The Exchange

This is the bright inside of a pub in Banbury. This Wetherspoon pub is Banbury's former head post office. The premises were rebuilt in 1936, when the telephone exchange was added, giving the building its present name.

We were in Banbury because I had to undergo some diagnostic medical investigations at Banbury's Horton Hospital. Why I was sent to Banbury s a bit of a mystery: presumably they have more available time in the department concerned compared with our local units.

Never mind, the Horton has a very pleasant atmosphere, and the staff were both helpful and efficient. From a diagnostic point of view, the visit was abortive, because I was suffereing (temporarily) from another condition that invalidates the results of the target studies. Brilliant!

With the time and energy thus wasted, we were sorely tempted by this pub in the centre of Banbury, and we succumved to the temptation of a late lunch (it was 4:30 by now). We had Wetherspoos' outstanding fish and chips: item 14 a great lump of cod (sustainable, they claim) coated in an excellent crispy batter, and served with chunky but very crispy chips. The company has this aspect of food preparation down to a fine art, and they provide superb value. Add to that a pint of Ruddles for an extra £1, and the side-visit to the pub went a long way to compensating for the irritating outcome of the hospital investigations.

Our photograph shows sun streaming in to the front room of the pub. It's hard to believe that it was snowing outside on this really cold day. We travelled to Banbury by bus: the bus passes by our front door, and stops outside the Horton hospital, which was pretty convenient. The journey is a very attractive one, passing through several pleasant villages on the threshold of the Cotswolds. The atmosphere was clear, and one could see long distances across fields and woods, all enhanced by the light scattering of snow. On the way back, we had a fine view down the illuminated runway of Kidlington airfield (Ryanair-style, this place is now called "London (Oxford)", a nice bit of wishful thinking.) We were lucky enough that a largish 'plane (four-engine turboprop) had just lifted off as we passed by, and flew directly at (fortunately "over") our bus.

So we had an enjoyable half-day out, but did not achieve what we went for! At least we were far from hungry on our return.