Around the year 2001, I lived in a little village in rural England. A friend of mine, George (RIP), lived in the neighbouring village. We both worked in tech and for complementary companies.
George and I wanted to get a partnership going and have my company licence his technology. Conversations like this take a lot of time to negotiate, so naturally, we'd meet up and hash out a few discussion points together. Usually on a Friday night. And usually over a few pints in 1 of several excellent local pubs.
1 pub quickly became a favourite, "the Plough Inn" in Warmington. The landlord, Tim, ran a strict no-mobile-phones policy, he poured a perfect Guinness and the pub was the preferred local to one Richard Harris.
Yes, Wild Geese, Marcus Aurelius, a man called Horse, English Bob, OG Dumbledore himself Richard Harris. THE Richard Harris.
Richard would talk to everyone. He'd park himself on your table and join whatever conversation was going. The one rule was you never asked him about his work. He was in the pub to relax. He'd drink with you, converse with you, be friends with you, but respect his 1 rule or you're done.
Reader, 1 thing I want you to know about me, I'm a passionate supporter of the All Blacks. I have been since 1984. And before I knew better, I used to wear an All Blacks shirt on casual Fridays, when George and I would meet for our "negotiation sessions".
Richard LOVES Rugby and he was deeply passionate about his club, Munster. A team that at one time beat "my" All Blacks. Whenever I walked in, wearing my 1987 World Cup winners shirt, he'd leap at the chance to tease me. He'd thrust me a Guinness and a Whiskey and order me to drink it while he relived the time Munster beat the All Blacks.
Well here we are, 20 years later and I'm watching the movie "Cromwell" on TV. Richard is playing Cromwell.
I've got to the part with the battle of Edge Hill. My ears prick up "hello, I used to live near an Edge Hill, I wonder if its the same"
Imagine my surprise when I realise that the Edge Hill I used to drive past everyday to go to work, is the Edge Hill from the civil war!
Then it slowly dawns on me, the movie I'm watching right now, has Richard playing the main character who was at the actual battle of Edge Hill.
And THEN I realise, the pub where George, Richard and I used to drink is only right next to the battle site itself!
