Strathaven village

We were given bad news of the death this morning of a friend.  Margaret had dementia and had been in a care home for the last ten months or so.  Her husband has had a rough year, and is of course devastated.  

Bob's chest infection has kept us at home pretty much for the last few days, but he was feeling better today and the antibiotics have kicked in to some extent, so we took a wee trip down the Clyde Valley.  It was dry and a bit sunny early on but changed to rain while we were out.  

We decided unexpectedly to have a meal at Gouldings, they do nice food, and it was going to save cooking when we got home. As usual we had to wait some minutes for a table, a sign of their popularity.

 I had a super plate of smoked salmon with prawns, a huge amount, and very tasty.  The kind of thing I felt like after all the indulgence of the last few days.

Bob however, stuck with  a burger!  And it was a disappointment, rather dry, with a rather nondescript roll...... they are usually great, so he was disappointed.  With my encouragement, he went back to the counter and told them of his disappointment.  He didn't demand anything, just told them how disappointed he was.  The lady server told him that it was a pity that he had not complained right away, as he had eaten a little of it, and ate all the veggies.  However, as we were getting ready to leave, a manager came over and gave him a refund, as she agreed that the food was not up to their usual standard.  We were pleased that they did something about it, not because of the money but because we have a high opinion of their food, and didn't want to have to downgrade our opinion.  The sign of a good restaurant when they can take responsibility when something is not right.

By the time we were on our way home darkness was descending, and coning through the village of Strathaven I liked this shot of the lights in the village centre.