Corona Virus

Glad (but not surprised) to hear you got good service. The RBH is genuinely one of the reasons I've stayed here over the decades, and boy have we needed the local healthcare services in that time.

Does your daughter have confirmed meningitis then? How is she doing?

Just to say, you know where I am in case of an emergency.

Covid infection numbers locally are still terrifying, which is why I'm still pretty much confining myself to a self-imposed lockdown. Very occasional socialising or even shop visits only.

>>The RBH is genuinely one of the reasons I've stayed here over the decades

I have long been a satisfied customer of theirs. They've stuck me back together a few times.

>>Does your daughter have confirmed meningitis then?

She got some blood tests back which suggest not and the Doctor's opinion is 'not', though she certainly has got a significant virus. It was the headaches, rash, difficulty breathing and sensitivity to light which 'alarmed' them.

>>How is she doing?

Stressed, exhausted, emotional, scared etc. etc. as you would expect with a first major illness so far from her family. However, my sister is now with her and that is reassuring. Her symptoms are not improving, but neither are they getting worse.

>>Just to say, you know where I am in case of an emergency.

Thank you, I really appreciate that. I was in The Griffin fairly recently, almost sent you a note, wish I had now, but I'll buy you a pint next time.

>>Covid infection numbers locally are still terrifying, which is why I'm still pretty much confining myself to a self-imposed lockdown. Very occasional socialising or even shop visits only.

She's vax'd and boosted, and with no pre-existing conditions, and she is also very careful -mask, cleanliness, avoiding confined spaces etc. etc. So until Saturday I was unstressed about it all. Reading Uni is pretty careful as well.

OK, hope she improves soon. Bloody freshers' year can be a nightmare for viral infections at the best of times.

Fox and Hounds is a better bet for a pint these days.

Oh, and Kings Grill, on Kings Road, is the best kebab in town by some margin.

Yeah the Fox has been under good ownership for a few years now, and always has a huge range of beers on, even though it's a bit too biased towards the craft/hoppy stuff due to the landlord's personal proclivities. He knows how to keep an ale though so all is well. They've also built a really good outdoor/covered area for these stange times. The other place to definitely go if you like a proper pint is the tapyard at Loddon Brewery, just outside Cav in Dunsden Green. Outstanding brewery, that is.

There's a road of new build houses and flats near the Fox, just down the side of Wings Fish Bar (still the best chippy in town) called Elliots Way - I think that probably answers one of your questions.

Yes the pub and beer scene has completely changed in the last 10 years. Breweries have finally had a renaissance in the town, since the big old plodders like Courage all sodded off. Look at Double Barreled Brewery, Phantom Brewery, and Siren Craft Brew a bit further out. For starters. All have tapyards/indoor bars. A pub crawl of the best pubs in town looks very, very different from even a few years ago. Nag's Head off the Oxford Road is probably the best known re-invented pub. A no-go pub some years ago, absolutely brilliant now.

Bike-friendly too. I pass it a lot — or did before the cycling mojo deserted me. Must remember to stop some time, when it’s not so bloody depressing outside.

Hope she is well soon - a worry being so far away. I can see why they suspected meningitis from those symptoms.

I guess this is another problem with Covid being so common - we all assume if someone is unwell it might be Covid. At her age though, Omicron would probably be asymptotic especially if vaccinated.