My previous article should have included a picture of Steve, the "frequent imbiber" I met at The Alum House. I'd hate to disappoint the bloke, so here's a nice shot of him occupying his accustomed seat up at the bar. He is the well-proportioned gent on the left.
The Alum House once adjoined the historic residence of Sir William Hamilton, a Merchant Adventurer who, in order to fulfill a religious vow, locked himself away in a single room with curtains drawn and spent the last twenty years of his life in this self-imposed prison.
It is said that the floorboards were worn into a groove by his pacing up and down from corner to corner.
Similarly, the floorboards in the Alum House are worn into a groove leading to Steve's seat at the bar........
Sorry, mate, I couldn't resist that!
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6 comments:
Twenty years of solitude and pacing! I wonder did he take 20 years supply of beer up to the room with him, or did he have a line direct from the bar or cellar to service his solitude!
Cheers,
Prof. Pilsner
Actually, he DID have servants who supplied his needs, so I suppose he got a regular supply of port and madiera wine, even if he got no real ale!
i used to work in the Alum House years ago and didnt give much creedence to the stories of a ghost in the building....UNTIL...yeah you were wating for that werent you...being despatched on an errand upstairs during the latter part of the evening session i heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps, so many footfalls that i dont think there was enough uncarpeted floor to account for someone walking in a straight line. Of course i was off back downstairs at the double. Maybe just maybe.....
Yes, the legend has it that the old bugger still paces there, back and forth, back and forth....
But I didn't like to say so, it might drive the customers away!
I've never been there!
Hurry up and do your post about the Steamboat, where I most certainly HAVE been!
And how about visiting that beer festival tomorrow so you can try Thornbridge Jaipur IPA?
i shall be at the Masonic Hall from opening time Thursday, Thornbridge Jaipur IPA is one of my must trys along with Townhouse A'Dleyweisse and Copper Dragon Scotts 1816. Hope to see you there.
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