I had to go to Aldershot in 2003 for my resettlement brief. Which sadly wasn't particularly useful...
I'd anticipated the 'Home of the British Army' being all shining brass, spit and polish, manicured lawns and black-and-white kerbs, well-maintained buildings and with 'Guns at Batasi' Richard Attenborough-style RSMs marching about the place...
It wasn't. It was an utter tip. Shabby run down buildings, overgrown patches of grass and a few sulking squaddies shambling about looking glum. No pride whatsoever and it even made Tidworth look smart.