Going AWOL...

[Pat "5mph"]

the locals were talking about mounting an expedition to check he was oK but reckoned it was too risky until the weather improved
then suddenly he turned up in town - in the pub as he was missing a pint

Well, how did he manage to get to the pub if even the locals thought the way was too risky?
I feel some of this story was made up - I don't mean by you.
Probably Scottish folklore

 

[N0bodyOfTheGoat]

In this day and age of internet shopping and food deliveries, I'd happily live somewhere rural away from society.