Share and Share Alike

Sharing your favourite places and things with a friend is one of the most dangerous things we do.  Emotionally, I mean...unless you have a particularly violent friend.

I remember, very clearly, the first time S took me to this pub. It was one of the haunts of his youth.  It was early days for us and we'd come down to Eastbourne just for the day for an exhibition at the local gallery.

Once we'd had a windblown walk along the sea front and I'd been introduced to Eastbourne's Napoleonic heritage we ended up here, at the Victoria Hotel in the Seaside area of town. It's a Harvey's pub.

Now, Harvey's is not my favourite brew, but a well kept pint of it is always good to find.

The beer here is always well kept and I remember instantly liking the pub which is very much a corner local.  S seemed pleased that I liked his chosen venue.

Because it's tucked away in the quieter part of town, and it's a little off the beaten track, it's quite satisfying to find it...it always feels like a bit of secret knowledge.

It was in here that S & I plotted to spend Christmas together in Devon for the first time since both of us prefer times walking and going to the pub than a more traditional turkey and TV celebration.  So I'm fond of the place for that reason as well and that feeling gives me a small warm glow every time I come in.

It was with a little trepidation, though, that I took my friend, Will, into the pub yesterday.  We were running errands for a community group we're in and it led us to this area of town.  We'd walked a fair way and delivered a load of leaflets and we were desperately in need of a rest and some refreshment.  Will had never been to the place despite having been a resident for longer than me.

The last time I took a friend into a pub that I loved I was devastated when I realised that this friend really didn't like that pub at all.  I didn't want that to happen at the Victoria with Will.

I needn't have worried.  As we stepped inside Will's eyes widened a bit and all he said was "Oh wow!".

We got a couple of pints and sat down for a chat.

Will got the place immediately, and started planning bringing his family here for lunch and having meetings around the generous tables that the pub is filled with.  He admired the unspoiled Victorian interior and enjoyed the beer.

It might have been the first time Will had set foot in the place, but I doubt it'll be the last.