The Crown Tap

I was delighted to learn that, soon after my furniture had been unloaded at Graham Road yesterday, Emily and Alice had come ‘snaffling’.  Em had departed with a table lamp; Alice had a set of hanging shelves and a framed photograph.  I am particularly pleased that my granddaughter had the good taste to choose one of my best photographs, taken at Covent Garden in 1983.  I spent the morning searching for the original colour slide, but it remained elusive.  So Alice, you have the only one.  Treasure it.

After this Jackie drove us to Ringwood, where we had some banking to do.  I also took in my Longines watch to have a new battery fitted.  Mostly, now, I wear the beautiful Tissot timepiece that Jessie bought me, so I hadn’t even been aware that the Longines needed more juice.

Whilst waiting for the watch we popped into The Crown Tap in Southampton Road. We were both thirsty on this very hot day.  Jackie caused great amusement by asking for a ‘diet thingy’.  We knew it was a coke that was required, but some other suggestions were made.

The building is a very old part of a terrace, and had probably once been someone’s small cottage.  We thought the later brick fireplace had originally been the site of a kitchen range.  In the background, on the wall, England were in the process of being thrashed by Ireland in a limited overs cricket match.  It was as if the English batsmen had been put off their stroke by the sight of Marilyn Monroe.  Goodness knows what she made of the modern version of a game that was so very different in her era.  (I am reliably informed by Ian Steele that I have no faith.  The game resulting in a comfortable win for England, Morgan and Bopara each making centuries.  Miss Monroe must have been beyond their range of vision).

Frank Sinatra sang on the music system.  Elvis curled his lip on the wall opposite at the sound of it.  All this made me suggest to the barman that this was a nostalgia pub. He kind of agreed, although I suspect he may not have been quite with me.  He was quite young.  Another, older, customer said it used to be spit and sawdust but now they had a carpet.  Anyway, they serve Ringwood’s best which was my choice.  The customers all seemed well known to the bartender and others.  One man came in leading a mongrel on the end of a piece of string.  He said the dog wasn’t his, but regularly came and sat in his garden, so he thought he’d bring it out for a drink today.

The narrow corridor leading to the toilets seem to have confused some gent’s (sic).  A sign informs them that they have to move next door.

This evening Jackie made a roast chicken meal complete with stuffing.  So we ate it.  It was delicious.  I also drank some La Piedra Leon reserva malbec 2011.  Jackie didn’t.