Road Trip

I woke up yesterday morning with the distinct impression that a road trip was in order, and in fact, an expedition to Devon would fit the bill nicely, thank you very much. Having made an instantaneous decision, I went about my day humming a jaunty tune and smiling the smug smile of someone who knows that they are going on a spontaneous seaside adventure the following day.

I am staying in a quaint old-fashioned 'family' hotel, which is only marginally grander than a bed and breakfast. The netted windows and swirly whirly hard wear carpets are typical of this type of establishment, not to mention the wealth of tourism leaflets on display in the hallway, and the old fashioned brass bell on the front desk. Having rung this bell earlier, I know all too well what happens next. Due to the fact that this guest house is run single-handedly by a husband and wife team, there is precisely a fifty percent chance that you will come face to face with the lady of the house. She is a grey-haired, craggy-nosed no-nonsense type who read me my rights upon check-in while inspecting me from head to toe for suspicious signs that I may be hooligan, a prostitute or a crack head.

"Breakfast is served between the hours of eight and nine, sharp."

I hid my horror. Is this a hotel or a boot camp?

"Lovely. That sounds fine."

I managed to maintain a charming facade of wide-eyed innocence while surrepticiously hiding my bag of hard licquor behind my back. It clinked slightly and my grin widened.

The lounge had huge bay windows with layers upon layers of netted curtains, and stiff backed leather armchairs - an old-fashioned gentlemen's parlour which would have once been filled with the low murmur of voices, the haze of cigar smoke, and the crisp rustle of evening papers. There was a dusty-looking bar in one corner of the room, and I momentarily considered helping myself, but an image of the desk dragon loomed into my mind and I thought better of it.

I popped back downstairs earlier to see if anything was going on, but there wasn't any sign of life. Twas the night before thursday and all through the house, not a creature was stirring - not even a mouse.

Let us see what drama tomorrow brings.