On the rails again (Wednesday 28th August 2013)

Today was all about getting from A to B or, more accurately, Z to L (Zurich to London). We actually had a little sleep in, called Ronda and chatted for for 15 minutes, tried Mary a couple time but didn't get am answer so we packed up, checked out and headed for the nearby tram stop. We caught the No 3. tram down Badenerstrasse to Zuerich HB, main station. The day was cool and wet and for the first time in eight weeks I had my jeans on. We found the station's information office and to our delight discovered that we were at the right station and the platform we wee departing from was right outside office,
We had two hours to kill so we found a nice tea-room in station and had breakfast. The lady serving was very helpful. There were a number of business meetings going on at the tables around us so I started thinking about returning to work soon. :(

We boarded the 11:34 TGV Lyria to Paris 10 minutes ahead of the departure and got settled. Apart from a stop at Basel and couple of other stations nothing else happened. 

We arrived at Gare de Lyon in Paris on time and made our way on the RER to Gare du Nord. Following the signs to the Grande Lignes we found Halles Londres and went through the whole customs and immigration thing. The 17:13 Eurostar to London left at 17:13. After about 90 minutes at 295kph we arrived at the Channel Tunnel and popped up in England 20 minutes later.

Before we knew it we were at St. Pancras International. Strolled through immigration unchallenged and made or way to the Underground and the Victoria Line. A train came along promptly and we headed to Victoria station. There was a sense of “coming home” after 8 weeks on the Continent. It was good to seen the familiar signs, streets and places. The walk dragging our bags back to Warwick Way brought that feeling home even more so.

Unfortunately our room was on the top floor of the Hotel. Lugging our heavy backs up the narrow, steep stair almost killed me. Of course there is only one cure for a near death experience of that type – pint of Guinness. Indeed, I was so near death I had to have two to fully recover.

We had the drinks and a meal at The Warwick, where we went on the day we arrived in London nine weeks ago. It was then home to bed after a long day.