THE BAD PENNY RETURNS

Well what a day, but all good in the end.

First of all late yesterday afternoon I had notification that G's train had been cancelled.  A quick panic then a look to see what we could do.  No need to panic really 'cos we could just have moved it to another day, but that's me I can panic at the drop of a hat these days!!!

Anyway Due to Avanti's change of schedules earlier this year there are now only two Avanti trains from Edinburgh that stop at Oxenholme - 8 hours apart.  I didn't really want to be going out in the dark to pick him up.  So we decided he could get the next train but go onto Lancaster as it doesn’t stop at Oxenholme. I will also get a train over there to meet him, as parking at Lancaster station is impossible and it’s only 30 minutes by train.

So this meant that G would be arriving in Lancaster at 12:56.  So I checked the trains to and from Kents Bank and the 11.19 would get me there for about 11.50something. I would have to spend almost 2 hours at Lancaster station. 1 hour on my own then another hour with G waiting to return to Kent’s Bank. No problem as there is a Costa cafe, I could have coffee and read my Kindle.

G got on the train in Edinburgh no problems at all.  Then I checked my little train to discover it had been cancelled!!!  The next one arrived just too late to pick G up, and he needed help getting off the train, PANIC again. 

Then I thought, well the weather is good today, I should be OK to get to Penrith.  I suddenly remembered webcams - I checked on the ones on the M6 heading that way and all looked clear so that was it.  Quick call to G, thank heavens for mobile phones, to tell him to get off at Penrith.

I had a good journey, no problems at all.  Noticed that you can only park at the station for 20 minutes, gulp, well it should be just about right.  Had to navigate around a coach and taxis but got a slot.  What else could I do, the nearest public car park was in Penrith and no way could G walk there with luggage and his 4 prong walking stick.

I needed a drink and a nibble so I popped into MacDonalds, of all places, thinking I could get a coffee and cake.  Well you have to use one of these enormous ordering giant tablet thingummies Eeek.  I had no idea what I was doing.  Then I found the cappuccinos and then there was a Chicken Caesar Wrap, a bit healthier I thought them their awful burgers or chips so I ordered that.  Then it pops up and says do you want to make this a meal deal as it works out a little cheaper.  So I said yes.  I didn't want fries but could have a slice of fresh pineapple, so that was it. I managed to order it to come to a table.

Well it arrived - but somehow I had ordered two cappuccinos!!!!  I ended up having to throw one away. Anyway I didn't have long before the train was due so I gulped the drink down, put the pineapple away to take home and munched the wrap. It was not good I’m afraid so I only managed a bit of it - I don't  like MacDonalds anyway I'm afraid but it's what there is at Penrith Station.

I Dashed out, took a quick photo of the Castle ruins right opposite the station and then went onto the platform, when suddenly the announcement came over the tannoy about his train due to arrive. I walked up the platform, turned round and there was his train coming straight at me - a little early!!!  

It somehow managed to stop with his door right in front of me, amazing!! We then We up the car, and were on our way. I’m just hoping now that I don't get clocked for staying a few minutes over the 20 allocated, I think I was there for about 25 minutes!

No problems going down the M6. I decided we would call into Levens Kitchens for one of their delicious soups, spicy cauliflower today and really not spicy at all, thank heavens.  Now that is what food should be like.

It is much colder down here than in Penrith and we saw snow on the fells but really only heavy on the very tops, mostly just a dusting and no signs anywhere else at all.

I did see a Snow Plough on the way to the station (gulp) and several gritters - they are working their socks off bless them.

So he is now here and ensconced for Christmas.  Now we can rest and chill - phew!!! 

Oh the Teddy in the triptych is called Euston and is on Penrith station.