A look back

Keith's Ramblings

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!.

.life-rolling-free-trial

I wrote this piece fifteen years ago on the day I said goodbye to my village pub.

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000I’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.

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36 thoughts on “A look back”

      • Sadje Feb 17, 2022 / 14:21

        Thanks Keith. I really had a wonderful time! Both of us wrote about our past experiences

        Liked by 1 person

  3. UP Feb 17, 2022 / 14:46

    good way to bring life to life. good six

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  6. Doug Jacquier Feb 17, 2022 / 19:09

    Great memories, Keith. I would have fitted right in there, minus your warm beer. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Doug Jacquier Feb 18, 2022 / 19:35

        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. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

  7. Frank Hubeny Feb 17, 2022 / 20:42

    I especially liked how Glass Eye Gary and Gladys the Guzzler kept people from drinking their beers when they went to the bathroom.

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  8. Pat Brockett Feb 17, 2022 / 21:31

    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!

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    • Keith's Ramblings Feb 18, 2022 / 13:34

      Thanks Pat. There were eight bicycles including a butchers delivery bike and two penny-farthings!

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  9. clark Feb 17, 2022 / 21:31

    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

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    • Keith's Ramblings Feb 18, 2022 / 13:36

      I was pleased the opportunity arose, as soon as I saw the prompt word I was transported back. Thanks, Clark.

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  10. ceayr Feb 17, 2022 / 23:45

    A killer cast of characters, Keith, brought to life in your inimitable style.
    But no mention of Rosey!

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    • Keith's Ramblings Feb 18, 2022 / 13:56

      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!

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    • Keith's Ramblings Feb 18, 2022 / 13:58

      It was a small village in the middle of nowhere with just 50 houses, and the pub was where everything happened!

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  13. GirlieOnTheEdge Feb 19, 2022 / 12:16

    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 🙂

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    • Keith's Ramblings Feb 19, 2022 / 15:36

      Absolutely Denise, so often people I write about in my fictional pieces are inspired by folks I served back then.

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  14. Zelda Winter Feb 19, 2022 / 21:32

    Wow, you really took us into the place–vivid descriptions–well done, Sir!!

    Liked by 1 person

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      • Zelda Winter Feb 20, 2022 / 20:46

        Huh?? At the moment, La Croix sparkling water–peach-pear flavor 🙂

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  16. parikhit Feb 21, 2022 / 16:46

    The images the nostalgia conjures!

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  17. hilarymb Feb 22, 2022 / 12:34

    Brilliant Keith – I can imagine how much you miss the place, at times … excellent fun photos – cheers Hilary

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