Motorway Service Stations
Within minutes Stonehenge was but a mind numbing memory as we pushed northwest toward the Severn Bridge and into a whole new country; Wales. I like the Welsh. They're a very patriotic bunch who love their rugby and love to sing. They're good at singing.
After paying the extortionate toll to cross the Severn Bridge I was expecting something fairly dramatic. Maybe jugglers or lions or even the charming Scott Baio from Happy Days singing kareoke. Needless to say I was disappointed.
'Arriving in a new country I always like to celebrate with a near death experience.' The Kid began. 'Anyone feel like service station food?'
The mood was one of general approval as we slid onto the hard shoulder then pulled into one of the finest architectural foulings this side of Brussels.
The sterile, post apocalyptic looking building housed a video machine arcade, a couple of fast food chains and one of those shops specialising in stuff essential for travelling Britains highways and byways. You know, seventies compilation cassettes, plastic cricket sets, miniature toy dogs, pornographic playing cards, seashells, marbles and six pack shower caps. Very strange.
After buying a Mexican hat for the amazing price of ninety nine pence I ordered a couple of hot dogs that glowed a fluorescent pink until I drowned them in ketchup then took a seat near the window.
'Good to see you covered all the food groups today Doddo.' Liz remarked, as she tucked into something that looked a little like a salad baguette. It was hard to be conclusive, salad to me was merely a concept.
'Animal faces and flour. It's a good start.' I replied.
'There's tomatoes in ketchup.' Tut offered in support, whilst hoeing into his own version of a vegetarian nightmare. Then there was a lull in the stimulating conversation as we all got on with eating, but I couldn't help but feeling all eyes were on me.
'What?' I asked the group as one.
'Ummmmm, nice hat Doddo.' Sharon remarked with little conviction.
'You like it? Only ninety nine pence. I'll get you one if you like.'
'Really, it's okay.'
After an impromptu game of plastic cricket in the car park we were off. Destination, Caerphilly Castle, a group decision made by the girls.
