Tell Me Something............Anything!

[Barry]

My local pubs used to be like that - the landlord would start pouring your pint when you walked in. In the words of the TV series 'Cheers', "it was a place where everyone knew your name".

Happy days - unlikely to return.

[Roy S]

Nightmare, mate. If you're living on your own somewhere, and have a nice friendly local pub to go to, become a regular there and build a rapport with the landlord and staff, it's a fantastic thing, especially for your overall sense of well-being. That personal touch and friendly relationship between the pub and you is priceless!

They've been keeping people up to date via their facebook group (they're very inclusive & welcome input/advice). No limit how long you can stay but you do have to book a table for 'busy periods'. Might venture down one night through the week when it'll (hopefully) be quiet.

[Marco]

Screw Wetherspoons - I loath their 'pubs': indifferent staff; indifferent beer; tables too close together (though I assume that will have changed), and the whole chain run by a stupid Aussie who stated that there was no need for any pub closure, because "during the War the pubs remained open".

Hear, hear! Can't stand any places of that ilk, which simply cater for the undiscerning masses, who's choices are driven by quantity and price, rather than quality and individuality. Every pub in the chain looks the same, the service at best is 'tolerable', and the food distinctly average (ditto the beer). I also have a major aversion to any 'eatery' where you're forced to pay for food in advance, and are treated simply as a 'number'!

No, such places are avoided like the plague, as I'd have more fun at home!

In terms of the pub situation now, we'll see how things pan out over the next 6 months or so, and where we end up then. I also intend to explore things locally, pub/restaurant wise, and see how the land lies at some of our usual 'haunts' (in England and Wales) - indeed whether or not they still exist! But I won't be doing that for a least a couple of weeks.

What I'm missing most is the weekly pub lunches I used to enjoy with my dad (and I know he feels the same), where we used to take a drive out to the country (although no more than an hour from home) to some charming and idyllic little pub, where not only the vibe and decor was great, but the food and local real ales! And I'm fine driving with one pint of beer, in conjunction with a nice meal, especially when it's enjoyed at a leisurely and relaxed pace.

QUALITY, not quantity! Even if I weren't driving, I'd have no more than a couple of pints, savoured and enjoyed slowly, whilst I have a nice chat with accompanying friends or family. Fundamentally, it's ALL about the EXPERIENCE... Not just going out to get boozed-up!

Plus also doing the very same with Del. I've missed that too, big time!

Quite often, when the weather was nice, we'd just decide on the spur of the moment to go somewhere like that for lunch or dinner, and if it was at a time when she was off work, we'd sometimes go somewhere a little further, off the beaten track, say to a nice country hotel, and spend the whole day there, go for a nice walk around the area/surrounding towns, do some sightseeing/shopping and later have dinner, then stay overnight.

This is one of our favourite such places: https://www.lakevyrnwy.com/ or here: http://www.eatdrinksleep.ltd.uk/

So hopefully, we'll be able to enjoy all that again sometime soon!

Marco.

[Marco]

They've been keeping people up to date via their facebook group (they're very inclusive & welcome input/advice). No limit how long you can stay but you do have to book a table for 'busy periods'. Might venture down one night through the week when it'll (hopefully) be quiet.

Nice one, Roy. I'd encourage you to do so. Hopefully it'll be ok and still reasonably quiet. Incidentally, are you starting to see your lady friend regularly again?

Marco.

[Marco]

My local pubs used to be like that - the landlord would start pouring your pint when you walked in. In the words of the TV series 'Cheers', "it was a place where everyone knew your name".

Unfortunately, that wouldn't work for me, as I'm totally NOT a creature of habit!

Plus, I like pubs that serve 'guest ales'/craft beers, all of which change frequently, so I wouldn't know what I fancied until I got there... I don't really drink mainstream stuff, as I can get that anywhere

Btw, it looks like The Boat hasn't 'gone under' and will reopen again when the Welsh government allow so. See here: https://theboataterbistock.co.uk/re-opening-update/

I know that Happy and you enjoyed it there when you visited, and we'll certainly be going back when the time is right!

Marco.

[Roy S]

Incidentally, are you starting to see your lady friend regularly again?

Yes, I'm in her 'bubble' along with her daughter who's working from home for channel 4 (I get involved with some tough editing decisions).

[struth]

im in my own bubble not been invited to any lol

[Roy S]

Being socially distant

[Marco]

im in my own bubble not been invited to any lol

I wonder what a bubble party would look like, and how you'd dress up?

I guess being blown by a bubbly blonde could be fun!

Marco.

[Marco]

Nice one, Roy... That table looks rather disappointingly 'tea total', though!

Marco.