John Gibson: Rosie got her picture on the nest

Next time you doss in a Travelodge check what’s under the bed. Rosie Shapter discovered a pigeon had nested under her bed at the Bath Travelodge in Somerset and had laid an egg. It must have been something akin to a hen night.

Next time you doss in a Travelodge check what’s under the bed. Rosie Shapter discovered a pigeon had nested under her bed at the Bath Travelodge in Somerset and had laid an egg. It must have been something akin to a hen night.

Travelodge bosses didn’t believe her until she produced photographic evidence of nest and bed. Travelodge claimed the bird could have speedily built the nest in four hours, after the cleaner had left.

Mrs Shapter got a refund. No surprise.

Hard Times

Times when I wonder, in exasperation, how one qualifies for an honourable mention in The Times daily birthday roster. You haven’t made it till you get a mention.

A certain fascination about the qualifiers, among them Dame Helen Reeves, chief exec Nationwide Association of Victim Support Schemes 1980-2005, 66, Lord Jenkin of Roding, Secretary of State for Industry, 1981-83, 85, Mary Clarke, Emeritus Editor Dancing Times, 88, Sir Frank Holroyd, Chief Logistics Support RAF 1989-91, 76 and, don’t forget, the Earl of Lisburne, President of the Wales Council for Voluntary Action 1976-1997, 93.

How the hell did Gloria Gaynor, Sonny Rollins and Chrissie Hynde get in? Belated birthday wishes to them all. Try as I’ve done, often, I couldn’t make it. Times readers evidently don’t want to know about a disgruntled nonentity who served in the 10th Leith Lifeboys and, following a free transfer, the 3rd Leith Boy Scouts. The big Times isn’t for you, sonny.

Afterwords . .

. . . if they take Gaddafi alive, put him somewhere he can’t do any harm, like the Hibs forward line, the wags are suggesting.