Once we get to the point at which we can start to go out and about again, it feels a bit like a game of Russian roulette, finding places to go that are clean, as safe as they can be and sympathetic to what may appear to outsiders to be eccentric needs.
I thought it might be useful to create a thread in which we can recommend places that we have found particularly helpful.
To start the ball rolling, I would like to recommend:
The new Terrace Restaurant at RHS Wisley.
This is the 'posh' restaurant, not the cafeteria one. The tables are spaced quite far apart and the restaurant tends to be free of children, who prefer the menu in the cafes.
I telephoned in advance to explain I was immuno-compromised. They reserved us a table tucked out of the way, so that we were not disturbed by people around us. They told us they had cleaned the tabe, cutlery etc carefully before we arrived - but then did it again once more whilewe were watching.
The staff very discreetly guided anyone else coming into the restaurant away from empty tables near us to try to keep the risk of contracting lurgies down.
The food was also delicious! Seasonal and from the garden.
The Gribble Inn, at Oving, near Chichester
This pub has a 'snug' at the far end of the main bar, away from where the crowds gather and the bar extends all the way down through the pub and into it.
I rang in advance and they reserved a group of us a table there, away from the other customers and allocated a member of staff to be down the snug end of the bar, so that we could be served with drinks food etc without having to leave the area.
Excellent pub food and a brewery on site. Really good service.
Beacon Hall House B&B near Tenterden, in Kent
A small B&B in a quiet rural location, which maintains very high standards of cleanliness and food. Consistently 'outstanding' in Sawdays etc. Restful, peaceful Arts & Crafts-style house.
A heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis court (which we didn't use) and extensive gardens to stroll in. 2 well-behaved dogs which didn't come near guest areas.
Just three rooms and only one other couple there, when we stayed recently. Breakfast around one large table - but enough room to be able to sit away from other people.
Beautiful home-cooked food and evening meals possible, if ordered in advance.
Room given an extra special clean before we arrived and all touch-points Detolled by very warm, friendly owners.
Close to Sissinghurst, Great Dixter, Hever, Penshurst Place, Rye and Chapel Down winery for trips out.
Following my first Allo SCT I was given clearance by my team that I could eat anything - so we went straight out to the shores of Loch Ness to The Dores Inn and had a massive bowel of West Coast Muscles.
When my wife phoned to book she asked when there quietest service time was and explained why........ this is a very busy place but when we arrived there was no one in the place - they had opens up 30 mins early so we would miss the main start of service, we were in a corner and filled the rest of the restaurant from the other end......... and did not charge for my meal.
I am now coming up to 4 years post SCT number 2 and my immune system is still not showing a full recovery but we have no reservations going out for a meal but always ask for a quiet corner away from crowds. Our favourite Mustard Seed Restaurant in Inverness will automatically book us into the same table.
LOL moomy, I will leave them for the fun of it.
Just checked my notes.... I was cleared to eat 5 weeks post 1st SCT.
I was so ill following my 2nd SCT could not get out apart from clinics for 5 months and even then it was a good 12 months post SCT before we went out to eat........ missed my 60th birthday 1 month post my 2nd SCT so it was delayed for 12 months and all the family went to the Crieff Hydro for a weekend and they were very accommodating.
