Happy Christmas 27

Go food shopping in the busy supermarkets or a ride out on the bike?  That debate did not take long at all.  Burnham it is then, but as a variation, go round the opposite way to normal.  With the temperature in double figures still, no rain, and a moderate wind no need for extra layers today.  Hope to find a place to wash the bike over, it is looking pretty grotty of late.  One of the penalties of apartment living perhaps.

Positive Seasonal Goodwill

The Bay View Cafe was closed but there is a possible alternative further round.  In Burnham, diverted slightly to check out a car wash.  I think the operatives were eastern european and working hard with a queue of vehicles waiting for their Christmas Eve wash.  One of the blokes was happy to give mine a quick spray over and refused when I offered him a couple of quid for his trouble.  What a decent bloke.

Negative Seasonal Goodwill

At the other end of the spectrum was a local lass in a local establishment.  Rich's Cider Farm near Mark.  Called in there for a cup of tea and the place was packed with lunchtime diners.  A very popular place where it is essential to pre book for a Sunday roast.  Chatting with the girl behind the counter explained that I had called in to get my hands warm.  I was offered a table where the occupants were not due for a bit.  The tea was £1.55 and all that could be found in my pockets was £1.50.  A plea to accept that went on deaf ears as it was 'not allowed'.  My debit card would attract a 50p surcharge so the tea was refused.  Outside, it dawned on me that I also had the £2 that I had offered the car washer but a queue had formed, plus there was a principle here, "Noli illegitimi carborundum".

Mr Piggy Chef

Could this be the one that makes up the rules for staff behind the counter?  You choose.  Finished the ride uneventfully and was left pondering about the generosity and helpfulness of 'foreigners' to the dogmatic attitude of our country fellows.  Best not lose any sleep over it.

Clocked 26.9 (the dreaded 0.1 missing again) and finished the week 10 short of the 100 target.