451: Wot a Norf and Souf

 I'm sitting in my club in London, eating my 475 calories Boots meal deal, and reflecting that less than a week ago I was walking in the hills in the far North of Scotland. What a contrast. 

I love travelling. Why? Mostly because it often precipitates adventures and interesting experiences. Today was no exception.   

I went for lunch with my sister to a pub called "The Barrow Boy & Banker" - a few minutes walk from London Bridge railway station. I think it was allowed under current Covid regulations as although London is currently Tier 2 (High) my sister and I both live in Tier 1 (Medium) areas. They let us in and we registered through the NHS Covid app. I had a voucher from Fullers' breweries for a free bottle of wine with two main meals. They couldn't seem to match it up with any of their other offers but knocked £19.80 off the bill anyway, for the price of the bottle of wine. A result. I like it when people understand the benefits of building good cutomer relations. It's highly likely we'll go back there again now, whereas if they had disallowed my voucher they wouldn't have seen us for dust.

I was being crafty (who me?) and made sure the wine had a screw top. Hazel doesn't drink alcohol, what a star, and I knew I wouldn't drink a whole bottle in one sitting so I drank 'half' and took the other half with me to drink here in my room. 

The next interesting episode occurred when I went out for an evening 'meal'. I could have eaten in the dining room here but, frankly speaking, that's a 'special occasion' kind of meal. The kind you have to save up for. I went looking for the McDonalds that used to be at Marble Arch. There was no sign of it and rather than traipse halfway down Oxford Street looking for another one I went into Boots for a £3.99 meal deal (sandwiches, drink and chocolate bar). It almost turned into a £4.99 meal deal as the young Muslim girl tried to diddle me out of a £1. And there was me thinking they didn't do that kind of thing.  Luckily for me, and not her, I'm still of an age when I can quickly check the change to make sure it's right.

 I walked back along Park Lane, looking enviously in at the posh car showrooms and wondering when my Premium Bonds would come up. I'm sure it won't be long now.

Back to Ramsey tomorrow, after what I hope will be a superb Big Boy's breakfast in the dining room.