06:55..... Out into the big chill! The pavement is covered with a thick sheet of freshly laid snow, just the way I like it.
07:10...... Now standing at platform four with the usual suspects, waiting for the 07:17 First Captial Connect fast train from Peterborough to King's Cross.
I'm still getting over last night's adventure to our local cinema. What happened? Well, last night DOS man and I were at Cineworld cinema in Cambridge, large mixed bag of popcorn and large diet coke 'combo' between us. He wanted to see 'Jackass' in 3D..... Big mistake! Why? My viewpoint on this film is...... Why would anyone PAY to see this? A bunch of grown men acting their shoe size, not their age....And after scanning the audience I came to the conclusion that 'Jackass' is a 'Boy' thing. I am not going to go into details other than my action alone spoke volume......that is that I either had my eyes close or near to projectile vomitting whilst sitting though the movie...... NEVER AGAIN!
Southbound Victoria line..... Didn't have to wait long for a train and bagged a seat at Euston station.

Platform nine (the losers platform) for the 16:40 is showing up at the main departure board so I make my way towards it with time to spare. I am now sat next to a grumpy looking old woman. She is continually fidgeting: searching her brown handbag on her lap, searching another larger bag on the floor by her feet, taking something out and munching then sticking her finger in her mouth and starts to use it as a toothpick eeeewwaaahh! She's now looking in her handbag again.... Both hands in her handbag for a while...... then out comes a digital camera and spectacles. She puts the spectacles on and begins to view photo snaps from the camera. The carriage is quiet and I stretched my neck to see why. Many commuters are asleep, others are reading their newspapers, one gentleman is watching something on his Apple Mac iPod.
I'm beginning to regret sitting next to Miss fidgety!
I have my fingers crossed and hope she gets off at the next stop otherwise I'm stuck with her until St Neots..... like Siamese twins!
"The next station is Biggleswade" says the annoucement and no sign of Miss fidgety getting off...... Wait...... She's ruffling through her handbang AGAIN.....and out comes receipts, approximately four and she looks at them one by one digesting every word.
I can't wait to get away! St Neots station doesn't come quick enough!

Left the office earlier than usual in case of delays or problems with the Victoria line. The streets towards Victoria station is busy. I missed the train by seconds and waited for the next one. "Due to industrial action, Victoria line trains are not stopping at Pimlico, Warren Street and Tottenham Hale stations" bellows the tannoy.........that's fine by me! I managed to bag a seat straight away and watched as the carriage filled it's hungry belly with cold looking commuters
"Warren Street is closed.......the doors will not open at Warren Street" this time a female voice comes though the tannoy.  The train arrives at Warren Street, stops for a couple of seconds and starts moving again without it's doors opening
I am sat next to a school girl in grey uniform on my right and a middle-aged man in jeans on my left 

The train arrives on time and stops a few yards short of where I stood, opens and welcomes us in. There were plenty of empty seats so all rushed into the train doing a Right! Right! Right!...... we all went and there were enough seats for us all.
"Victoria line and Northern line are running on 'Special' today"
"Special?.....is that for 'special people?".....laughter erupts through our carriage. So far so good. There's no interruption to our First Capital Connect journey to King's Cross. Stevenage stop came and went.....King's Cross is heaving with hundreds of commuters both inside the concourse and outside. I make
my way to the underground entrance and join the growing queue outside the gate and wait to enter. Five minutes later and I'm inside walking down the steps towards the barrier and then the escalators......Southbound Victoria line to Victoria station......
A train has it's door's mouth opened and I thought luck was on my side.....but alas it was not! The train had been stood there for a while and was PACKED! I deccided it was better to wait for the next train than to attempt to get into this one......so I mentally waved it goodbye when it finally departs. The next train came soon after and I enter and stand. A male voice filters through the tannoy.     
"......where this train terminates at Victoria"
That's fine by me! The train is packed to the brim but I managed to bag a seat at Oxford Circus. The train has stopped in mid flow.....
"......waiting for the train in front to depart from Victoria station" annouced the tannoy...... with an appologise to placify us. I'm not looking forward to my return journey home!

