19 October 2007
Our final day in the office and still much to do…too much to do. It was, after all was said and done, a profitable day in the office. Terrill and I even managed an extended lunch break where we ran into Staines for a much-needed switch. Also, just prior to our leaving on that errand, I received an email from my wife requesting a trip to Mark & Spencer’s for my father. Fortuitous timing that, as an M&S was very near the computer store we had to go to for the switch. Terrill & I also located a JJB where we acquired some much-expected sporting souvenirs. An Arsenal flag for myself and a surprise for his boy. A good trip out, that. Then we stopped for lunch at a small pub there in Staines. Unfortunately, I was without my camera or notebook, and have no recollection of the name. It was nice enough. Back to work to finalize some training documents and make sure, one last time, that everything was working as needed. 4 o’clock came around early and Terrill returned to the small cave I’d holed up in to announce, “The big man wants a beer.” Therefore, off we went. I drove us back to the hotel while our companion for the evening followed. He had informed us early in the week that he wanted to take us out into the countryside for some real country ales and atmosphere. I’m so glad he did.
He took us to four pubs in this order:
The Royal Oak Public House, Holmbury St. Mary, Dorking, Surrey RH5 6PE (see photo)
The Parrot Inn, Forest Green, Dorking, Surrey, RH5 5RZ
The Cricketers Arms, Stane St, Ockley, Dorking, Surrey RH5 5TP
The Rising Sun, The Street, Nutbourne, Pulborough, West Sussex RH20 2HE
Each of them was perfect in its own way. Whether it had a fantastic selection of beers, or people, or both; or perhaps it just exuded its own charm in fully measurable quantity and quality; maybe it was just the cold night air in Surrey, England that performed its magic on me. Whatever the reason, the event was special beyond measure. Terrill and our host got into heated and rambling debate after debate ranging from political ideals and ramifications to the value of NASCAR versus Formulae 1. It was very interesting to hear a Scotsman take my cause in so many of the debates that Terrill & I have had for years both political and sports-oriented. It was refreshing and validating at the same time. He, of course, didn’t take all my causes. I contineu to stand alone on quite a few. We stayed too long at the Cricketer’s Arms because of this valid and valuable discussion time, so we missed the last train back to town. But, our host’s lovely wife drove us back to Gatwick airport where we took a Taxi back to our hotel. It was lovely, refreshing, and overall a very grand evening. But tomorrow was going to be something special and I needed my sleep. It was, after all, nearly 2:30 am and we had an appointment in the morning. I packed quickly, knowing I wouldn’t likely have time on Saturday, called my wife and went to sleep. I slept fitfully being far too excited at what was to come.
Cheers.
~KR (19 October 2007)
Listening to:
Dreams by TV on the Radio
on Desperate Youth, Blood Thirsty Babes
Camera: Canon PowerShot SD850 IS
Exposure: 0.067 sec (1/15)
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 5.8 mm
ISO Speed: 200
Exposure Bias: 0/3 EV
Flash: Flash did not fire
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