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Original poster

ADs drinking al fresco at The Sleeping Swans

994 replies

BogRollBOGOF · 09/04/2021 17:17

ADs, grab your thermals, long johns and winter woolies, we're finally off to drown our sorrows at the Sleeping Swan!

OP posts:
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18
justasking111 · 02/05/2021 21:43

Between the family we've sat outside a few venues. The consensus is that the limited menus are pants and it's still too cold 🥶🥶🥶. We've all scratched that itch so will wait until indoors is open again

Original poster
BogRollBOGOF · 02/05/2021 23:34

We've been out a couple of times, but the winds/ air temperatures have not been kind and tempting for lots of trips to the pub. Cold, fed up children are very important to consider in the pleasure factor. Those couple of trips did brighten up a couple of walks though.

OP posts:
TabbyStar · 03/05/2021 07:19

Isn't getting a takeaway just..getting a takeaway?

The woman standing over us said that the rules have changed and if you go into the building at all you have to do T&T. There does seem to be an awful lot more of it around. We also had to do it visiting a nature reserve, perhaps because I spent two minutes in the toilet 🙄. I might try the waving phone technique.

SloeSummer · 03/05/2021 09:33

Tabby I'm picturing a standard size Pret or something.

This is so crazy. I cannot believe getting a sandwich has become this production.

Sorry to ask so many questions to all the posters who have been out, I'm just wondering what to expect, and how to handle it, if I go to any hospitality this summer.

justasking111 · 03/05/2021 09:56

@TabbyStar

Isn't getting a takeaway just..getting a takeaway?

The woman standing over us said that the rules have changed and if you go into the building at all you have to do T&T. There does seem to be an awful lot more of it around. We also had to do it visiting a nature reserve, perhaps because I spent two minutes in the toilet 🙄. I might try the waving phone technique.

Takeaway that's batty, you spend two minutes in a takeaway, the supermarkets shops, far longer, hospitality is a scapegoat for some unknown reason
RainbowCrayons · 03/05/2021 11:28

Surely it would be quicker for someone to bring your takeaway to the door than to stand over you while you T&T?!?

TabbyStar · 03/05/2021 11:29

It was an independent cafe, they'd set it up so that you couldn't walk straight to the counter, you had to wait at a desk to do the test and trace before they'd let you through. We also had to do it at an outdoor seated café yesterday. Other places though seem to just have the NHS thing displayed but don't appear to give a shit whether or not you've scanned it!

Iheartmysmart · 03/05/2021 11:32

I went to pick up a takeaway last night and nobody behind the counter was wearing a mask and there was absolutely no mention of T&T. I ended up taking my mask off as they were running a bit late and offered me a drink while I was waiting. Almost felt normal for a while!

TabbyStar · 03/05/2021 11:34

Surely it would be quicker for someone to bring your takeaway to the door than to stand over you while you T&T?!?

🤷🏻‍♀️

I don't even think most places have ever been asked for their T&T details, it's bonkers. It's a waste of Govt money, and it's a waste of hospitality venues' time. The area we were in has 21 cases in what must be one of the largest districts geographically in the country (v rural)

Buzzinwithbez · 03/05/2021 12:59

@SloeSummer

Tabby I'm picturing a standard size Pret or something.

This is so crazy. I cannot believe getting a sandwich has become this production.

Sorry to ask so many questions to all the posters who have been out, I'm just wondering what to expect, and how to handle it, if I go to any hospitality this summer.

We went to a Starbucks that made everyone queue outside, scan, sanitise then go in. I skipped the scanning and sanitising by talking too much to the woman on the door, who was lovely.

A café that wanted details to sit out but was otherwise nice and relaxed.

One restaurant that left a scan code on the table, so that made it optional.

Then another that wasn't bothered at all. It's a total mix but the easy going places will get the repeat custom.

The most easy going was in a busy university city

mightbealittlebitmad · 03/05/2021 13:13

T&T is the bane of my life, as are people and rain working in hospitality. I have to make sure people do the T&T or we risk getting fined, we only have a limited amount of tables under cover so it's first come first served which means we get arsey people complaining or trying to stand under the cover when they are supposed to be sitting down.

Personally I couldn't give a toss what they do, stand, sit, have a mass table but I have to do what I'm told to keep my job and the company have to do what they are told in order to not get shut down. Someone already reported our shelters because they were 3 sided and 2 so we've had to close them down and get fined in the process.

I can't wait until things start to open up inside, I hate having to go outside and get wet to serve people sat under an umbrella.

Original poster
BogRollBOGOF · 03/05/2021 14:52

It's about 8⁰C, windy and rather wet here. I'm pretty sure that will quench bank holiday trade for hospitality Sad
Good news for the land, but not great timing for enforced outdoors stuff.

Quite a few pubs are doing restricted hours, very restricted menus or just holding off until the 17th. It is a gamble being held to the whims of British weather.

I gave the grass its second cut yesterday. The first was quite late into March and I just took the leggy tops off. I try to hold off cutting in prolonged dry spells so did it yesterday in anticipation of a few wet days.

