Saturday 30 April 2011

As soon as I had unpacked, showered and changed to more comfortable attire, I took a pew in front of our hotel room television and surfed the channels until I found an English speaking channel and...........
watched the whole event
I loved the:
Hats!
Kate's wedding dress!
The whole nine yard......even Mother Nature gave her blessing with a great big smile, smiling down on the whole of Westminster, London, on Prince William, on Kate and all the people of the land
Yes!........ I know.........
I AM A SECRET ROYALIST at heart!
And living in Cambridgeshire is an added bonus.....
WELCOME, to the new DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE and DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE
Now lets go back to yesterday's Royal wedding.......
Since my invitation to William and Kate's wedding (you see me, William and Kate are on first names term) was lost in the post (and I'm in Bangkok) I sadly did not attend THE wedding!
However.......I must make a confession..............
We took a free ride on a tuk tuk and before long, arrived at our hotel, the Royal View Resort Hotel on Rangnam Road, Bangkok.
DOS man introduced me to the hotel receptionist staff and we converse as if we knew each other already
Why?
Well, I had spoken to several of them via 'skype' 
After a light conversation with the staff, we made our way to our room. 
On first impression (which I normally don't do but I', tired and weather beaten)....... the staff are very pleasant and rather humble 
We touched down at Suvarnabhumi airport in Bangkok and I wait in line to disembark from the plane. 
Mother Nature welcomed me to Bangkok......... by the intense afternoon heat but I was not complaining. We were promptly directed through the 'foreign passport' then to the 'luggage' carousel to await our luggages.
DOS man was waiting for me at the arrival
"Hello sweetie" he said, followed by a huge hug and big kiss
"Hello to you too sweetheart" I replied as I gave him the trolley and followed him to the new State Railway of Thailand (SRT) station adjacent to the airport. I said' new' because the last time I was here was two years ago (actually two years in August) with my family: DOS man, No 1 and No 2 daughters and one special little man (my Munchkin) ....... and SRT was not yet in use or built.
The State Railway of Thailand is the official Airport Rail Link that facilitates the transportation of passengers from downtown Bangkok to Suvarnabhumi. Our stop was the last stop, Phaya Thai, eight stops in total and all of thirty minutes from start to end of our destination
The station stops were as follows;
Lat Krabang station - which is located on Romklao Road near king King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang.   
Ben Thap Chang station - which is located north of Ban Thap Chang railway station.
HuaMak station - which is located north of Srinakarin Road
Ramkhamhaeng station - which is located on Ramkhamhaeng Road near Klongtan Intersection, two universities (Ramkhamhaeng and Assumption), and to my delight.........department stores within a radius of two point five kilometres 
Makkasan station - which is located approximately four hundred metres away from Bangkok City Air Terminal (BCAT)
Ratchaprarop station - which is located where the Ratchaprarop Road crosses with Nikom Makkasan Road
And the final station, Phaya Thai  - which is located on the east side of Phaya Thai Road 

The drink trolley came by and stopped nearby
"Drink madam?"
"Yes please......... white wine, thank you"
She pours the house (plane) wine into a small glass and hands it to me with a smile
"Thank you"
"You're welcome"
My next seat but one English man begins to tell me his life story......interesting to start with but then BORING as he waffled on!
An hour (but was seemed like etenity) passed and I now know that;
"I'm travelling to meet my Thai wife"
"I haven't seen her for four months"
"Her wayward seventeen year old is being 'wayward'......."my step-daughter!" he quickly added
"Second wife....married for four years in the UK"
"She insisted in the big white British wedding......I obliged!"
By this time, I could have easily slit my throat or better still......HIS!
But the concequences for that would be......
Me.......life sentence
HIM....dead
And no more retail therapy and HOLIDAYS.........
So in my world.......
The ghastily deed is done!
No more MR.......'my wife is Thai....blah! blah! blah!
 

