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26-02-2023, 12:47
Visit the Paul Bailey's Beer Blog site (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/seamless-rail-travel-in-south-east-just.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kENTILHXkCrCs9x_50yqBia2hxfGO7TiCXHfyNyU1d yvK8v-VVx8l1FwiyuV4GU5YkJKJL12qa2HC0Ox1JQoWmYO-JiUcDASuEY1GGQvTemUzw5rU-_ptJoORTwFd6OVu3DIQ1VJ0TsexUVOEyXGodvbG-y16DBbrZ6qqB5Wf9u-DxgL2C9TmAnM/w400-h235/Elizabeth%20line%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kENTILHXkCrCs9x_50yqBia2hxfGO7TiCXHfyNyU1d yvK8v-VVx8l1FwiyuV4GU5YkJKJL12qa2HC0Ox1JQoWmYO-JiUcDASuEY1GGQvTemUzw5rU-_ptJoORTwFd6OVu3DIQ1VJ0TsexUVOEyXGodvbG-y16DBbrZ6qqB5Wf9u-DxgL2C9TmAnM/s3677/Elizabeth%20line%20sign.jpg)
Major infrastructure projects often come in for more than their fair share of criticism, much of which is undeserved. Providing they are sensible and properly thought out schemes, whose purpose is to enhance the common good, then they are fine with me, as long as they are affordable. What we don’t want, as a nation, is some useless vanity project, aimed at “bigging up” its instigator or principle proponent, and unfortunately we have had to deal with a few of these, over the years. Examples of the latter include John Prescott’s Thames Gateway scheme, Boris Johnson’s Garden Bridge across the River Thames, or the so-called “Boris Island” – an artificial island in the Thames Estuary, constructed to accommodate a new airport, for London.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf528GnjjYjCA-O64va52dhhM-7DELS7Y3z3t2cepoh3T4Bnpd5uRwZ525VsMQCenpLfxU22PCZA aV-V_7gTR8yaeShGBZpFYiIejXHIfUvOk72DgGTIjP1CbmyQ106P4 XDxL6dWw046xJAwU6MNsVGeLD5PnWSfi8gHsnFm2zQWsWlclOk XZPv0w/w400-h225/Eurostar%20train.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf528GnjjYjCA-O64va52dhhM-7DELS7Y3z3t2cepoh3T4Bnpd5uRwZ525VsMQCenpLfxU22PCZA aV-V_7gTR8yaeShGBZpFYiIejXHIfUvOk72DgGTIjP1CbmyQ106P4 XDxL6dWw046xJAwU6MNsVGeLD5PnWSfi8gHsnFm2zQWsWlclOk XZPv0w/s3104/Eurostar%20train.JPG)
Leaving aside the vanity of politicians, and their over-blown “puff pieces” we have seen several major infrastructure projects come to fruition in recent years which, whilst running way over budget, have in general led to major improvements in people’s lives, especially when it comes to traveling. I am thinking here of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Thames Link,and most recently the Elizabeth Line – formerly known as Crossrail.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPKCW_rvgv2H4gCXV3W896MALUyzneX9uKaGxyp8A0 NaqwKxln1UG4O3Lvjd7UAPJXHlJLDnC7ZC189c4rPBYchBZKQv 24DM9vxOb1wqxp-lDU5s_kC1NOLwWHaOOqsNrRubua7lCPwkV5csCfCHJiiftooq1 P7QbtkylDyTXZxbF7jBkLW36ikx/w400-h225/Elizabeth%20Line.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPKCW_rvgv2H4gCXV3W896MALUyzneX9uKaGxyp8A0 NaqwKxln1UG4O3Lvjd7UAPJXHlJLDnC7ZC189c4rPBYchBZKQv 24DM9vxOb1wqxp-lDU5s_kC1NOLwWHaOOqsNrRubua7lCPwkV5csCfCHJiiftooq1 P7QbtkylDyTXZxbF7jBkLW36ikx/s4000/Elizabeth%20Line.jpg)
These three projects all came in late and over-budget – sometimes way over budget, but the first two have already proved their worth, and from what I have seen, the third looks set to deliver enormous benefits for people living in London and the south-east. It is the Elizabeth Line I want to talk about here, but before doing so it’s worth looking back for a moment at the comment made by my own, late and very dear father, when he first learned of the plans for a high-speed railway, linking the Channel Tunnel with the capital. “British Rail never built a railway; they only closed them.”
