Post 468: Eyes to Brain. Eyes to Brain. Don’t look at the sweet menu!
Number three pub meal this week turned into another magical evening of good food, good company and laughter.
Oh what a night.
Thank you, Pig & Butcher.
When it comes down to it, this has been a great week—and it’s not over yet.
It’s only Thursday.
The other great thing is I’ve managed a full week of work.
Get in there!
My time at work hasn’t just been useful, it’s been enjoyable. There’s nothing that beats the feeling I’m having right now about both my mental and physical health. I’m glowing.
When I arrive my line manager always gives me a proper, cheerful “Hi!” and when I leave there’s an even bigger, “Thanks for what you’ve done today.”
Boy oh boy, that makes me happy.
Before I went back to doing my tidy little two-hour shifts, I honestly wasn’t sure it would work. All I wanted was to feel useful again.
Well…
It has worked.
It’s put a smile on my face and a few pennies in my pocket.
The plan works.
This week has been a tour de force of work, friendship and getting out into the world again.
Our visitors deserve much of the credit.
To enjoy a night out you need two things.
The right attitude…
…and the willingness just to be yourself.
How hard can that be?
Back at half past three on Monday afternoon we climbed into my Darling’s car, adjusted all the mirrors, and headed off to meet some “strangers.”
My Darling was incredibly nervous.
She always is when she’s about to meet someone for the very first time.
We were off to meet a lovely couple on holiday in our beautiful county, along with their magnificent greyhound. One of them was none other than our own Millibob—a true Macmillan champion who has helped so many of us over the last year.
We’ve spoken on the phone.
We’ve texted.
We’ve shared worries, advice and plenty of laughs.
But we’d never actually met face to face.
That’s what had my poor Darling worrying.
You’d never know it afterwards, but those first-time nerves always get to her.
Then, once she knows you…
Well, you can’t stop her talking!
So there we were, hand in hand, waiting outside the pub.
Along came Ryder with that wonderful long-legged greyhound, and suddenly…
Game on.
The introductions were made.
The hugs were exchanged.
The dog accepted his share of fuss and tummy rubs.
Within minutes everyone felt completely at ease—apart from the resident pub cat, who seemed determined to wind the poor dog up all afternoon.
From the moment my Darling hugged our new friends hello, all the nerves disappeared.
Four hours vanished in what felt like minutes.
Good food.
Warm sunshine.
Endless conversation.
Lots of laughter.
And by the time we said goodbye, we weren’t strangers anymore.
We’d become friends.
Little did we know we’d be arranging a rematch just a few days later.
By today there wasn’t a hint of nervousness left.
Only excitement.
This time I was the one worrying.
Not about meeting people…
…but about whether I’d chosen the right pub.
My Little Bro had recommended the Pig & Butcher.
My Darling had never been before.
Neither had our friends.
None of us realised quite how good it was.
What a place.
We settled around a glass-topped table beneath the shade in the garden, surrounded by enormous rattan chairs that you could happily spend all afternoon sitting in.
There was even a barrel labelled Dog Beer, much to Ryder’s delight.
The menus came.
The food arrived.
The conversation never stopped.
Only our mouths paused long enough to eat.
Ryder happily demolished a few pork scratchings while stealing hearts from everyone nearby.
The portions were enormous.
Beautifully presented.
Completely delicious.
There really wasn’t room for dessert…
…although that didn’t stop us looking at the sweet menu.
Eyes to brain.
Eyes to brain.
Don’t do it!
Brian was happily enjoying the local ale while we wandered through stories about family, travel, childhood, cars, hospitals, dogs and just about everything else that makes life interesting.
Time, once again, got away from us.
Eventually the bill arrived.
The hugs were just as warm as they had been on Monday.
“We’ll call in next time we’re travelling up towards Cumbria,” I said.
“I’ve always fancied exploring a bit more of Greater Manchester, and it would make a perfect break in the journey.”
“You’ve got a bedroom downstairs,” they replied.
“Even if the stairs become difficult.”
That simple sentence meant more than they’ll probably ever know.
We left the Pig & Butcher in different directions…
…but somehow travelling together.
Two couples.
Two incurable cancers.
One wonderful friendship.
We’re both living with uncertainty.
But we’re also making the very best of every opportunity we’re given.
Long may that continue.
Sleep well.
Take care.
Be happy.
We certainly are.