06:50.....Depart from the warm comfort of my home to confront the dark icy chilly white blanket covering the pavements in St Neots. Picture this......The six o'clock alarm screamed at me to get up and I stretched out my right arm searching in the dark for the 'off' button and managed to turn it off, rolled over intending to take advantage of my DOS man being around to give me a lift to the station...... then I remembered! Today is STRIKE DAY.... Courtesy of Transport for London's boss..........Mr Crow...... HUMBUG!
I lept out of my bed, switched on the bedside light and saunter my way to the bathroom. 
07:02.......Arrived at St Neots station, received a big hug and kiss from my DOS man and made my way begrudgingly through the barrier, up the steps, across the bridge and down the steps to platform four. Minutes later I was joined by one train buddy, two train buddies, three, four....nine of us all in all. We greet, we hug and chatted about; the weather, X factor and the weekend.
"I tried to take my plane out yesterday" said the one train buddy who was lucky enough to have his own small plane.
"What happened?"
"Well..... It took about half an hour to scrape the ice off the screen, but then the battery was dead!
"Oh dear!

"Excuse me please, may I?"
"Yes off cause" he smiles, stands and waits patiently as I disrobed; first my gloves then my scarf and finally my coat
"Thank you" I smile and sit
"You're welcome" he smiles and settles down besides me
He is slightly on the large side but tall enough to carry the weight. He had a red fleeced jacket on. His full hair peppered with grey strands. He reads the 'Evening Standards' with one knee up in the air against the small tray in front of him......"How strange!" I thought to myself

Standing on the Northbound Victoria line......"to Seven Sisters only!" screams a male voice on the tannoy. The platform is packed as the train arrives. Once opened there was a rush to enter. I am one of a few lucky commuters to get seated and seconds later the train is full. At Oxford Circus many disembark leaving space along the long aisle. My fingers are crossed hoping to get to King's Cross in time for the 17:10. Warren Street comes and goes - now Euston station and a reminder to "Please remember to take your belongings with you" followered by "Stand clear of the closing doors" and " Please keep your luggage with you"
Kings Cross station finally arrives and as I step out of the mouth of the train, I glanced up at the nearby clock...... 17:04. Anxiety begins to build as I zig zag my way through the crowd, running as fast as I could up the moving escalators, through the barrier and up the short flight of steps. The time is now 17:06....the clock is mocking me with it's rather annoying bright light. I ran up more steps and head straight to the concourse where I eagerly search for my train...... And there it was, in bright neon light 'One' under 'Platform" so once again I zig zag my way through through the maddening crowd to platform one just making it with just a minute to spare

Southbound Victoria line is empty..... Well almost empty. I stand at the platform end chatting to a 'tube' buddy, a gentleman who actually gets on the same First Capital Connect train and at the same station as myself but sits in another carriage hence not a 'train' but a 'tube' buddy
We chat until a train pulls up letting us into it's warm belly albeit it full belly. Fortunately I bagged a seat at Euston station. The train is now full to its capacity and standing room only. Silence lingers throughout and only the ruffle of newspapers cuts through the cold air. Commuters absorbed in their own little world.
Now walking up the Victoria station escalators, through the barrier stopping only to put on my coat, scarf and gloves stopping at Marks & Spencers via Cardinal Place for today's lunch .

07:05 DOS man kindly gave me a lift to the station........door to door service.......on a frosty morning......NICE!
Already on platform four is one of my namesake, all on her own
"Good morning"
"Good morning" followed by a tearful sniff
"What's wrong? I asked?
She shows me a story in the Metro newspaper and I skim through it. Something about a woman who had her car and mobile phone stolen - the end story was her father passed way in hospital because of the theif..... SCUMBAG!
We talk about it and whilst in conversation another train buddy joins us, then another.
07:17 the train arrives and our normal carriage is half empty. I spot only one train buddy on it and we head straight towards him
We talk about our outing to 'Aunties' Thai restaurant in our local town last night, we toasted our new addition to 'our family', we talked about our pending Xmas meal

Compared to where I was yesterday..... Surrounded by bikini clad and barely dressed relaxed people to commuters heavily ladened with overcoats, scarfs and gloves..... I know where I would rather be right now.
The train is quiet apart from an orchestra of coughs and sneezes and the turning of newspapers
The man next to me is fast asleep and has his arms folded and legs slightly apart. His mouth his tightly closed as if you'd need a crowbar to praise it open. At least he wasn't snoring..... Train slows down has it arrives at Hitchin and...... Up jumps my neighbour, grabbing hold of his luggage and disembarking at Hitchin station. Next stop...... St Neots