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hoo2x3gHWchS_g6UHZdNYGcjv7T-0omcCYubnvFaL4viF_xfJsvGb1p86rsoa22x-in-sD5RZivT-e2fpYdw5fC1v6a2SSEEJUX7adRTzWpTo8HeGoB9_q-wJYvE-Soi5Gs-Adke-1XLZXoTfW-uvzgoZppsijU7WFj4UPgyrzYMiEPOw3HxZsHY/w400-h300/Channel%20Tunnel%20terminal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hoo2x3gHWchS_g6UHZdNYGcjv7T-0omcCYubnvFaL4viF_xfJsvGb1p86rsoa22x-in-sD5RZivT-e2fpYdw5fC1v6a2SSEEJUX7adRTzWpTo8HeGoB9_q-wJYvE-Soi5Gs-Adke-1XLZXoTfW-uvzgoZppsijU7WFj4UPgyrzYMiEPOw3HxZsHY/s4128/Channel%20Tunnel%20terminal.jpg)
Dad’s comment still tickles me to this day, and whilst to a certain extent he was right, the CTRL was eventually constructed, albeit in two stage, and has been a great success. We should all be aware of NIMBYism, although I’m sure the great 19th Century railway pioneers, came up against the same thing. Moving on, last spring I wrote a piece about a rail journey to Cambridge, that Matthew and I undertook. It involved what many like to call “seamless travel” and for us involved just one change of train, and no change of station.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjf0sQRlq7oOosGQ3TDBF3aAfBtnMJsuT__UEq0KlHZ 8T0YBnC0yscNkpQ12Y3gCC6Y4dGqq6M7xeVerRXtRwfNyIwhRD XcUOvV8sVrwLD55-ui1DCIYD3VS1Kk96tTglnn3jKBv5FGYhNc5G9xHXsYDRxNR6LV FAsIHe-01K-U-Md7z8svc844xk/w400-h225/IMG_20230224_161602.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjf0sQRlq7oOosGQ3TDBF3aAfBtnMJsuT__UEq0KlHZ 8T0YBnC0yscNkpQ12Y3gCC6Y4dGqq6M7xeVerRXtRwfNyIwhRD XcUOvV8sVrwLD55-ui1DCIYD3VS1Kk96tTglnn3jKBv5FGYhNc5G9xHXsYDRxNR6LV FAsIHe-01K-U-Md7z8svc844xk/s4000/IMG_20230224_161602.jpg)
Last Friday, father and son made another almost seamless trip, which whilst involving a couple of changes of train, still did away with the hassle of physically changing terminal stations in the capital. By making use of the recently completed Elizabeth Line, we were able to travel from Tonbridgeto Henley-on-Thames, without physically changing stations. Want to learn how? then read on below.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5m_vW4rgjMzK8NchNDWCkugcUCpGaAXWABQYhs0cfi fsydz08pxMnWYH_LpopfZ7U9M9g1vbbT4nqvfU-142RHSsF1c6YvUVsjctVZg5z3ehpjGfUB5PvpdnTw6E7vjTjjZ mqZGuXRiLMPhl36_Ha9M9tAzoF9CW5M3YaZHmSnq7Af600LSin t7I/w400-h225/Liz%20line%20train.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5m_vW4rgjMzK8NchNDWCkugcUCpGaAXWABQYhs0cfi fsydz08pxMnWYH_LpopfZ7U9M9g1vbbT4nqvfU-142RHSsF1c6YvUVsjctVZg5z3ehpjGfUB5PvpdnTw6E7vjTjjZ mqZGuXRiLMPhl36_Ha9M9tAzoF9CW5M3YaZHmSnq7Af600LSin t7I/s4000/Liz%20line%20train.jpg)
First, take the 09.48 train from Tonbridge to London Bridge (LBG) arriving at 10.20. At LBG change platforms (time for a quick sausage roll from Greggs) and take the 10.31 Thameslink service to Farringdon (3 stops). Take the lengthy escalator down to the Elizabeth Line and wait for the next Reading-bound service. We caught the 11.00 train through to Twyford, which we arrived at an hour later. There was time for a quick cup of coffee, before boarding the 12.15 two-car, GWR shuttle service, to Henley – just two stops in between, and a 12.27 arrival in this attractive, and well-to-do, Thames-side town.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo43LzCARi6eEJa2HjLwhQkMCfHcpmwybO7ZP2csBSYk 1wa33eAAfhNvfho2dN0lfRPSIbvTNHzn74UJqT5jaoxdwEJ3Lt UYGCjmDWyHrybC1dVKoK_pdV7i56wACHxUIgMg9-hdBodNKzEoy7yxRiOTJTP5QNXDsoZeVMTIA31i-06UEfpwZAJAsC/w400-h225/twyford%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo43LzCARi6eEJa2HjLwhQkMCfHcpmwybO7ZP2csBSYk 1wa33eAAfhNvfho2dN0lfRPSIbvTNHzn74UJqT5jaoxdwEJ3Lt UYGCjmDWyHrybC1dVKoK_pdV7i56wACHxUIgMg9-hdBodNKzEoy7yxRiOTJTP5QNXDsoZeVMTIA31i-06UEfpwZAJAsC/s3920/twyford%20station.jpg)
