Brendam. Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Well, the Xmas and New Year period is over.............and thank God for that! I normally love Xmas when I can spend it with family and friends, but this last festive period has really beaten my record for grotty times. It started off with Xmas day, when I went to my daughters home for a much anticipated Xmas dinner and within 20 minutes of arrival, was having to be driven home again because of agonising pain from my gallstones and having vomited for England! The following day, Boxing Day, my feller and his family,a party of 10 adults and 2 young children had booked to eat lunch at The Hillcrest Hotel/Restaurant in Cronton. By this time - having had very little to eat - I was ravenous I chose a starter - dried up bits of lettuce, pate, unrecognisable bits and pieces, and bits of cheese.....and left most of it. The only other choice was white onion soup. The carvery was next, if I'd thought the starter was bad................ The Chef carved meat from 3 different joints of meat using the same carving knife,the "roast" potatoes exploded on contact with a knife, I couldn't penetrate the cauli with either my knife OR fork, gravy was like pale brown water, and the beef - although looking just right - defied any attempt to be cut into with an ordinary knife. I asked the Staff - who were chatting together in a corner - for steak knives for the meat, and 3 were promptly handed out!! Obviously, most of this food was sent back, and the dessert was served, this HAD to better, surely! My cheese board was ok though not all that good, the others chose Xmas pudding and custard. The pudding was approx. 1/2 inch high and 2 ins round, with custard that was warm and watery. My feller chose ice cream as the only edible dessert on the menu. The restaurant was less than half full while we were there and seemed to close as we were leaving so numbers weren't an excuse. We had to wait an interminable time in between courses for service. The charge for our "lunch" was £25.95......a decent price for a decent meal, but for the "food" we were served was a little high to say the least. I've never been as hungry over Xmas in my life! Obviously 3 or 4 people (including me) complained on behalf of ever ybody, including my fellers 92 year old Mother and the 1 year old and 2 year old babies who were with us. The babies parents were charged for their meals (£6 I think) although this was withdrawn. The 92 year old Mother was wheeled into the Restaurant through the kitchen in her wheelchair as no disabled access was available. On New Years Day, I cooked a roast dinner for 7 family and collected 7 clean plates! Cost? Approx £5 per head. Which one will we choose for next time? I know which one I'll choose!!!!!!!!!! Bren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peter T Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 Never mind Bren. Happy New Year from me and Calamity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted January 2, 2012 Report Share Posted January 2, 2012 So Brenda, would you reccomend the restaurant? Sorry, all things considered, a stoopid question. Everyone, round to Brenda's for Christmas dinner this year. Put it in your diaries! Happy New Year Brenda! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 3, 2012 Report Share Posted January 3, 2012 Having had first hand experience of gallstones Bren I share your pain - Hope you are feeling better soon and happy New Year but watch what you eat - certainly you should be avoiding cheese until you have your gall bladder sorted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendam. Posted January 4, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Thanks for the good wishes for new year, a happy new year to all of you. NO, Cleo, I wouldn't recommend The Hillcrest to anybody............except if I wanted them to have a rubbish meal with miserable looking waiters/waitresses! Thanks for your sympathy Gary, the pain is agonising isn't it? However I'm going to Halton Hospital next Wednesday for a chat with Mr Tighe about surgery to remove gallbladder/stones......the sooner the better!! Bren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I believe they can blast and shatter gallstones these days which allows them to be passed out of the system in the natural manner? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I believe they can blast and shatter gallstones these days which allows them to be passed out of the system in the natural manner? No that is kidney stones - gall stones actually get worse and more painful when there are lots of small ones which then collect in the bile duct and cause the pain. There are two options - a near far free diet and hope this will help ease the problem or complete removal of gallbladder which will remove the problem - but require a 3-5 day stay in hospital - if you are lucky they will be able to remove by key hole surgey - I was unlucky A simple painless ultra sound scan will reveal the extent of the problem. I underwent various unpleasant investigations before they found the problem! These comments are purely a personal opinion and not in any way meant to be medical advice - always consult a doctor/specialist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 I stand corrected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wolfie Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 My mother had a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy (ERCP) which allowed the removal of her bile duct stones through the mouth, into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and biliary system without the need for surgical incisions. In hospital at 9am and back home with her feet up at dinner time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gary Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 My mother had a procedure called endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatoscopy (ERCP) which allowed the removal of her bile duct stones through the mouth, into the esophagus, stomach, duodenum, and biliary system without the need for surgical incisions. In hospital at 9am and back home with her feet up at dinner time. I don't think that had been invented when I had mine sorted! Certainly wasn't given as an option - at the end of the day it will all be down to whether the gallbaldder is worth saving or not - mine was apparently cream crackered - bit like the rest of me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cleopatra Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Remember, it was you who said it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
algy Posted January 4, 2012 Report Share Posted January 4, 2012 Hey! Gary, cheer Brendam up, why don't you!. :grin: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendam. Posted January 5, 2012 Author Report Share Posted January 5, 2012 Don't worry Algy, I can scare myself silly just thinking about having surgery, but at least I'm having the op at Halton not Warrington!!!!! Bren. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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