Whew…we made it to B’ham!

Monday, 18 March, 2013

Hello!  Back to English at long last!

There were absolutely NO pictures taken today, and we are really considering ourselves lucky to have made it to the Birmingham Airport at all!! 

Up this morning around 7, to a nice and fairly clear day.  Got everything packed up and ready to go by 8, so, even though our train wasn’t until 11:07 a.m. we decided to head to the Gare du Nord.  Good thing that we did, as it took 15 minutes to check out – printer problems at the desk.  We got the 72 bus to the 42 and were lucky to not hit terrible rush hour commuters, so it wasn’t bad with the luggage after all!  Arrived at Gare du Nord about 9 a.m.  As it turns out, they were already checking people in for the 11:07 a.m. train – just like the airlines without taking off your shoes!  So, we checked in, cleared French customs and immigration, and then 20 feet further on, cleared British immigration and customs.  Really slick!  We had decided to get breakfast at the Gare, so we were able to pick up some sandwiches – baguette and jambon and fromage for me; ham and tomatoes for Robert.  Then on to the train for the 2½ hour trip to London through the Chunnel.

Everything ran right on time, and trip was comfortable.  Out at London St. Pancras International, and then out to the street for our schlep to Euston Station.  Euston is about 4 small blocks (or 2 big blocks) from St. Pancras, and we had no problems at all with the transfer.  It was starting to rain, but we were able to get to Euston before it really got bad.  Grabbed a coke at Burger King in order to have a place to sit – and then realized that all was NOT well at Euston!  Turns out that something happened last night that damaged the electrical connections for the trains around Wolverton.  Lots and lots of trains were being cancelled – very nail biting time, for sure!  Then, of course, our train was cancelled – but the next one out, the 2:43 p.m. was scheduled to go.  Talk about the Oklahoma Land Rush!  As soon as a platform for the second train was announced, there was a huge surge heading to the train!  We were able to get two seats together, and get our luggage stowed in the same car.  People were literally sitting on the floor in the areas between cars – that’s how crowded it was!  Not too much information, but finally we started – went through Rugby and Coventry, and FINALLY, after something like 2½ hours, we pulled into the Birmingham Airport station – yippee!!  We’re HERE!  As it turns out, it was announced about half an hour before we got to the airport, that there had been a fatality at the point of difficulties on the train line, and that all trains from Euston for the remainder of the day had been cancelled!  Whew!!  Talk about cutting it close…

Off the train, and on to the little shuttle train that took us to the airport.  Then just out the door and across the street, and voila, the Novotel!  It’s too expensive for a normal night, but it is so close and convenient – we’re very happy to be here!  Dropped the luggage and then headed back to the airport (all of 50 feet) and their restaurant Frankie & Benny’s for dinner.  R had their homemade tomato soup for starter, and then their Penne Arribiata.  I had their chicken Cobb salad; it was great!  R had an apple crumble for dessert, and I got his ice cream.  Then back to the hotel, where we’ll get what sleep we can, get up early, and be at the airport tomorrow at 6 a.m.!

So – more when we get home!

Much love,

m

xxx