Easy peasy, as the kids don’t say, but a quick, efficient, and pleasant journey, and all without having to get from one mainline London terminal to another. There was just one hassle, and it’s quite a big one if you’re male (am I allowed to use that term, these days?), of a certain age, and you’ve spent several hours enjoying the local beverages, served in a provincial town. THERE ARE NO TOILETS ON ELIZABETH LINE TRAINS!!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7kx83utqdELVOQ8sG06US3jfEUE-miscjs-sGTcyC_sdSDpaGE8aZz9EsOH-6FDayOqmJVTiOCCP7ibVnwCkn_nn4N3WBLjizsunNQwwOfy-PonEQtlcfQSk8n5u0ylGA5GmuoypxdDkP0cGoazNW3R-Zq2CZBnNKuiuBgLSaVNyym5SgwE1_enn/w400-h225/IMG_20230224_162708.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7kx83utqdELVOQ8sG06US3jfEUE-miscjs-sGTcyC_sdSDpaGE8aZz9EsOH-6FDayOqmJVTiOCCP7ibVnwCkn_nn4N3WBLjizsunNQwwOfy-PonEQtlcfQSk8n5u0ylGA5GmuoypxdDkP0cGoazNW3R-Zq2CZBnNKuiuBgLSaVNyym5SgwE1_enn/s1280/IMG_20230224_162708.jpg)
The outward journey wasn’t a problem, and there was time for a quick pee, as well as that welcome cup of coffee at Twyford, and I even managed the return journey without incident, after squeezing one out at Henley station, but it is a factor to take account of. I suppose it you were desperate, you could alight (strange term) at one of the larger intermediate stations, such as Maidenhead or Slough, and then wait for the next eastbound service, but it is worth remembering.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2k7YTslqRvjQYpMTmf0f9mpYuF66OmDjQasmwzG9B AdX-xE5NqX5_k5_LhEAjv9uoayXmCMP_RPusAytLq5317wT_8KBbqa B--r_xZuJxN4s9uUgVglpYft6lPOYFgiGTiu_uKFq12KIYoBAckOu 3DlVJXYB1zIfIxZJdqBz_0w2Fp0g5yfOmjl/w400-h250/St%20Pancras.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2k7YTslqRvjQYpMTmf0f9mpYuF66OmDjQasmwzG9B AdX-xE5NqX5_k5_LhEAjv9uoayXmCMP_RPusAytLq5317wT_8KBbqa B--r_xZuJxN4s9uUgVglpYft6lPOYFgiGTiu_uKFq12KIYoBAckOu 3DlVJXYB1zIfIxZJdqBz_0w2Fp0g5yfOmjl/s2548/St%20Pancras.jpg)
It's also worth remembering that the toilets (both Ladies & Gents), at London Bridge, are the other side of the ticket barrier. When travelling with a “through ticket” I’m always slightly concerned the machine is going to swallow my ticket, and leave me stranded thereby making me, in effect, a fare dodger. “The machine withheld my ticket, Mr Revenue Inspector.” “A likely tale, sir. That’s a hundred pound fine, plus the cost of the journey, if you please.” In such circumstances, approach one of the staff on the ticket barrier, and ask to be let out, and then back in once you’ve accomplished your mission.” It could save you a lot of hassle, a lot of money, and besmirched your otherwise impeccable character. With tips and advice like this, I ought to become my own travel correspondent!
