To the pub

Earlier this week saw my first visit to a public house to take drink (rather than food) since the spring. For which important occasion we chose an evening at the Marquis of Granby. As it happens my first evening outing of any sort since the spring. A house which, when we first came to Epsom thirty years ago, was run as an old-fashioned tenanted house, complete with something called a Parliament Clock, as I recall it, something like the one snapped above, but not as grand. See reference 5. The place has been through several incarnations since then, mainly youthful.

On the way, bumbled about and managed to forgot to take a face mask. Which meant that, to be on time for my rendezvous, I had to cadge a lift off BH, which I don't like doing for this sort of purpose, for which one ought to be under one's own steam.

The Marquis busy enough inside that I certainly preferred to sit outside. Which was what I had planned anyway.

I have drunk Sancerre there in the past, but that, it seems, is a thing of the past. Chardonnay had to do, with the current theory being that I like the average pub Chardonnay better than the average pub Sauvignon. Certainly works in the Blenheim, where Yellowtail has been my regular lunchtime tipple. Starting on the occasion noticed at reference 1. With this one starting out from reference 6.

Only the occasional smoker outside. No other serious drinkers. But there was this bit of heritage woodwork behind us. Perhaps the work of one of those country crafts people whom you come across at theme parks and outdoor events.

Our umbrella did come with heaters hanging off the central pole, but they were not turned on. And for some reason, it did not occur to me to ask to have them turned on. But two hours sitting outside, despite treble wrapping (including hardcore winter pully, hand crafted in the far north), not that clever. 

I was reminded of winter smoking in the early years after the ban. Also of the smokers of Ottawa where there is a 5m from the door rule, front and back. A place where it gets a good deal colder than it does here in Epsom. Despite their also having high street shops selling paraphernalia for other substances. And the big Hershey factory down the road at Smiths Falls which is now a world-class marijuana factory doing tours for interested parties from the far east. On which, see, for example, reference 2 for a sensible and sober discussion about the need to make the place a bit bigger still. And about how everyone very pleased that this building was being put to use again, having once been a big employer in the town. Sadly, I can't say that we thought to visit when we were in the vicinity.

No more service after 2140 for 2200 closedown, although that did not hinder the visit of some children on some Halloween errand. Presumably the children of team members.

On return, found time and occasion to do a trolley, as already noticed at reference 4. Modest number of young people on the market square, maybe freshers from the University of Creation, running around. Fair proportion of them having been chucked out of Wetherspoon's. At least one young lady was visibly the worse for wear, being looked after, I am pleased to be able to stay. I kept clear.

Reasonably clear sky, unusually so for Epsom, with Mars to the left of the near full moon in the southern sky. Both high and bright at 2200.

PS: I wonder now about picking marijuana. Does one pick the tips of young leaves, as if it were tea? Does one pick mature leaves, visiting the same plant day after day, or week after week? Or does one simply drop an entire plant of suitable size & maturity into the shredder, with the bits being dried and packed? Perhaps it all depends on the blend and grade.

Reference 1: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/07/changing-guard.html.

Reference 2: https://www.insideottawavalley.com/news-story/8609618-former-hershey-plant-in-smiths-falls-full-again-expansion-in-the-works/. The source for the snap above.

Reference 3: https://psmv2.blogspot.com/2014/10/train-spotting.html. Our own visit seemingly focussed on train spotting.

Reference 4: https://psmv4.blogspot.com/2020/10/trolley-420.html.

Reference 5: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Act_of_Parliament_clock.

Reference 6: https://www.terreforti.com/en. Not quite a terroir, but cooperative is entirely reasonable. I probably paid about three times the £7.50 or so you can get the stuff online for. Which is fair enough in a pub. And it served its purpose on the day, which is the main thing.