I had a client meeting up in Scotland yesterday afternoon. A little place called Alva just outside Stirling. I already knew the guy I was going to see was a good laugh and liked a drink - he's the Group Ops Director. From the moment I walked out of the front door to the moment I walked in through the back door, everyone I interacted with on the journey seemed to be going out of their way to be kind to me. I got to Bank Quay station a little early and the train was on time, so I went to the buffet to get a cuppa. I'm still on crutches at the mo. The woman on the buffet told me to go and sit down and make myself comfy and she brought my drink over to me. On the train to Glasgow, I went to the buffet and got a cheese and tomato toastie. The guy told me to go and sit down and he'd bring it over to me when it was ready. I hate to change at Glasgow Central for Queen Street. The buffet told me there was a free bus that goes every 10 mins from outside the main entrance. When I got on the bus, an old lady started moving to let me sit down. I stopped her as there was a seat right next to me. I got to Queen St and asked a lady on the ticket barrier which was the train to Stirling. She said it was the Aberdeen train and she'd help me to find my seat. I said I wanted a piss first so she walked me over, got a key to let me in (while others were paying) and after that, actually took me onto the train and found my seat for me. When I arrived at Stirling, the client was there to meet me to drive me back to the company. We got there and he also brought the Group Financial Controller in and latterly, the CEO. All of them were really pleasant and friendly guys. I picked a new vacancy up I wasn't expecting (it was a courtesy visit), given a lead to their sister company and told there was loads more business coming up. It was then time to leave, so the client drove me back into Stirling so I could find a pub before the train back to Edinburgh. I found one that was a right dive (home from home) and it was chocker - nowhere to sit. The barmaid asked me if I wanted her to move someone so I could sit down. I said of course not, but then this old guy came over and insisted I sit where he was and wouldn't take no for an answer. When I was leaving, he came outside with me and gave me precise directions to the station. I told him I was a Scouser and he said they all loves Scousers up there. I changed at Edinburgh for the train back to Warrington. It was bound for Birmingham New Street. I went to the buffet to get a couple of cans. the Brummie woman on the buffet told me they were on a special deal of £10 for four cans, so I made the purchase. I went to pick the bag up and she stopped me. telling me to sit down and she'd bring them over. I even saw a beautiful sundet over the mountains of the Lake District. I got back to the Cheese to pick my ***s up and went outside for a ***. Keith was out there. His plants had just been harvested and he was toking on a big, fat doob. He even offered to give me some to take home. A lovely, lovely day. The moral of the story. 'Crutches are the way foward'
I want to hear more about the special deals on cans on the train. I don't feel we got enough details on the offer.
