MARIAN AND POLO MINTS

[karl]

Marian I asked in Morrisons today if they still have Polo Mints - they do. Should I get you a pack to have after the bottle of wine?

[Gray]

Living in York, the Rowntrees (now Nestle) factory is but a stones throw away from my house.
Frequently, the gentle waft of cocoa beans drifts through the air as the latest batch of of Kit Kat or Yorkies are made by Willy Wonka and his Umpa Loompas.
But the Polo Mint room is a secret.
It is locked away deep in the bowels of the plant.
However, I can report I have infiltrated the said place, it was dead easy to find as the door was circular and it had a hole in the middle that I crawled through.
Once inside, however, I nearly collapsed, the peppermint fragrance was so strong my eyes begin to weep and I had to clearest sinuses anyone would wish for!
The floor was covered with thousands upon thousands of Polo's that had tried to escape being wrapped in foil. The Polos had taken a dive off the machine that makes the holes (very clever contraption - it carefully folds fresh air and gently places it in the middle of the mint) in a bid for freedom.

I asked an Umpa Loompa what they do with all the Polos on the floor and he said, "We stamp on them, crush them down, then sweep them up. Then we sell them to Trebor as Extra Strong Mints)



PS My memory is a little hazy of my time at Rowntrees, so not all of the above is true!

[Marian]

Thanks Karl. but I'm not all that fond of Polo Mints, I'd rather crack open another bottle of wine!

Love your story about the Polo Mints that tried to escape Gray!! You should write children's stories.

[karl]

Yes Gray, ,wonderful story.

You are either a very gifted writer or you're as high as a kite!!!!

By the way do you ive close to the factory or is that fiction too?

[karl]

Thanks Karl. but I'm not all that fond of Polo Mints, I'd rather crack open another bottle of wine!

Love your story about the Polo Mints that tried to escape Gray!! You should write children's stories.

Marian c'mon up here and we can open as many bottles as you want. I won't tell what state you get into if you do the same!!!!

And talking of Polo MInts I have never eaten one since my dentist told me they damage the enamel on your teeth - however that was years ago so perhaps they have changed the recipe.

[Gray]

Yes, honestly, Karl, I do live very close to the Rowntree Factory.
I also served my time there as a printer, and that is when I was shown around the plant.
The Polo Room really did take your breath away and make your eyes weep when you entered, I will never forget that.

And Karl, I was also told Polo mints are really bad for your teeth.

Does anyone remember the Beechnut chewing gum you could buy?
It came in little packets of rectangular gum?

[karl]

Yes I do, tiny little packets and the gum was sugar coated. I also remember the machines you could buy it from on shop fronts - ah memories!!!!

I thought that kind of gum was obsolete but I bought some in Australia in 2011 not realising it was that type.

I can well imagine the Polo Mont room would take your breath away.

Gray with a talent for writing like that you really should put it to a good use, I'm not kidding!

We can then brag that we knew you when.

[Gray]

I remember those vending machines!
Oh my word, what happened to them all!?
I haven't used a train in donkey's years. do the platforms still have the vending machines that sell Nestle chocolate bars?

Ah, thank you Karl, very kind words about the story, but Keith is our main man for prose.
I still haven't given up on playing centre forward for Leeds United and England (I reckon I can force my way into Roy Hodgson's plans for 2014 - despite being the wrong side of 40 and having an arthritic hip. And dodgy knees. Oh, don't forget the sore shins. I get migraines too. )

[karl]

I can hardly believe you haven't used a train for years Gray, no no no - there are no Nestles chocolate vending machines anymore . Modern stations are full of Tie Racks, M&S Food, WH Smith, Boots, Burger King for all your needs.

You'e the wrong side of 40 and full of ailments? I thought you were a fit young thing!!!!!

[Gray]

I am fit and young!
Apart from the in-growing toenail, halitosis, wind and tennis elbow.

But nope, not been near a train station for a long time, tend to drive everywhere, though I really should let the train take the strain. Especially with my bad eye site, swollen ankles, glue ear....

[karl]

Gray you're a neurotic hypochondriac in the making!!!!!