On reaching Victoria station I and other commuters were turned away from our normal entrance
"Please make your way to the other entrance" bellows a Transport for London staff so I turned left and went round 'to the other entrance'
Once downstairs I was met by a sea bed of commuters..... Like a lemming I follow the lost souls towards the District and Circle line not quite sure of the reason behind this padomeniac furore
I believe it was something to do with the escalators not working but don't quote me on that!
"Keep to your right and straight for Victoria line, right for District and Circle line"
I floated along, down unfamiliar stairs and what seemed lilt eternity, finally arrived at the my desired platform.
"Due to a passenger under the train at blah! blah! blah! Central line is closed, please use alternative route"
What with the starting and stopping to our journey to King's Cross we missed our planned 17:10 but managed to get the 17:40 from platform two

08:05......Gatwick underground Southern train platform one to Victoria station. Just leaving East Croydon station and the train is PACKED!
A young woman talks loudly on her (pink) mobile
"Guess what my mobile bill is?"
"F****** three hundred and blah!blah!blah!"
"Yeah you heard!" laughs loudly
"Everyone kept asking to use my mobile on holiday.....plus I went on Facebook"
"I'll have to use on of my credit cards innit!"
" Told my dad....thinking that he'd give me some money..... He F****** told me to use my credit card. He's got five grand on one and eight grand on another"
I switched off then...... The land of credit card isn't in my remit..... I can proudly say that I've NEVER OWNED ONE!

07:41....At Gatwick airport underground station after an early morning wake up call from the hotel, shower and full English breakfast. Today is the beginning of the rest of my life......I mean today is the beginning of reality AGAIN! Milling through the South terminal to the underground ticket office for our ticket to join the ratrace.......I HAVE TO PAY TO JOIN!!!
My destination?????....WORK!
So Westminster......here I come!

Why?
The thought of going back to normality, the rush hour, the crowded London tube, the delayed First Capital Connect trains........just doesn't sit well.
My mind comes back to today and a smile spreads across my mouth as I take another sip and savour the moment.
13:40.....lunch consisting of salad, for starters and swordfish as my main dish.
14:30...... back in our room for a quick shower and relaxation.
17:30........ Refreshed and ready for the night Market in Los Abrigos. Walked along the coast line and enjoyed the fresh sea air.
Thr Market is small and disappointing.
19:05......return to our room, en route the lobby, clutching a tall glass if Pina colado.
20:15........showered and donned in evening wear trekked down to the restaurant for our 'last supper'

Today is a last full day so we packed as many activities as we possible could: Breakfast? No! Why? Overslept..... I blame it on the on tap drinks! 10:05..... Finally dragged myself out of bed and into the shower. My outfit for the day laid on the bed;
Bikini......check
Linen White trousers.....check
Black tank top......check
Flip flop........check
iPhone .......check (my BFF - Best Friend Forever)
My Patricia Cornwall novel.....check
White sunglasses......check
11:25 and making our way to the pool nearer to the beach. After finding a spot we flung our beach towel on the edge of our seat and made our way to the bar.
"Pina Colado.....por favour"
"JB and coke.....por favour"
"Gracias"
Sipping my Pina colado I take a three hundred and sixty degrees look at my surrounding and feel a twinge of sadness

I'm sat by one of the many pools in our hotel San Blas, overlooking the beautify ocean. The ocean and the sky seem to merge as one and seems to go on forever. Cambridgeshire and London are a million lifetime away..... Bitter wind and frost? Not here.....it's as if spring has sprung. I take another sip out of my tall slim glass filled with sangria, ice and a slice of lemon and continue to read 'Predator' by one of my favourite fiction writers, Patricia Cornwall. The sun smiles down at me as if recognising me.....somewhere in time, familiar with my entire being..... recharging me with much needed energy. I sip more sangria, I am engrossed in my book, I soak in the sun and relax both mentally and physically.

We decided to venture into the small fishing village of Los Abrigos which is a short drive from our hotel.

We walk along the picturesque harbour and pass an amazing selection of fish restaurants and were spoilt for choice. We decide on our second choice and and was immediately met by a young Spanish waiter.

"Buenas tardes"

"Buenas tardes"

"English?"

"Si....... Yes"

Smiles all round as he escorts us to our seats. A wine list is shown and we proceed to order.

"Two glasses of white wine and a bottle of still water...... por favor"

He disappears returning with our order.

"Thank you"

He hands us the main menu

"What do you recommend?"

"Sea bass or Hake........ but all our fish on the menu are very nice"

We order and he disappears again and while we wait for our meal, we relax and watch the world go by in front of us. Our order arrived, we ate, we drank, we got lost in conversation whilst watching the locals in their boats getting on with their every day activities.

