Weekly Chat (Non-Osprey), 28 July 2019

A quick report on yesterday and then will do a catchup on replies later.

OH had booked a table for lunchtime at a hotel which we found very good the previous time of eating there. We were shown to a table and menus were thrown at us and drink orders taken. The menus turned out not to be the usual printed ones, but hand-produced sheets with inferior choices. Our drinks arrived, and then nobody came near. They were all fussing around a wedding party - not sure whether there was a bride yet, but there was a meringue in a pushchair which might have been a bridesmaid. We discussed what to do, the boys drank their n/a lagers (I only have iced water anyway) and OH went to the bar to pay for drinks and say we were leaving. A dressed up under-manager type came up to me and asked if we would be ordering any food. I replied, and we left. We went to look at a partner hotel, but they also had a wedding or two in - this is a known problem with Gretna. So we drove down the motorway to a Carvery on the edge of Carlisle. It was crowded. When OH asked if they had a chair with arms for me they just said "No", no sorry, or effort to find one, so I sat in my wheelchair and got cramp. J enjoyed his meal, OH had a piled plate - and put me off mine because of his "turkey and gammon swimming in anonymous gravy " habit. Also, he couldn't get my chair through the servery and he fetched me a plate which was overloaded with stuff he knows I don't have. I had chosen pork because I could smell it when we arrived and it was absolutely delicious, and I did send him for the applesauce. Apart from the food I chose and despite having to leave all the other stuff, the food did make up in part for the earlier disappointment and the staff attitudes. But taken as a whole it was a disappointing experience.

OG - How annoying for you all and yes, disappointing. There really is no excuse for poor service. I'd be tempted to leave a harsh but truthful review on TripAdvisor.

What a shame, OG. I'm glad that you enjoyed your pork, at least, But it wasn't the special meal you were hoping for, that's for sure. Perhaps you ought to make a point of going out one day soon and treating yourselves to a nice lunch in a different town entirely.

Yesterday I had another trapped bird experience. My OH was in the conservatory and I was in the study looking at garden gadgets on a website, when I heard a commotion. He was trying to keep hold of Bonnie, and something was fluttering around the windows. It was a small female sparrow, flapping and terrified. I told my OH to keep a hold of the dog, so that I could deal with the drama. I chased the bird from window to window, with cupped hands, and just as he shouted "You're not going to do it!" I finally caught the bird and flung it fast as I could out of the nearest open window. Its so satisfying to see them fly away, free.

ROSY/ANNETTE/HEATHER: There is a large Amish community in my area. For reasons based in religious belief, the Amish don't drive cars, so they travel by horse and buggy. Often, my local roads have piles of horse manure, especially in my small town where the Amish go to the bank, restaurant, etc. So this is not an odd idea to me. Click to enlarge THIS PHOTO to see the horse and buggy. This location is just down the road from my house.

OG: I'm very sorry that your special lunch was a disappointment. I was hoping you'd have a good time.

LINDY: Well done on catching the trapped bird. Not an easy task.

OG:  I for sure second Heather's tip re Tripadvisor.  I always check the reviews before we try anything new.  The original place should've comped the n/c lagers!  I'd definitely find a place you know is good and redo the celebration (just make sure they aren't also hosting any wedding receptions).

Heather:  Oh that's a riot.  Horse poo yes, but the other?  The mind boggles...

Lindybird:  I'm always worried about hurting the bird when I've tried to catch them with my hands  Escorted a baby lizard out of the kitchen the other day with a long feather duster; poor thing was cowering in a corner but I finally got him out the back door.

I'm off to see El Desfile Historico today - the historical parade commemorating old Spanish,  Mexican and early California days with apparently more than 600 horses from various groups plus antique carriages, coaches and wagons.  Lots of  music, dancing, colorful costumes and lots of silver - on saddles, bridles, etc. etc.   Hope to get some passable pix.  

HEATHER/ANNETTE: I think it's fairly common for people in my region to save the placenta (after a birth) for use in the garden. I've heard of it often.

ANNETTE: Have a wonderful time at the parade. I wish I could go with you for that one! Should be wonderful.

Got back here at last – hot and busy day.  Temp was 26 in the shade – dread to think what it was in the sun.  Still around 23 now in the evening. OH mowed and I started sorting the spring bulbs at last!  He has now taken J to his acoustic group.

Now for the promised replies – and thanks for all the good wishes.  We did sort of enjoy the day, just by not having any time constraints and spending time together. We always include J as he never takes it for granted that we shall.

HEATHER – enjoy the weekend back in Elgin.  I am sure you enjoyed having Callum round for dinner, whatever he ate (maybe he was leaving all the healthy food for you) - hope he can get fed over the weekend.

ANNETTE - you mean yours actually wears his hearing aids?  Mine was told by the practitioner to wear them more often, but he doesn’t, and we can’t get through to him how much he mishears in shops, restaurants etc.  Hope you enjoyed the Parade – sounds good.

LINDA – glad you went to see late Friend’s OH – but a pity he forgot to give you her things, hope he won’t feel bad about it and there will be another chance.  We are probably having a day out next week, depending on weather, so hope to enjoy a better lunch then!  You are getting very well practised in catching birds which come inside!

DIANE – a few years ago we stopped to look at an ancient mill in the countryside (Furness peninsula, I think) and there was a hitching rail in the carpark from when the farmers used to bring their corn for grinding.

Need to stop at that – OH wants me to help put “Elephant Feet” raisers under my bed – it sometimes takes me half an hour to get to my feet when I wake up (and sometimes I am in a hurry), and they are supposed to help.

I have just lost a post. I was disconnected when I tried to reply.

I have lost the will now, but it was about the Amish in Pennsylvania, and surgeons using out of date transfusion blood on roses (back in the day!), amongst other things.