Work, Gas and Ketchup

We were in work before 8am munching breakfast in the canteen, ready to start a conference call at "8 thirty". It was cancelled. The rest of the day was fairly productive and concluded with a nearby steak. I may even be over 9 stone when I reach home.

I had my first experience with a "gas station" today, as we filled up the hire car. We confessed ignorance, and the lady confirmed what our colleague Nick had said - that you pay first, for the amount of "gas" you think you want - then fill up the car. I paid for (or authorised) $50 - but as the cost of petrol is about half the price of the UK, the whole tank on the Ford Focus was filled up with $36 (£18). The charge of $36 is then made to my card. This seemed very strange, but I've just realise I sort of do this in the Shell garage in Chandler's Ford when I "pay at pump".

Thanks for the comments on the blog - in response to Graham, I suppose I should mention the "hitting the 57" phrase - a technique for getting ketchup out of the bottle. I've been wondering for years about how best to get ketchup from the bottle. There is a small "57" printed in glass just below the neck of the ketchup bottle. "Hitting the 57" helps the ketchup escape. (See YouTube) It's amazing Graham. I'll rest easy now. Night.