Yes the waiter was right....... the meal was indeed amazing, the fresh fish we ate were succulent.

Los Abrigos is a beautiful village and a must for visiting if you are ever in the vicinity. Here you will be able to sample a taste of the quieter side of their culture. 

Don't get me wrong... Playa de las Americas is a must to visit. It's a modern day Garden of Eden. What with it's large buildings, it's busy traffic and population of tourists. We strolled past the series of rocky beaches along the length of the resort and marvelled at the cleanliness of it all. Playa de las Americas has no resembles to Los Cristianos if my memories recalls

Sat on out hotel free shuttle coach ride to Playa de las Americas..... a whole day of sightseeing, seafront relaxation et al. It's a beautiful start of the morning. Looking out of the moving coach are mountains on both sides and the view of the ocean on the left .......amazing landscape.....to say the least!
We drove past Los Cristianos ........our first visit to Tenerife was  Los Cristianos  when we cable ride up to Mount Tiede 
If you're looking for beaches then Playa de las Americas is not for you..... only rocks and pebbles at the edge of the ocean 

Second incident......
Last night I decided to take advantage of our jacuzzi bathtub.........and had my own Titanic!
Why?
Well picture this...... 
Running bath water.....check!
Bath half full........check!
So I step in and switch on the jacuzzi and water bubbling outside the bath!
DOS stands laughing his head off behind the see through door as I screamed!
The jacuzzi nozzles were all facing upwards(I blame the last user)
So far to say...... After finally enjoying my jacuzzi, I ended up doing..... what I call 'The towel twist'......
What's that?
Standing on a towel on the flooded floor and twisting/mopping up.......with DOS man in a laughing fit!
I AM NOT AMUSED!

Two incidents yesterday........  
First incident....
A 'Blocked' mobile call
"may I speak to Nikki?"
"Speaking..... Who's this?"
"It's blah! blah! blah! from blah! blah! blah! "
Oh dear! It's a COLD CALL!...... I only answered the call because I thought it might have been an urgent call from family, friend or work! I hate cold callers with passion!
So my wicked mode kicked in.
I let her rumble on for a couple more minutes even sounding interested
"I'm actually in Tenerife right now......' And before I could say anything else.......CLICK! 
That'll teach her!

We are looking at our commuting options this morning. A mile and a half around the coastline after breakfast before heading to the library in our hotel, standing in front of a large projector screen with a Praticia Cornwell book on tow. Now sat on our own private Idaho (balcony) reading a book of our choice with likewise drinks; Malibu and lemonade for me and JB and pepsi for DOS man. This afternoon it's either kayaking or mountain bike riding.... not quite sure which at this given time

After breakfast ( washed down with a glass of cava) we ventured out of our hotel to the sea... I say sea because there's no beach only rocks and large pebbles..... Aaaah! But what a beautiful sight of the Atlantic Ocean and the greatest view of Mount Teide!!! The sum is out to play as it kisses my forehead, bare arms, I felt happy and relaxed.

We ordered White wine and still water so four glasses; two filled with White wine, two filled with still water. So much food in one place.....so spoilt for choice!!! Our neighbours were an elderly British couple who had only arrived the night before. We exchanged pleasantries and marvelled together about our opinions of the hotel. Lovely couple who met two years ago in Gambia, not only falling in love with the country but with each other. They had both been married but lost their partners to the great man above.

After registering into the hotel, we were directed to the bar for our first drink..... Sangria mixed with either cava or red wine.....
"Red wine por favor"
"Gracias"
We sat, sipped our sangria on the rocks through a single straw and marvelled at the interior around us. After our first drink, we made our way back to the reception, handed back our passports and each given our own card key for our sleeping quarters.
"Gracias"
The bellboy escorted us to our room. What can I say about our room?
It reminds me of the Sofitel..... A separate toilet and bidet room, shower room, a bath with a jacuzzi trimming, a large plasma tv, desk, sofa, wardrobes with automatic interior lighting..... So far so good.
The restuarant was equally impressive.....
"Buenas tardes"
"Buenas tardes"
"Como......?"
"Dos"

Arrived safely, South Tenerife airport and our departure from the airport was made easier because we only had hand luggage each, so we exited the airport straight to our driver.... Exchanged a few Spanish greetings, loaded our luggage in the boot and drove less than ten minutes through San Miguel De Abona to our hotel, Sandos San Blas

On the plane now shortly to take off! All tanked up with booze and ready to begin our holiday. Sun, beach, golf, spa, gym, and S** in our four star all inclusive hotel.

