<a href="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/jcb-visitmar15.jpg"><img class="alignright size-medium wp-image-2480" src="http://pigyard.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/jcb-visitmar15-300x225.jpg" alt="jcb-visit(mar15)" width="300" height="225" /></a>Yesterday we went on a coach trip organised through the West Wolds U3A. It has been a long time since we have been on a coach trip, possibly the last time was on a holiday to Cyprus ten years ago. We now know why we don't do coach trips. The <a title="JCB Factory Tour" href="http://www.jcb.co.uk/About/Factory-Tour.aspx" target="_blank">JCB factory </a>is in Rocester, Staffordshire but our coach driver managed to make a 2 hour journey take over 3 hours.

We turned up just before midday and after a comfort break we were taken into a large dining room and presented with a meal of meatballs and couscous followed by crème brulee. It was a little beyond our expectations as this was a factory visit not a haute cuisine event. The cups and cutlery had the JCB logo so branding is very important to them and they counted them out and counted them back in so no souvenirs to be had here.

The tour guide was excellent, the visitor centre really well laid out, explaining the growth of JCB from its agricultural start just after the war. The photo shows a beautifully displayed wire-framed sculpture. The factory itself was interesting but a little disappointing as there was no movement on the line where the JCB back hoe was being built. I guess if they're only producing twenty a day then things are not going to be rolling off the line every minute but considering we were there for some time we hoped we'd see at least one drive off.

The coach trip back was significantly shorter because the driver took the direct route thank goodness.