What a strange place Yarnfield Park is. To find it you have to drive through a twisty new build housing estate, surely it can't be here? Well it is. There's even a sign encouraging you to keep going. You then come to a large car park and a short walk later, the beauty of Yarnfield Park unfolds before your very eyes. The best way I can describe it is a 1990s Army Barracks, with a old sports centre in the middle of it. There's even a random disused watertower. Reception is in the 'Sports Centre'. I almost expected Gordon Brittas to appear at this point. The receptionist was very pleasent, got me checked in and off I went to my accommodation block. I had upgraded to a delux room. It may look like an army barracks, but the Officers Mess, it wasn't. A tiny tired looking room. Bizarrely with a 1970s phone. I don't know if this was put there as a joke by some one, or it is genuine issue. Anyway, off to the Cookhouse for tea. Unusually this was a buffet style, which I quiet liked the idea of, initially. You pick your meal off a display screen on the wall then go to the relevant serving station. I have included a picture of the slice of pie I was given. We had now gone from Army Cookhouse to infant school dinners. I know the was a Army barracks ambience, but surely rationing wasn't still in place? Anxious to find out I waited at the entrance check in area of the dining hall, but the dest wasn't staffed. So I went to the sports centre, sorry, reception and after a while I was greeted by a very pleasant lady. I showed her a picture of the tiny piece of pie I had been served. I asked if she thought it was an appropriate size for an adult portion. There was a long pause after which she went on to explain the pie had to be cut into so many pieces. Very helpful, a pity the other thirty odd were twice the size of mine. I have included a photograph. Which doesn't quite do it justice, take into account the plate is small and the peas and mash were single spoonfuls. I'm supposed to be here two nights, but I am checking out in the morning. I suppose it is quite funny and is like being back in the army, the only difference is, I was getting paid to do it back then! Good bits- Friendly staff, free car parking. Bad bits- everything else.
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