EOTL 18: Harvester Moon

[David Wright]

Expectations aren't high for our trip to South Ruislip, western extremity of the Central Line. According to work colleague and Ruislip resident, Ralph, the most interesting local landmark is the local Conservative Club. The 'Historic Events' section of the online guide to Ruislip reveal that 'no historic events have taken place'. Celebrity connections are thin on the ground – The Forsyte Saga’s Lana Morris hasn’t quite endured in the national consciousness (no offence, Lana).

 

I meet up with Dave in the Soldier's Return, a short walk from the tube station on Ickenham Road. The small beer garden sits adjacent to the main road. The head-splitting noise from the never-ending stream of commuter traffic heading into Ruislip doesn't make for a relaxing experience. 'YOUR FUTURE IS HERE' – the bold statement on the perimeter hoarding around the new-build property development opposite doesn’t convince.

 

After a couple of rounds, I receive a text from the aforementioned Ralph. 'On my way.' This will be our first ever voluntary guest appearance - a significant moment in the EOTL story. Two minutes later, Ralph arrives armed with the biggest camera this side of the Watford Gap. The man clearly means business.

 

Our local friend is a wealth of information. He enthusiastically shares insightful facts on nearby RAF Northolt (a helicopter flying overhead is confidently identified as an Apache). If we are interested in picturesque Ruislip we may want to check out the lido, complete with sandy beach. Or how about a trip on the lido's very own 1 and a quarter mile-long miniature railway (12-inch gauge)? It seems that this far-flung corner of Greater London has more to offer than we thought. Sadly, the lido is a little out of the way to visit this evening, but the attraction is noted for our next visit.

 

Feeling a little more inspired, we head back up the Ickenham Road and on towards the bright lights of Ruislip town centre. On the way, we pass some notable sights, including the golf club, the Conservative Club, and a rather striking 1960’s church. The high street is well-preserved, recalling our recent trip to Epping.

 

Initially, it looks like our only option for a bar meal might be the local Harvester, an imposing structure with a vaguely Hammer Horror look about it. Alas, the boarded up door and distinct lack of lighting inform us that this is not an option after all. Fortunately, we spot a pleasant-looking eatery opposite.

 

We enjoy a meal of sausage and mash washed down with wine and beer on the small terrace which overlooks a rather lovely pond. Conversation continues to flow around the history and character of Ruislip.

 

As the evening winds to a close, our attention is caught by a full moon over the Harvester. The moon itself is a striking spectacle, but it is the Harvester which quite takes our collective breath away. Gone are the boards over the door. The lights are on. The music plays. Hammer Horror, indeed. We swiftly down the dregs of our beers (our terror has its limits). Within minutes Dave and I have bid fond farewells to our local man-in-the know and we are hurtling back towards the safety of Zone 1.

[David Wright]

I try to retain a certain emotional detachment when writing these blogs.  Obviously, that was more difficult when the subject matter was Billie Jean's. 

[Eleanor Dowling]

You don't sound overwhelmingly pro-Ruislip - it clearly doesn't have the charms of Epping (ie Billie Jean's nite-spot and "Saturday Night Beaver' club night...