Crowded

I decided to travel down yesterday from Lancashire to Reading to see the family and I had booked tickets on the train as I thought it might be an easier journey, leaving Cara with my sister. BIG mistake. First of all my first train was delayed by five minutes - only - but enough to mean that despite running I arrived at the platform for my longer connected journey to Reading only to see red lights disappearing into the daylight! One hour and a cappuccino later I boarded the next train and was fortunate enough to find an unreserved seat - my reservation having been on the earlier train! That was my only bit of luck as the train became more and more crowded as the journey continued with some folk even being left on the platform for the next train. There was no chance of getting refreshments but more importantly no chance of reaching the toilets as there were people with their luggage everywhere, squeezing themselves into every available nook and cranny. What a time for engineering works to be carried out and delayed!!  All this however paled into insignificance when I later heard of the plane crash with the loss of all on board en route to spend holiday time with their loved ones. At least I arrived safely if a little travel weary. 

The walk along the Thames today with its own particular traffic issues was a delightful contrast especially when walking with my three young grandsons.