Friday 29 April 2011

More fast backwards........ Thursday, work until late afternoon, met No 2 daughter at my new office and walked together to the nearby Loch Fyne restaurant. I ordered monkfish and king prawn Thai dish (well, this time tomorrow I will be in the heart of Bangkok so I might as well start as I mean to continue). No 2 daughter ordered duck on a bed of vegetables.
We got lost in conversation
I washed my meal down with a glass of Chardoney (house white wine) before making our way to Covent Garden station for my journey to Heathrow terminal three for my flight to Bangkok (Thai airline)
After saying our last farewell, I went through to the departure lounge and waited to board the plane.
An hour after taking off, a male air-host(ess?) came up to me
"Special meal?" he asked
"Sorry?" puzzled look on my face
"Special meal? You ordered?"
"My husband booked.......he must have ordered the special meal......yes!"
He handed me a tray with an array of goodies
"Thank you" 
I was slightly embarressed as I was the only passenger to be served first
"Lucky you" said my next seat but one neighbour
"Yes, ain't I just" I replied as I tugged at the lids of whatever 'special menu' was awaiting me
Salad for starters followed by salmon on a bed of vegetables as my main meal and fresh fruits for my dessert.
My DOS man never ceases to amaze nor surprise me.
A mental 'thank you' was said as I tucked into my feast
   
Fast backwards to last week - It's been a while since I've blogged....well what with Easter Good Friday and Monday Bank Holiday (a very weather friendly long week-end had by all), not a lot of commuting was done, just gatherings of like-minded family and friends, bbq, chill-laxing (chilling and relaxing to those of you with a blank look), Pimms on the rocks in one hand and munchies in the other et al.........
The highlight of the first day back at work after the Easter break was the plainclothed ticket inspectors (male and female) on the Piccaddilly line towards Covent Garden.
"Oyster tickets please" the female requested
"Thank you" as she handed back the tickets to their owners
"Oyster ticket please" she said stretching out for my ticket
"Sorry.......I don't have an oyster card" I proudly said, waiting for her reply
She had a  'yes!........a faredodger! look on her face.
"But I've got this" I said before she could reply
I produced my seasonal gold card ticket (all of five thousand, one hundred and eighty pound worth) and proceeded to  give it to her for inspection
"Thank you"
She took a gander then returned it to me
"Thank you"
The look of disappointment on her face was........ CLASSIC!
the look on my face was .......... SMUG!

Thursday 21 April 2011

I can see horses and other live stocks,
Biggleswade station now......... Next stop is Sandy and my iPhone is barely alive....... Nnnnoooooo!
Hitchin station and the two 'wannabe adults' disembark
"A bit warm in there!" I heard an elderly man say as he got off
An understatement old guy!
A f****** understatement!
Next stop is Arslesey........
Doors open..... Aaaaaaah! A breeze!...... And it's gone!
Shortly arriving at Welwyn North.........we HAVE arrived at Welwyn North. The next stop is Knebworth
I am baking in the carriage! Luckily I'm wearing a light sleeveless summer dress.
It's quiet in my carriage now and I gaze out of the window wishing that I was out there rather than in here
Stevenage station arrives with little respite........
The train has stopped at its first destination, Finsbury Park and a welcoming breeze enters the carriage and plants a shy kiss on my cheeks.......
Aaaaaaaaaah!
We are now at Potters Bar station..........next is Hatfield station
A young man walks by and goes through the open carriage door to the adjacent carriage
A not-so-young, but not-so-old man has a bag full of Easter eggs (probably melted Easter eggs by the time he gets them home)
In my world........
"I'm not being funny but I was wondering if you can share out the Easter eggs now while it's solid and before it melts"
"What a great idea! Afterall my young children don't know I've got them so that old say 'what they don't won't upset them!'
"There you go"
"Thanks" and I proceed to break it to pieces before passing it around
Welwyn Garden City brings on a handful of 'wanna be adults' and loud banter persues
14:36....... Platform eleven (one of the 'loser's platform) for the SLOW TRAIN TO CHINA!
An OLD raggerty one as well!
As soon as I entered the carriage, and felt the intensity of heat, I knew it was going to be a LONG AND HOT journey home
All around me are commuter's looking hot and bothered
The train makes its final stop at Kings Cross
We disembarked at platform eight wishing each other a 'Happy Easter'
I'm now on the westbound Piccadilly line to Covent Garden
There are lots of holidaymakers with luggages...... This train is Heathrow airport bound!
I am slightly envious.......
Why slightly?
Because I'm off to hotter, exotic climate next week......so there!

