Crown Broadwood Farm, Craiglinn Park Road, Cumbernauld 01236 737556

Crown Broadwood Farm, Craiglinn Park Road, Cumbernauld 01236 737556

IT WAS one of those no client, no cash days which was stretching into a week. The coffers were bare and the moths had moved on.

Even the regular cash generator of tailing errant spouses had become a dim and distant memory - me thinks the planets are out of synch.

"Tec," the bellow woke me from my dream state.

"Tec, it's time."

I looked at the clock, the hands were fast approaching the munching hour.

But what to do when the cash flow had dried up.

And then there was a light bulb moment.

Word on the street was that it was cheap, cheerful and substantial - words which filled me with glee.

With the Moll done up to the nines and red talons glinting in the autumn sunshine, we climbed into the Buick and headed north.

There was a welcoming feel as we pushed open the doors of the Crown Broadwood Farm.

Although it wasn't the Moll's usual type of eaterie she was following her nose which picked up the succulent aroma of beef, ham and turkey.

We quickly found a table within shouting distance of the carvery and while my little chickadee scanned the scran, I cast an eye over the place.

It was busy, really busy and when I looked to one end, I realised there was a card game going on.

There was a whole school of them sitting at the various tables - it reminded me of the late-night poker programmes so popular with the insomniacs among us.

But I was brought back down to earth with a bump.

"Tec, you've got to go to the bar, no one's coming to serve us," a loud whisper echoed around the room.

"I'm starving," she said.

With my table number firmly imprinted in my brain the bar beckoned.

DRINKS and food ordered and with my little slip clutched in my hand I made my way back to the table.

Within minutes the starters had arrived and we dived into the hot garlicky bread and mushrooms. No matter how old hat they are, they hit the spot.

And once that lot was polished off I left the light of my life at the table and jaunted over to the carvery.

Piles and piles of food awaited.

Large joints of meat beckoned and I could feel my taste buds working overtime.

With plates overfilled I staggered back to the table.

The Moll, with her half chicken, attempted a lady-like knife and fork attack, but quickly gave up as her roast potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, Yorkies and gravy teetered perilously close to the edge.

She just grabbed the meat and tucked in.

The plate in front of me made me realise what I had been missing since we'd stopped the Sunday roast ritual.

It was also a reminder that Christmas isn't that far off.

But doing justice to the nosh took time, as we silently waded through the rich, tasty feast.

It was with relief that we finally got there, I heaved a sigh and felt that cosy glow that comes from a full tum.

Glancing at Toots I saw a glint in her eye.

"Oh Tec you know what would just finish this off?" she said.

I didn't dare answer.

"A slice of hot chocolate fudge cake."

And she managed to polished it off.

The Broadwood may not be the fanciest place on earth and it may not have the most extensive menu but it does what it says on the name plate ... a top notch carvery.

STARTERS:

Garlic bread £1.30

Garlic mushrooms £2.49

MAINS:

Half roast chicken £4.39

Standard carvery beef £4.39

DESERT:

Chocolate fudge cake £2.59

DRINKS:

Large glass of house red £3.60

Pint of orange and lemonade £2.10

The bill £20.76