h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The thought occurred to me that I might end up telling my travellers tales umpteen times to my hootoo friends, so I have decided to write a little (?!) journal entry instead.

On Friday, I set off from my house to travel by public transport to my brother’s home in Birmingham. The centre of Ipswich is currently being dug up in several places, so there are no direct buses from my house to the station. As I was making the ten minute walk from one bus station to the other, I wondered if it wouldn’t have been quicker to walk all the way (I tested this theory on the way back – walking = 35 minutes. Travel by bus = 30 minutes).

Anyhoo, my first real inconvenience of the day was that my train from Ipswich to Liverpool Street was 7 minutes late and was also three coaches short so was a tad crowded (nowhere to put my suitcase). By the time we reached Liverpool Street our lateness was more in the region of 12 minutes. There were no announcements at all on this train, and this became particularly irritating after we arrived at Liverpool Street and were not let off the train for at least 10 minutes. It might have been helpful to tell us that Liverpool Street was shut! So that was inconvenience number 2 – a security alert at Liverpool Street. When we were eventually let off the train, we were chucked out the back of the station. So, I consulted my trusty A to Z and was attempting to find my way to Liverpool Street Tube Station when I found my way barred by Policemen shouting “Everybody move back!” It was at this point that my Mum rang my mobile, having just seen on News 24 that the police had closed the station.

After convincing Mother that I hadn’t been blown up (and neither had anyone else), I managed to find my way to Moorgate Tube Station and hopped onto the Northern Line. I was actually looking for a stop to catch a 205 bus from, but as the stop I found was opposite Moorgate Tube and I was already running more than 30 minutes late, I opted for the tube for speed. I arrived at Euston too late to catch the 14:40 train that I was booked to travel on and inconvenience number 3 was that the next train to Birmingham, the 15:10 was delayed. I eventually arrived at New Street at ten-to-five – so much for it being quicker via London! I could have done without the hysterical phone calls from my parents (they rang again while I was waiting at Euston and my Dad started talking about driving to Birmingham from Lincolnshire to get me and take me back to Ipswich). I told him that I would come home via Cambridge just to shut him up (this was never going to happen as my ticked wasn’t valid for the operator that runs between Birmingham and Cambridge). Parents!

Jon and Liz’s house is much changed since I last saw it, although still not entirely finished. Their kitchen is particularly nice and I also envy the amount of electrical sockets they have. Their second bedroom is a good size (bigger than either of my bedrooms) and is painted a rather nice shade of sky blue. I couldn’t help noticing how deliciously thick their carpeting is upstairs. They have oak flooring downstairs, which is a much darker colour than my naff old laminate (and so doesn’t show the dirt as much) and is laid diagonally. It’s very nice.

We spent most of Saturday at Millennium Point, and mainly in the Think Tank, which is Birmingham’s answer to the Science Museum. It was good fun and much better than I expected. We saw a 3D film at the IMAX Cinema, also located at Millennium Point, which was clever and interesting but difficult to watch (made me a bit sea-sick).

We went out for a meal on Saturday evening, which got gate crashed by Liz’s Mum and Dad and brother. I hadn’t met the brother before – I think he may be an acquired taste.

We went to Clent hills on Sunday for a little fresh air and exercise. Had a light snack at a very nice pub at lunchtime. We ate outside under an umbrella in the rain. How very British!

Monday’s trip home was much smoother. There was hardly anyone on the Virgin service from New Street to Euston. I got on early enough to stow my luggage so I didn’t have to have it squashed in with me (which I had to on both the trains I caught on Friday). It was one of those tilting trains, which was an odd sensation. I spotted a narrow boat making its way along a canal out of the train window – now that’s something you don’t see in East Anglia.

I had an easy-peasy transfer on the tube - my ticket allowed 55 minutes and it took only 20 (I couldn’t help but notice how few people were on the tube - I’ve never seen it so quiet). If I go by train again, I will not pre-book tickets because if I’d had a ticket without train times printed on it, I could have caught an earlier train. However, I comfortably caught the 2.30. My experience on the Virgin service on Friday didn’t impress me much, but Monday’s Virgin Train from New Street to Euston was clean, modern and arrived on time. The same cannot be said for the 14:30 One Anglia service to Norwich – the train was old, filthy and despite leaving dead on two-thirty, was running nearly 10 minutes behind by the time it reached Ipswich.

I’m not entirely sure if I’d do this journey by train again. I think I might hire a car next time – it’s not that much more expensive and just gives that bit more flexibility (and nearly halves the total journey time). Train travel is fine if you don’t have luggage with you, or if there is a direct train, but suitcases and transfers don’t always mix.

Hi liz,the journey to your brothers sounds horrendous,..you must have needed a calming weekend to prepare yourself for the journey back home!!!I,m glad you enjoyed yourself,i think you'll have to go on my list of "who needs what if i win the lottery"
Liz.......car!!!!
Are you back at work today??Any adventures planned for next weekend?Maybe something closer to home,with no travelling involved?

Well, it wasn't the best journey ever, but it wasn't that bad really (I've had worse delays).

I've got lots of cooking and cleaning planned for this weekend. My brother and his girlfriend are going to a barbecue at some friends of theirs who only live about 30 miles away from me on Saturday. Then they are coming to mine on Sunday, so I shall be feeding them, they will stay the night and then set off early (I'm still waiting to hear just how early) on Monday morning to drive to Dover to catch a ferry to France for their holidays. So, on Saturday I shall be fetching groceries, tidying up the house and preparing a posh pud for Sunday and then on Sunday I shall be cooking a huge lunch and, hopefully, having a jolly time with my two favourite people.

~Wow, it's not every time you travel that you get such action and excitement!

I agree with you about the trains- they take ages even though they're supposed to be faster, and they cost a packet for what you get. Also, the greenpeace dudes lie when they say it's environmentally better to get a train- even if the train's full to capacity, it'd be greener for everyone on the train to car pool.

TK[1]