The story of being barred made me smile. My son sent me this Tweet by @Bmangall20 he'd seen from 2017:
"My coworker told me he got banned from a bar when he lived in North Dakota back in 1973 and didn’t try going back to it for 30 years but he finally did and the moment he stepped in someone yelled “Get the hell out of here Dennis” And that’s probably my favorite story ever"
Yes, end of an era for sure. On my last night in town? I discovered that the new landlord of the crown is an ex bouncer called Del who I knew well. I’m pleased to say that when I walked in his pub he recognised me instantly. We spent a short while chatting about old times. he was on duty in Ponders Alley the night the dice told me to enter through the third floor, toilet window and not pay on entry downstairs. It didn’t go exactly to plan :-)
I am pleased to say that I am that friend that got barred for life and 3 months in the Saracens with you.
I can honestly say that I no longer stand on bar tables drunk in leather trousers shouting at the customers " You are all a bunch of fucking slaves"- this I think, is a step forward in my life :-)
I hope that happens though I know not of this push penny and skittles??? But I would love to try real ale tho I do like the craft beers we have here in Oz.
Reading of the pubs causes me to wonder what they are like. Of my three vists to England I've only been to one pub outside of London (and only a couple there). I have fond memories of listening to my friend playing middle aged bass with his band while I had a ploughman's lunch for the first and only time (still haven't had a scotch or pickled egg) but I loved that atmosphere of that one, but there must be much variety though it was 30 years ago. I look around the sbject in your photos Christian to see the layout of these pubs. The structure, furnishings, wall paper, tableware, bars and drinkware all to get a hint of the atmosphere. But what must it be like, to drink real ale in a variety of British Pubs?
There is a certain feel of a traditional British pub that has evolved naturally without major refits. And a variety between country, town and city, freehouse, coach house inn and those specialising in food.
My favourites are the listed ones with internal beams, wattle and daub walls and large open fireplaces used to warm the house with enough space to dry hanging meat. Of course they also have local ale on tap as opposed to the generic chilled pumps of insipid lager. There might also be a traditional pub game like tabletop skittles, push penny, or darts, comfortable chairs, and tall stools against the bar. If you can get over here Ian, I will take you on a tour of one of the smallest and one of the oldest pubs in England. Both in my county. But all of them have stories, some going back over 1000 years. There are about three pubs I've visited that claim to be the oldest and it all depends on how you frame it. One near me has the oldest written records of purchased drink (mead I think) but some go by the age of the building. When a few still serve from caves you can imagine just how hard it might be to trace their history. Either way I think we could have some fun.
Nice piece. Not sure it’s sad that people get old and die. Be too crowded if they/we hung about much more. Just nice to remember people who did good things with the time they had
When I say 'sadly no longer with us' it's purely a selfish statement. I learned a lot from these folk. I could listen to them tell stories for hours. Good times. :-)
Loved going on this wander back with you, and that William Gibson quote is perfect. While I was reading I kept thinking of the Don Henley lyric "I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac" which really doesn't need the follow up line " a voice inside my head said you can never go back". I think it's always an interesting story to walk back into places that shape you, and it's often a very moving story. As yours was. Than you :)
The story of being barred made me smile. My son sent me this Tweet by @Bmangall20 he'd seen from 2017:
"My coworker told me he got banned from a bar when he lived in North Dakota back in 1973 and didn’t try going back to it for 30 years but he finally did and the moment he stepped in someone yelled “Get the hell out of here Dennis” And that’s probably my favorite story ever"
That's fantastic! :-)
The piece about Chris and Sue was such a surprise and sad.
Yes, end of an era for sure. On my last night in town? I discovered that the new landlord of the crown is an ex bouncer called Del who I knew well. I’m pleased to say that when I walked in his pub he recognised me instantly. We spent a short while chatting about old times. he was on duty in Ponders Alley the night the dice told me to enter through the third floor, toilet window and not pay on entry downstairs. It didn’t go exactly to plan :-)
I am pleased to say that I am that friend that got barred for life and 3 months in the Saracens with you.
I can honestly say that I no longer stand on bar tables drunk in leather trousers shouting at the customers " You are all a bunch of fucking slaves"- this I think, is a step forward in my life :-)
Having recently been drinking with you again, I can neither confirm nor deny your statement as I can't remember a bloody thing after 9pm. :-)
I hope that happens though I know not of this push penny and skittles??? But I would love to try real ale tho I do like the craft beers we have here in Oz.
Reading of the pubs causes me to wonder what they are like. Of my three vists to England I've only been to one pub outside of London (and only a couple there). I have fond memories of listening to my friend playing middle aged bass with his band while I had a ploughman's lunch for the first and only time (still haven't had a scotch or pickled egg) but I loved that atmosphere of that one, but there must be much variety though it was 30 years ago. I look around the sbject in your photos Christian to see the layout of these pubs. The structure, furnishings, wall paper, tableware, bars and drinkware all to get a hint of the atmosphere. But what must it be like, to drink real ale in a variety of British Pubs?
There is a certain feel of a traditional British pub that has evolved naturally without major refits. And a variety between country, town and city, freehouse, coach house inn and those specialising in food.
My favourites are the listed ones with internal beams, wattle and daub walls and large open fireplaces used to warm the house with enough space to dry hanging meat. Of course they also have local ale on tap as opposed to the generic chilled pumps of insipid lager. There might also be a traditional pub game like tabletop skittles, push penny, or darts, comfortable chairs, and tall stools against the bar. If you can get over here Ian, I will take you on a tour of one of the smallest and one of the oldest pubs in England. Both in my county. But all of them have stories, some going back over 1000 years. There are about three pubs I've visited that claim to be the oldest and it all depends on how you frame it. One near me has the oldest written records of purchased drink (mead I think) but some go by the age of the building. When a few still serve from caves you can imagine just how hard it might be to trace their history. Either way I think we could have some fun.
Nice piece. Not sure it’s sad that people get old and die. Be too crowded if they/we hung about much more. Just nice to remember people who did good things with the time they had
When I say 'sadly no longer with us' it's purely a selfish statement. I learned a lot from these folk. I could listen to them tell stories for hours. Good times. :-)
Loved going on this wander back with you, and that William Gibson quote is perfect. While I was reading I kept thinking of the Don Henley lyric "I saw a Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac" which really doesn't need the follow up line " a voice inside my head said you can never go back". I think it's always an interesting story to walk back into places that shape you, and it's often a very moving story. As yours was. Than you :)