Wednesday 20 April 2011

The train arrives and lets us in....... There's only a couple of train buddies in the carriage
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
We huddled together and converse all the way to Kings Cross
The mist follows us to London and once we got to London....hey presto
The sun is out!
"Good morning" I replied to our 'pretend' train buddy
He smiles and returns to reading his paper
Then long tall Sally joins us
"Good morning"
"Good morning"....nice dress I said
"Thanks"
Then our 'banker' train buddy
"Good morning"
"Good morning"......he giggles
Then the sound of ladies high heels can be heard and I look up and smile
"Good morning"
"Good morning" replied my namesake
She proceeded to tell us about her shoe incident yesterday....
She lost one of her heeled shoes onto the rail track and a (stupid) male commuter jumped on the track and retrieved the said shoe!
06:40..... Stepped out to......a Pea Souper! I was blinded by thick fog!
Although a guide dog with super eyesight would have helped or my own human fog light!
It reminded me of 'Jack the Ripper' East end of London kind of weather
I arrived at St Neots' station at eight minutes past seven, walked through the hub, through an open barrier, up the steps, across the bridge, down more steps and unto platform four
"Good morning"

Monday 18 April 2011

19:33......... Only just arrived at St Neots station
I should be home by eight
We've just sped past Stevenage so Hitchin is getting closer but would I get respite?
I'm going to play scrabble now.......
A pathetic appoligise is heard on the tannoy..... something to do with 'waiting for the signals
WHATEVER!
I can see a 'delayed' voucher coming my way
The train is now in the go and it's now seven minutes past seven
A whole hour getting nowhere fast!
Eighteen fifty nine and no sight of a train station...... I don't f****** believe it!
The train has STOPPED!
So I'm looking at getting home a eight.... if I'm lucky!
Someone's mobile rings loudly, man answers his mobile loudly
"HELLO!...YES! STUCK ON A VERY SLOW TRAIN.... POINTS FAILURE...... DIVERTED TO HERTFORD!
THANKS FOR LETTING US INTO YOUR PRIVATE CONVERSATION........
Now SHUT IT!
Fifteen f****** extra minutes of standing time! And I'm walking it home!
I am not a happy bunny!
The train is going at a snail pace......it momentarily speeds up but not for long
Maybe it's time to dig out my fishing stool!
Right now it's not the young man with the iPad I'm envious of....... it's all these lucky buggers sitting down!
18:08........platform seven fir the eighteen ten.....Standing room only!
F***! F***! F***!
why am I on this train?
The time sped fast...... Very busy in the office
So that's me done for the day.......here's hoping that commuters will get off at Hitchin
There's a young casually dressed man sat on the floor........ and I'm jealous of him or should I say........more of something he's got that I haven't
An iPad2!
In my world........
"look mate...... That iPad2 would look better with me owning it....... It's just sooooo wrong on your lap!
Young man looks up and smiles at me
"look.....you're so right......here, let me see you holding it"
He stretches both arms and hands it over
"I'm sorry for the delay" interrupts the train driver on the tannoy
"Blah! Blah! Blah! Failure!
Blah! Blah! Blah! Diversion
"Blah! Blah! Blah! Hertford
" Blah! Blah! Blah! Fifteen minutes delay!

