Second visit of the outing: This Victorian roadside pub at 86 St Johns Road, Hemel Hempstead, overlooking Blackbirds Moor also sits on the edge of the cricket field and on my early afternoon visit, the cricketers were out playing their match to add to the village-like quality of this suburb just some 15 minutes’ walk from Hemel Hempstead railway station. Seating areas are on a series of levels with a mixture of upholstered and wooden furniture inside this single bar. There is a large patio to the front and garden to the rear. No children inside or out after 8pm and there is a no hats policy although they seemed to turn a blind eye to my canvas sun-hat. Prompt friendly service with four real ales to choose from in this Greene King-owned pub with three from Tring Brewery and some seating to be had as not overly busy on this Saturday early afternoon. A line-up of 1960s’ scooters on the outside parked up with their owners seated on the benches on the front terrace. The pub’s website depicts a likely visit from Del Boy, Rodney and Uncle Albert as there is a picture of their three-wheeler Robin Reliant parked up outside alongside a few other vintage cars.

It has been a hot day, and most customers are drinking outside. In fact we have the interior almost to ourselves.