If you’d told me before I got there that I’d get a pint of Moretti and a large Sauvignon Blanc for a tad over a tenner in a pub in Broadstairs I’m not sure I’d have believed you.

Bargain Hunt was showing silently on one telly in the Prince Albert with horse racing, followed by the dogs, on two other screens.

Having supplied her with wine I tried to persuade Mrs SD a game of giant Jenga was in order as the blocks were already stacked in front of the radiator. In the end she succumbed to a hand of dominoes but escaped that as well when we realised how many bones were missing.

Instead, she reverted to type and immediately indulged in her favourite pastime - people watching.

The big guy perched on a stool at the end of the bar was the landlady’s dad and had a large cardboard box for company, but was also exchanging pleasantries with other customers and his daughter. I thought the landlady, who had a phone stuck to her face for the first 10 minutes, was still wearing her dressing gown, but Mrs SD reckoned it could be a long cardie.

Once she’d finally finished on the phone she began munching hot cross buns, which was slightly ironic, and put her one step ahead of her customers, as she’d informed me this is a Craft Union house and they’ve never served food.

Tim, the landlady’s fella, had already polished off his buns and mug of tea so grabbed the pub puppy’s lead and took Albie out for a walk.

Landlady Em reckoned it was a good job as Albie stopped listening to anything she says some time ago.

At this point a couple of ladies wearing wax jackets and sensible hats wandered in off the street and took several steps towards the bar, however, having looked around they turned on their sensible heels and walked out again without uttering so much as a word.

They were followed through the front door by three girls, walking in equally silently, who obviously only wanted to use the toilet and, having taken advantage of the facilities, simply giggled to themselves as they left.

Em, who’s been landlady here for four years, seemed nonplussed and when another pair of young girls followed them in, again to take a wee without so much as a by your leave, ignored them as well.

Tim, Em’s other half, took over her dad’s stool at the end of the bar and spent several moments vaping and blowing some very impressive ‘smoke rings’ (or should that be vape rings?).

Em took the opportunity to open up her box, which was full of other boxes, all of which seemed to contain crisps and other assorted snacks, which she squirrelled away behind the bar. There didn’t seem to be any sweets in her box, which was a pity as the dispensing machine looked as if it had been empty for a while.

She must have sensed my beady eye on her nuts and crisps as she said we were welcome to pop out to buy a takeaway of our choice and bring it back for consumption.

But my concentration was taken by two other people walking in. This time they arrived from upstairs and informed anyone who would listen that the plumbing was now fixed and as soon as they grabbed their tools they’d be on their way.

There is Jenga and a few dominoes but there’s no pool table, darts or a jukebox, although there was a stack of betting slips on the windowsill should the urge take you.

The background music was managed from behind the bar and was pretty dreadful – if you don’t believe me try listening to Hayseed Dixie’s version of Walk This Way. There were two large electronic fruit machines flashing away but no-one went near them.

I must say, having decided to visit Broadstairs, the Prince Albert provided me with an experience I wasn’t really expecting. In general, as well as being great value for money, the pub was refreshingly upbeat and, at the same time, down-to-earth.

As we made our way back down the high street Mrs SD shared with me her previous experience of Prince Albert. As a primary teacher she’d carried out a project on Queen Victoria and her Prince Consort – the youngsters had dutifully Googled Prince Albert but, despite the computer controls she thought were in place, Mrs SD had to step in quickly to remove some of the images their innocent searches pulled up!

She agreed this latest experience in the delightful seaside town of Broadstairs was much less stressful and a good deal more enjoyable.

The Prince Albert, 38 High Street, Broadstairs CT10 1LH

Decor: It might not be a true Elizabethan building, but I still reckon this mock Tudor pub is one of the better Craft Union houses I’ve visited. The furniture and other décor is all in pretty good order. ***

Drink: There isn’t a huge choice, but the Moretti was exactly what you’d expect. The Sav Blanc was declared ‘alright’ by Mrs SD who also said it was a ‘grower’ ie. better the more you drink. I later sampled a pint of Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and, once pulled through, that was fine. ***

Price: A large glass of wine is just £4.80 and a pint of Landlord £3.60. The Moretti is understandably more expensive at £5.40, but overall the prices are pretty good, particularly for this seaside town. I never did get a price for the bar snacks. ****

Staff: Once she was off the phone and had finished her hot cross bun Em was chatty, helpful and upbeat. I’m not sure exactly what Tim’s role was, but he was also very approachable. ****

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