August 2026. Bristol.
My train to Bath left in 50 minutes time; Google reckoned 54 minutes walk from the Port of Call to Temple Meads, which gave little time for dawdling on the descent through Cotham Hill.
And so, once more, I could only pause at the Highbury Vaults,
and marvel that they still have the full range of Youngs Ordinary on hand pump.
That top picture is from 2022, and nothing has changed in a decade*.
One of these days I will pop in the Vaults, the first Bristol pub I ever used, have a pint of each of those Youngs, and tell you the one with the string dangling down is the best.
The last mile and a half is a delight. Art,
ancient houses,
and Devotions upon Emergent Occasions.
As Van Morrison sang…Rave on, John Donne.
*Well, it probably has, more hand pumps round the corner, but don’t spoil it for me
retiredmartin 