Friday, July 27, 2012

Grateful for our 'Local'

When I was growing up I can always remember the TV show 'Cheers', not that my parents were big TV watchers or even fans of the show, but the theme song, it got me every time and I can still sing it today (always badly). 'Where everybody knows your name', I can remember wondering how in a big city a place like this existed, but there you have it, that's the magic of TV shows!

Well we do have a local pub, 'where everybody knows your name', it is nestled in the little village straight up the railway line. There isn't much in the village, a shrine of remembrance, an RFS shed with firetruck, a few homes and the grain silos and of course the CWA rooms. This pub used to be a sad and sorry sight, when I first started visiting Muddy Hubby out here he'd take me down for a cool drink and 9 times out of 10 it wouldn't be open, or you'd be lucky enough to find it open and be halfway through your drink and the publican would declare he wanted to go home, so you'd either skull your drink or leave it behind before he shut the doors on you.

Over the last 5 years though it has undergone a massive transformation, it was bought by a young couple who reintroduced regular community BBQ's and functions (this weekend they're doing Camp Oven lunches), they have renovated the pub inside, it is now open and light and welcoming, and the fact that they're smiling, happy publicans helps too. It's child friendly and when it's a quiet Sunday afternoon like the one just past the kids can hang out and eat their chips and iced water and give us some respite as they enjoy their well earned reward.

Yes, I do bribe my Muddy Kids with a visit to the pub for Chips and a cup of ice, the publicans have a little girl 3 months older than Muddy Bubby, so there is always toys to play with and some company for the Muddy Kids. In winter there's a roaring fire inside and a fire outside as well. The Muddy Kids love to run around on the grass or play in what was the 'Ladies Lounge', while we catch up on the local gossip!

This week I am expressing my gratitude for my wonderful local, for being warm and wonderful and a place the whole family can enjoy, and for being an excellent reward when you don't have a park within a 10 minute drive.




Linking up with Maxabella for 52 Weeks of Grateful at Village Voices. Head over and check it out, you'll be pleased you did!

13 comments:

  1. Oh, that is awesome! I have always loved the shows where the community all seems to know each other. It just seems so friendly, but in reality it's not quite the same! I'm hoping to have "locals" as in restaurants and cafes and shops when we move to our new house. I want to get properly acquainted with the area :)

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  2. It's not like "where everybody knows your name" where I live, but it is pretty close. People walk a lot around here, so we get to meet each other instead of just drive past.

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  3. The only place my kids are allowed lemonade is at the local pub. Biggest treat ever.

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  4. I'd love to have a 'local'! We always did when we were Inner Westies and especially when we were in London, but now... there isn't even a pub in our suburb! What a travesty!!!

    Enjoy your lovely spot, Nat. x

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  5. You can't beat a good local. So very important.

    Visiting via the 52 Weeks of Grateful linkup :)

    Sarah
    http://acatlikecuriosity.blogspot.co.uk/

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  6. Our pub has just been bought and is being renovated. Really looking forward to it opening as its 50km to the nearest pub!

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  7. How inviting.
    I love the feel of a true 'local'
    xx

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  8. I recall my time in a farming district with kids falling asleep in the local in kid style made beds under the table on a Saturday night. Got to love a local that encourages the community to get together.

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  9. The best! I miss not having a local! One of the things I loved about living in the country! That sense of community is so special x

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  10. Sounds like an awesome local pub, makes me wanna move to your town! We have a similar place near our place but it's a coffee and book shop. It has a massive play area for kids, great coffee and cake and we're always running into friends there.

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  11. You are so lucky to have a local! We don't have one, much to my Hubby's annoyance. He's always saying how much he'd love to be able to stroll down for a beer or watch a game of rugby when it's not on TV. Great post :)

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  12. What a great local, any pub that welcomes the kiddies, is a good pub in my opinion. We have a few faves around here, really nothing nicer than enjoying some pub grub and a glass of wine/beer. Love the photos, the muddy kids look right in their element here Nat xo

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  13. I'm a bit jealous - the one thing our village needs is a family friendly pub (well any type of pub). The local village has over 100 people in it but no pub - must be the only village in NSW like this!

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