Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Okay, I tell you it’s getting harder and harder to remember what day it is….I miss my Macintosh where the date is readily available.
Today, we leave the Sidney Hotel and our little room. Our room had twin beds each against the wall with a tiny little night stand between them. Not enough space for two people to pass each other. We had a clothes cupboard, a desk and bench under the desk, the fastest electric tea kettle ever….a very popular item in the UK….and a tiny, very cute and modern bathroom which is not called a bathroom, but a toilet. There was no air conditioning; however, except for the last night it really didn’t matter. Breakfast, a full English breakfast minus the tomatoes, and a lift were also included with the price. There was even a bar on the premises that provided me with ice for my water if we asked, and we were only given one glass of ice each...no tubs. With the #24 bus stop outside the door and Victoria Station and the Pimlico tube stop in close proximity, it was a great hotel.
Being a bit tight, we found the 28 pounds (I can’t find the pound key on this PC) for a taxi to take us to the train station a bit much. Pete and Jess volunteered to tote two of our big suitcases back to Glasgow with them; thus, it became feasible to take the tube. So Wednesday morning toward the end of morning rush hour, we boarded the tube at the Pimlico Station---standing room only…and for the first couple of stops it got even more crowded. By the time we reached the third stop the crowd started thinning. We reached King’s Cross in no time flat, found an escalator ….very steep escalators…to take us part way up, and then a lift to take us to the surface. Since we had gotten our tickets yesterday, the only thing we had to do for an hour was cool off…quite warm in the tube.
It was very crowded in the station with very limited seating, but Neil and I were lucky and snagged a couple of bench seats. Then a lady with a cane and her husband starting looking for a seat. Since none of the younger people were getting up, I went over and offered her my seat. I was going to go off and find Gate 9 and ¾ anyway. She and her husband were so appreciative. When I got back, the gentleman had gotten a seat and insisted that I sit. We had a delightful conversation, talking about England and US, soccer and football, snow, and so on. They told us about going to the Queen’s Garden Party on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace. They gave us a card and invited us to their home in northern English. He is a council committee chairperson….apparently this is why they were invited to the Palace.
The sign for the train didn't give a platform, only QB which was the que for the train shown in letters on the station floor. QB as opposed to QA for the train wound clear around the interior of the station….of course, this meant a very crowded station. We had reserved seats, but not reserved spots for luggage. We were able to put our carry on bags up above, but our big suitcase ended up in the space where our feet should have been. Neil had a spot for his feet. I sat cross legged; however, it beat holding the suitcase or sitting in the space where you get off and on the train where it is not air conditioned with other people who were doing the same. By the time we got to Edinburgh we were able to move seats and leave the suitcase. East Coast Railroad should have made money on that trip because that train was full.
It was a great train trip north from London to Glasgow. The East Coast train eventually runs alongside the coast giving great scenic views of the North Sea. Along the way we saw vistas that look just the pictures you see of Scotland in the books.
When we got to Glasgow Central train station, Pete was waiting for us. Nice person…..he helped us carry and pull the luggage. We walked to his and Jess’s flat in The Herald Building which is about 5 ½ to 6 blocks from the train station. They live on the 5th floor in the UK…in the US that would be the 6th floor…..ground floor is zero.
They have a totally great flat. It is quite modern with big windows and laminate floors. In some ways it reminds me of Ian and Sara’s first apartment in Davenport…the big windows, modern and sleek. They have a great little kitchen with a combination washer and dryer, the tallest, skinniest refrigerator/freezer that I have ever seen, a great room, a bedroom, bathroom and an entry way. It was a furnished flat, complete with the thinnest pots and pans I have ever seen. I think you could burn water in them. However, it was furnished so they didn't have to buy the major pieces of furniture.
While we waited for Jess to get off work, the rest of us went shopping for dinner at the local Sainsbury. Most people seem to shop daily or for only a few days which is understandable in a city centre.
We had dinner and sat around and visited until bedtime. The sun didn’t set until about 10:40.
Steps: 8239
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