Proper Pubs...........

As anyone who knows me can confirm, I like a drink once in a while.

I also like pubs - proper pubs that is. When we first came here to live, we had a lovely pub in the village. In fact, it was one of the reasons we bought the house; not because of the building, or the beer, but because of the atmosphere, and the fact that when we viewed the house we called in for a drink and found a bar full of friendly locals who openly welcomed us to the village and offered help.

These days, our pub has been turned into a wine bar type eatery. It's just not my scene - all champagnes by the glass and roasted broad beans in little bags.

One of my neighbours works away from home most of the time, and when he comes home for a weekend, likes to have a beer or ten. We've got into a bit of a habit of going off to a different pub each time and having a few jars....

On friday night, we decided to pop down to Witham Friary and have some cider. When I say cider, I mean proper cider, not the fizzy cold crap you get in most pubs.

The Seymour Arms is something quite special. Untouched for the best part of a century, it is a time warp. The landlord serves drinks via a hatchway, and has nothing on keg. The prices are from a different era too!

So, if anyone finds themselves in Somerset, and wants a decent pint, for a decent price, served in a proper pub, head for Witham Friary........

Deliveries - why does life have to be so hard.....

I'll start this little rant at the beginning.

I've just taken on a new contract at the local abattoir (glamorous life ain't it?), and when I tried to service their ancient fly control units found that two out of three were not working. I picked up the phone and ordered two replacements for the customer.

Now to the uninitiated, one fly unit is much the same as another. Not to the pro. I will only sell the best quality units I can, and decided to look up an old supplier who made what I've always considered to be the best units money can buy.

There begins the problem. The company in question has recently been bought out buy another (less good) manufacturer. Always willing to give folks the benefit of the doubt, I thought I'd give them the order anyway.

I rang on Wednesday, ordered the units I needed, and paid for them and 24 hour carriage with a flexible friend. Thursday comes, and no sign of a delivery. I phoned them up, to be told that they hadn't been dispatched because my order came in too late (2pm). "Why didn't someone ring me and tell me that?" I asked. "They tried but there was no answer". That was a blatant LIE. How do I know? Simple; I have something called call diversion on the phone, which means that the calls go through to my mobile. At no point on Wednesday was I not contactable.

I let rip a bit, and was told that my order would be dispatched free of charge that day, for delivery before 10am on Friday.

It's now 1pm as I write this, and guess what? No deliveries.

I phoned them at 10.30am, "We'll find out and call you back" the chap says.

I phoned them again at 11.30am "We are waiting for the depot to get back to us" he says.

Now I have a problem. When the MHS vet arrives on Monday, he'll read my report which clearly states that the fly control units are not working, and they will not be allowed to work. That leaves me looking pretty silly.

So, for anyone else who has suffered at the hands of City Link, I sympathise.

Long time no read.......

Well, to those of you who bother to read this nonsense, I owe you an apology.

I've not posted for a while, and that's something I'm going to put right. Before I do, I'd just like to tell the reader why I bother with this.

The original concept was just to be able to have a rant once in a while. I also thought it might be nice to give the reader a little idea what goes on in what some folks think is my 'strange' lifestyle.

I'll address what I've been up to soon, but before then I need a good rant............