Sunday 17 April 2011

I am sat at the two by two, young woman sat next to me is clutching tightly her brown handbag, she is sleeping
The woman facing me is putting on her makeup, from a bank canvass to an oil painting......... Perhaps that's debatable! The man sat next to her is reading a magazine of some sort (it's 'The Lawyer' and sips his got drink intermittently
The train has stopped at Stevenage and making it's way to Kings Cross
The carriage is warily quiet
We talk about our weekend, the absent train buddies until the seven seventeen train arrives
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
We greeted our train buddy already on the train and joined him
The train buddies are pretty thin on the grounds today
"I hear that the iPad three may be coming out by this autumn" I said
"That can't be right, they normally come out once a year" replied our honorary female buddy, the good doctor
"Well that's what I read"
"I guess you will wait for that one?"
"Yes!"
07:11....... Standing at platform four with three other commuters
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
Not a train buddy as such......a 'fake' buddy...... Someone who I see every day, who stands with the 'real' buddies, who only greets but very rarely joins in with our throes of conversation
06:55......delayed and expected at 07:11.........then 07:13........ Arrives but i don't get on
Why?
It's the six fifty five slow train, stopping at every stop
"Good morning"
"Good morning" replied our honorary buddy, the good doctor
"Good weekend? he asked
"Yes.........you? Did you go flying?"
"Yes.....yesterday......the Fenlands.......beautiful weather"
"You must take me up soon.....before I move"
"Yes"
06:45....... Pushed the 'right colour' refuse bin out for collection, back in for a quick hand scrub and after slamming the door behind me, made my way to St Neots station
It's a tad pea souper in Cambridgeshire. The sun can be seen fighting it's way through the mist. There are not many walkers, nor cyclist in sight.

Thursday 14 April 2011

Today is dedicated to our beloved daughter/sister/wife/mother/aunt/cousin/grandma, who passed away this time last year
Our day of remembrance, touched by beautiful memories, joyfulness and sad regrets
How can we ever forget you when you live on through us.
It wasn't cancer that took you away from us but God's calling and when our Father calls, like an obedient child, you ran to his warm and open arms
RIP sweet sister......

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Mother Nature........ I am truly disappointed in you!
Nothing more! Nothing less!
Made it by the skin of my teeth!...... Just by ONE MINUTE!
And I bagged a seat on my usual carriage
I am knacked!
Snnnnoooozzzz!
17:39........ I am sat on the seventeen forty train......wait! What's that? The final whistle before the SLAM! Of the doors
The train is now leaving platform eight from Kings Cross
I am sooooo out of breathe!
Why?
Leaving work a little later than my desired time, I speed walked to Covent Garden dodging the maddening crowd, through the barrier, squashed into the lift surrounded by United Colours of commuters, down the stairs towards the westbound Piccadilly line and on the first train that arrived
I had no choice but to mingled with the BO lovers all stops to Kings Cross!
"This train will be held here for a short time, to even out the service" instructed a female voice from the tannoy
That's a new one on me!
I'm train surfing on the eastbound Piccadilly line to Uxbridge
Russell Square......then Holborn
"Please mind the gap between the train and the platform" advices the tannoy
"Next station is Covent Garden......where I disembark

Tuesday 12 April 2011

07:12...... Platform four and I could hear the 'usual suspects' but couldn't see them because of the group of 'intruders'
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
A repeat of morning greetings ensued when the good doctor arrived
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"Good night last?
"Yes......reasonably priced"
"And the food was nice apart from the mains!"
"How's your mouth today? Still burning?"
We laughed!
Stevenage station has come and gone
One train buddy stands to offer a seat to a female Stevenageist
"No thank you" she said
"Are you sure?" he asked
"Yes"
I'm sat next to a young slim man
07:11........ Walking through St Neots carpark station
Our feathered friends were singing a different tune this morning........a sad chorus encompasses me on my walk to the station
Mother Nature has turned!
Anyway, where was I?
As I entered the station hub, with my ticket in my hand I noticed the wider barrier ajar so I walked through and started up the steps
I noticed our honorary female train buddy, the good doctor was ambling way behind
On the eastbound Piccadilly line train to Covent Garden......standing room only
The next station is Russell Square, then Holborn where you can change for the Central line....... Someone is playing their music LOUD!
Shut the F*** UP!
Covent Garden couldn't come any quicker!

