Sometimes the universe gives you a little wink…
Just got back from Manchester after hosting the John Paul AI in Estate Agency event. A long day, full on energy. I was tired. Trains were delayed. My feet were aching.
But I had an 8 minute changeover at Doncaster. Just 8 minutes.
Now, most people would grab a coffee. Maybe scroll their phone.
Me? I made a beeline for my favourite railway station pub in the country … that tiny 16’ x 8’ bar on platform 3b at Donny. A sacred place for those who know.
I didn’t need a drink, but I needed to go in.
Last week I was down in Falmouth, interviewing the brilliant Sophie Lang
Penryn, just up the road from Falmouth, is home to Verdant … my all time favourite brewery.
I’d planned to film the interview inside the brewery itself, pint in hand, proper WatkinSofa style.
But it was Freshers’ Week.
Students everywhere.
The place was chaos. So we had to change plans and shot the video elsewhere by the sea (don’t worry, it’s still magic … coming soon).
But here’s where the universe stepped in.
As I opened that little fridge at Doncaster station, lit by soft LED and full of promise… there it was.
A can of ‘The Don’
Brewed by Verdant.
A punchy Triple IPA
I was stood in Doncaster.
The hometown of my dear friend and all-round legend, Sanjay Gandhi … who everyone in the industry knows as The ‘Don of Doncaster’.
And I just stood there for a second, smiling.
Because it felt like the universe had lined up three points on a map and said, “Here you go, ChrisseyboyWatkins … this one’s for you.”
Sanjay. Doncaster. Verdant. Me. All in one moment, in a fridge on a train platform.
The beer when I got home tasted better because of it.
Not because of hops or flavour profile.
But because sometimes, life gives you little threads of connection that make everything feel just a bit more magical.
Just got back from Manchester after hosting the John Paul AI in Estate Agency event. A long day, full on energy. I was tired. Trains were delayed. My feet were aching.
But I had an 8 minute changeover at Doncaster. Just 8 minutes.
Now, most people would grab a coffee. Maybe scroll their phone.
Me? I made a beeline for my favourite railway station pub in the country … that tiny 16’ x 8’ bar on platform 3b at Donny. A sacred place for those who know.
I didn’t need a drink, but I needed to go in.
Last week I was down in Falmouth, interviewing the brilliant Sophie Lang
Penryn, just up the road from Falmouth, is home to Verdant … my all time favourite brewery.
I’d planned to film the interview inside the brewery itself, pint in hand, proper WatkinSofa style.
But it was Freshers’ Week.
Students everywhere.
The place was chaos. So we had to change plans and shot the video elsewhere by the sea (don’t worry, it’s still magic … coming soon).
But here’s where the universe stepped in.
As I opened that little fridge at Doncaster station, lit by soft LED and full of promise… there it was.
A can of ‘The Don’
Brewed by Verdant.
A punchy Triple IPA
I was stood in Doncaster.
The hometown of my dear friend and all-round legend, Sanjay Gandhi … who everyone in the industry knows as The ‘Don of Doncaster’.
And I just stood there for a second, smiling.
Because it felt like the universe had lined up three points on a map and said, “Here you go, ChrisseyboyWatkins … this one’s for you.”
Sanjay. Doncaster. Verdant. Me. All in one moment, in a fridge on a train platform.
The beer when I got home tasted better because of it.
Not because of hops or flavour profile.
But because sometimes, life gives you little threads of connection that make everything feel just a bit more magical.
