I do enjoy taking a ferry in the middle of a long drive. It's a chance to pause, to think, to relax, to eat; I find the "relax" part sadly lacking when I fly.
I'm seated in the Cafe on the "European Highlander", outbound from Larne to Cairnryan, and due there just before 10 p.m. There's quite a bit of freight on board, but only a handful of cars this Wednesday evening, and I'm enjoying the "meal deal" which is rather better, and rather better value, that I'm use to finding on some of the other ferry lines.
Although it's self service, Miguel, the gentleman on the till wanders over and asks me if I'm ready for my dessert ... comes back a few minutes later with piping hot apple pie and custard and bearing a spoon too. "Great minds think alike" I tell him as he sees the spoon I picked up earlier. Let's be fair - I'm not claiming much for
my mind, but I will for his. Here you see someone who's working the route day in, day out, and still looking out for his customers - even one that he's never seen before - beyond the call of duty.
(written 2006-02-23, updated 2006-06-09)
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