Whizzed through check-in and now sitting at the Ascot lounge (note to myself...... DO NOT USE THIS LOUNGE AGAIN! You have to server up your own drinks and there's not a good variety of options. Soooooo...... the holiday mode is set inn motion as I sip my first alcoholic drink and munch on the titbits on offer. My reiable Mac is placed on the desk and plugged in for free Wi-Fi (ing). My DOS man helps himself to a Bloody Mary and settles down to surf the net. I'm off to see what else is in offer to drink and eat then I'll settle down to read the free Hello magazine

We finally board the train to Gatwick from London Bridge. Had an horrendous journey up until that point..... Ok! Let's go back an hour.... Off the fast train at Kings Cross, walked down to the Northern line that should take us about five stops to London Bridge but just as we board the train an annoucement was heard.... "Train will be at a standstill until further notice due to blah! blah! blah!...... advice to seek alternative route to your journey" So off we go doing just that. So we took the Northern line via Charing Cross to Waterloo then Jubilee line to London Bridge and First Capital Cinnect train to Gatwick...... What a palaver!!!

My DOS man finally gets a seat when a commuter disembarked at Stevenage. We give each other a smile as he seats besides a slightly greyhead gentleman. My neighbour stirs..... goes into a coughing fit, opening her eyes as she continues to cough. She gets out her blackberry and fiddles with it momentarily, lays it on the little table in front of her, folds her arms and goes back into sleep mode. It's a nonstop journey to Kings Cross now, then the Northern line to London Bridge, then straight to Gatwick, check in before heading straight to the Sofitel air lounge for breakfast/brunch and plenty of DRINKS!

07:25 depart from home to station. Family waved us off as we set off on a well deserved break to Tenerife. We planned to get the 08:20 train from platform four, now delayed by three minutes. We made small talk with two male commuters; talking about the weather (well, we ate Britsh!)...... the three minutes delay and the underground. This is what i like about my town, strangers talk to each other.... COMMUNICATION! Unlike London, where people are too scared to look at each other for fear of being seen as 'dissimg' Train arrives and only one of us secured a seat.... ME! I sat next to a twentysomething year old female in a red coat who is fast asleep, oblivious of my presence

My neighbour is now standing near the door ready to escape. There are a few more like him..... Eager beavers, standing long before they need to! It's pitch black outside now. I stand up, stretched my arms and reached out for my coat and drape it across my shoulder, one arm in the sleeve then the other arm..... I proceed to bottom up, turning up my collar and prepare mysel for the enemy without..... The cold weather that awaits me

I'm standing near the concourse at King's Cross waiting for the 17:40 platform to show. It's packed. I continue to stare at the departure board willing there to be a sign. I look around me and a smile spreads across my face......
Why?
All around me commuters were doing the same, standing still with heads up.....all waiting for their (platform) number to come up.
Platform five shows for my destination, then......"Platform five for the seventeen forty to Peterborough" A female voice is heard coming out of the tannoy.
I glided towards platform five blurring with the sea of likeminded commuters. I walked towards the front of the train and entered my usual carriage.... Sat near the window beside a middle-aged gentleman. As I sat down I saw a male train buddy but couldn't be asked to be excused - my neighbour was reading his book. We exchanged pleasantries over the heads of other commuters. Another train buddy arrives and sits besides him. Again we exchange pleasantries and chatted about our up and commingled Xmas meal plan

I'm now standing in the long aisle of the Southbound Victoria line train..... The a smell if cough medicine going up my nostrils....... All the passengers seating in front of me are engrossed in their free Metro paper

Stevenage came and went and more commuters have joined us but standing room only for them. I look out of the window and could only see FOG!
I look around me and see people if all shapes, sizes and colour doing their own things; taking that extra thirty minutes snooze, reading the latest news or novel, listening to their favourite song, writing that last minute note ...... just wiling away the time before face the office once again. We've left Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire behind and London, the city, is in sight..... The fog is now replaced by the sun...... And the retrace commences
Nooooooo...... Maybe not! 07:57 and the train has stopped in midflow. The engine rumbles for a while before cutting off completely!
A minute has pass...... The engine roars but still no movement and no annoucement given. Some commuters are getting out their mobiles
"ladies and Gentlemen, I appolise for the deley......waiting for a train ......blah! blah! blah!....from the platform"
08:03..... Engine cut off AGAIN!.....It stirrs and begins it's journey

