...and just like that...

 ...it all felt back to normal.  Well, obviously not, but close enough that we could overlook the remaining gaps in normality for now.

On Wednesday we met with a couple of members of the community group we work with and we'd decided to meet in the pub.  We went to the Dolphin which was OK but they're not confident enough yet to ensure there's a variety of beer on the bar.  As a result there was Harveys and Longman best.  It was lovely to meet the friends but the pub experience still lacked that something.

On Thursday, we'd arranged a meeting with a potential client for the same community group project.  I'd already decided to make it an afternoon one for obvious reasons.

The meeting gave us a buzz (and something of a thirst) so we decided to "head somewhere".  Best Beer Buddy suggested the new enterprise of the landlord of our Eastbourne local, Andy.  So we headed to Ninkaci to see how it was doing.

We knew not to expect cask and it's tap and bottle room, not a pub. We were greeted by Andy in a cheery fashion, we ordered a couple of schooners (2/3rds, to the rest of us) and found a couple of stools to perch on.

It amused us to see that a chap we frequently meet when there's good beer to be had, was sitting with a pal.  He also greeted us cheerily.

Jo, the landlady, delivered the beer to our seats and we asked how things were going.  It was great to hear that, after 3 false starts, they were happy with how things were.  

On our second beer we remembered that Andy had asked for recommendations of breweries we liked, so we messaged him a list and he appeared suddenly, and chatted to us about them all - and confirmed that serveral were already on order.  We're really expecting good things.

It's our sort of place even though it's not a pub.  It closes at 8 or 9pm which suits us down to the ground.  Andy even promises cask in future.  I mean, what's not to like?

We left just ahead of 8pm, having been there since about 4.15pm.  We walked home and picked up our first take out meal for about 6months on the way.

Simple things, but utter delight.