When the internet was first made available to the general public, I never realised just how many uses it would have. At first, all I thought it would be used for is the opportunity to communicate with people via email. That was just about the limit of its capabilities as far as I was concerned. These days, it can be used to access a great deal of information, from the winner of the 1950 FA Cup Final (it was Arsenal) to seeking the best place to eat in Sussex or just about anywhere else in the United Kingdom.

There was a time when the web was only really available on a desktop computer, but of course nowadays we access the internet via our mobile phones and tablets. If I go for a drink or a bite to eat in my favourite Devils Dyke pubs, there’s a chance that everyone inside will be looking at their phones. I should point out that I am not complaining about this, I’m merely making an observation. I use my phone and my tablet just as often as everyone else does.

http://shepherdanddogpub.co.uk/

One of the things I like most about the web is that we have the chance to read online reviews about goods, services and institutions. There are a number of very good pubs around Devils Dyke, and when I feel the need to eat out of an evening I like to see what the customers thought about their experiences. Having said that, I like to take some of these reviews with a pinch of salt. After all, some people just like to have a moan, and if they have a platform from which to complain they tend to go more than a little over the top.

Many Sussex pubs like to showcase their charms on the internet

The internet has of course also changed the way we do business. If you’re thinking about stopping for a few drinks at pubs for cyclists in South Downs, you can read all about them on the web. It’s so easy to check out photos of the place and perhaps of the beer garden if they have one, and of course you can read the items on the menu and decide what dish you might be in the mood for. I always like to read descriptions of each main course so I can decide in advance what to eat. However, I never read the starter options because I leave that decision to when I’m sitting in the pub.

As a keen golfer, I have been able to find out more about my favourite sport. I have watched online coaching videos, for example, and I have managed to find a few bargains when buying clubs, balls, gloves and shoes. I’m lucky enough to live within easy reach of some of the finest golf courses in Sussex, and I can read all about their features when I scour the web.

I find playing golf to be a release, bringing me some much-needed sanctuary away from the stresses and strains of my usual existence. When I’m playing, I tend to forget all about the pressures that I’m under, and this is extremely important to me. Later, my friends and I head to our favourite pubs in East Sussex to talk about the ups and downs of the round we have just played. There are times in life when I really don’t need anything more, and that suits me fine. Life can be all you want it to be occasionally.