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More... (https://baileysbeerblog.blogspot.com/2023/02/seamless-rail-travel-in-south-east-just.html)
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kENTILHXkCrCs9x_50yqBia2hxfGO7TiCXHfyNyU1d yvK8v-VVx8l1FwiyuV4GU5YkJKJL12qa2HC0Ox1JQoWmYO-JiUcDASuEY1GGQvTemUzw5rU-_ptJoORTwFd6OVu3DIQ1VJ0TsexUVOEyXGodvbG-y16DBbrZ6qqB5Wf9u-DxgL2C9TmAnM/w400-h235/Elizabeth%20line%20sign.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0kENTILHXkCrCs9x_50yqBia2hxfGO7TiCXHfyNyU1d yvK8v-VVx8l1FwiyuV4GU5YkJKJL12qa2HC0Ox1JQoWmYO-JiUcDASuEY1GGQvTemUzw5rU-_ptJoORTwFd6OVu3DIQ1VJ0TsexUVOEyXGodvbG-y16DBbrZ6qqB5Wf9u-DxgL2C9TmAnM/s3677/Elizabeth%20line%20sign.jpg)
Major infrastructure projects often come in for more than their fair share of criticism, much of which is undeserved. Providing they are sensible and properly thought out schemes, whose purpose is to enhance the common good, then they are fine with me, as long as they are affordable. What we don’t want, as a nation, is some useless vanity project, aimed at “bigging up” its instigator or principle proponent, and unfortunately we have had to deal with a few of these, over the years. Examples of the latter include John Prescott’s Thames Gateway scheme, Boris Johnson’s Garden Bridge across the River Thames, or the so-called “Boris Island” – an artificial island in the Thames Estuary, constructed to accommodate a new airport, for London.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf528GnjjYjCA-O64va52dhhM-7DELS7Y3z3t2cepoh3T4Bnpd5uRwZ525VsMQCenpLfxU22PCZA aV-V_7gTR8yaeShGBZpFYiIejXHIfUvOk72DgGTIjP1CbmyQ106P4 XDxL6dWw046xJAwU6MNsVGeLD5PnWSfi8gHsnFm2zQWsWlclOk XZPv0w/w400-h225/Eurostar%20train.JPG (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnf528GnjjYjCA-O64va52dhhM-7DELS7Y3z3t2cepoh3T4Bnpd5uRwZ525VsMQCenpLfxU22PCZA aV-V_7gTR8yaeShGBZpFYiIejXHIfUvOk72DgGTIjP1CbmyQ106P4 XDxL6dWw046xJAwU6MNsVGeLD5PnWSfi8gHsnFm2zQWsWlclOk XZPv0w/s3104/Eurostar%20train.JPG)
Leaving aside the vanity of politicians, and their over-blown “puff pieces” we have seen several major infrastructure projects come to fruition in recent years which, whilst running way over budget, have in general led to major improvements in people’s lives, especially when it comes to traveling. I am thinking here of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, Thames Link,and most recently the Elizabeth Line – formerly known as Crossrail.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPKCW_rvgv2H4gCXV3W896MALUyzneX9uKaGxyp8A0 NaqwKxln1UG4O3Lvjd7UAPJXHlJLDnC7ZC189c4rPBYchBZKQv 24DM9vxOb1wqxp-lDU5s_kC1NOLwWHaOOqsNrRubua7lCPwkV5csCfCHJiiftooq1 P7QbtkylDyTXZxbF7jBkLW36ikx/w400-h225/Elizabeth%20Line.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1MPKCW_rvgv2H4gCXV3W896MALUyzneX9uKaGxyp8A0 NaqwKxln1UG4O3Lvjd7UAPJXHlJLDnC7ZC189c4rPBYchBZKQv 24DM9vxOb1wqxp-lDU5s_kC1NOLwWHaOOqsNrRubua7lCPwkV5csCfCHJiiftooq1 P7QbtkylDyTXZxbF7jBkLW36ikx/s4000/Elizabeth%20Line.jpg)
These three projects all came in late and over-budget – sometimes way over budget, but the first two have already proved their worth, and from what I have seen, the third looks set to deliver enormous benefits for people living in London and the south-east. It is the Elizabeth Line I want to talk about here, but before doing so it’s worth looking back for a moment at the comment made by my own, late and very dear father, when he first learned of the plans for a high-speed railway, linking the Channel Tunnel with the capital. “British Rail never built a railway; they only closed them.”
