This week I have been up north, and what rather pissy weather it was. Drove up in constant rain on Monday. Rained all day, but at least I was indoors. I was almost last leaving the office, only one other person, who is in charge of locking-up, was there. The office is set in parkland and is in quite a nice setting, surrounded by wooden rail fences. Would be better without the rain. After I left, I sat in my car for a few minutes, phone calls, and satnav setting. Ready, I set off to the hotel, to be immediately confronted by a shut gate, major irritation cos I would get have to get wet, opening the thing. Oh no, it was padlocked. The person in charge must have left, and locked the gates without checking the car park. No problem, I know these 5 bar gates, you can lift them off at the hinges. Not this one, specially made so it could not be lifted off. Gypsy proof. Back to the office, all lights were off, no cars in the car park, I was well and truly stuck.

I had no mobile phone numbers, so nothing for it but google maps to find a local taxi service to come out and pick me up. One came out for me, had to get him to stop at a cash machine on the way to the hotel so I could pay him and tomorrow morning’s driver.

The hotel was a welcoming site, except ominously they seemed not to have my booking through laterooms.com, but all finally sorted. The hotel was in refurbishment mode, and the bar cum lounge was covered in plastic sheeting.

Well, it continued to rain for most of my stay there, only clearing up for the drive home on Thursday evening. Met Rosemary, and then she was off on the Friday back up the motorway to Prestwich for the weekend. Yes we met like passing doves in the night.

Now she is back, and hopefully will be giving me a fond farewell as I am off to Plymouth in the morning.