Thu, 05 Oct 2006
Nostalgia for Richmond // at 19:20
Out of work and onto the bike to ride home, run inside and grab a pair of jeans and other essentials, then back out to ride in to Richmond for a beer.
Sunset commute ride, sun in the eyes, bugs along Gardiners creek, manic motorists all around. The majority of other cyclists are heading out from the city, here I am again riding against the flow.
Past the DHR and a surprise to see it all closed up, tape across the door and builders' ladders and stuff filling the bar. Up the road to the Spready and in for a pint. Damn, I managed to leave my lock at home, so its the Belgian bike lock1 on the front wheel and a seat by the window where I can keep an eye on it....
People watching.
People listening.
Snatches of conversation float past; a strong London accent at the end of the bar, "Me arm 'urts when I lean on it like dis", an indepth discussion on lightning strikes on trucks and truck drivers, two girls complain about their boss...
A blind man and his guide dog arrive in a taxi, so relaxed as they negotiate the croweded bar, amazing.
People watching, second pint of Goat.
A Dover regular, a local character, walks in and meets his friends,not really surprising with the Dover closed. I wonder why, it was renovated only a couple of years ago?
Feeling quietly melancholy and a little homesick for Richmond, so many faces I recognise, quite a few who nod and recognise me back.
A chance meeting in the gents' with a garrulous local and I learn all about the Dover, there's been a buyout and the new owner has big plans. The old back bar has moved into the front bar, the unused upstairs is becoming a function room, it's all changing... so long as it doesn't change like the Bridge Hotel did — comfortable local pub to brighly lit soulless trendy bar.
1. Put the bike helmet strap through the front wheel and cross your fingers. Stops, or at least slows down, any casual theft.