Monday 11 April 2011

07:13........ As I turn into Station Road I spot our prodigal train buddy driving and we exchange waves as she drove off
07:14....... Now heading towards platform four and I could hear the 'usual suspects' before seeing them
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"How come you lot are back on the seven seventeen?" asked long tall Sally, pointing to my adopted daughter and another
"Delay on the eight twenty yesterday morning......arrived at Kings Cross thirteen.....fourteen minutes late!" I replied
Then a platform change was announced and we scrambled over to platform three
"Standing room only I bet" said long tall Sally
But she was wrong.......four of us got a seat but one got the luggage rack
I believe half term played a part!
Stevenage station has come and gone
I'm sat next to a sleeping woman
06:45............ Aiming to catch my usual fast train, the seven seventeen
So off I go, slamming....... I mean, closing the front door behind me venturing in to the big wide world
I pass a couple of dog walkers, commuters on their fold up bicycles, cycling towards St Neots station all sensibly wearing their helmets
I spot several walkers; some walking towards me and some walking alongside me..... All with a purpose
"Platform Zero for the eighteen ten" female voice filters out of the tannoy
So upon hearing that a mass exodus ensures towards the barrier
I like many other commuters floated through the barrier towards platform zero
By the time I had got to my usual carriage, all sears were taken
I spot a female St Neotsian clambering to sit on the luggage rack
"Hello"
"Hello......I haven't seen you for ages!"
"I've been catching a much earlier train to London"
We play 'catch-up'
"How are your horses?"
"They're great! Especially now the weather's improved
I admired tenacitous attitude to her horses....... Always riding them so early every morning without fail while most people are still fast asleep
I missed the seventeen forty by seconds!
"F***!F***!F***!
Now I have to wait for the eighteen ten
I am now sat at Kings Cross concourse
Why not take the seventeen forty four, I hear you say!
Because........because it's a slow train to China, that's why!!
Waiting at the eastbound Covent Garden underground tube towards Kings Cross
This morning I was tempted to walk up the stairs until......
"Ladies and gentlemen blah! blah! blah!....... One hundred and ninety three steps blah! blah! blah!
I had no choice but to.........take the lift off course!
We have picked up the Stevenage commuters and not long after the train stops in midflow!
Several minutes have passed and no announcement
"Oh for God's sake! Muttered Antenna man....... huffing and puffing, legs a quiffer, like 'Jack in the box'
The train is now moving albeit at a slow pace. Antenna man is now turning into Mr Angry as he continues to swear under his breathe
08:20........ The train arrives and pulls in front of me. I pressed the button and presto! the doors open and we scramble for seats
I am now sat next to 'Antenna man'
07:39.......... Mentally skipped out of the front door, delighted with Mother Nature
The sun is out and a cool breeze brushes against my cheeks. Our feathered friends are chirping away
My journey to St Neots station is a pleasure. I absorb every smell, every sight around me as I slowly walk the Spring leisure walk

08:07....... I arrived at St Neots station hub
"Good morning" smiled the male First Capital Connect staff
"Good morning" I replied as I pass through the barrier
I slowly walked up the steps, across the bridge as a non-stop fast train rumble pass
The train had sped past before I got to the top of the second flight of steps
I walked down and headed to the front end of the platform edge
A man joins me, forming an orderly queue behind me
"Good morning"
"Good morning" replied our prodigal train buddy
We were in the middle of our week-end catch-up when I spot a male train buddy
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
"You're late today!"
"Had a bad back and couldn't get up my usual time"
And we all burst into a fit of laughter!
"I must remember to use that one!"

