IT was cold and raining so any place warm and dry would've been good enough. Somewhere to read about the lousy world in the paper and watch police cars race to the next emergency.

Early on Sunday evening and The Wishing Well pub is not busy.

The coughing man lights the latest in a string of cigarettes. Fulham score on the big screen and two men stand at the Fifty Fifty one-armed bandit, dropping in coins and getting nothing much back.

Girl and her pal talk about sex and self esteem, drinking from a bottle of Budweiser with the label peeled off.

As pubs go, it's fine. Stained glass windows and traffic, affordable Thai pub food, air conditioning, okay toilets and forgettable decoration. Nobody under 21-years-old.

Stools at the bar or quiet corners in semi-darkness, whichever you prefer. Lots of space, high ceilings, nice enough staff.

Because it's not in the main drag of Watford High Street, there are no people dressed for clubbing, fast food and fighting. Not everyone is trying to look young and thin and there are enough paunches to let you know it's not a fashion cafe filled with phonys.

A nice place to go if the thought of the town centre fills you with boredom or horror.

And close enough that if, after a few drinks, a club and crowds of people seem like a good idea, you can walk it in 15 minutes.

PS