Monday – another lovely morning. Calm. Blue sky. Cool! We walked from Easby Abbey to Richmond via the “South” bank of the River Swale. Coffee at the old station (much developed) …
… before visiting the town centre.
The church of the Holy Trinity in the centre of the cobbled town square – said to be one of the largest in England. Richmond gets its name from the “Riche-mont” or “Strong-hill” on which the early castle was built.
The River Swale at this point is very pretty…
… and prone to flash floods. But Maddie (Sarah and Ian’s dog) didn’t seem to be bothered!
Apparently, the main road bridge used to be called Station Bridge but has been renamed Mercury Bridge in honour of the Royal Signals Corps, based at Catterick. The “Siggies” flag and cap badge features Mercury – the Roman God of tradesmen, shopkeepers, transporters of goods, thieves, tricksters and other villains – but more relevantly “The Messenger of the Gods”.
The walk back along the North bank passed a commemorative plaque describing the location as the last place the “Drummer of Richmond” was heard before disappearing into the tunnel to Easby Abbey never to be seen (or heard) again.
Not that there was any sign of a tunnel – but as I always say, why let facts spoil a good story?! However there was plenty of evidence of the Easby Abbey. Made (slightly) famous by the artist J M W Turner who was (really) famous for his picture of The Fighting Temeraire.
Easby Abbey (in need of refurbishment)…
… and the adjacent Church of St Agnes.
Now, I haven’t had much of a rant about anything recently… but in the Station Cafe, the young lady making the cappuccini managed to pick up EVERY single cup with her fingers INSIDE the cup. Why do people do that. I’ve seen it in lots of places – and it really isn’t a hygienic way to do things! You’d like to think that that was part of basic training for people working in the catering industry. It was highlighted by Rhod Gilbert during his training to be a flight attendant in First Class on British Airways. He wasn’t allowed to touch any drinking vessel above half way up the OUTSIDE of said vessel. Of course, I’m less sure about what goes on in cattle class where we hang out!
OK, rant over – now the story of the day…
A WELL RUN BUSINESS
Me: I was doing an overnight at a hotel away from home. I took my computer down to the bar to do some data entries. I sat down at the bar and I asked the bartender, ‘What’s the wifi password?’
Bartender: ‘You need to buy a drink first.’
Me: ‘Okay, I’ll have a beer.’
Bartender: ‘We have Molson’s Canadian on tap.’
Me: ‘Sure. How much is that?’
Bartender: ‘€8.00.’
Me: ‘Here you are. OK now, what’s the wifi password?’
Bartender: ‘ “youneedtobuyadrinkfirst”; No spaces and all lowercase.’