Monday
Our journey to Dunster is about 5 hours driving, with at least one EV charge required. We decided to break our journey with an overnight stay in Wincanton, where we could take the chance to meet up with old friends.
The “Two Mikes” as they are affectionately known are Carvey and Hayward. Back in 2004, we started a collaboration to service work we were winning in the UN system. This formalised when we created a company, illuceo, in which the 4 of us were directors. Over the next couple of years, we won work at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP); United Nations High Comminssioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and World Health Organisation (WHO), where Mike Hayward went on to forge a new career, only retiring recently.
The UN was a fascinating period, around 2 years, of Nikki and I consulting careers. We had “missions” in New York, Copenhagen and Geneva. Who said working on payroll software was boring. As much as the work was interesting (we were all invested), the culture of working within the UN was fascinating. These were people who, at their core, were committed to making the world a better place by helping those less fortunate, You could not help but be touched by this attitude. Mind you, that didn’t stop us declining to drop our rates when asked “to help out a humanitarian organisation”! We also had mouths to feed after all, and expenses to meet.
Nog
So this brought us to finding the Nog Inn in Wincanton.
I have to say our expectations were not high as, from afar, Wincanton did not seem the most salubrious of places. However, the Nog Inn turned out to be a real find. They only have 4 rooms, having converted an outbuilding during the Covid pandemic. The work though has been done to a high standard, and very much in the boutique hotel style. The room was very spacious, and the bathroom magnificent with a full size bath, and walk in rain shower.
The 4 of us met up, had a few drinks, I particularly enjoyed the Shandon Stout, followed by dinner. The food at the Nog Inn was above the standard pub fayre. 2 of us had the burgers, and as it was burger night, this included a free glass of Malbec, which was great value. The other 2 had pork belly served with herby mash. The fat one of us, you know who you are, demolished a sticky toffee pudding. The food and the Nog Inn are highly recommended.
Mike H, who has a house in Wincanton, had flown in especially from Geneva, and was flying back the following day. It was great to see the “Two Mikes” and we had a fun evening recalling our adventures during extraordinary times. How can we ever forget the night the 3 boys ended up in a very odd gay bar in Copenhagen where, once we realised, we insisted we had a second drink to make sure no-one thought we were uncomforatble.
If you need somewhere in Wincanton, or the area, give the Nog Inn a go.
