It had been a long time coming, but Monday, April 12th 2021 was this big day we’d all been waiting for. It was when lockdown was partially lifted and you could get a pint from a pub, albeit outside in a beer garden or a tent.
After a brisk walk down town, passing a quiet Napier, had me thinking I’d certainly be going for a pint there this week. Dylan was setting tables outside the Rock Box, preparing for a hectic day. After yapping briefly with him and telling him I’d be back at opening time, it was off to the Sun to try my luck. Andy from the Rock Box was passed on my way to the Sun and was wished all the best for today. It was dry and sunny, a bit cold, but Andy won’t have minded one bit. He was just glad to open up his pub again.
My arrival at the Sun was at half past eleven, with me finding it to be very busy already. It had been open since ten. My arrival an hour and a half later led to me being turned away at first. So its landlord was bade farewell and told my luck would be tried again later this week. I wished him well and said it was good to have him back. Then came a shout for me to come back as a seat had become available and it meant me being able to buy my first cask pint of real ale for this year, at last!
It took around ten mins before receiving my pint of Gold. But at £2.50, it didn’t bother me at all. It was enjoyable too. What I didn’t enjoy was how cold it started to feel outside the Sun. So one pint was enough outside here and my way was made away, after thanking the Sun’s landlord and Vicky its busy waitress, for their hospitality.
Next stop was a now open Rock Box. As forecast earlier, it was busy. Dylan put me on a table with a friendly couple I’d met in a few pubs before. All the rest of its punters were people I’d also met before at some time in here and elsewhere. It was good to come across familiar faces, some of whom hadn’t been seen since last year. But what made it all feel like lockdown really was coming to an end was the arrival of those three old soaks – Brian, Bill and Dougie. Normal service was almost resumed! It was nice to catch up with these three lads and everybody else. By the time I left for my bus home, effects of being back drinking real ale again were starting to dim my already befuddled brain. Most pubs probably won’t make a great deal of money until customers are back indoors next month. But April’s outside unlocking certainly gave some of us a taste of happy days being here again.
