Tuesday, September 4, 2007

Retford

Leaving a service station on the junction of two motorways without uising motorised transport is a unique experience, and one we'd recommend you all try at least once. After arriving at our Travelodge on a path between two slag heaps, we left it on a nice coutry track past some poor houses that must have been nice before someone decided to turn their view into a motorway.

A few lists for you:

Animals sighted during the day (alive ones only):
2 Frogs
Several Ducks
Several Ducklings
A Friendly Dog who wanted to join in the fun
A strange looking wasp-like being who was long, spindly, and insistent on staying on Gill's arm
Assorted horses, cows, and similar livestock
Numerous rabbits hopping gaily (you know, happily) to and fro along our path
A thousand beautiful butterflies fluttering daintily among us

Roads travelled on over the past two days:

Beast Fair
Sour Lane
Dirty Lane
Trundle Lane

Conversations with strangers in pubs;
One, but a good one. (The White Horse, Barnby Moor - highly recommended for the quality of its locals.)

Also, a special mention has to go out to the most subservient coincierge we've met in a good while. The conversation on our arrival went something like this:

"How much do we owe you?"
"Oh, nothing, sir, nothing at all"
"Can we come and get another set of towels?"
"Oh madam, I'm so sorry we didn't meet your needs. Let me bring you some immediately"
"Have you got a shiny parcel for us, full of wonderous supplies to see us through the next few days?"
"If that it what you require, then that, of course, is what I shall provide'
"Boy? Can you get us some breakfast?"
"Why, it goes without saying. There will, naturally, be no extra charge"

Man needs to grow a backbone or he won't survive in today's dog-eat-dog business environment. (In fact he was a very polite young man and we had a marvellous room and stay. We'd thoroughly recommend the Best Western West Retford, even if its address does include the line 'East Retford").

Onward, now, to our next night's accommodation venue - the A1 southbound.

3 comments:

Marc Tams said...

that concierge sounds fantastic!

all the best folks :)

Marc Tams said...

ooh, look. it says my name is kevin!

its actually diziet :)

Anonymous said...

Hello Gill and Rambunctious Ewan!

I've thought of a small challenge, should you choose to accept it: according to Google Maps, the Beehive Pub in Grantham (for it has been much on my mind) is only a few streets away from where you'll be staying in that fine city. While searching for information on said pub, I've discovered wildly conflicting opinions: essentially, that it's marvellous, or that it used to be marvellous but now it's gone a bit rubbish.

So, my challenge is this: if you find yourselves able to visit the Beehive Pub in Grantham, for my own peace of mind I would like you to post a short review and a definitive verdict on its marvellousness or rubbishness. And maybe take a photo of the beehive (it's in a tree outside). If you successfully complete the challenge, I'll knit you each a pair of mittens in the shape of alligators.

Keep up the good work and the good walk!
Sue x