I didn’t fail because I drank alcohol, I failed because I couldn’t find the pub crawllers!

I spent Friday night at home watching back to back episodes of The Vikings, Season 6, and let me tell you it’s not for the faint-hearted. I’d watched the first 4 seasons with Steve, we both enjoyed watching together. I even had an image of Lagertha Lothbruk, Viking Shield Maiden as my screen saver for a while.

It's so much harder to watch The Vikings on your own because it’s so violent, and without a shoulder to bury your face in, I had to resort to pausing the TV, browse my phone for a bit until I was strong enough to continue. I can't have any Viking blood in me!

By the time Saturday night came around I had to go out, staying in 2 weekend nights in a row was not an option for such a social butterfly.

I checked events in Ipswich and found the Weekly Saturday Pub Crawl social, first stop a pub in the centre of town.

I signed up and then thought how weird this is going to be. I'm midway through a self-imposed 21 Days Sober for January challenge. I can do it, a pub crawl without alcohol!

With my free Eventbrite ticket printed out, I was ready for the evening. The only instructions were to arrive at 7.00 pm and wear something purple, I chose a sparkly pair of hand-knitted purple gloves that I’d made myself and a purple scarf.

The bar was packed, I asked for a non-alcoholic bottle of Koppaberg cider served with lots of ice and fruit. It looked just like the alcohol version, it was refreshing too but perhaps a bit too sweet. As the bartender poured my drink I asked her if she knew about the pub crawl group. She had no idea and after a quick walk around the bar checking for purple people and finding no-one, I sat down at a table. I felt a bit awkward, this is not my regular haunt but browsing my phone gave me something to focus on. 

And then as if by magic, 5 people sat down right next to me, a range of ages, one girl and one guy wearing a purple sweatshirt! By this time I’d taken off the gloves and scarf and was in incognito, not a trace of purple insight. I debated whether to introduce myself.

Go For It Girl, I thought and said, “ Excuse me, are you the Saturday Night Pub Crawl Group?” They looked at me, bemused and said, “Yes, we’re on a pub crawl” However, they had no idea about tickets and purple clothing. They were pleasant enough, loved that I was from Barry. ( It seems like everyone watched the Gavin and Stacey Christmas Special ), they even invited me to tag along with them. We chatted for about 10 minutes but once my glass was empty, I decided to go, my group had already started to drift towards 1:1 conversations.

On the walk home I decided the experience was worthwhile and my sober challenge was still rock solid with no awkward questions asked and I still had the Vikings waiting for me at home.

Today’s mission as a solo adventurer didn’t quite work out but I felt pleased with myself for trying something new. 

Till next time.

Have you ever been on a pub crawl, sober?

#MyPrelovedLife : 20/1/20