No sleep time & a mini RANT!!!

Today I have had NO sleep time. I always have sleep time. But today I didn't?!!!!

Today we met our friend Kay and went for a walk along the River Almond. The plan was..................... walk from East Calder to the Livingston Inn and have a roast dinner. And then walk back again. Best laid plans and all that!!!

After 2 hours of walking we got to the 'Livingston Inn' and sat at a sunny table in their beer garden. Didn't know whether it was table service only or whether one had to order at the bar or what was happening so Ann went off to investigate. Having checked the website previously, Ann knew that one had to wear a face mask whilst moving around the pub. The website said that they were operating a reduced menu and described their outdoor area as somewhere where one could enjoy the sunshine. And today it was very sunny. Yay!

So Ann left me with Kay while she went off to investigate and apparently I cried when Ann left me was told that they didn't serve food outside and they didn't allow dogs inside. Seriously??!! Ann doesn't have a problem with them not allowing me inside. But she does have a problem with them advertising a beer garden and not stating on their website that they do not serve food outside. What's all that about then?!!! Couldn't get any sense out of the young member of staff that she spoke to, apart from them saying they couldn't serve the outside. When Ann asked, 'why' she was just told, 'we can't serve food outside'. Obviously it was not the member of staff's decision. She was only repeating what she'd been told so Ann didn't pursue it and we left.

However, Ann went indoors to ask and then Kay went indoors to use the toilet. And neither of them were asked for any 'trace & track' details. #whatashamblesLivingstonInn

Started the walk back to East Calder and we were all hungry but after a couple of miles we reached Mid Calder and actually ended up in the beer garden in the 'Black Bull' where the humans both had Scampi & chips. It was yummy. I know because Kay fed me some scampi and peas. Yum, yum.

And we feel that we actually have to mention the lovely young girl who served us............... Firstly she brought me out a whole bowl of water all for me and Ann hadn't even asked for it.

And secondly............................. just as we were leaving, we watched her dealing with the most vile customer ever...................... Some horrible old man who told her to take her mask off and when she said she couldn't because the pub was following government guidelines, he actually said that he would rip it off for her. Seriously?!!! And this is what people in the hospitality industry are having to put up with on a daily basis. Well done the staff at the Black Bull. You were all lovely.

Anyway today has been lovely and sunny and we've had a fabulous walk. BUT …............Livingston Inn, you really do need to update your website if you're not serving food outside and also your 'track & trace' details seem to be non-exsistant.

The Black Bull in Mid Calder..................... Thank you so much. Yummy scampi & chips, excellent service from your staff and all our details taken for 'trace & track'. Couldn't ask for more. Thank you.

…...............And now we're both shattered. Going to bed soon.

Toodles. xxxxxxx