Being a Sunday, with nothing else on, I joined The Hash House Harriers for a jog around Hambrook, north of Bristol. “Hashing” consists of social jogging, following a pre-laid trail, and social drinking, usually beer. It’s traditional and aims, usually unsuccessfully, to do less harm than good, health-wise.

Today was a first, though: the particular pub from which we were running had no beer. Seems you have to phone up in advance, these days, if you want to be sure of anything as unusual as a pint of real ale.