Pubs, Pubs, Every Where, Nor Any Drop to Drink

As everyone is aware, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on businesses in many places. In the UK it has been particularly hard on a beloved institution: the public house -- and its patrons. 

Pubs are not just drinking establishments: they are venerated social gathering places. For millions they function much like places of worship. In both, you  hand over some money in the hope that you will leave feeling better than when you entered. In both, the hope is not always realized, but that doesn't stop supplicants coming back for more. 

I've noticed one difference between the two, however. Some churches have been turned into pubs. But to my knowledge, no pub has become a church. Please correct me if I'm wrong! It seems A. E. Housman was right.

"Ale does more than Milton can, 

To justify God's ways to man."

Where I live, here in Carshalton, Southwest London, I am fortunate (or unfortunate, depending on your viewpoint) to be surrounded by pubs. Most of the pubs pictured below lie within a few hundred meters of my residence, the farthest away about a mile. Several are within a two minute walk. Temptation? You bet your donkey. But not, alas, these days. To paraphrase Coleridge,

Pubs, pubs every where,

Oh, how our fate does stink, 

Pubs, pubs every where,

Nor any drop to drink. 

Like the rest of us, pubs have been in lockdown for much of the past year. Most recently, they have been closed since just before the Christmas holidays. They are unlikely to reopen before the summer. The tentative date is June 21, the longest day of the year. What exquisite planning. That could also be the drinkingest day in British history. 

It is my fondest hope that Covid-19 will retreat mighty soon, and the pubs will survive this drought and reopen. Speaking of hope, pictured below is one of my favorite watering holes, blessedly situated only two minutes from my home.

The Hope, a community owned pub, has won many CAMRA awards including London CAMRA pub of the year. CAMRA = Campaign for Real Ale. The Hope always features a nice selection of traditional ales and microbrews. 

To while away the time of waiting, I have been taking lots of photos of the neighborhood pubs, walking about with my tongue hanging out. Here they are:

The Palmerston, named for a famous Victorian Prime Minister. 

The Windsor Castle. Not to be confused with the Queen's residence. Notable for its music events on Saturday nights, when it was open.

The Railway Tavern, close by the local railway station, of course.

The Coach and Horses, close to the parish church, All Saints, and beautiful Carshalton Ponds.

The Woodman, next to the Coach and Horses and the church, which is very handy. It used to be a butcher shop. Some of the hooks still hang from the ceiling, so be careful! Taken after a light snowfall.

The Sun, next to Carshalton Ponds, here bathed in sunlight. A fine Victorian building, it used to be a hotel. 

The Rose and Crown, close to lovely Beddington Park.

The Racehorse, diagonally across the road from the Hope. 

The Greyhound Hotel and Pub, across from the Ponds. In the 18th century it was a gathering place for fox hunters.

Disclaimer: I am not a lush. I just like the ambience.