Loopy

 Have you ever been trapped in a loop? Let me give you an example. We used to have an excursion programme for our students: Stratford, Stonehenge, Oxford colleges, that sort of thing. For our more techno-minded students, we would arrange visits to factories, mines, manufacturers and so on. As the school was close to Southampton, I phoned Fawley Oil Refinery to find available dates for a visit.

“We're fully booked for the next two years, sir.”

“No problem,” says I cheerfully. “Book us in for the first available day after that.”

Sorry, sir, we don't take bookings more than two years in advance.”

I could feel a loop coming on...

“What if I phone you again tomorrow, dear?” (You could call girls 'dear' in those days).

“Sir? But...”

The note of incomprehension in her voice said it all. I was trapped in a loop.

Never did book an excursion to Fawley Oil Refinery. Took the kids to London instead to see a Brian Rix farce; seemed appropriate somehow.