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hoo2x3gHWchS_g6UHZdNYGcjv7T-0omcCYubnvFaL4viF_xfJsvGb1p86rsoa22x-in-sD5RZivT-e2fpYdw5fC1v6a2SSEEJUX7adRTzWpTo8HeGoB9_q-wJYvE-Soi5Gs-Adke-1XLZXoTfW-uvzgoZppsijU7WFj4UPgyrzYMiEPOw3HxZsHY/w400-h300/Channel%20Tunnel%20terminal.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Hoo2x3gHWchS_g6UHZdNYGcjv7T-0omcCYubnvFaL4viF_xfJsvGb1p86rsoa22x-in-sD5RZivT-e2fpYdw5fC1v6a2SSEEJUX7adRTzWpTo8HeGoB9_q-wJYvE-Soi5Gs-Adke-1XLZXoTfW-uvzgoZppsijU7WFj4UPgyrzYMiEPOw3HxZsHY/s4128/Channel%20Tunnel%20terminal.jpg)
Dad’s comment still tickles me to this day, and whilst to a certain extent he was right, the CTRL was eventually constructed, albeit in two stage, and has been a great success. We should all be aware of NIMBYism, although I’m sure the great 19th Century railway pioneers, came up against the same thing. Moving on, last spring I wrote a piece about a rail journey to Cambridge, that Matthew and I undertook. It involved what many like to call “seamless travel” and for us involved just one change of train, and no change of station.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjf0sQRlq7oOosGQ3TDBF3aAfBtnMJsuT__UEq0KlHZ 8T0YBnC0yscNkpQ12Y3gCC6Y4dGqq6M7xeVerRXtRwfNyIwhRD XcUOvV8sVrwLD55-ui1DCIYD3VS1Kk96tTglnn3jKBv5FGYhNc5G9xHXsYDRxNR6LV FAsIHe-01K-U-Md7z8svc844xk/w400-h225/IMG_20230224_161602.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzjf0sQRlq7oOosGQ3TDBF3aAfBtnMJsuT__UEq0KlHZ 8T0YBnC0yscNkpQ12Y3gCC6Y4dGqq6M7xeVerRXtRwfNyIwhRD XcUOvV8sVrwLD55-ui1DCIYD3VS1Kk96tTglnn3jKBv5FGYhNc5G9xHXsYDRxNR6LV FAsIHe-01K-U-Md7z8svc844xk/s4000/IMG_20230224_161602.jpg)
Last Friday, father and son made another almost seamless trip, which whilst involving a couple of changes of train, still did away with the hassle of physically changing terminal stations in the capital. By making use of the recently completed Elizabeth Line, we were able to travel from Tonbridgeto Henley-on-Thames, without physically changing stations. Want to learn how? then read on below.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5m_vW4rgjMzK8NchNDWCkugcUCpGaAXWABQYhs0cfi fsydz08pxMnWYH_LpopfZ7U9M9g1vbbT4nqvfU-142RHSsF1c6YvUVsjctVZg5z3ehpjGfUB5PvpdnTw6E7vjTjjZ mqZGuXRiLMPhl36_Ha9M9tAzoF9CW5M3YaZHmSnq7Af600LSin t7I/w400-h225/Liz%20line%20train.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy5m_vW4rgjMzK8NchNDWCkugcUCpGaAXWABQYhs0cfi fsydz08pxMnWYH_LpopfZ7U9M9g1vbbT4nqvfU-142RHSsF1c6YvUVsjctVZg5z3ehpjGfUB5PvpdnTw6E7vjTjjZ mqZGuXRiLMPhl36_Ha9M9tAzoF9CW5M3YaZHmSnq7Af600LSin t7I/s4000/Liz%20line%20train.jpg)
