When the
time comes for me to leave I break down in tears. How could I have
ever felt this was the right thing to do? Sarah comforts me and
drives me to the railway station. We arrive about 15 minutes before I
have to catch the train and hold each other in our arms, feeling the pain of
being torn apart. We agree to walk away without looking back when
the time comes, and hold each other as if we will never let wild
horses pull us apart. At this moment nothing is more tempting than to
stay in the foyer and miss the train. But finally, I realise there
is no time left, give Sarah one last squeeze and say “I have to
go”, then walk on to the platform.
Although
I have a reserved seat (first class) I just go to another carriage
where there are no reserved places and sit where it pleases me. The
journey passes uneventfully enough with me having an egg sandwich and
a beer for a late breakfast. The train stops every 20 minutes or so
and at Northampton a large family group gets on with insufferably
noisy children that they do not even attempt to keep quiet so I have
to wear earplugs, Gratefully I get off and walk to the Tube which is
several minutes away, Easy journey although the weight of my bags
wears me down. Jubilee line station at London bridge appears to have
no lifts or escalators, probably I missed them, so had to lug bags
down the stairs, three flights, my elbows began to protest. Got off
at Canada Water and after some dithering whilst looking at maps and
getting my bearings walk to the YHA. Booked in, walked over to the
nearest pub and had steak for lunch, got in touch with Sarah and my
parents. Weather fine, cityscape of London spectacular and
futuristic, reminds me of Judge Dredd. I then catch the Tube to
Wapping and the famous Prospect of Whitby pub, (famous on association
with Judge Jeffries and Captain Kidd,) then shower and go back for a
light dinner at a small Chinese restaurant, one more beer and back
for bed. The Prospect is actually a lovely old fashioned English
pub, the like of which is not seen very often. It's very oak panelled
and raftered, with discreet lighting giving it an intimate and
historic feel. As a stranger in London I feel I'm already in another
world and try not to think too much about what's coming.
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