Well here we are again.
Finally on the airport train from Oslo to Asker.
It's been a trying day to say the least. Got up this morning thinking I had left plenty of time for the train to Gatwick. Even allowing for a bus between Exeter and Taunton due to the flooding, a 0925 start was early enough.
Called for a taxi at 0830 but they said they were fully booked but could do one later at 0900. That was pushing it a bit and asked for anything earlier. Yup ten minutes. Bit of a rush to get dressed but I made it. Loaded up the bags and checked to see if I had my travel documents. Yup. All there, lets roll.
Got close to Morrisons when I missed my phones. We pulled over to check. Nope. Had to quickly go back and get them off the chair. Idiot boy.
No worries now mate.
Any train to Exeter will do they said at the counter as I checked the routing. Train left on time.
There was an awful lot of water still on the ground. I was actually surprised more of the network hadn't been affected by the very extensive flooding.
Got into Exeter St. Davids to get on a bus for the trip to Taunton. This normally takes about 20-25mins by train but took just over an hour by bus. Actually went by quite quickly.
Once off the bus, one of the fat controllers shouted 'platform 5 for London'. Off I trotted probably doing lots of damage to my knees in the process. At platform 5 I asked a couple of uniforms if they worked at the station to confirm the platform was correct. Nope they said, we work ON the trains not the stations. Looking up at the departures board I saw the London train was in fact due to leave from platform three.
Off I trotted again.
Starting to wish I hadn't packed 1kg of cheddar, two jars peanut butter, two packs of bacon, two packs of sausages, two packs of instant gravy, and three litres of cider.
Got into the first class section before the train was due to leave. Just taking my jacket off when I saw the two uniforms from platform five enter the galley.
This train did not leave on time coz the driver was still on his way from Exeter St. Davids by taxi?
About 20mins late we departed. No trolley service today so had to go get my complementary drinks myself! The cheek.
Was feeling a bit peckish by the time we arrived in Reading. We were slightly delayed due to a maintenance train in front only doing 5mph for a short period.
As I had about 45mins til the next Gatwick train at 1435hrs I got a Subway.
Drinking a cup of tea I suddenly realised I didn't actually know where the temporary apartment keys were!
Bugger :-X Not good.
I thought I'd left them in my laptop bag as is normal for house keys I am not currently using. Nope. Not in the usual place at all. It is getting close to the train departure time but I am now very concerned and start taking the bags apart.
More fretting had to wait until I was on the train. Sent email request to Ken to see if he could find them. If I have lost them it means a change of locks at the flat.
Called the boss and appraised him I'd need a hotel overnight and could he contact the
Team people in Asker to see if they can bring me a set of keys tomorrow. No problem.
Got a text confirming booking by Randi a few minutes later.
Got a call from Team saying they'd drop a set of keys to WG reception so I could pick them up from there and go straight to the flat and not bovver wiv da otel.
Further updates arrived from the boss, to say the keys wouldn't be available until tomorrow so the hotel was back on.
Had a brief meeting with Gordon in Gatwick. Had to use a trolley to carry all the stuff I had got. Thinking about how I'll need to travel in the future.
By the time I got to the airport I was feeling very tired indeed. Had a quick sandwich as I didn't feel I had enough time to sit down to something more substantial.
The flight over was uneventful. Bought a bottle of Irish Whiskey to allay fears from customs about what else I might have in the bags. Would look a bit suspicious going straight through without buying something.
The train took me to Asker. Got a taxi to the Scandic hotel. As expected the room had indeed been cancelled. I eventually found the booking reference on my phone by booting up the laptop. Long story don't ask.
Had a quick shower and went to bed without an alarm.
It's been a trying day to say the least. Got up this morning thinking I had left plenty of time for the train to Gatwick. Even allowing for a bus between Exeter and Taunton due to the flooding, a 0925 start was early enough.
Called for a taxi at 0830 but they said they were fully booked but could do one later at 0900. That was pushing it a bit and asked for anything earlier. Yup ten minutes. Bit of a rush to get dressed but I made it. Loaded up the bags and checked to see if I had my travel documents. Yup. All there, lets roll.
Got close to Morrisons when I missed my phones. We pulled over to check. Nope. Had to quickly go back and get them off the chair. Idiot boy.
No worries now mate.
Any train to Exeter will do they said at the counter as I checked the routing. Train left on time.
There was an awful lot of water still on the ground. I was actually surprised more of the network hadn't been affected by the very extensive flooding.
Got into Exeter St. Davids to get on a bus for the trip to Taunton. This normally takes about 20-25mins by train but took just over an hour by bus. Actually went by quite quickly.
Once off the bus, one of the fat controllers shouted 'platform 5 for London'. Off I trotted probably doing lots of damage to my knees in the process. At platform 5 I asked a couple of uniforms if they worked at the station to confirm the platform was correct. Nope they said, we work ON the trains not the stations. Looking up at the departures board I saw the London train was in fact due to leave from platform three.
Off I trotted again.
Starting to wish I hadn't packed 1kg of cheddar, two jars peanut butter, two packs of bacon, two packs of sausages, two packs of instant gravy, and three litres of cider.
Got into the first class section before the train was due to leave. Just taking my jacket off when I saw the two uniforms from platform five enter the galley.
This train did not leave on time coz the driver was still on his way from Exeter St. Davids by taxi?
About 20mins late we departed. No trolley service today so had to go get my complementary drinks myself! The cheek.
Was feeling a bit peckish by the time we arrived in Reading. We were slightly delayed due to a maintenance train in front only doing 5mph for a short period.
As I had about 45mins til the next Gatwick train at 1435hrs I got a Subway.
Drinking a cup of tea I suddenly realised I didn't actually know where the temporary apartment keys were!
Bugger :-X Not good.
I thought I'd left them in my laptop bag as is normal for house keys I am not currently using. Nope. Not in the usual place at all. It is getting close to the train departure time but I am now very concerned and start taking the bags apart.
More fretting had to wait until I was on the train. Sent email request to Ken to see if he could find them. If I have lost them it means a change of locks at the flat.
Called the boss and appraised him I'd need a hotel overnight and could he contact the
Team people in Asker to see if they can bring me a set of keys tomorrow. No problem.
Got a text confirming booking by Randi a few minutes later.
Got a call from Team saying they'd drop a set of keys to WG reception so I could pick them up from there and go straight to the flat and not bovver wiv da otel.
Further updates arrived from the boss, to say the keys wouldn't be available until tomorrow so the hotel was back on.
Had a brief meeting with Gordon in Gatwick. Had to use a trolley to carry all the stuff I had got. Thinking about how I'll need to travel in the future.
By the time I got to the airport I was feeling very tired indeed. Had a quick sandwich as I didn't feel I had enough time to sit down to something more substantial.
The flight over was uneventful. Bought a bottle of Irish Whiskey to allay fears from customs about what else I might have in the bags. Would look a bit suspicious going straight through without buying something.
The train took me to Asker. Got a taxi to the Scandic hotel. As expected the room had indeed been cancelled. I eventually found the booking reference on my phone by booting up the laptop. Long story don't ask.
Had a quick shower and went to bed without an alarm.
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