Left! Left! Left! as I entered the train and sat next to a bespectacled grey-haired pinstripe suited gentleman. He was engrossed UN some paper work......perhaps he things this is an extension to his office.....
In my world
"Excuse me sir.....I'm sorry to bother you" I nudge him ever so gently.
"Yes, young lady, what can I do you for? I smile at him because he called me 'young lady'
" I do believe this to be a train not on office" I replied sarcastically.
" Oh! I do beg your pardon! How selfish of me" He apologises profusely and packs away his paper work out of sight
But alas the gentleman is still flipping over his paper work and occasionally scribbles on a sheet

06:47..... As I opened my front door I was confronted by the same bitterness as yesterday morning. Shuting the door behind me, I took a deep breathe and took the bait. It was a frosty dark morning indeed! The field was covered with crystallised ice topping like icing on a cake. I had my sensible walking shoes on, a black poloneck jumper under a grey trouser suit topped off with a long macintosh and a pair of black leather gloves. This weather wasn't going to get the better of me. Arrived at the station at 07:15...... went through the barrier with ease, up the stairs, across the bridge, down the stairs where the usual suspects stood huddled together. I joined along with the huddle and before long the train comes and becomes visible through the cold mist

08:13...chatted all the way to the Southbound Victoria line with a train buddy. Missed the first train but was able to get on the next one.... standing room only. Euston and still standing and eerily quiet. I try my hand on train surfing...... Legs slightly apart. Knees slightly bend and away I gooooo! It adds a bit of fun to an otherwise miserable journey

Gazing out of the window: the sun is out, light conquers dark...... Noooooo! The train has stopped in mid flow....and it's only Monday! Doh! and double Doh!.......it's moving again, slowly but surely.....it gathers speed and is now running at a slower pace. At least it's warm in the carriage...... We slowly pass Alexandra Palace staion..... One of the stations we normally whizz by.....it's not looking good..... just passed Hornsey.... No annoucement from the driver.....
" I do appolise for the slow service this morning due to.... blah! blah! blah! at Alexandra Palace" Something about switching tracks blah! blah! blah!
Just passed Funsbury Park and onward to King's Cross

The train arrives on time and stops a few metres away from us. I notice a few seat at our usual carriage and took my chance for securing a seat in the other carriage so...... Left! Left! Left! placing my bag on the first available seat next to a sleeping young lady. Off comes my jacket and scarf. Although I wasn't sat with the gang I can hear their voices albeit muffled.... My neighbour get off at Stevenage and was replaced by a bespectacled middle-aged man. He gets out his mobile...... a blackberry and begins to text. There a several commuters standing, a few sleepers, a few earplugged into the gadget of their chose, a few readers. There are no laptop users this morning but a few texters......tap! tap! tapping away with their fingers......an orchestra of texters!

Monday morning and ready for what the day holds for me. Slamming the door behind me as I begin my journey to the station, I am met with a bitter slap on the face..... Yes it's bitter cold outside and a 'Pea souper'
So three elements of Mother Nature.... Darkness. Fog and bitter cold temperature. 07:13 arrival at the station. The barrier mocks me as it swallows up me season ticket refusing to give it back. This is the second time it's happened. With time in my hand, I didn't panic.
"Sorry to bother you" I said to the ticket officer standing nearby
"I'll retrieve your ticket for you"
And as he proceeds to get his keys...... Out pops my ticket..... still mocking me.
"Oh there it is!"
"No worries"
"Thank you"
"No worries"
He smiles...... I smile and pass through the barrier grabbing my ticket as I do so. Platform four is buzzing. Only one train buddy.
We exchange pleasantries and within minutes another train buddy arrives and joins in conversation

My neighbour has now pulled out what looks like a memo pad and begins to scrbble. I take a sly gander and realise that it's a journal...... My guess is.... He's I'm the army. He has that air about him.... Besides, I notice the envelop was addressed to ........'Army Training...... Couldn't dicifer the rest. I am sooooo nosy!

He continues with his masterpiece, ruffles into a large Manila envelope and brings out a smaller white envelope, read through his letter and precedes to fold. He sticks it into the envelope and writes a name and address on the envelope..... The art of letter writing has not completely died then.....

