It had been a hot and sunny day and as we drove to tonight’s destination it was still very warm although the grey, cloud-covered sky seemed to be threatening rain. We were headed to a pub that none of us had ever been to before, but we’d heard good things on the culinary grapevine so there was much excitement about the evening ahead.
I was this month’s designated driver and had prepared thoroughly by writing down my list of Google directions – despite leaving these at home on the sideboard this didn’t hinder us at all, and the four of us arrived bang on time with not a single wrong turn. (Danielle was meeting us there). The Gray Ox is set back on a country road with far reaching views over Hartshead Moor. Through an ivy-laced entrance the thing that caught everyone’s attention was a rather large stuffed animal head mounted on the wall. We couldn’t quite decide what it was but settled on buffalo. On reflection, and given where we were, it was of course an Ox.
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| A Symphony in Blue |
We headed to the bar for drinks and to let them know we had arrived. The place was busy with diners and drinkers (we’d only just managed to squeeze in our booking). The waitress showed us where our table was, said she’d left menus on it, and then left us to make our own way over to the large rectangular wooden table. After a little difficulty we managed a seating arrangement that everyone was happy with, we opened our menus and then reminded each other that this time next week our faces will be gracing the pages of Sainsbury’s magazine. A ripple of excitement and sheer terror worked its way around the table.
The conversation touched on many subjects including our first witches spell when Danielle, upon discovering what she concluded to be a wart on her elbow, sold it to Catherine for 5p to make it disappear. All of this meant that when the waitress came we hadn’t got beyond opening our menus.
After sharing a pre-starter bread board we did manage to concentrate long enough to place our orders and Danielle, the only one to order a starter, was soon happily tucking in to her chicken liver pâté. We all had a taste and agreed that it was delicious. By the time our mains arrived we were more than ready. Catherine and Caroline both had ‘Pan Roast Duck Breast’ which they were advised would be served pink. However, upon tasting, it proved to be well done and dry; Danielle had ‘Fish and Chips; Phoebe had ‘Pan Fried Salmon Fillet’ which was sadly missing its asparagus; and I had ‘Pork Fillet’, which I inspected thoroughly after realising Phoebe was missing a part of her meal. My apple puree was nowhere to be seen! At this point we realised that things were not going as well as expected. We all expect a certain level of service and tonight’s’ seemed to be falling short. The mistakes would have barely mattered if they’d been dealt with in a polite and courteous manner but we felt that we were causing too much trouble as waitresses huddled together and threw us furtive glances. Phoebe did receive a dish of asparagus and I a dish of apple sauce, but both were handed over with sullen expressions and insincere apologies. This was a real shame as I enjoyed my meal and the belly pork that accompanied my fillet had the perfect crispy skin. Then when a tray of drinks was brought to the table the waitress pushed my glass down as far as she could reach, instead of walking round to me with it, and Phoebe had to hand it the rest of the way. I might have awarded points for style if she’d made that extra effort and slid it saloon style down the length of the table. But we were getting the distinct impression that we weren’t welcome; and we noticed that other people were getting a far more pleasant service so it wasn’t a general attitude.
I’m a slow eater and by the time I’d finished my meal it was getting quite late. Most importantly we still had our themes to present; usually this doesn’t happen until after dessert but tonight we were going to break with tradition. The theme I’d given out a month ago had seemed like a good idea at the time but most of us had struggled somewhat and my mind had been on other things so I felt I hadn’t done my best.
The title of the theme was ‘Nature Studies’ and as I hadn’t managed to get out there and truly connect with the earth I did a little study of my own patch of nature that I see every day from my window. I presented a photographic journey from the tiny lilac ivy-leaved toadflax that valiantly grow through cracks in the wall next to my front door to the clump of yellow welsh poppies that spring up next to my garage. Danielle went for a walk in the woods with her four dogs as it’s a relaxing pastime that she loves. She presented a little booklet with photographs and full biographies and character traits of each dog. Phoebe concluded that she hates “too much” nature thanks to a camping trip gone wrong. The fantasy of sitting amongst nature and happily painting was replaced by the reality of a small cold tent in the pouring rain and a desire to just go home. Once at home and seated comfortably in a friends garden with a glass of wine in hand she saw the beauty of a huge red poppy, its size and bold colour defying its tissue-paper frailty, and was inspired to continue a painting of poppies from a theme of a couple of years ago.
Catherine set out rather intrepidly for a walk in the woods where she found herself stuck on a ridge, clinging onto a spiky tree and startled by some strange beast which she concluded must have been a wolf. But she made it safely home meeting a buzzing bee and a smiling duck along the way. The part of nature that really inspires Caroline is trees. When at home she loves to go upstairs and listen to the sounds they make. As well as doing a lovely picture with very creative use of an old wedding invitation, she showed us pictures of trees from a book about Desserts had been consumed as we worked our way through the themes but they had failed to impress and a pervading smell of meat had been somewhat off-putting.
After discussing weird crushes (I don’t think I have one) and who is most likely to take a lover; and finding out that Catherine’s husband considers himself to be an earthy, sensual lover; the Ox was now almost empty. It was time to depart. Outside was dark. The rain had arrived so I hurried to my car, forgetting that Danielle would not be coming with us, and wondered what was taking everyone so long. They were saying their goodbyes – ‘sorry Dannie!’
The last month had its difficulties and I was really unhappy about the theme. This all contributed to me feeling like not going to the meeting tonight. And in terms of service, it wasn’t the best night ever, but I really loved being with the ladies and I’m so glad that we have our little group and I’m so glad that I was there.
Amanda xxx
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