From Edinburgh to London on the Iron Horse

Waverly Station in Edinburgh is an underground maze of shops, cafes, tourist lounges and eventually departure platforms. We arrived early with reserved seats on Coach H to London. We felt smug and self satisfied that this journey was going to be a breeze. However there was a glitch in the software and suddenly all of the coach numbers were skewed and the seat reservation numbers were cancelled. It was every man, woman and child and suitcase for himself. We did manage to find out that coach D was now coach H and we lowered our shoulders and got on it. Thankfully it was open seating and we grabbed two that gave us a great view of the country side. Our original seats were at the back of the coach with no window. That would be no fun. Ladies next to us were prepared for this nearly six hour journey. They had ham, milk, tomatoes, grapes, candy, oranges, a box of pastries and strange other food products that they obviously enjoyed and generously offered to share. Alas we had our own. A much simpler menu to choose from but we nibbled, read and watched the scenery change. Until Newcastle the scenery was primarily agricultural. Sheep, cattle, horses warmly wrapped in blankets, old farm houses with the barns attached to the house. Farmer Fergus did not have to get cold to tend to his animals. Always stone fences that had established boundaries for generations, An occasional sheep or cow was able to slip pass the boundary, but everybody watched for them and eventually they were returned to safety. Ponds, rippling streams and rolling rivers filled with ducks geese and other water birds added to the scenery. Small golf courses were busy, smoke drifted from chimneys and a general sense of serenity lay over the villages and towns we passed through. There is a better balance of life than what we know in America. Any slipup is followed by the saying “no worries.” The landscape became flatter and after leaving York everything became much more industrial. The approach to King’s Cross kept us in a darkened tunnel until a platform became available and we stepped out into the hustle and bustle of London. But even in a busy city we did not feel rushed or pressured. A coffee and a beer was meant to be sipped and enjoyed no need to hurry the taxi que will still be there. WE bit the bullet and hired a cab to drive us to a hotel near Heathrow. Neither of us could face the underground with luggage at five in the afternoon. The driver left the freeway and dodged around residential areas which was fun. Expensive Westminster, Hounslow, Hammersmith, old ,old communities in the city with names that can be found in MY FAIR LADY. We finally arrived at the WalMart of Hotels. It offers everything. Parking, shuttles, restaurants, bars, cafes, meal plans, luggage check, vending machines and a bed for overnight. All of this for only 69lbs. We are happy. Our journey is almost over and Kelly gave us the best advice as she drove us to the airport. Be patient with each other she said and we followed her advice. One of us knew where we were most of the time and understood where we were going. The other played devil’s advocate, but we refrained from grabbing and snatching the map. That is a family phrase we use when traveling to express frustration. I am so happy to have my wonderful husband, sweetheart, and friend to share this and many other journeys with. We have been blessed to have seen and shared the world with each other. Troy Knight you have my heart.