Monday 4 June 2018

290. Tue 30/1/18: The Carpenters Arms, Harpenden

Beer: Caledonian Edinburgh Castle 4.1%
Steph’s birthday – so out with her folks (and her). The Carpenters Arms should be absolutely idyllic on a quiet Tuesday night – what with the cold outside and two open fires roaring.

The pub is toasty, and the beer is good. The artificial lights seem too bright and too Christmassy. The blokes on the table behind us are too loud, and swearing too much for as genteel a spot as Harpenden… they’re old enough to know better too.

The nearest fire is too close – I’m sweating cobs. The pub seems too busy for a Tuesday evening – 60% less people here would be lovely.

The blokes behind carry on. They appear to be of a socialist bent which, again, one possibly wouldn’t expect in these parts. Nice one comrades… but keep it down a bit.

Having put the world to rights they leave and, ‘cause there’s a dog at the table near the bay windows, Steph’s folks get talking to another couple. General pleasantries. The dog, apparently, is a sweetie. The couple get back to talking, loudly, to each other. They seem like your more stereotypical Harpenden Tories – all Brexit and what Thatcher would have done…

Still, I do like this pub, it’s clearly popular – but I’m pleased to drink up and get out of the heat.

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