The Bates Go to Mallaig

We are off on our 22 day journey through England, Scotland and Wales (Whales to you Arta) only we already lost two days because we leave before 22 days. When I phoned the hotel from Calgary, I was told we could leave our luggage at the hotel while we travelled to and from London. Now the hotel wants 10 pounds a day to store the luggage. So we left dragging 6 bags, 3 too many. Greg is going to contact one of his women at the office to store two of the big bags before we go on our next trip out of London. We took a cab from our hotel to Kings Cross.

I waited in the ticket line with my three suitcases in order to activate our passes. I was100 metres ahead of Greg. An official looking worker approached Greg and told him to jump the line and he work activate our Britrail passes.

I backtracked my steps. Then the man escorted us and took a piece of luggage to the 9:30 a.m. train leaving in two minutes for Edinburgh. We got on the train; I zoomed in to stake out some good seats while Greg lagged behind sorting luggage. Another conductor told Greg it would be better if he got off and took the 10:00 a.m. train which was direct to Edinburgh, rather than changing trains at York.

Again, I backtracked. That train left as Greg went to secure a luggage cart which we did not need. I asked him for the Britrail passes as he returned. He felt his pockets and did not have them. I checked my purse and pockets, no passes. So my mind was working trying to get back our Britrail passes which I had perhaps left of the train table of the 'gone away' train. I double checked everywhere including Greg's pockets. There were the Britrail passes. Now I am the guardian of the Britrail passes, just like I was when travelling with Arta.

Once the train started and we had our four seats, Greg rubbed his hands together, a grin on his face and said, "We made it. A perfect holiday." Our passes are in first-class where there are some freebies given out. When the steward came by I asked for hot chocolate which was free in the spring in first class. He told that it would be 4 pounds. So I told him we would take anything that is free. He offered us water, coffee and biscuits. Then he asked if we wanted ice because it was free, also. I took it!

Today is the coldest day in London for 17 years. Great day to start a trip.

Our hotel room in London was smaller than our state room on the cruise ship. However the shower in London is bigger and recently finished. One of our suitcases is just full of food we never finished in London. Greg finished off some pastries in our hotel room but I did not start eating until on the train. I brought out blueberries and bananas. I eat one blueberry, Greg drops a handful in his mouth. I place the blueberries out of his reach. I begin eating a shortbread cookie, put it down, go to take another bite and the thing has been nearly finished. Shades of Arta. She was always taking my biscuits.

Last night we saw La Boheme. It was so exquisite! I must get out my I Pod that Marcia loaded and listen to it. Greg went out with me one morning in London to get show tickets. Then he did four shows in two days plus the wash. He was exhausted afterwards and wondered when the holiday would start. It started this morning when I never insisted we get up at 5 a.m. in order to catch the 6:00 a.m. train to Edinburgh.

Oh, here comes the trolley again with some freebies.

Love to all of you and wish you were all here!

Love,
Wyona

P.S. Now, 10 hours later. I composed and wrote this message while on the train. But it would not save or send. Luckily, I copied it and pasted it in a microsoft document. It seems I can read and write but not save or send. We are checked into our hotel in Edinburgh, gone for a walk, Greg an extended walk and we are ready to knock out but it is 8:30 p.m...too early. We are up at 5:30 a.m. to catch the 7 a.m. train to Mallaig. Remember Arta and Tonia? I just read on line that this RR trip is rated the best in the world...better than the trip through the Canadian Rockies. I reported that to Greg and he said, says whoa!