For Six Sentence Stories where the given word is Rambunctious, a word not normally used in the UK, our eqivilent being Rumbustious. However, I’ve been a good boy, stuck to rules and used it!.
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I wrote this piece fifteen years ago on the day I said goodbye to my village pub.
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I’ll miss this place and its colourful cast of characters.
I served farmers, local crafts folk, tradesmen, a lord and lady, and a couple of faded celebs and a retired bank robber, all ages too, some not old enough to be drinking, others old enough to know when to stop – but didn’t!
I remember when a dart landed in someone’s burger, I recall rambunctious after-hours lock-ins, screeching karaoke divas and quiz nights.
Whenever Glass Eye Gary went to the toilet, he popped his false eye into his beer so nobody would drink it, and Gladys the Guzzler would leave her dentures in her Guinness, ‘drink this and they’ll bite your bloody nose off’ she’d shout!
Now, standing alone in this empty bar I still hear laughter, clinking glasses, raucous singing, and the crackling log fire, I smell pub-grub, beer and Smooth Sid’s overpowering aftershave.
As I turn the key and walk away for the final time I take with me nothing but happy memories, what more could I wish for./
Want a closer look? Click pic to enlarge!
Thanks to Denise of GirlieOnTheEdge for hosting.
great characters
They sure were, thanks, Jim.
Great share Keith.
Just read yours and it seems you had a great time too!
Thanks Keith. I really had a wonderful time! Both of us wrote about our past experiences
good way to bring life to life. good six
Thanks so much, Paul.
Nostalgic ride down memory lane!
Thanks, Reena, it was a special time.
Happy memories Keith.
The best time of my life!
😀
Great memories, Keith. I would have fitted right in there, minus your warm beer. 🙂
I had some chilled lager for those that don’t appreciate fine ale!
In my defence, the first time I visited England I went to a pub that advertised a wide range of English brews. Noting my accent, the landlord asked if I wanted a Fosters. I told him I hadn’t travelled half-way around the world to drink cat’s piss and invited him to give me an education. 🙂
I especially liked how Glass Eye Gary and Gladys the Guzzler kept people from drinking their beers when they went to the bathroom.
It was absolutely true Frank!
Glad you wrote those memories when you said goodbye to the village pub and were able to share them here for your SSS post. Love the photo of the bicycles hanging from the ceiling!
Thanks Pat. There were eight bicycles including a butchers delivery bike and two penny-farthings!
thats what I enjoy about these Sixes (in particular) and fiction (in general), when the author provides we Readers with a glimpse into a time in the past and people who were part of their lives in a time ago.
enjoyable Six, Keith
I was pleased the opportunity arose, as soon as I saw the prompt word I was transported back. Thanks, Clark.
A killer cast of characters, Keith, brought to life in your inimitable style.
But no mention of Rosey!
Cheers CE. Funny you should mention that because my friend Rosey was actually inspired by someone that worked for me, but that’s another story – or seventy-four at the latest count!
You ran a place where everyone would feel welcome, a huge feat.
It was a small village in the middle of nowhere with just 50 houses, and the pub was where everything happened!
Happy days indeed, Keith… I can hear the buzz from the bar!
Thanks, Chris. I still do when I look at my album of photos.
I don’t know, Keith. Sounds as if you walked away with a treasure trove of wonderful memories – events and people. And, no doubt, limitless writing material for your storytelling!
Thank you for sharing 🙂
Absolutely Denise, so often people I write about in my fictional pieces are inspired by folks I served back then.
Wow, you really took us into the place–vivid descriptions–well done, Sir!!
Thanks, Zelda, what are you drinking? !!
Huh?? At the moment, La Croix sparkling water–peach-pear flavor 🙂
Aw, I miss it too. That is I would have loved that place.
It was a 24/7 job but worth every minute!
The images the nostalgia conjures!
Brilliant Keith – I can imagine how much you miss the place, at times … excellent fun photos – cheers Hilary