Mr TCP and the Star Inn, Waldron ...

Down a leafy lane on the way to a hidden gem of a pub, passed roots of ancient trees hanging precariously onto the roadside, for a last meeting and parting of the ways.

N the last of three couples still alive had helped enormously looking after my uncle and they often went out for lunch.  I became one of the dwindling ‘crowd’… originally the three couples had met in Nairobi, Kenya – so the Africa connection was there.

The Star Inn at Waldron

The Star was the local pub for my uncle, who towards the end was dissuaded from driving, and relied on volunteers to help, or N and I doing some of the other driving.

Last year I was going to meet up with N… as life was happening around us all … but he was ill and we didn’t make it – then January comes around … and all is well: but I have a hip to be sorted out … so we had to wait til May.

 

The 12th century All Saints Parish Church

Then he announced we’d better make it quick … as he was off to Suffolk – two of his daughters sweeping him up to be nearer grandchildren etc.  Within a few days we had lunch booked and within a week – he’d gone!  His move had been facilitated by one of his sons-in-law – hence the acceleration.

We met as we’d often done before outside the pub and went in together … to be greeted by ‘oh gosh – we were talking about you all the other day and wondering what had happened’.

So we had a good laugh at being welcomed so happily and explained that wives and my uncle had sadly passed on … to which Dee said she thought that had been the case, and then saying we were here for a farewell visit.

Dee asked N if he’d like his usual table – yes please … and then she said she was so fond of Mr TCP – they had called him that … because obviously he’d smelt of TCP.  I could vouch for that … as the bathroom cabinets were full of bottles – half used, unopened, forgotten about etc!

'My book' is there - but Clive Cussler, the
author, has his name in large print!

So N and I had a happy nostalgic lunch, thinking about D and D, and A, at their usual table next to the ‘book-shelf’ where for a donation to the local church – please take a book and enjoy the read. 

What should I see but the novel “Skeleton Coast” by Clive Cussler, in association with Jack du Brul.  Another memory stirred – a visit with my mother to that particular Skeleton Coast in Namibia, southern Africa: just my sort of book: donation duly made.  Book review will follow.

We had pub fare … Ham, Egg and Chips for N, while I craved and had the Antipasto Grazing Board: cured meats, liver parfait, hot chorizo, sun dried tomatoes, houmous with fresh breads and a separate salad.

The ‘old boys’ always had to have a dessert … so I had to accompany N … he had a selection of ice-creams, while I had the Crème Brulé.

We nattered and remembered old times – reminiscing, which wasn’t good for N – as he’s a sentimental chap … so in the end we hurried out before the tears started to fall.  I said my farewells – and he ‘piled’ into his car and disappeared.  So sad for him … still he is having a new life with the grandchildren and two of his four daughters … the others will and do visit.  I too will get up to Suffolk anon ... 

Typical British signpost at the village of Waldron

So that was one of my days out … the pub is wonderful, in a delightful village tucked into the Sussex countryside … easy to get lost in wandering those lanes.

Ancient roots of one of the many trees
along the local Waldron track ways

The end of an era … difficult to believe … and because of the illnesses … it ended up being rather short and sweet as a final conclusion … perhaps for the best: sometimes it is easier. 

However we had that wonderful story to remember this day by … none of us realised that my uncle was known as Mr TCP … and that is now embedded into my psyche …

Goodbye Mr and Mrs TCP ...

Hilary Melton-Butcher

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