It's not the first time we have been faced with a specifically ridiculous shortage. In fact it completed a hat-trick.
Number one was many years ago when I went to a Wetherspoons in Cambridge with a friend. We were on our way to see the rock band Idlewild.
"Burger and chips please," said my mate having perused the menu for all of a minute when he knew that he wanted a burger and fries.
"Sorry sir we don't have any chips," came the reply.
"What do you mean you don't have any chips," he inquired.
" It means we don't have any chips sir."
"But there's a supermarket over the road.
"We can't just go out and buy a bag of chips."
"Why not?"
"We can only get from our supplier."
"What if I go and buy a packet and give it to you."
"Sorry you can't do that."
"So what can I have with a burger?"
"Well there's roast or mash potatoes. We have them."
We did the you can't have burgers with mashed potatoes piece but ended up having them with roasties because pie and chips and steak and chips along with anything else with chips would also have been off the menu.
Then there was the occasion at Norwich City's training ground when we went to a food caravan to get a coffee.
"Sorry we've run out of water for the urn."
"But there's changing rooms and a kitchen over there," said the other threequarters.
We didn't get anywhere though and so just had to go without coffee.
Life can be confusing at times.
The journey back to Norfolk was pretty uneventful apart from crowded trains. We caught a rather crowded bus to Eastbourne rail station and grabbed a coffee from a cafe opposite as we had plenty of time. The capaccino was good and then they brought us a jug of water that was awash with slices of lemon and slices of cucumber. Cucumber was the overriding taste that came through. Nice touch though.
There were very few people on the first leg of the journey to Gatwick Airport but then it was pretty full from Gatwick into the centre of London.
An elderly couple were offered the seats of a middle aged couple whilst lots of youngsters remained firmly in their seats. Most people got out in central London and we were once again left with plenty of space for the journey to Cambridge.
A beggar came round asking for money and food. I never know how to deal with them as I have conflicting views. On the one hand I feel sorry for them if they are genuine, but on the other hand I just feel they are attempting to con me. What do others think and how do you deal with the situation? I doubt very much whether he would have a ticket to be on the train.
At Cambridge we had to run to catch our connection back to Wymondham and the train was absolutely rammed due apparently to earlier trains either being cancelled or delayed by a points failure which meant ours was the only train for some time to go through to Ely.
At Ely there was a mass exodus which made things more comfortable again. Not sure what's worse - being on an uncomfortably crowded train or sitting in a traffic jam on the M 25. Actually I do know which is worse.
It was interesting to note that the only time we had our tickets checked was on our very first and very last legs of this six leg trip. Elsewhere they just didn't bother.