Chipping Sodbury

When we saw Chipping Sodbury on the map, we knew our day's travel would have to end there, just because of the way the name just sort of rolled off one's tongue: Chipping Sodbury.

If one pronounces it quickly it sounds like "Chipping Sodbury", which remarkably is exactly the same as when one pronounces it slowly.

It could be said that we aren't all that adept when it comes to planning ahead. In fact it could be said we don't plan ahead at all, so when we are on the road, finding accommodation becomes a version of the old car game "Spotto", with the stakes becoming ever so slightly more desperate as the evening light begins to fade, and bedtime approaches for respectable inn-keepers.

As it turned out, there was a certain lack of salubriousness in the available rooms in Chipping Sodbury, so we continued down the road a few miles until we stumbled across a charming complex which, we would have agreed was perfectly described in its publicity brochure, had we had the benefit of it at the time:

Best Western; The Compass Inn is a medium sized, family run hotel set in the beautiful South Cotswolds. An 18th century coaching inn with modern accommodation set in 6 acres of beautifully kept grounds and gardens. Just a minutes drive from junction 18 of the M4.

It looked terrific, so Jo and Jules went in to enquire.

"Ninety-eight each" replied the receptionist when asked if there were any rooms available that night.

Jo, a little travel weary, perhaps even disoriented by a long day in which we had travelled a total distance of something near 30 miles, retorted incredulously: "POUNDS???" Even now, we have no idea what sort of currency she was expecting, nor whether for an instant she thought that this particular establishment was quoting in Bolivian Bobs, or even that they were prepared to trade in Chestnut Conkers.

"I'll phone the B&B down the road for you" came the firm and immediate reply.

And so it came to pass that we had a splendid night at Chestnut Farm Tormarton, a small, family run, farm and B&B set in the beautiful South Cotswolds. An 18th century farm house with modern accommodation set in a few acres of beautifully kept grounds and gardens. Just a minutes drive from junction 18 of the M4, compleat with traditional English breakfast, and all for fifty.

"POUNDS???"

Indeed!