On a similar theme, until comparatively recently there used to be a smell of tar when driving on the Totton flyover when visiting down there. Was this from the same location near Fawley or something more local to Totton.
As for pubs, have fond memories of a pub crawl arounf Totton and Eling, especially the two opposite each other, from recollection Village Bells, and is it the Rufus ?