I don't go out on an evening very often. Mainly because I like being at home with my boys and, usually, if there is something happening, I suggest Alan goes out, and I stay in with Samuel. But, on Saturday night, I had 2 options. Firstly, we had some fantastic news that our Best Man and his wife are expecting a baby, and would we like to meet with them for a celebratory meal. They live in Harrogate - about an hour away - so we don't see them very often. Plus, Alan and I don't get chance to go out together very often. Alternatively (and I had forgotten about this) we girls had decided we should leave the men at home with the kids one night and have a girly night instead. As we had arranged a babysitter and I had already agreed to going to Harrogate, I had to turn down the girly night!
We had the full postal address for the restaurant, so we picked up another (male) friend, and left the house in good faith. However, the SatNav didn't recognise the postcode or, at least, it did recognise the postcode, but it was taking us to somewhere in the middle of Harrogate and as "that can't be right", the name of the village was entered into the SatNav, and off we went.
An hour later, we reach the village. There is a pub called "The Jolly Inn", but no "Nelson Inn". So we drive through the village, turn around and drive back through the village, go back the way we came, and take a right, go back again and take a left. No Nelson Inn, so I suggest we go back to the Jolly Inn and ask the people outside where we should be heading. But, no, we couldn't possible do that!
So, into the SatNav goes the postcode. The SatNav asks for which number we are looking for. The options are from 1 to 453. Number 4 is entered (randomly) and we set off. The SatNav tells us we have reached our destination. No Nelson Inn. Number 453 is entered into the SatNav. We turn around and head for our new destination. Guess what! No Nelson Inn. By this time, we are 20 minutes late and my stomach thinks my throat has been cut. So I, calmly, suggest we go into the Shell garage over the road to ask for directions. But, no, we couldn't possible do that!
Someone tries ringing our friend on his mobile. No response!
I am rather agitated now. So, I ask that we stop at the service station and ask for directions, otherwise we spend another half an hour driving round aimlessly.
We, reluctantly, stop at the service station.
The man behind the counter is an Asian man. He has only lived in the area for 2 weeks!
I ask the lady who followed me into the shop. She isn't from round here either. but her fiance is from Harrogate and is outside, filling up his car with petrol. I approach him.
Five minutes later, we have reached our destination.
I should have gone out with the girls!
