Thursday, 2 December 2010

On the 17:10 from platform two and sat next to a train buddy chatting away until another buddy turned up and sat in front of us. We chatted and exchanged tales of our activities.  More commuters join the carriage and now only standing room only. The train departs from King's Cross and starts its journey ..........fast train journey to; Hitchin, St Neots, Huntingdon and it's final destination Peterborough station. The train journey went quickly even though it slowed down a few times before reaching Hitchin station but we were so engrossed in our conversation. It was too dark to see out of the window and I didn't know what St Neots had in store for me weather wise. Next stop......St Neots, train stops, opens and threw us out of its warm belly into the harsh chilly town. We said our good byes and went our separate ways
08:48...... King's Cross FINALLY
I'm on the southbound Victoria line, standing room only. I'm wondering what Westmimster is going to be like, weather wise.......well I'm just about to find out
Train stopped at New Southgate station (not one of it's normal stops). We have now been informed that the train is now stopping at Finsbury Park then King's Cross..... So that's good news! The train has now stopped! My arse and left arm's feeling slightly bruised/sore now.
"Blah! Blah! Blah!.....point failures in King's Cross"
The train is terminating at Finsbury Park station due to "failure at King's Cross"
"F***! F***! F***! here we go! The train has just picked up commuters at Stevenage and it's standing room only. Well at least I'm seated all the way. I'm hoping my underground journey fairs better but I won't hold my breathe! This train is now on a 'go slow' motion!
Made a BIG MISTAKE this morning....... I left home my normal walking time not taking the severe weather into account. Needless-to-say I missed the 07:17 and now sat on the 07:32 with one train buddy. It was like an assault course getting to the station WHY? Damn snow..... Looking nice and White and freshly laid, caresing and trickling down my face as I make my way out. I remember when I was young looking forward to getting out in to the snow but now.....now, I look forward to getting out of the snow into a warm place. Then I had an intimate relationship with the snow....... DOWN! DOWN! I fell! My arse and the snow united as one for a few seconds! I picked myself up and was in two minds as to whether I should turn round and go home or be brave and continue. I took the latter option and paid dearly for it! The snow wasn't satisfied with just one bonding as I took another 'arse' fall. My hug boots may be warm but don't do much for this snow. They're not 'hug' boots but 'ouch' boots, I thought to myself.
"Are you ok? Asked a voice in front of me.
"Yes thanks" I lied as I picked myself up and dusted the snow off my coat. In my world........
"Are you ok?"
"What does it look like? .......no I'm not f****** OK! If you're really concerned though, you can give me a piggy back ride to the station"
"Jump on"
In my world.

Wednesday, 1 December 2010

"16:22 departure to Huntingdon from platform five"
I decided to jump on this rather than go for the 16;40 from platform nine. I didn't want to chance it. I went and sat at the nearest seat beside a young teacher....... How did I come to this conclusion? She was marking her students' homework on the train..... Unbelievable! It's amazing what people do on trains. Some people give out their bank details via phone, some talk about their personal affairs to name a few.
I'm sat at the two by two seats and sat opposed me are two more ladies, both middle-aged and both visually dressed - one has her earplugs on and listening quietly to music on her iPod, the one is reading her book
08:08......On the Piccadilly line from Heathrow T5 to South Kensington. Stayed at the Sofitel Hotel, Heathrow T5 overnight. This is not my usual route to the office and I'm surrounded by unfamiliar faces. Most of the commuters are travellers from Heathrow airport...... destination? Homeward bound I guess. The train is now full but not yet packed to the brim as we travel towards the next station, Boston Manor. I notice that most of the commuters are casually dressed. The young man sat beside me is watching a film on his 'HTC' mobile. More commuters embark at South Ealing..... the train is now PACKED!
Someone is on their mobile talking loudly but I cannot hear what's being said. Another person has loud music coming out of their iPod oblivious to the nuisance he is causing to his fellow commuters.
The train has now stopped in midflow....
"Blah! Blah! Blah!......due to red signal" male voice can be heard on the tannoy.......
I feel lost in transition as I, like the others, wait patiently. YES! It's on the move again. Disembarked at South Kensington station and headed for the District line to St James's Park station.
Westminister doesn't seem to have been affected by the heavy snow. It's like a different country! The cold chill is there but there's no sight of snow anywhere.