An excellent read, as always, from Boak and Bailey about the state of the pub this week. I recommend reading this BlueSky thread;
The comments reflect on the vital role of the pub as a social space, something very much on my mind this morning.
I didn’t really talk about “life” in my 2025 reviews, but clearly the death of your Mum is a key life event.
That picture was taken at the Five Miles From Anywhere (No Hurry), an unfussy dining pub by the River Cam where I used to take Dad to give Mum a few hours respite (and vice versa). Mum liked the Five Miles too; she looks as happy there as she was anywhere in her last year.
The night Mum died we felt the need to get away for a while before the real drama started, and ended up in Leighton Buzzard, near Mum’s birthplace, just being part of life.
Later that week I was very grateful to Will for getting me out of the house for a trip to Gainsborough to enjoy some vibrant pubs, and Macclesfield (well done, Macc) stuffing the Trinity.
When we visit my in-laws in Tunbridge Wells the only thing Michael wants (apart from a takeaway from Meow) is a trip out to the pub. He can’t stomach more than a half of Harvey’s these days, but he really needs to get out of the house. I share the sentiment.
Grief, I even saw Mrs RM share a smile with the MIL (Mumsnet speak) at that Hop House place last year.
I can’t imagine having any of those vital catch-ups in a coffee shop or library. The pub really is the third place that Mudgie always used to write about.
This Friday we gather to celebrate the life of Peter, who would have enjoyed that Boak & Bailey analysis up top. I can’t imagine remembering Mudgie over a flat white in Widnes Costa.
retiredmartin 
Couldn’t agree more Martin. How many “blokes” talk much about life in any circumstances? A decent pub is an escape route in many ways, there to take our minds off of Real Life.
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Nice one, Martin. A well thought out post. Beautifully presented. Your mum would have been pleased and proud, I’m sure.
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BlueSky – isn’t that the social media you don’t join but flounce off to ?
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Your mother looked beautiful!
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Thanks Lana. That’s a really thoughtful comment ! She always took pride in her appearance; that was her at 84.
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That is incredible. Her self care sure did pay off.
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Martin,
No cut-n-paste of your comments to reply to in this post. Just wanted to say you’ve captured the essence of a pub, as opposed to a coffee shop or whatnot.
One of my biggest regrets is that my dear old dad, bless him, never visited me before he died, where we’ve been living now for over 18 years, so that we could have walked up to a very pub-like place a mere 750 metres away, to either enjoy a quiet pint inside by the fire, or outside by the koi pond (depending on the weather and mood).
I shall raise a glass this Friday to Mudgie. 🍺
Cheers 🍻
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I raised a pint of Landlord to Mudgie on your behalf in Widnes yesterday.
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I waited till the end of the day, then had a glass of an Imperial Stout that I keep for special occasions.
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Is that a rarity in Canada ?
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“Is that a rarity in Canada ?”
Not as such. It’s just hard to find in the local liquor stores.
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