Peacocks Up Trees, Crickets on Shoulders … My Little Adventure.

As I get older I rarely get to do childish things with my parents. I can’t remember the last time we went on a family holiday or took a trip to the beach. My siblings don’t live with my parents and during uni neither do I. So when both my Mum and I had the day off, there was nothing I wanted to do more than go on an adventure.

I don’t think I have ever been on a bike ride with my mum, we walk a lot together but always familiar routes then ones we have walked before. So when I proposed going for a bike ride it took me by surprise when my mum said she would love to go. I was ecstatic, I couldn’t wait! We got up early and packed a picnic and got ready for what the day had in stall for us.

It was the most magical of adventures, we didn’t go far, and for us it wasn’t about the distance cycled or where we ended up. It was purely just a leisurely ride in the countryside. We decided to go down the country lanes we had never been down before and what an adventure we had. We ended up in a field of 60 peacocks, the views were amazing, the trees enchanting and best of all I got to spend the day with my mum exploring, feeling like a child again and I loved it. It has to be one of my favorite days of the summer so far. These photos aren’t even close to being able to sum up the magical feeling and excitement from the day, but I hope you enjoy them…

We came across a field of peacocks, these 2 wouldn’t stop fighting

This is my mum, Taking photos of the trees as she wishes to paint them

My mum noticed I was taking photos of her!

I love this photo of my mum walking her bike

The pond just outside the gate of their house

This was the drive leading up to one of the gigantic houses we came across on the adventure

Its on the house.

There are many regulars who come into the pub I am currently working out, each with their individual drink. Firstly they expect me to know what their drink is. They walk into the bar and say “usual please”. I have worked there for 3 weeks and I intend of leaving in 4, when I head back to university. I serve more than 100 drinks in one shift. How do they expect me to remember the “usual” of every regular, there are a lot of regulars … Anyway, for most people I try my hardest to remember and If I don’t they understand as I am fairly new.

There is however one ‘local’ who I do not like, I call him rod. I’m not sure what his actual name is. When I first started at the pub he came in and asked for his usual, I apologised, said I was new and did know what his usual was. He then replied “Well if you don’t know who I am go and ask the landlord” He refused to tell me his order when the landlord turned up. I got told off for being rude and his usual was a single Bacardi, little bit of ice, no lemon and diet coke. The landlord continued “It’s on the house”

The second time he came up, he asked for the usual and I was prepared. I knew what it was I served him his drink and ask for the money. He then rudely replied “I don’t think you quite know who I am, I have never paid for a drink, nor will I ever pay for a drink. It’s on the house” He picked up his glass and walked off. I didn’t serve him the rest of the evening,

A couple of days later, Rod comes in. “Usual” he bellowed across the bar, I was stood with the landlord at the time who said “put this one on the house” I remember him saying that exactly. He said “this one” on the house, so I did as I was told and poured him his drink and put it on the house. Another new girl was working that night and he must of come up, 5 or 6 times in the hour ordering his usual and making it apparent that he doesn’t pay for his drinks.

I asked the manager who he was. He was no body, just another local who knew the landlord. No one special just your average Joe, taking advantage of the generosity of the landlord and the naivety of the new workers. But no one says anything, no one questions him. I think it is purely down to the fact every time the landlord is around the drink is on the house. When he isn’t around however he is oblivious to the fact that Rod is taking liberties, taking advantage of the new workers,

Is it wrong that I refuse to serve him when he comes in? I don’t ignore him, I greet him, I am always polite but when he comes to the bar I got onto the restaurant floor and allow another of my colleagues to serve him. I’m not being cowardly and I am certainly not scared of him. I just don’t like the man, I think he is taking advantage and is rude about it. I feel that when I leave I shall tell the landlord what I think of his “friend” and whether all his drinks are on the house, or does he owe the landlord copious amounts of money.

Sorry for the moan, I imagine there will be more to come with regards to the ‘Locals’ at this pub and hopefully some nice things to say as well. What do you think I should do in this situation?

Rosie x