Saturday 9 April 2011

Waiting for the seventeen twenty two to Peterborough at Kings Cross concourse after parting from number two daughter at Leicester Square. We had just finshed having late lunch at Wahaca (Mexican restaurant)
The next station is Finsbury Park
I am no longer sat alone
A young twentysomething bespectacled man has sat himself next to me. He sports a beard....... I mean 'bum fluff' under his chin. He is wearing combat trousers and a T-shirt.......he is busy texting on his blackberry and puts me to shame!
Talk about 'speed texting!'
Before I can say 'speedy Gonzalas' he has texted and put away his mobile!
His arms are now folded across his chest
I'm guessing some of them in the carriage are football fans
Why!
Their attire........off course!
12:34......... The train is zooming fast towards its next destination, Stevenage
The field's alive with animals; horses, sheep, cows et al
I am soooooo jealous of them! Not a care in the world!
Hitchin station next where the driver announces via the tannoy "Blah! Blah! Blah!....change for trains to Cambridge
The train arrives on schedule and heading towards its next destination, Sandy. I am sat alone but for how long? Your guess is as good as mine........ We have now left Sandy and our next destination is Biggleswade
There's a cool breeze coming in from the open carriage windows and a warm feeling passes through me........ What a difference a weather makes!
"Blah! Blah! Blah! ......it's the easiest job to have in the Met"
An overheard conversation from a nearby group (two men and a woman)
"Blah! Blah! Blah!...... is the laziest guy I've ever met"
I'm guessing their 'cops'
The next station is Arlesey........
"Is this Kings Cross daddy.....daddy, is this Kings Cross?
A young boy asks his father
12:04.......platform four for the six minutes past twelve to Kings Cross
Mother Nature is a conductor, conducting the wind and the sun......and together........in tune with each other......a beautiful day is here

Friday 8 April 2011

St Neots station and my two mile walk home
I love this time alone, just me, the greenery, blooming flowers and my ability to throw caution to the wind....... Blowing rasberry from my bottom regine and no-one to hear or smell it!
This neck of the woods MINE........ ALL MINE!
This was a week that was for me; I certainly believe in the saying 'change in routine/habit is a good thing
Hitchin station now....... I'm slightly tired and can't wait to get home for a glass of my favourite poison
I know I deserve it!
Mother Nature is at her glorious peak and I pray she stays like this all week-end..........but I shan't hold my breathe (I know how fickle she can be!)
I've just seen a 'Virgin' hotair balloon in the air and felt a twinge of jealousy as it drifted away.........slowly out of sight
So to while away the hour, I popped it WH Smith
The usual garbage magazines, staring at me
I picked one up ( the name is so memorable that I can't remember it!)
Platform eight for the sixteen hundred to Peterborough comes up and after weaving through the crowd, I finally make it to my usual spot of enterance onto the train. Amazingly, there're several vacant seats
"Excuse me please"
"Thank you"
I'm now sat next to a slightly grey, slightly thinning haired man; hands clasped in front of him and eyes closed
17:44.......... Standing in a sea bed of commuters gazing up at the large Departure screen at Kings Cross concourse, p***** off with myself!
Why?
My plan for catching the seventeen forty did not happen....... Just four f******* minutes!
Now I'm here.......at the church of 'screen watching'
F***! F***! and b***** more f***!
twenty f****** five f****** minutes for the next suitable train!
Northern line to Charing Cross.........not as simple as that!
Had to get off at Euston station, walk through a long corridor, up the elevator then back on the Northern line via Charing Cross route.......... What a f****** palaver!
It would have been easier to have taken the Piccadilly line to Covent Garden!!!
08:13.......... On platform four waiting for the eight twenty......all in my own before a male St Neotsian joined me, he's reading 'The Times'
Then another man then........
"Good morning"
I looked up and saw.......our prodigal train buddy
"Good morning" I replied
"You walked pass me" she smiled, clutching a hot drink in one hand and handbag in the other
"Didn't see you sat there"
We chatted until the train arrived
There are plenty of vacant seats........why off course! It's Friday!
So today.........today, we finally get to seat opposite each other at the two by two seat
We continue to chat fir a while longer before doing our own thing
07:45....... This morning I couldn't wait to leave my humble home.......into the warm embrace of my Spring/Summer lover...... the SUN!
"Hello gorgeous!" I said under my breathe while mentally caressing its embrace
"Hello to you too old girl" came the reply
"Less of the 'old' eh!
And thus my walk to St Neots station begun. As I walk along the pathway I notice something amiss.........
Aaaaaaah haaaaaaa!
That's it! The sound and sight of school children!

