No matter what gets in the way and which way the wind does blow
And as long as it does I’ll just sit here
And watch the river flow.
Bob Dylan – Watching the River Flow

From the safety of my study I went to the pub last night. It’s something I would normally do at least once a fortnight with the same three friends, two of whom I used to work with, but for obvious reasons we haven’t been near a real pub for a while. Though, with our new virtual pub, it was as if we’d never been away.

The conversational tropes were certainly the same as ever: music, films, politics, though with rather less about sport and more exchanging of lockdown tales. What was different was that the beer and wine was at supermarket prices and the whole atmosphere rather more family-friendly than a Saturday night in the town centre, with dogs, kids and partners putting in appearances to say hello.

Even when it’s only a virtual pub one still has to dress appropriately, from the waist up at least. I wore the Joy Formidable t-shirt, the one with the Ralph Steadman design, that my friend brought me back from a gig in Manchester last year. I’m pleased to say he noticed it. Virtually.

Picture of the River Dee at Farndon ©Bobby Seal