A glorious day ... what to do?

Find a decent pub and drink in the sun, obviously.

The Duke of York is quite a fine-looking building. Once upon a time it was the natural watering hole between Barnet and Potters Bar, on the old North Road. Today it is just out of earshot of the M25, a spit beyond the Greater London boundary line into Hertfordshire.

When the Lady in his Life and Malcolm started visiting here, it was little more than a roadside steak bar. It has brightened, expanded and now puts on a decent appearance. A bit suburban golf-clubby perhaps, but none the worse for that. A mixed clientele makes it a bit more appealing than the norm in these parts.

On draught three good beers, London Pride and Doom Bar as regulars. A grill and a bottle of Cab in between partakings. Then a long, leisurely sit in the pleasant beer-garden.

More out of cussedness (and a wish for both parties to drink) meant the Lady in his Life and Malcolm undertook the hike on public transport. The 84 from New Barnet all the way to St Albans is as far out as the London red buses venture: London travel passes seem to work as far as Potters Bar.

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