I wave goodbye to the retrace and welcome my humble town that awaits me and wonder what else awaits my journey home from the station

16:58 KX stop......twelve minutes..... times in my side and a calmly walked up the escalators, through the barriers and up the stairs. The departure board near platform eight is not working so I glide through the packed concourse and searched for my platform. Platform two is kit up and I proceed towards it. Again..... a leisurely walk as I had six minutes to go. I'm now sat beside a Jean cladded man who's busy scribbling away

It's dark, wet and miserable and not a good start to the weekend. I managed to bag the last seat on the Northbound Victoria line. I may have a seat but I'm sat next to a rather large man who has raided part of my space leaving me squashed beside me.
In my world
"I'm so sorry for being large..... I'm on a diet at the moment. A seafood diet"
"A 'see food and eat it' diet I presume!
"Why yes..... How did you guess?"
And he has a nerve to spread out his newspaper taking more space!

The train was already getting full and I went towards the nearest one to me. A young woman sat nearer to the window. Just as I was about to sit down she looked up at me........."I'm saving that seat for a friend"
"You do know that this isn't a reservation train and I can't see your friends name on it"
Then I noticed the gentleman sat alone on the other side. I couldn't be asked to talk to an imbecile, picked up my Caitlin and bag and headed towards the gentleman.
"Excuse me please.....may I?
"Yes off course!"
He smiles......I smile
"Thank you"
As I sat down I noticed that an elderly gentleman had taken my previous seat an watch as the woman squirmed. She fiddles with her mobile
"Where are you? The train is filling up and I was trying to save a seat for you"
The gentleman chose to acknowledge her subtle hint and continues to fold his overcoat, resting it on the overhead cabinet
You young woman is a F****** imbecile!

The departure board is showing that the 17:10 has been cancelled...... F***! Here we go! "The 17:14 departs from platform eleven" screams the tannoy and has I was just about to debate whether to take it or not a familiar face from my journey came up to me.
"Do you know why it's been cancelled?" I asked
"No" she replied
A repeat of the 17:14 is heard and together we decided to go for it. We talked and walked and saw a few more familiar faces

Saw the Northbound platform three train close it's doors and leave without me. I consoled myself and joined the already crowded platform and wait for the  next one. I'm lucky to get a seat and look around me at tired looking faces and see myself staring back at me. Although there are no vacant seats, the train is not as packed as this morning. 

I wait at the platform edge...... Patiently for the Southbound train at the Victorian line. At a blink of an eye, the platform fills to the brim. A train arrives and I was guided like a sheep into it. I stand in the very crowded middle aisle  along with all the other BO lovers before upgrading to the long aisle and then finally a seat
There's a stench from wet overcoats and all in all miserable wet looking commuters

07:48...... The train starts to slow down (which is never a good sign)
Now it's stopped...... Slowly begins to pick up speed....... YES!
My neighbour is now attempting to do the crosswords...... not crosswords......Suduko
In my world
'Actually it's Suduko
'I'm sorry'
I look away..... he continuos with the Suduko. That teaches me for being nosy!
I remind myself to stop at Marks and Spencers on my way to the office to buy ......my LUNCH
A couple of minutes and we'll be at Kings Across

07:14 made my way to platform four and met only three train buddies
The train arrives on time and down comes the umbrellas as the commuters step into the dry belly of the carriage
There are no other train buddies in our carriage but unfortunately we were seated UN different location
The middle-aged man sat next to me is reading the 'Business' part of 'The Daily Telegraph'
Directly opposite me is one of my namesake and beside her is a middle-aged woman
So what are we all doing?
Well...... He is still caressing his large newspaper, she is reading a book and 'The two Nikki's chat about ideas for our 'Outer London Society' Xmas dinner

06:48.....The wind surrounds the house and challenges me to show my face
Wrapped up in my warm coat and wholly scarf I take the bait and step out into the still dark morning
I am not only met by the wind..... but rain as well!
I refused to search for my umbrella deep in my bag and instead draped my scarf over my head and begin my brisk walk to the station
Met a few walking buddies, couple of dog walkers

16:58..... KX 
I zigzag my way through the crowd and walked up the moving escalator
The nearest departure sign to platform is not working.......doh!
I make my way through to the concourse and search for the 17:10 to Peterborough 
And there it was......the number four staring brightly at me
Having eight minutes before departure, I take a leisurely walk towards platform four and enter my usual carriage 
I spot a train buddy but alas..... no vacant seat beside her
I sat myself beside a middle-aged suited gentleman
He is fiddling with his iPod nano...... Sticks the earplugs on and continues to read his free Evening Standard
  

