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This film shot, with a little Pentax compact, was taken in 'midwinter' ~ technically, 2nd February (Candlemas) is 'midwinter' being mid-way between the shortest day and the vernal equinox when day and night are equal. It does frequently become cold, frosty and snowy this time of year.

Best accompanied by Mario Lanza

Not an easy feeling to photograph but it can be done:

Step 1: Approach bar several times and ask for a pint of your preferred beverage. (Note: Like Google, the bar will 'learn' therefore a simple "Yes" will suffice after two or three such requests.)
Step 2: When the desired visual effects have been achieved, pick up camera... carefully like a new-born baby.
Step 3: Find the the 'On' setting ~ glasses may be required for this step.
Step 4: Locate the viewfinder (usually on the top of the camera but it may now be found on the bottom) and peer through it with one eye closed. (Note: if all appears dark, swap eyes). Compact camera users please note that it may be impossible to find a viewfinder but a 'get-around' is to gaze at the screen on the back of the camera. I f neither a screen nor a viewfinder can be found, turn the camera to face you.
Step 5: Press the shutter button. This is usually on the right of the camera and sometimes obscure in which case remove camera from eye and repeat the steps above until it is found.
Step 6: Sit down again and consider going home over a pint.

;)

The Rose & Crown, Station Road, Bishop's stortford, Herts. [51.867724, 0.162775]

The steps and phonebox in Devoils Lane, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. [51.870957, 0.159658]

I've not researched it but am guessing the name of this little lane came not from a corruption of 'Devil's Lane' but more likely from the Norman surname, 'Deville' (from Déville in Seine-Maritime). However, there is old English nickname 'Deofol' which did mean what we now know as the word 'Devil'. Whatever the case, I sadly don't think it was a lane in which the Devil was supposed to inhabit or lurk... although he sometimes might!

Waterman's, High Street, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. [51.871275, 0.158183]

Whilst admiring the window display and wondering whether I could use it photographically, this young lady came out for a quick break. I said I would eventually post the photo' on-line but cannot find an email address for the shop to notify her. If anyone is passing, perhaps they would inform the shop, or better still the friendly girl; I would appreciate it!

The Boar's Head, High Street, Bishop's Stortford, Herts. [51.871081, 0.157196]

Now more a pub with letting rooms than an 'inn', the Boar's Head was in a bit of a sorry state when I visited last year. Following licensing curtailments due to various complaints, the place was shut and the freehold was for sale. I understand it has now re-opened under new management.

One wing of this building is known to date back to around 1420 and the first records of it as an inn to 1630. It is thought probable that this was the 'church house' of St. Michael's across the road, the place where the 'church ales' would be brewed. It is recorded that the inn paid 2d. rent to the church in 1644. in that century Saml. Pepys dined here whilst travelling.

Much later in 1915 during WWI, soldiers were billeted in the town; one, Frederick Brian Wade, wrote in a letter:
'It is now seven o'clock and at eight I take my turn on guard at one of the stables. I'm writing this near a fire in an old inn called the Boar's Head. There are many such old-fashioned inns in this town one in particular is said to be over six hundred years old. Bishops Stortford is situated about thirty miles due north of London and is a miserable little one-horse place with only one picture-palace and with inhabitants with very provincial ideas, who hardly know what is taking place outside their own circle'.
[From Peace, War and Afterwards (1914-1919) by Brian Wade, 1996]
No comment :)

I've just remembered, thinking of Pepys and his dining (as one does): Like pub signs such as 'Baron of Beef', 'Shoulder of Mutton' etc., a boar's head was an early sign of a feast (we all know the image of a pig's head presented on a salver with an apple in it's mouth) since the early C14. These were simple pictorial (or 'iconic' to use the current vernacular!) indications that dinner would be served and probably other refreshment, principally for travellers. Later, probably in the C18, those curved windows around the door were added. These are indicative of a coaching house ~ they allowed intending passengers to see the coming of the coach as in older bus shelters which had side windows. Deep bay windows, such as at the Green Man in Trumpington, Cambridge served a similar purpose. When sitting in such places, I like to muse on the people and souls past who must have temporarily occupied the space I am then using. They will have not shared the air we breathe or the smells and aromas which that air carried but they shared that same little piece of space. I can't help feeling that one way or another, we must all leave something of our presence behind ~ not dissimilar similar to the theory of the fluttering of a butterfly's wings in one part of the world rippling around the globe and making tiny differences to events elsewhere. I am convinced that all of us, the most unworthy dross, the most hermitical and the shortest surviving, even if only a day or so, leave a mark. It is quite a satisfying thought :)

Incidentally, I haven't used any plug-in, template or app' to edit this ~ I think I remember the steps, though!