MJ Mad Dog

Category: Holiday, trips and events

Holiday, trips and events

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    The final full day of the trip, the weather was terrible. It virtually rain all day.

    We went to a village called Broadway, very quaint.

    Claire saw a piece of jewellery she liked, I said she could have it as an early birthday gift. So after trying it on, she was happy, but then the fun and games started.

    I went to pay by card and I thought the card machine was dark. I said to the lady shop assistant, was it switched on and she said yes. I said are you sure as its dark and nothing happened? We were her first customer of the day.

    Now this was a very small shop, I would say the shop assistant was in her 60’s and were in Covid19 times. She got on the floor and was looking at cables and after a while said it was.

    To cut a long story short, I got down and realised she had been looking at the wrong cable, I tried various things but it was obviously an issue with the power. We ended up paying by cash, though she didn’t even offer like a £5 discount for the help I gave. After we left, she closed the shop and went of somewhere. I did take this up with their headquarters but nothing either. I’ll remember for next time.

    After trying to get into a couple of restaurants and couldn’t, we ended up at the Broadway Hotel. Very Covid19 secure, which when I look at trip advisor I’m surprised at some of the people’s responses. Obviously Covid19 idiots!

    We had a good lunch and drink there.

    We stay at the Wood Norton hotel, I think this is our third stay and most likely last, they said that they had been very busy since reopening after lockdown, but it is definitely starting to show its age, which is a shame as it’s in lovely grounds.

    We so needed that break, even though the weather wasn’t brilliant it was still nice to get away.

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    This place was found on Trip advisor. Inn & Brasserie at Childswickham.

    We arrived a little bit early, but was greeted by a very helpful young lady who took our details. Our table wasn’t ready, so we went and sat outside. Then they told us another table was available.

    The table was cleaned and the place is definitely Covid19 secure, see later.

    Claire had the smoked salmon, crayfish cocktail which came up in a large bowl, which she really enjoyed. I had the basil tomato soup. Which was great with lovely warm bread.

    For the main, Claire had, twice cooked belly port, which she fell in love with, just like she did with me ?

    I had the sausage and mash which was wonderful too.

    We both had the cheese board which was a delight for our desert.

    The staff have made the place Covid19 secure with well space tables, open windows and doors. Cleaning the tables after each customer had left.

    This was in a different league after the previous night’s experience!!

    We both fully recommend this place and wish it was closer.

    twice cooked belly port
    Claire main course
    twice cooked belly port
    Claire main course
    Cheese
    After dinner

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    Obviously with Covid19 you have to book to get into places. I booked us to visit the Cotswold wildlife park. I would recommend a visit but once Covid19 is over, as human being humans can’t follow simple instructions.

    From an email communication after the visit, they said they were only allowing 30% of normal visitors in, not sure where the other 70% would park as the car parks were full.

    Thankfully the animals were on good form and it was a pleasant day.

    Rhino
    You looking at me?
    Mud bath
    Playing in the mud ?
    Owl
    Owl
    Penguin
    So cool in here ?
    Penguin
    Here I come

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    And they keep coming ?

    Bird
    What a beak I have !
    Parrots
    Pretty Polly
    You looking at me?
    Penguin
    It’s me again ?

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    More pictures from the Cotswold wildlife park.

    Zebra
    Where’s the people crossing?
    Giraffe
    Who are all though creatures wandering around and so close too ?
    Rhino
    Come on mummy, get up and play
    Rhino baby
    Aren’t I cute ?

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    More pictures from the Cotswold wildlife park.

    Tortoise
    I’m speedy, catch me if you can
    House
    The House
    Bear
    Would you like a cuddle?
    Zebra
    Im a baby, aren’t I cute?
    Giraffe
    Just the two of us
    Giraffe
    Where is every body?

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    More from the Cotswold wildlife park.

    Creature
    Anyone know what this is?
    Otter
    Otter
    Otter 1
    Otter
    Penguin
    It’s cool in here.
    Wallaby
    Wallaby

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    So after 23 weeks we escaped our home for a few days. Claire had never worked from home before and though she had got used to it, she was working from the dining table. We had done as much as we could over the time to make it comfortable, but she needed a break.

    So we went back to the Cotswolds and stay at the Wood Norton Hotel.

    The journey took longer than normal, as this was one of the windiest days of the year and had to dodge many fallen trees and debris on the roads.

    Claire enjoying an afternoon scone and coffee.

    Eating again ?

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    Before leaving for the trip, we booked the “The Fish and Anchor Inn” as we had been here before and really enjoyed it.

    Obviously with Covid19, you expect there to be changes.

    We arrived and that’s when the issues started, they had us one system and not the other and the manageress completely ignored that Claire had the email confirmation. We thought we better stay as we didn’t think we would get in elsewhere.

    We finally got our table an hour later, even though it had been empty for 30 minutes.

    The starters were OK, nothing special.

    We ordered another round of drinks, now in normal times this is bad enough, but in Covid19 times you don’t expect a new glass to turn up with lipstick on, all the manageress could say was she told them off.

    Claire main meal was good, but mine the potatoes were clearly from a microwave and the vegetables were hard.

    The government Covid19 rules say there should be open windows and doors, but this obviously wasn’t the case as the windows were steaming up as more people came in.

    Thankfully this was on the “eat out to help out” scheme, so we saved £20 and thankfully didn’t get the virus.

    We will definitely not going back here.

    Note to self, check trip advisor before going to places.

  • Week 26 – August 24th 2020 – Week 23 of lockdown

    August was the “eat out to help out” campaign, to get the hospitality a boost after the lockdown.

    We had already supported our local Indian and now went for an afternoon tea at Browns in Bluewater.

    We felt very safe and Covid19 secure in the restaurant. It’s a lovely afternoon tea. More to come.

    Claire
    Happy wife is always a good wife ?
    Claire 2
    Claire drinking cocktails
    MJ
    MJ with cocktail ?
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