Victoria line Northbound platform is PACKED!
I manage to bag the last empty seat.......it's standing room for the rest of them.
A man is talking loudly but I can't understand 
Why?
It certainly is not English.... Could be Polish bit I'm not quite sure
So far so good! There hasn't been any stops or ' train queueing'
Next stop is mine

My neighbour stirs and is now wide awake
He stares out of the window and like me savours the beautiful scenery
It's getting quite warm and a couple of commuters discard their coats.
More chit chat from the usual suspects
Just passed Finsbury Park and our journey's end is in aight..... Well, part of it anyway.... The underground beckons...... A journey I detest most of the time
Southbound Victoria line awaits me....down the escalators and into the platform
The underground commuters are standing huddled together I'm no orderly queue
A minute pass before the train arrives, stops and spits out commuters before taking us in board
The carriage is packed and I quickly make my way to tje long aisle..... Standing room only off cause
More sleepy heads..... I hate the underground with passion!
Always packed, too hot and smelly

I'm sat next to a bearded sleepy head gentleman in a striped shirt and dark trousers
He's wired for sound.....thank God it's not blearing out like some
Stevenage commuters have now boarded the train but alas...... Standing room only
I look out of the window and see the sum shining brightly, smiling at me
We pass fields, trees and a golf course
There are quite a few sleepy heads on the train, a few are reading their chosen reading materials; newspapers, books.....

06:47
Slammed the door behind me and begun my journey to the station.
Met one dog walker and a couple of cyclists on my way
07:14 arrival at station, through the barrier and across the bridge to platform four and into the bosoms of my train buddies
The usual suspects, old train buddies who no longer do the weekly commute but do so on odd occasions and a few unfamiliar faces
The train arrives, stops in front of us, opens it's mouth and embraced us into it's warm interior
We all managed to get a seat with mote train buddies from Huntingdon and Peterborough
We chatted amongst ourselves to while away the time

Victoria line southbound train came and went without me but a minute later another one came along
Although it was standing room only it wasn't heavily packed
I managed to bag a seat at Euston......great!

06:48 and I've set off in my walk to the station
Arrived at 07:14 and met a handful of train buddies
Train arrives in time, 07:17, opens and we embark
There were no train buddies fro Huntingdon nor Peterborough on board. I sat next to a male buddy and chatted all the way

Or perhaps he's one of a dying breed......a gentleman and a scholar?
But eh! Do I care? I got a seat!!!!

A gentleman has just offered me his seat
'Thank you'
'you're welcome'
He smiled, I smiled and sat on the still warm seat
Now why did he give up his seat before we stopped at Hitchin?
Could it be because I was looking over his shoulder as he played with his Blackberry?
Could it be that he felt sorry for me and my heavy breathing?

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that an empty seat is available at the next stop....... The train's slowing...... Please don't stop! Not now........I just want to get home in time to savour a hot shower, get into my homely clothing and have supper and a stiff drink

Train finally stops at KX with six minutes to spare
You should have seen me leg it up the escalator!
F***! F***! F***!
Nearest departure board's not F****** working
Saw a couple of made hares dashing towards platform four........ So I follow and prayed to God that they were leading me to the right platform

Just missed a Southbound train on the Victoria line.......another one should be here shortly (fingers crossed eh)
There's a sniffer beside me......get a tissue and BLOW!
Here comes the train.......stops.......opens and yep!....standing room only..stuck in the middle with the rest of the BO lovers
Even commuters disembarking at Oxford Circus made no impact whatsoever!
Stood all the way

Gentleman is awake........ I can sense his eyes on my iPhone......he's trying to read my blog
I look up at him and he quickly adjusted his eyes elsewhere!
You can't pull that curious glance on me....... I used to doing it myself

 Suited gentleman is sat sleeping beside me 
He has his closed laptop clutched tightly on his lap...... 
I'm sat at the two by two facing seats..... Two train buddies facing me and we chatted awhile 
On the other two by two seats, sat two more train buddies and two unfamiliar faces
I'm pleased to day that none of us are sat on the rack

07:13....... Went through the open barrier and walked across the bridge to platform four
One of my namesake was already there....... It's going to be just to Nikki's for awhile
Why?
Our third wheel is with child and now preparing for the new arrival. Your presence is sorely missed Nikki

06:48.......was forced to say goodbye to the warm interior of my home and frogmarched to the station by the high wind!
With the wind behind me I arrived at the station wind swept