One thing I really miss living in the countryside is being near a pub. My ideal pub would be an old stone pub with rough plaster walls, oak beams, flagged floors, real ales, and serving regional food from all over the British Isles.
One thing about a local pub is the camaraderie and people are more their true selves when they have a drink or more. You also get to know what people can do and what they have for sale. Dare I say it? You may even feel like you are part of a community. Or is that just a myth?
When was the last time you went in your local pub? Is it modern or old fashioned? Do you stay in and buy your beer from the supermarket and watch the telly sat in your scruffs? Well I do, sadly! It's a lot cheaper to drink at home but you don't have a social life do you?
When was the last time you went in a pub? Do you have a local?
One thing about a local pub is the camaraderie and people are more their true selves when they have a drink or more. You also get to know what people can do and what they have for sale. Dare I say it? You may even feel like you are part of a community. Or is that just a myth?
When was the last time you went in your local pub? Is it modern or old fashioned? Do you stay in and buy your beer from the supermarket and watch the telly sat in your scruffs? Well I do, sadly! It's a lot cheaper to drink at home but you don't have a social life do you?
When was the last time you went in a pub? Do you have a local?
There is a pub like that in the village about 4 miles away but to be honest we have visited twice, by the end of the day just cant be bothered to change clothes and head to the pub its just easier to flop down and vegetate for an hour before bed, we should make more of an effort to support the local pub, use it or lose it :-)
ReplyDeleteWe are in a similar situation to you Dawn. It's at least five miles to nearest pub and there is no public transport to get there or home again. Most people seem to go out late these days. So we stay at home and drink beer we have bought from the supermarket. It's at least half the price of the beer in the pubs. But it's not on draught and you don't have a social life. I think if I ever move I will buy an house near a village with a pub. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWe have a pub about a mile away, never been into it, the only time we may go into a pub is if we can get away for a few days. Like Dawn, I/we can't be bothered to get changed and go out. Hubs is a real ale and cider man, buys ales from small traditional breweries and makes his own cider. I drink red wine and refuse pay the £3.50 a glass required in a pub, except on an occasional break. We have friends over for a drink and a meal now and then, that is enough socialising for us.
ReplyDeleteThanks Irene. Wish we had a pub only a mile away. I miss a local pub and it certainly helps to get you through the long nights of winter. Quiz nights and a live rock band make it even more enjoyable.
DeleteOurs has been shut for the past month....there is some chat around the village its reopening soon...i wont hold my breath......rents are too high
ReplyDeletePolice stations, village shops and pubs seem to close every day John. I think you haven't got much where one lives if they have at least a pub. Rents are high and people seem to drink at home more these days.
DeleteDave, I used to be a daily imbiber for over 20 years. When I moved here it quickly became apparent that with the nearest pub being 3 miles away, that my driving license was more useful to me than alcohol so I weaned myself off the stuff.
ReplyDeleteI am proud to say that I can now go to an all night party thoroughly enjoy myself and only drink water.
Re your 2nd paragraph every alcoholic believes that - until they become dry!
I think a social life is good for your mental health Heron. I think a lot of social acting happens when people meet other people. But we are more our true selves when we have had a few pints. I think it's good to meet other people over a drink and put the world to rights or share a joke or two. Thanks!
DeleteI haven't been to a pub in over four years and don't suppose I ever will again. I like cafe culture of coffee and a chat without the alcohol. I also won't pay pub prices and was priced out over ten years ago.
ReplyDeleteCafe culture is very good FQ. I notice it when I go to Portugal, Spain or Poland. People are encouraged to eat and drink together. You sit at a table and they get you what you want and you pay when you have finished your drinks or meal. It's also far cheaper in the countries I mentioned. Thanks for your thoughts.
DeleteI like the new layout Dave. Just catching up. Meter did the ploughing and drawing match here when I was on holiday so I missed it this year. I liked your photos of yours. As for pubs, we haven't got one. Apparently there used to be three, one was just like the front room of a house, but they have closed now. The next village where I bought the cottage recently has two though.
ReplyDeleteHi Rachel. I am glad you like the new layout. I remember reading on your blog about your new cottage in the next village to you. It's great that it still supports two pubs. Thanks!
Deletewe have a pub been in it twice, you have to walk in the road to get to it. A main A road at that, cars zooming by. No foot path or lights. Walk in and it is like in the films where peoples cars break down and they wander to a country pub when they walk in the music stops and they all stare. "ear, they are in-comers!" the food was good though. And we found a plumber.
ReplyDeleteHi Sol. I think we have all been in a pub that feels its a western saloon and they all stare. I am sure if you go in more often you will get to know the locals. Thanks!
Deletewe have a local,and often say we want to go but we live halfway down a large hill and have to go to the top and down to get to it, so we figure it's not worth the bother lol and that's if we can actually afford a drink or two,we don't drink that much to be honest lol :)
ReplyDeletesaying that, my local appears to b the community centre, more than the pub, I'm always there doing something or other like knit and nattter, textiles or our walking group
Hi MEOD. You are right to point out that it is difficult for a lot of people to enjoy a drink a pub. Wish we had a community centre. Thanks!
DeleteNo pubs here in France, but they do have bars, which are not the same thing although do have a vague similarity to pubs but lack the 'feel' of a true British pub. When we are in need of a pint, (or a third of a litre here) we go to our 'local' bar and sit at the pavement tables outside to have a drink, but that would be on a sunny afternoon. Night time and we are tucked up on our farm!
ReplyDeleteHi Vera. I have sampled the cafe culture in France. It sounds a great 'local bar' sitting outside in the sunshine. Thanks!
DeleteRose tinted glasses I think Dave,, it's also my ideal pub but I fear not too many of them left now even in the UK. many were taken over by the big brewery's and turned into theme pubs or gastro pubs. Drink driving laws followed by the smoking ban killed off a lot of the small village pubs.
ReplyDeleteYou are probably right Anne. The smoking ban and the new drink driving laws haven't helped the small village pubs. I always think they should have put in the infrastructure (free public transport, smoking rooms) before they introduced the legislation. Thanks!
DeleteOur local pub has successfully been closed by the Big Guys (usually Punch Taverns and the like) taking people's money to buy the business and then raising the rents when the business succeeds. Insisting on the landlords only buying certain ales at inflated prices. I could go on. Then they are closed and sold for development (houses). We make an effort (and goodness knows it IS an effort) to support the next nearest pub. Fortunately I don't need a drink to be sociable, so I am happy to drive. (Stiff scotch when I get home!) In truth I would rather stay in my scruffs and flop in front of the TV or laptop but I believe we should support local establishments now and then. I have to say that I'm glad to drink at home tonight after a day of collecting bushels of apples.. What a great year it has been here. same for you?
ReplyDeleteGill
Hi Gill. Sorry it's took me until now to reply. Been away. We think you should support your local pubs and shops if you have them. Rural businesses are really struggling.
DeleteWe got one big fermenting bin of cooking apple off one tree and nothing off the other three. Monty Don was saying the other week that there was a sharp frost one week in May and this prevented the apple flowers from pollinating. Thanks!
As Vera said we don't have Pubs as such over here. My last true 'local' was in Shropshire, and was just a short walk away. I used to attend quite regularly, and it really was the centre of village life. I miss it.... but not the prices.
ReplyDeleteHi Cro. I think a village or to live near one would be perfect. Especially with a local pub and shop or a community centre. Rural living can be too isolated, especially during autumn and winter. Thanks1
DeleteWe do have a local pub, however we never go as its an in through the door out through the window pub lol. We drink at home, we have young children so go out with friends to the pubs in town once a month. It's ten minutes bus ride away.
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