  Hen’s Teeth If one were trying to partake in Consecutive Number Plate Spotting (CNPS) and felt one was falling behind, the following scheme would suggest itself as one to ensure a rapid catch-up. Hire a luxury coach, sit in the front seat, well above other traffic and stock up well with sandwiches and coffee. Then, instruct the driver to drive the streets of the area along all the main roads, and visit some of the major tourist attractions and car parks in order to survey the massed ranks of passing and parked vehicles.
A recipe for rapid progression in the CNPS stakes. Except that. Not one, not even a possible one, was spotted. Every other number you can mention, oh yes. Loads I could save up for a possible return visit. But number 14 is not out on the streets today. I was going cross eyed with looking. Nothing. Zilch. De nada. Nichts. Zero. Disembarking from the coach, downhearted and tired eyed, I wandered wearily back to the office.
And then… A coach, parked at a hotel carried the magic number. It was from Lincolnshire, which leads me to believe there has been an historic embargo on the issue of “14”s in this area. Having brought the issue of CNPS to the attention of the boss’s daughter (“I always thought you were a really interesting person, Andy”) and my sister (“What? Are you sure? Are you 5?”), and my mate Jen (“ I always thought of you as a little eccentric, if not autistic”), I am becoming a little worried. 15 here we come. 
