Our train was due to leave Parkway at
11.01am T. My reputation for not quite being on time went before
me. My dear sister-in-law Rose arrived at about 10 past 10, and in
her calm yet determined manner gave us occasional countdowns as to
how many minutes we had left until 10.30, when we absolutely had to
leave the house or risk missing the train. We managed to hang out
the washing before we left (filling those time pockets which are what
causes a late person's.. well ... lateness). Elaine would bring in
the washing when she got home from work. Will she be cheering? A
parent-free house at last! And for 3 and a half months! Elaine,let
the party begin! Well, you do have those gorgeous cupcakes that
Auntie Heather brought you yesterday, as she couldn't make you a
birthday cake in March cos you were on Lent. Just right for sharing
with friends.
We caught the train with 10 minutes to
spare. Geoff, Rose's husband (Rose and Geoff are the grandparents of
baby Joe who was born a week ago on my 60th birthday,
clever niece Sarah, and clever baby),is sharing our journey with us
as far as St Pancreas, where we catch the Eurostar, as he has to go
to Paris on business. He goes there a lot and has decided he
prefers the train to the plane. He brings his Dahon folding bike so
gets off the Eurostar in Paris and cycles to his hotel, so benefits
from some stress relieving exercise as well. Can't be bad.
We arrived in Brussels to a transport
strike,but didn't have to wait too long for a taxi to take us from
the station to our hotel. I thought a fight might break out between
a taxi driver and a private car owner – the latter was coming up to
people and trying to take the taxis' business. It pays to be aware
of this practice, as the private car driver will come up to you in
the taxi queue and say, “How many people?” Before you know it
he's got you into a car where he'll centrally lock all the doors, and
as there's no meter, he can charge you what he likes, and won't let
you out until you've paid him. That happened to Reg in Warsaw.
The Brussels hotel was slick, sleek and
of high quality, with chandeliers and a 12 foot wide red carpet out
the front. Hotel Bristol Stephanie, part of the Thon chain, its
really expensive for business users, but gives great deals for
private travellers. A doorman came and got our bags and soon whisked
them up to our room. I was impressed. Oh, bliss, to arrive at our
first destination, and be able to relax, after all the stresses and
strains of the past few weeks – the nightmare of obtaining visas,
train tickets which couldn't be booked until just before the journey,
organisations which didn't like Mastercard, and, suitcase handles
falling off when you lift your packed suitcase off the bed. Now we
could relax – and we did, by having (in the hotel) rabbit cooked
“au nouveau cuisine”with red wine (as I don't often drink I had a
pounding head the next morning as I did have rather more than usual),
followed by rhubarb crumble with fruit compote - very exotic. I slept
well for the first time in about a month. No longer was my head
swimming with things I had to do before I went away (eg Minutes of
the Worship Committee - I wouldn't have let you down,John,honest),
last minute shopping, & people to see or phone before I left).
My great-nephew had arrived safely and on my birthday(I
never tire of repeating this fact) – so we could leave with hearts
and minds at peace!
I mustn't get used to this luxurious living though - most of our accommodation is hostels - shared bathrooms etc etc. Lovely for the first night though!!
No comments:
Post a Comment