An early
start this morning...last things packed before we staggered in our half asleep
state across the road to catch the train. Successfully found the Eurostar check
in at the next station and checked in.
When the
gates opened it made up for all the ‘non-official’ border crossings we have
done so far. Simply driving or training between countries with no passport
check or stamp or anything... This one left us with TWO stamps, x-rayed
baggage, arrival cards filled out and bags sniffed by official looking dogs!
On to the
train and an uneventful ride under the Channel, once at London St Pancreas
things got a little less simple. We asked a few official people who advised us
to catch the Tube to Vauxhall then train to Clapham. Sounds easy right? Nope. A
total of three automatic gate thingees denied us and we had to smooth talk a
number of gate guards to let us through – one did so with little fuss as our
train ticket was right while another felt the need to stamp his authority on us
and almost brought Roni to tears before relenting and letting us through. Laden
with our packs and sweltering in the overheated trains we were glad to emerge
into fresh air again at the end!
Arrived in
Clapham and waited with great anticipation for Clare.......waiting....waiting....texting....stalking
her as she arrived and then...JOYOUS REUNION. Good times all round! The
non-stop catch up began then and continued through the bus ride (our first red
London double decker!) and walk home to her place.
There were
photos and stories shared, flatmates met – one including a Canadian called
Melissa who was at TColl with Roni & Clare...more reunions!
Ideas were
floated of all the exciting things we could do with the day but a relaxed
Saturday was decided upon!
Eventually
we left the house for a change of scene and grabbed a kebab to consume on
Clapham Common while people watching and chatting some more. Returned home to
relax with the flat crew, watch the league (NZ got totally smashed by England –
not good) and x-factor before catching the train to Victoria Station and
walking to the coach station for our 2345 bus to Aberdeen.
A good day.