Thursday 7 April 2011

We've just slowly passed Knebworth
It's been just a beautiful day.........
Thank you Mother Nature........ I salute you!
I am sat next to a baldheaded lanky man reading his free 'Evening Standard' attempting to do the crosswords
In front of me is a (pretend) train buddy, Mr Grumpy
17:20....... Left my new plush office hoping to make the seventeen forty from Kings Cross to St Neots
17:47......... Walked through the maddening crowd heading for Covent Garden underground station on the Piccadilly line (my new journey to Kings Cross St Pancreas)
I got into the crowded lift full of young foreign students and endured the noisy brats for what felt like eternity
I am now hoping to get the seven minutes past six train
18:00....... Platform seven for the seven minutes past six train to Peterborough
I spot commuters on platform seven....... A sea bed of bodies waiting for ..........the arrival of the train
I, like them, dutifully wait also.
Caitlan Johnson..... Caitlan Johnson..... Please make yourself known to one of our staff or make your way to blah! blah! blah! where your friend is waiting for you" screams a male voice on the tannoy as I make my way through the Northern line underground towards the northbound Victoria line
In my world......
"I'm sorry to bother you but I seem to have been separated from my friend"
"What's her name? asked the Transport for London male staff
"Lee....... Nikki Lee"
Nikki Lee..... Nikki Lee..... Please make yourself known to one of our staff or make your way to blah! blah! blah! where your friend is waiting for you" he bellows into the tannoy as I look on with a wicked smile spread across my face
"Thank you"
"No problem. I hope you find her"
And that my friends........is my fifteen minutes claim of fame!
Stevenage arrives, sadly with no available seats for those that embark, their sunny dispensation shattered on realising 'no room at the inn'
I am sat next to a woman reading the free Metro newspaper.......there are many other Metro readers in abundance.........others are either reading books, listening to music via their earpiece or just simply taking that extra forty minutes wink
I gaze outside the window as we speed fast towards Stevenage and see glorious fields stretched for miles and miles
It seems sinful to be sat here heading for work!
08:06......... I stand alone at the edge of platform four, waiting for the eight twenty....... correction a 'flock' of St Neotsian commuters besiege my personal space as they surround me and like me, wait patiently for the train
The train arrives on time and we embark heading towards our individually 'allocated' seats
07:36.......... After sipping my Earl tea I let myself out of my humble home and ventured out into the morning air. My first reaction is of joy as I hear a chorus of our feathered friends welcoming me and I feel the sun lightly caresing my cheeks. My next reaction was to fumble in my handbag for my large White bumble bee effect sunglasses
My walk to St Neots station was refreshingly pleasant; children cycling, skipping, running or walking to school, adults; cycling, walking, driving to work and of cause our feathered friends

