A poem written on the occasion of a week-long training course in a Berkshire town

Come friendly bombs and fall on Slough!
It isn’t fit for humans now,
But if you miss, don’t change your heading,
With any luck you’ll land on Reading.

With apologies to John Betjeman.

This is my first proper trip to Reading (although my mum says my very early years were in this area). I’ve been to the Microsoft Campus here a few times, but that seems to have it’s own private road from the M4 up to it’s front door; I’ve never been in the town centre.

So far, not impressed. I may be missing the good bits, but my walk-in route from near Caversham bridge to the training centre - along the street with 5 off-licences but no pub and past the disused bus depot carpeted with used needles and Burger King wrappers - is less than enamouring.

Last night we gave up looking for a decent pub near where we were staying and opted for the TGI Friday’s up the road. Big mistake. What happened to TFI?? They used to be expensive and tacky but good, now they’re just expensive and tacky.

I’m here for a couple more days. Anyone got a tip for a good place for a night out near Caversham Bridge?



Oh yeah, and they read your mail at the sorting office!