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The Bishop’s Finger

Wednesday, July 28th, 2021

There are epiphanic moments in every life and I had one a week ago in Smithfield in the heart of London when the Bishop’s Finger beckoned to me. It was the evening of ‘Freedom Day’ and by chance my son Will and I found ourselves in front of the ancient gate of Bart’s, the hospital where nearly two years ago I had my ailing heart re-juvenated.

One thing I’ve missed since then is a pint in a pub on a hot summer’s day. And that’s when I saw, on the other side of the square, The Bishop’s Finger. And it was pointing at me. And the next thing I knew I was in the cool dark interior, standing at the long polished wood bar, watching Fiona, the owner, draw a beautifully cleansing glass of Whitstable Pilsener.

I’ve spent time in plenty of pubs I’m only too happy to forget, but the Bishop’s Finger was different. So much so, that I burbled on about it, with the enthusiasm of a freshly released prisoner. Fiona must have though I was on something. We sat and despatched our Whitstable Pilseners and talked about nothing much, which is what pubs are for. In a way I had Covid to thank for keeping me away from places like this for so long that the joy of re-discovery was doubly glorious.

With Fiona McCann

Occasionally things like this happen which can’t ever be repeated or re-created. All I can say is that that drink in The Bishop’s Finger will always be special. It was more than just a drink, it was a return to life. 

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Palin’s Posts

  • Nights in Belfast

  • On Squatting

  • Perfect Matches

  • Things To Be Proud Of

  • Change Of Heart

  • The Bishop’s Finger

  • A Day For The Diary

  • Walk, Don’t Run

  • London Lockdown

  • Inspirational Eccentricity

  • Marking Time

  • Big Day For Erebus Fans

  • Out Of The Window

  • Pre-April Fool

  • History Doesn’t Always Repeat Itself

  • Knowing Terry

  • Nancy Lewis/Jones

  • Ticker Tapes 3

  • Fifty Years On

  • Ticker Tapes 2

  • The Ticker Tapes

  • Bournemouth and Beyond

  • Getting On A Bit

  • End Of Term Surprise

  • Down Under and Underground

  • Archives and Anniversaries

  • Erebus Sails On

  • On The Road Again

  • Calm Before The Storm

  • Busy Summer

  • The Last Lap

  • Erebus Sails on into the New Year

  • Death of Stalin Day

  • North-West Passage

  • Following The Fleet

  • Spring Into Action

  • A Weekend In Pakistan

  • Cold Start

  • Ten Days in Taiwan

  • A Yorkshireman In Paris

  • Brazil and Why the Thought of It Cheers Me Up

  • June goes out with a groan

  • May on The Way

  • Still Travelling

  • Martin Honeysett and Dr. Fegg

  • Farewell to the Thirty Years Tour

  • Warm in London

  • Eurostar to Paris

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