Trains...

We went to London for the day today, but "went to trains" would be closer to the truth. A freight-train de-railed yesterday, blocking our line, so the journey took twice as long as it should (5 hours) and we only had a few hours in London! The best bit was the whole way (4 1/2 hours) from York on the transfer trains as we enjoyed sitting on THE FLOOR. But at least it was a first class floor! They de-classified the train, so you could sit anywhere you liked (or could). Welcome to Indian Rail. The atmosphere was good, the stiff upper lip came out rather bally well, and we enjoyed our tribulation as one tightly huddled uncomfortable group (apart from some grumpy first class passengers who paid top dollar for reserved first class seating...and ended up sitting). A memorable moment was overhearing a girl telling a joke to her parents and getting it wrong (but I think it's funnier this way): What's a no idea? Well, it got me laughing. You have to know it to (not) get it. So we didn't see London like we wanted to.
Here's a picture of our lovely journey (seated on seats!) on the way back, as our best memory of the day (no Big Ben in this Bloomin Blog) accompanied by a "free refill" coffee from McDevils.

We were thankful to get back at all when we learned another train coming out of London just before ours derailed, killing 6 people.