out like ‘An American Werewolf in London.’
“but that was packed with gawpers.”
Is that a type of fish?
“It was guest blog gold;”
(looks down)
😊
“It made almost no impression on me at all.”
You’re getting jaded in your old, um, middle age.
“Which is interesting, as in 2024 I’d noted this about Mrs RM’s visit;”
(looks down)
Guffaw. How right you were!
“(must come up with a 3rd “C” word) “‘
I can help by suggesting some words to rule out!
“Except in Jeff’s pub, of course.”
When has there ever been that’s there’s no exception to the exception?
Cheers
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I’d forgotten about my dear wife’s pub crawl with added commentary a year ago. It really was a fine effort.
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