On the Verge

 ...and the current lockdown relaxations reach as far as pubs in less than 24 hours.

Are we sitting here with our running shoes on, ready to sprint to the nearest beer garden?

Are we, heck.

The problem with prohibition is the management of the end of prohibition.

I'm seeing lots of my favourite drinking place which have suitable outside space gearing up to encourage the punters in again and good luck to them.

For us, there are lots of things that mean we'll be waiting a bit.

We're middle-aged and not due for our second vaccination jabs for a good few weeks yet.  Even though that mostly protects us, it does also provide protection for those we come into contact with so not mixing with vast swathes of people is probably still quite an attractive thing just now.

Loads of pubs are doing most of their business by pre-booked tables.  I totally get why people want that and why pubs feel they need to acquiesce - but I much prefer to be a spontaneous drinker.

It's still a bit chilly to want to sit outside for too long.  It won't be long until the temperature doesn't plunge into the sub-zero the second the sun goes behind a cloud...but early/mid April is not quite that time.

Our local have taken the decision to delay opening until nearer the end of the month - whether it's allowing people to get it out of their system for a while before having to deal with people, or whether they have other reasons - it seems like a good plan to me.

It's been a while since we've had to deal with lots of people and neither of us like that at the best of times - and the first few social drinking opportunities for groips of people definitely doesn't qualify as "best of times" by any means.

 So we'll wait a while.  In the meantime we'll be buying cans and stowing them in the fridge in the hope that the sunny spot at the end of our garden has enough warmth to double as "beer garden".

 But we'll be back there soon...