Travel Reference
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'I don't care about tomorrow. I care about today, and I don't think we should go any
further. Look what it says here about Moniaive in the guide book: '
Moniaive has a marker
post in the main street dating from 1638.'
That's all it says. What makes you think we'd
even find somewhere to stay there?'
'I just think we're better off trying to get as many miles done today as possible.'
'But why? It's not like we're in a race, as you keep reminding me. We've done 35 miles
today. Let's just consider the rest of the day a write-off.'
I knew Ben was right, but the idea of calling it a day at 3.30pm when we had planned
on a big day's cycling just seemed wrong.
'How about another ten miles then as a compromise?' I suggested.
'How about NO? Seriously, what's the point? We can just do those extra ten miles to-
morrow. If you want to do more cycling today then fine, but I'm staying in Dumfries to-
night. You go on and stay in that stupid place with the stupid wooden post.'
I reluctantly agreed to call it a day and stay where we were for the night. Dumfries, that
is, not Wimpy.
We sat in silence for another ten minutes before thanking Pam, retrieving our bikes, and
venturing back outside into the rain.
'Are you going to sulk all day?' asked Ben.
'I'm not sulking,' I said sulking.
'Yes you are. Trust me, you'll thank me later.'
We found a bar further up the road and decided to ask inside whether there were any
hostels or B&Bs around.
The building was very odd. It wasn't a pub, as such, but it wasn't a bar or a working
men's club either. It was more like a community room that happened to have a bar in it. It
was 4.15pm on a Thursday and there were at least a dozen men in there. The strange thing
wasthatnobodywastalkingandeverysingleoneofthemwassatfacingasmallTVscreen
in the corner that was showing
Deal or No Deal
.
The tension in the room was unbearable. At the time, I didn't really understand the pro-
gram - I've since become hooked, too - and it was baffling to watch a group of men with
such focus and concentration in their faces. Even the barman didn't take his eyes off the
screenaswewalkedtothebar.Weaskedhimaboutaccommodation-inwhisperedvoices,
so as not to spoil the moment - but he still kept his attention on the television.
'There's a few hotels doon 'at way ye coods try,' he said, pointing his arm to his right,
but not adjusting his gaze.
'Ok, thank you,' I said, and we slunk from the bar.
'DEAL, YOU IDIOT! DEAL! TAKE THE BLOODY MONEY!' one of them shouted
at the TV on our way out.
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