Monday, 27 August 2012

The Road Home

I woke at 5.30 and copied some photos over to Flickr, so we are now up to date up to last night. I then began typing up remaining parts of the blog for posting later.

Gare du NordGare du NordAt 7.30 I showered and dressed and Drew did the same soon after, at 8.45 we checked out of the hotel and walked about half way to the Gare du Nord before stopping for breakfast. We opted for the petit déjaunir Français which was orange juice and coffee with a croissant and jam for Drew and bread (a French stick) for me.

We then walked on to the Gare du Nord, a very impressive facade at this station. Inside we checked in with Eurostar and sat in the lounge.

Lunch on the EurostarGare du NordThe train was called at 10.50 and we boarded soon after ready for departure at 11.13 p.m. We had a pleasant lunch on the train with a starter of Chickpea, yoghurt and coriander salad and a main of roast chicken with basil potato mash. Drew swapped me his chicken for the Apricot Tartlet that was dessert, while he had both of these.

When I blogged about the Eurostar journey at the beginning of the holiday someone asked me how long we were under the tunnel. I guess that it was about 30 minutes, but I timed it today and it turned out to be exactly 20 minutes from entry to exit, hardly any time at all.
We arrived in London St. Pancras at exactly 12.30 and got to the Hammersmith and City line tube station by 12.42. The tube train arrived in 2 minutes and was absolutely packed, but we got on and got to London Paddington at 1.05 with 30 minutes to wait before our train to Cardiff.

I’ve been remarking on this blog at the excellent timing of trains in Italy and Spain, well it was the same in London. The train left Paddington at exactly 13:37 as scheduled and arrived in Cardiff at 15:56.

We had a 30 minute wait for the Valleys train, this was on time too and we arrived at Taffs Well at 16:43. A 15 minute walk meant we were home at 5.00 p.m. time to ring my father, and for Drew to ring his mother and then to get the washing in the machine. 
On my way back from Taffs Well station to Tongywnlais
Walking back from Taffs Well at the same point as we talk a photo going
So as we begun I turn to Tolkien to sum this up adapting the last two lines for my own purpose:

The Road goes ever on and on
Out from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
Let others follow it who can!
Let them a journey new begin,
But I at last with weary feet
Will turn towards the ... light of home,
My evening-rest and sleep to meet.

That’s it folks, trip over, thanks for joining us on our travels.

2 comments: