second day off...
Yup, once again snow we were warned was coming, had about a week to prepare for...has brought the rail network to a grinding halt.
They even SAID they were ready for it this time.
Yesterday I left home at about half five, went to the station - the train wasn't very late, but was very empty, got on it, we were motoring...then got to Three Bridges...and stopped. Announcement came on to say we were being held at the station. Then another announcement telling us that the line ahead was blocked by a broken down train. And it was over 3 out of the four lines...so our train wasn't going anywhere, and if we wanted to go back South there was a train due in about 5 mins - and then they didn't know when there'd be another.
So I did the brave thing - it having taken me 3.5 hours to get home the night before - and shot over to the next platform to come back to Brighton.
3 trains and 2 hours later, I was home again!
Today ALL trains services South of Croydon (the outer edge of London) are suspended. We had about 5 inches of snow yesterday evening, I suppose - but we KNEW it was coming. I seriously can't believe how utterly unprepared they are. I think even the inner London services aren't running until about 10am.
Still, might go out in the snow, and have tentative arrangements with other stranded folk to get a nice hot chocolate somewhere in town and celebrate our strandedness!
Still, the boss is being pretty understanding, whilst a little jealous, cos in London it's freezing, but not snowing.
First Christmas icon usage of the year. Yo.
They even SAID they were ready for it this time.
Yesterday I left home at about half five, went to the station - the train wasn't very late, but was very empty, got on it, we were motoring...then got to Three Bridges...and stopped. Announcement came on to say we were being held at the station. Then another announcement telling us that the line ahead was blocked by a broken down train. And it was over 3 out of the four lines...so our train wasn't going anywhere, and if we wanted to go back South there was a train due in about 5 mins - and then they didn't know when there'd be another.
So I did the brave thing - it having taken me 3.5 hours to get home the night before - and shot over to the next platform to come back to Brighton.
3 trains and 2 hours later, I was home again!
Today ALL trains services South of Croydon (the outer edge of London) are suspended. We had about 5 inches of snow yesterday evening, I suppose - but we KNEW it was coming. I seriously can't believe how utterly unprepared they are. I think even the inner London services aren't running until about 10am.
Still, might go out in the snow, and have tentative arrangements with other stranded folk to get a nice hot chocolate somewhere in town and celebrate our strandedness!
Still, the boss is being pretty understanding, whilst a little jealous, cos in London it's freezing, but not snowing.
First Christmas icon usage of the year. Yo.