Drink 4/5 Decor 4/5 Food n/a Price 5/5 Atmosphere 4/5 Staff 4/5

ENORMOUS waves rise up in the air, building in strength until they crash against the jagged rocks. In a world where stormy oceans are in control, pubs called the Ship Inn are traditionally found precariously balanced on these rocky outposts.

They exist to provide solace from the fury of the harsh waves and draw people in to experience their alcohol-tinged hospitality.

Miles away from the sea, the hospitality beacon still flashes brightly at the Ship Inn on the Dartford Road.

In fact, I don't think I've ever received such a warm welcome at a pub as I did when I walked through the door.

Cynics might say it's because I walked into a pub packed full of men with a blonde female agent.

They would probably be right and she certainly was a lot more appreciated at the bar than I was.

But I am certain the two dogs in the pub were being friendly to me because they liked me, not just because I had salt and vinegar crisps.

While debating whether to share my crisps with the dogs, I got a chance to have a look around.

Although there is a busy main road outside the pub rather than treacherous waves, it does its best to retain a nautical feel.

A fleet of ship pictures adorn the walls, creating an illustrated history of seafaring.

And some of the friendly drinkers looked as though they could have been a sailor or a pirate in their younger years.

With the good old-fashioned boozer values came good old-fashioned prices.

Rather than the £3.50 per pint which I paid in west London recently, I was pleased to discover a pint of crisp, nicely-chilled Fosters cost £2.05.

Even more impressive was the price of my co-spy's Diet Coke.

Fresh from a can, it was just 65p, rather than the £1-plus rip-off you find in many other pubs.

It was both nautical and nice and a pleasure to sup in.