I will confess that my notes regarding our initial visit to The Custom House are limited to say the least. They basically read The Custom House, Palmer's Copper Ale, not much use when you are trying to write a blog !!
I would normally blame these type of circumstances on too much alcohol however this wasn't the case, the owners of the boat obviously didn't know their passengers, the cider, for example, ran out just after we left port !!
The Custom House is steeped in history, it was the scene 250 years ago of a British smuggling incident when a cut throat gang of thirty smugglers smashed their way in and stole two tons of contraband tea. Thankfully these days those who fancy a cuppa can get their PG Tips at the nearby Tesco Express !!
Although the weather was a bit overcast early on that day the sun came out for our boat trip and the weather stayed kind to us as we stood outside the pub...
An original ship anchor was situated at the front of the pub and I heard one of the locals shout 'What an anchor' as I stood outside the pub to have this photo taken. At least that's what I think he said..
A good pub but it was only a quick stop as we were saving ourselves for the main event later.
UPDATE 19th July
We returned to The Custom House for the main event, Deb's 50th birthday party that was being held in the pub's upstairs function room. It was a brilliant venue, just the right size for the number of guests attending.
The night started with Deb's husband Bod doing a This is Your Life presentation for his wife which was both funny and moving. We were then treated to some live music from local singer Danny Mac who entertained us with a selection of cover versions of songs that got us all up singing and dancing, aided by the fact that he'd brought a number of tambourines along which lead to many bruised palms and hips the next day.
I will admit to the fact that although I was playing the tambourine in the style of Robert Plant from Led Zep, I couldn't help myself and tambourined like George Michael when Danny Mac launched into Wham's I'm Your Man..
He even got the birthday girls and a couple of pals up to join him as backing musicians in a scene reminiscent of Robert Palmer's Addicted to Love Video..
As you know I am a big fan of AC/DC, a band that contains guitaring brothers Malcolm and Angus Young. I don't think they've got anything to fear from this couple of family guitarists...
Danny Mac looks like a bloke that can handle himself ..(check out his Popeye style arms)..
...and according to local folklore, and noting that this is only an allegation if any members of Dorset constabulary are reading, he was recently appearing in a local pub and a rather drunken punter kept knocking into his speaker during his act. He warned the man several times and his girlfriend took offence lunging at the singer with a bottle. Without missing a note he blocked her, knocked her out did the same to her boyfriend then carried on with his act. A consummate professional !!
A brilliant night ended far too quickly and a great time was had by all.
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