Eating out, not much in the way of fun.

I met up with my old pal the Bear last night for the first time since February. We used to meet for something to eat about once a month.

Taking advantage of this 50% off deal out government has masterminded to kickstart the hospitality industry, we met at our old regular haunt The Bell.

I booked a table the day before.

Firstly, I can't gripe about the measures the pub is taking to ensure cleanliness and safety. But the explaining, how to do this and where you wait for that, had the feeling of my first day in school.

I arrived early, and waiting for Bear, I had to sit at the table I'd booked, not the lounge area. As I did so, a woman walked straight into me. This was the first of the social distancing no nos I encountered.

Despite the measures in place, stupidity was a commodity in abundance. I also felt very uncomfortable with the wafts of air as people breezed past far too close for comfort.

The staff at the Bell coped marvelously, I did see someone pointing out errors in social distancing and the likes, but the overall atmosphere for me at least was extreme discomfort.

The food was as usual excellent, they present it well and it was delicious. I had Haddock and chips with mushy peas and a side of onion rings which I shared with Mr. Bear.

He and I, have been off work and in lockdown for four months individually and have taken every precaution to avoid picking up infection. He's 75 and I have health issues, so our precautions were justified.

Whilst Bear didn't say much, I have to say that I won;t be in a hurry to return to a pub or restaurant to eat in a hurry whilst the risk remains as it is. I feel sorry for anyone running a food and drink outlet. The amount of work they are having to do to make the environment safe is high and I fear especially their Christmas market is going to be poor, mainly due to the fact the amount of covers they can serve is reduced and I am sure that many like me, who are taking precautions, won;t feel safe despite the measures being taken by establishments like the Bell.

It was good to see th'ode pal again after all these months.

Told me a story about how his daughter in law had given him a whole Sea Bass. "But I couldn't get the yed off" he said "So I chucked it in the bin and had a pizza instead".

He's used to twee little fillets not the whole beast.

Never right that one.