I have to say I'm a little fed up with Travelodge... not withstanding the fact that it's a fine institution for the traveller on a budget.
But this week, I've had my fill and I want to come home.
It's been a strange old week, even by my standards in that I seem to have travelled across most of the sound of England, which has been pleasant enough given the time of year.
I was up at three on Sunday morning to drive from Edinburgh to Lowestoft and I left in the light, which was nice. It's my Dad's birthday next week and he wanted to take all of us out to the Chinese Buffet in Norwich. The plan was I would then leave from Norwich to drive to Kidderminster this shortening my journey by about half an hour.
The plan worked out in almost every detail except one. I left my wallet at my parent's house and so had to drive back to Lowestoft (which is as far east in Britain as you can get without falling off the edge) before coming back west to Kidderminster.
I was quite tired when I arrived at Travelodge, Kidderminster ( which is next to the Watermill pub).
Monday and Tuesday were delivery days at ChipsAway. The two day business building programme was, shall we say, challenging and leave it at that.
Then it was into the car and down to Bedford for a coaching session before driving on to Travelodge, Cheshunt where I had pre-paid for my dinner. My beef lasagne was microwaved to perfection (including the salad) and indeed was hot almost all the way through.
It was four miles up the road to Waltham Abbey the next morning for three more coaching sessions. The first was scheduled for 10.30 and when it got to the appointed time and no-one had arrived I got a little suspicious. I called the fella and was met with the classic response: 'Oh,was it today?'
Doh!
I emailed the organiser of the coaching sessions and received a three word response: 'That bloody man!'
Anyway two good coaching sessions happened and it was in the car onto the M25 and across the Dartford Crossing (where I sat for half an hour... although the view up the river was excellent in the sunshine) to Travelodge, Dorking.
This is my first visit to Dorking and the outskirts at least seem to be very nice. Don't think I'm going to see too much more though.
By the way, by some strange twist of fate, the closest pub to Travelodge, Dorking also turns out to be called The Watermill. Am I stuck is some strange Surrey based version of Groundhog Day?
Tomorrow morning it's back in the car for the trip to Redhill, three more coaching sessions and then the drive from Surrey to Edinburgh.
The funny things is, I've stayed in three Travelodges this week and I now have three emails asking me to complete a short questionnaire about my recent stay... one for each hotel.
My problem is that they're all indistinguishable from each other... which on another day, in another life would be a good thing. Consistency, after all, is the name of the game!