Wednesday 6 April 2011

16:24........... Departure of the sixteen forty is now flashing on the large screen at Kings Cross concourse........ Platform eleven (losers platform) so I begin to walk that long walk to platform eleven
I did a detour from my usual routine and wandered around Covent Garden. The sun is out to play and there were people in abundance; tourists, workers, jerkers, students et al.......all meandering whilst soaking in the sun
So here I am sat waiting for the sixteen forty train to Peterborough to depart from platform eleven
"Oh! Hello.......didn't see you there
"Hello"
We chatted awhile about; work, horses, weather........
Tube surfing on the northbound Victoria line train but bagged a seat at Euston
"The next station is Warren Street. Doors will open in the left hand side, change for the Nortern line" instructs a female voice via the tannoy
"The next station is Oxford Circus. Doors will open on the right hand side. Change for the Bakerloo and Central line"
The train is now packed to the brim!
The sun has come out to play as we head towards Stevenage station
"Next ***** will ****** Stevena*** ***** ***** Kings ****" stutters a male voice from the tannoy
07:46.......... Out of my comfort zone and into the arms of Mother Nature. The weather's not great but ok for a brisk walk to St Neots station
08:14........ I'm just entering St Neots station hub and no train buddies in sight, not even our prodigal train buddy
Waiting patiently for the eight twenty train to Kings Cross, platform four........ just me and three male St Neots
08:20........ The train arrives, opens its mouth
"After you"
"Thank you"
We exchange smiles and I bag the second available seat, beside 'the atenna man'

Tuesday 5 April 2011

An embarrassing event occurred on my underground tube journey from Victoria Station to Kings Cross
Picture this....
I jump on the northbound Victoria line and settled down for my journey to St Neots.........nothing wrong with that
The train stops at Green Park letting in several commuters then I spot a 'pregnant' woman
"Do you want to sit? I asked, offering my seat
"No thank you, I prefer to stand
We exchange smiles
Oxford Circus arrived bringing in more commuters and the pregnant woman is standing
Warren Street station and an empty seat next to me becomes vacant and pregnant woman sits besides me
She leans towards my right ear and whispers.....
"I'm not pregnant!"
"I am soooo sorry!"
By now I was embarrassed and could feel the heat rushing to my face
Not quite sure which one of us was more embarrassed!
Kings Cross couldn't come fast enough
17:02........ I'm sat on the seventeen ten to Peterborough from platform two, waiting patiently for it's departure
"Hello"
"Hello"
Two train buddies sitting side by side
"Hello.......we were on the morning train together"
"Yes"
I am sat next to a young St Neotsian woman......
And off we go........through the first tunnel as it picks up speed
My two train buddies converse together
Last night I watched an horrific programme! So scary it made the hair on the back of my neck stand up
What could have had that effect on me?
well I'll tell you........
The programme?
Panorama.............yes, Panorama, hosted by Fiona Phillips
'Finished at fifty?'
Fiona Phillips, previously from GMT......... She interviewed three 'virgin' unemployed people; one woman and two men and explores the road ahead for them and every fifty something previously employed British workers. They talk about their long-term unemployment and the road back to work. All three previously had reasonably good jobs; teacher, financial manager and.........forgive me......... his job title has escaped me (senior moment eh!)
It scared and sadden me to know that these people, in their prime are treated badly, so many job applications, so many rejection letters...........We talk about NO DISCRIMINATION of any sort!
This DISCRIMINATION is AGEISM!t
I'm sat beside a goldfish!
Well that's what my neighbour reminds me of.......... Eyes closed, hands tightly clutching her handbag with dear life and mouth wide open!
Sitting facing me is a twentysomething woman, arms crossed and looking glum......... Next to her is a young man tapping away on his laptop
We have passed Stevenage and on our way to Kings Cross
I gaze out of the window and grey clouds mock me!
07:46.......... What a difference a morning make I thought as I shut the door behind me
Yesterday morning Mother Nature was smiling down at us mere mortals, exciting us with the thought of sunnier climate to come, but this morning.........this morning Mother Nature has turned! It's dark clouds looming and gust of wind that welcomes me
There goes my well groomed hair....... I shouldn't have bother!
My walk to St Neots station was a challenge........what with the struggle with the wind!
I arrived at the station as our prodigal train buddy and we both smile at each other
"Good morning"
"Good morning"
Then I spot another train buddy and another (one of my adoptive daughters)and another
A chorus of greetings ensues and we make our way through the barrier and up the steps, across the bridge, down the steps and headed to the front edge of platform four
We continue to chat until the train arrive
Sadly the carriage is full bar a couple of vacant seats and I was lucky enough to bag one of them........ The other two were not