OP posts:
LivinLaVidaLoki · 03/05/2021 15:24

Well, I'm nursing a bit of a hangover today. Didn't get drunk but it's amazing how rubbish you feel after just 3 glasses of wine (ish) when you've not drunk in ages....

Thought it'd be OK as was sure that heavy rain and wind would put paid to ds football training tonight. But no, training still on. Might just sit in the car with my kindle.

dillite · 03/05/2021 20:12

Fucking T&T and fucking sanitisers everywhere. I do not understand why I need to be traced for something that I am taking away. I went to a shopping centre today and it was horrible - not the crowds, but being forced to only walk in one direction, so if I wanted to visit a shop on the opposite side, I had to walk to the very end where you are allowed to turn around. People in high vis jackets pointing and glaring at you if you dared to walk somewhere not arrow pointed or didn't know where a queue started. Then I went to a shop where I got shouted at by a man for not sanitising my hands properly. I could have shoved that sanitiser up his arse (yes, I know that it's his job).

It just seems so completely unnecessary.

Next week we are braving the pub.

WouldBeGood · 03/05/2021 20:15

@dillite I’m just staying in til this all stops

TabbyStar · 03/05/2021 20:25

Oh yes the bloody sanitiser. I got snapped at to sanitise my hands walking into a shop, but I'd done them about 2 mins before whilst poking my head into another shop. It makes my hands quite dry and red, so I won't be going there again. It's not like I'm going to give Covid to their over-priced soft furnishingsConfused. I appreciate it's difficult for shop owners, but talking to people like naughty kids isn't really a great strategy.

thenightsky · 03/05/2021 20:31

Someone already reported our shelters because they were 3 sided and 2 so we've had to close them down and get fined in the process

We've got loads of places round here with those plastic bubble things up, which only have a doorway and they are not being fined. One is in the middle of town and attached to the food bank, doing free lunches for kids.

TabbyStar · 03/05/2021 20:36

We've had at least two courtyards closed near us because they're too inside, only one side completely open and a bit of ventilation at the top.

dillite · 03/05/2021 20:42

[quote WouldBeGood]@dillite I’m just staying in til this all stops[/quote]
I only went because when shops were open last time, it wasn't this bad. So naively figured that it might be the same this time. Boy was I wrong.

Also, I need shoes. I can't afford to keep buying stuff online, it not fit, return it, and it's always inconvenient too, wait for a refund and then buy again.

WouldBeGood · 03/05/2021 20:45

Yes, @dilite, I can see that. My view has been tainted by an excited excursion on the first weekend of freedom which was then ruined by sll the barking orders, rules etc

Original poster
BogRollBOGOF · 03/05/2021 22:25

The only clothing I buy online is sportswear that's stretchy. I would not attempt to buy something awkward like jeans without trying. (Fortunately I bought new ones in 2019 and they're still quite fresh.)
I've picked up a couple of vest tops in the supermarket.
There's not exactly much need for frivilous clothes shopping.
I'm not going to the big centre until masks are scrapped. Fortunately the good children's shoe shop and Waterstones are off the street which is much more managable, so I've been to them a couple of times in the past year.

OP posts:
Worldgonecrazy · 04/05/2021 07:13

Local restaurants at weekend were stretching the rules. I guess that the local enforcers are swayed by free coffee 😎 it felt almost normal, a d the number of outdoor masks has definitely reduced. We only met one dementor, a lady who suddenly decided to enjoy the view as we ran past, so she didn’t have to face in the same direction as our covid breath.

Hope everyone had a good weekend.

110APiccadilly · 04/05/2021 07:33

We had a quiet weekend - were meant to see friends outside yesterday but it got called off as the weather is foul.

My gym is opening today but I've had no communication from them this time about how it works so I'll give them a ring later. Very excited though!

smallandimperfectlyformed · 04/05/2021 09:28

Good luck for today 1110APicadilly, hope you get a slot! I have been thinking about AcornAutumn, hope she's alright- if previously banned posters are allowed to look at the pages and she sees this, hello! Also wondering if mightbealittlebitmad is ok, she had such a rough time. I am noticing more people looking forward to life reopening, both via random people on Twitter and my friends on Facebook. I do have some sympathy for those people who are petrified of everything reopening, I may not feel it is rational but so much fear has been encouraged it must be really hard to readjust. Once the government decided I was CEV in February some of the letters I got were terrifying: you must not go to the shops etc! By that point I had had my first vaccination anyway and I had been sceptical for ages but if I had been sent it last year at the beginning I can see how I would have lost all reason (in fairness am very anxious anyway!)

Taswama · 04/05/2021 09:51

My gym doesn't have slots, just an app where you can see how busy it is.
There are also no masks, although I have seen some gyms (and the local climbing wall, which I assume counts as a gym) insisting on mask wearing when not actually exercising (so if you are holding the rope for another climber for example). I presume they aren't actually mandatory by law or there would be a standard approach.
I'm really looking forward to classes restarting so I can do a yoga class in person.