Coaches, trains and failed system (again)

We apologise for the delays due to adverse weather conditions.....

Shouldn't that be we apologise for the delays due to YESTERDAY'S adverse weather conditions and our inability to cope with things that our European brothers just take in their stride!

Ooops we did it again! The snow came and the UK spectacularly crashed and burned! National Express coaches all cancelled. Trains cancelled left right and centre. Airports closed. *sigh*

Mum was supposed to make a very simple journey today, from Stratford Upon Avon to Chelmsford. Two coaches and then we were supposed to meet her and drive her home. As if.....

With all coaches were cancelled mum decided to try and get to us by train. She got to Stratford Upon Avon rail station and despite the next two train to Birmingham being listed as on time they were both cancelled. She ended up sharing a taxi with people to get to Birmingham.

We had agreed to meet her in London to help her get across the tubes and to get to SWF. She rang me at one point to say that she could stay in a hotel in Birmingham if this

Another cancellation later and she boarded a train from Birmingham to London Euston which was then delayed to detour via Rugby and Milton Keynes. With 30 minutes added to the journey it then got stuck outside Watford due to frozen/failed points!

In the end mum arrived at Euston safe and sound albeit 1.5 hours late. The spirits smiled on us on the return journey as we made all our connections with seconds to spare!

All in all it was a total of five and a quarter hours door to door but at least what had seemed like Mission Impossible became Mission Successful despite re best efforts of the weather, coach and rail networks!

When we got home it was time for a lovely roast dinner that Sam had prepared while we were being intrepid explorers and a bit of Carry On Dick to chill to!




- Posted using BlogPress on my iPhone