Gyproc

There has been a handy outdoor rest area on the A303 called Cartgate Services for many years, with the eating faciliites slowly being upgraded and now reaching the splendour illustrated of the Cartgate Lodge Café. Their web site (reference 1) also says they are there to look after travelling people and their pets.

Which may well be so, but the ring of large rocks, some of which can be seen left, enclosing the picnic area, suggest to me a desire to stop travelling people and their caravans taking up residence. Both tasteful and practical, particularly given the proximity of Stonehenge, and gives a whole new meaning to the term gyproc (see reference 2). They must have cost a fair bit, and assuming that it is a private operation, not subject to the rules of full-blown motorway service franchises, the owners presumably had to foot the bill out of what they make from our bacon sandwiches.

As I say, handy, and reminds me of that excellent French institution called aires, which, as I remember, are just pull ins with a bit of space to stretch & picnic in. Not awash with Subway, McDonald's, Waitrose or anyone else.

PS: I suppose we will have to stick with the low earth banks here in Epsom, where travelling people might well offer, for a fee, to install such rocks in your garden, as ornaments.

Reference 1: http://cartgatelodgecafe.co.uk/.

Reference 2: http://www.british-gypsum.com/. Also French, despite the name.