London!

Jan, Archie’s sitter, arrived about 7.30 with her suitcase, and she took Archie off for his morning round-the-blocker while we nipped off in a taxi. Holidays!

We found a railway employee and ascertained that our e-tickets on the phone were sufficient - we had suddenly panicked about printing them off. We bought a couple of treats at Prêt for the journey, and JR wandered off to buy a wee padlock for her suitcase. I noticed that our train had changed platforms, then I noticed that it was BOARDING!! Time had run away with us, which is not good, because I can’t rush!

But rush we did, and luckily our carriage was just at the steps and we got on, found our seats, and the train set off! Phew!!

When the ticket chap came round, he said that we were on the wrong train. We got the 8.30 train instead of the 9am one. I had no idea that trains go every half hour to London! He said that he wouldn’t charge us, but he could, but he was only going to Berwick, so he advised us to get off at Newcastle and get the next train - the correct one - in case someone further down the line got stroppy. I think he was exaggerating somewhat because nobody showed the slightest interest in our tickets for the duration of the journey.

We have been/will be rather lucky with the weather. London had floods a week or so ago, but this week looks dry and sunny. Today, Edinburgh had torrential rain and some flooding.

I always love seeing St Pancras hotel and station. You know you’re in London when you see that! We had a beer at Carluccio’s on the concourse to celebrate and to get our bearings. We’re staying in Islington, which is not very far away, so we walked. Actually, it’s much much further than I thought (but everywhere is to me) and it was up a (gentle) hill, so I was fair puggled by the time we reached our destination. So the rain this evening is a good excuse to finish off the sandwiches from today and stay in.

Sightseeing tomorrow!