First, take the 09.48 train from Tonbridge to London Bridge (LBG) arriving at 10.20. At LBG change platforms (time for a quick sausage roll from Greggs) and take the 10.31 Thameslink service to Farringdon (3 stops). Take the lengthy escalator down to the Elizabeth Line and wait for the next Reading-bound service. We caught the 11.00 train through to Twyford, which we arrived at an hour later. There was time for a quick cup of coffee, before boarding the 12.15 two-car, GWR shuttle service, to Henley – just two stops in between, and a 12.27 arrival in this attractive, and well-to-do, Thames-side town.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo43LzCARi6eEJa2HjLwhQkMCfHcpmwybO7ZP2csBSYk 1wa33eAAfhNvfho2dN0lfRPSIbvTNHzn74UJqT5jaoxdwEJ3Lt UYGCjmDWyHrybC1dVKoK_pdV7i56wACHxUIgMg9-hdBodNKzEoy7yxRiOTJTP5QNXDsoZeVMTIA31i-06UEfpwZAJAsC/w400-h225/twyford%20station.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo43LzCARi6eEJa2HjLwhQkMCfHcpmwybO7ZP2csBSYk 1wa33eAAfhNvfho2dN0lfRPSIbvTNHzn74UJqT5jaoxdwEJ3Lt UYGCjmDWyHrybC1dVKoK_pdV7i56wACHxUIgMg9-hdBodNKzEoy7yxRiOTJTP5QNXDsoZeVMTIA31i-06UEfpwZAJAsC/s3920/twyford%20station.jpg)
Easy peasy, as the kids don’t say, but a quick, efficient, and pleasant journey, and all without having to get from one mainline London terminal to another. There was just one hassle, and it’s quite a big one if you’re male (am I allowed to use that term, these days?), of a certain age, and you’ve spent several hours enjoying the local beverages, served in a provincial town. THERE ARE NO TOILETS ON ELIZABETH LINE TRAINS!!
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7kx83utqdELVOQ8sG06US3jfEUE-miscjs-sGTcyC_sdSDpaGE8aZz9EsOH-6FDayOqmJVTiOCCP7ibVnwCkn_nn4N3WBLjizsunNQwwOfy-PonEQtlcfQSk8n5u0ylGA5GmuoypxdDkP0cGoazNW3R-Zq2CZBnNKuiuBgLSaVNyym5SgwE1_enn/w400-h225/IMG_20230224_162708.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl7kx83utqdELVOQ8sG06US3jfEUE-miscjs-sGTcyC_sdSDpaGE8aZz9EsOH-6FDayOqmJVTiOCCP7ibVnwCkn_nn4N3WBLjizsunNQwwOfy-PonEQtlcfQSk8n5u0ylGA5GmuoypxdDkP0cGoazNW3R-Zq2CZBnNKuiuBgLSaVNyym5SgwE1_enn/s1280/IMG_20230224_162708.jpg)
The outward journey wasn’t a problem, and there was time for a quick pee, as well as that welcome cup of coffee at Twyford, and I even managed the return journey without incident, after squeezing one out at Henley station, but it is a factor to take account of. I suppose it you were desperate, you could alight (strange term) at one of the larger intermediate stations, such as Maidenhead or Slough, and then wait for the next eastbound service, but it is worth remembering.
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2k7YTslqRvjQYpMTmf0f9mpYuF66OmDjQasmwzG9B AdX-xE5NqX5_k5_LhEAjv9uoayXmCMP_RPusAytLq5317wT_8KBbqa B--r_xZuJxN4s9uUgVglpYft6lPOYFgiGTiu_uKFq12KIYoBAckOu 3DlVJXYB1zIfIxZJdqBz_0w2Fp0g5yfOmjl/w400-h250/St%20Pancras.jpg (https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSS2k7YTslqRvjQYpMTmf0f9mpYuF66OmDjQasmwzG9B AdX-xE5NqX5_k5_LhEAjv9uoayXmCMP_RPusAytLq5317wT_8KBbqa B--r_xZuJxN4s9uUgVglpYft6lPOYFgiGTiu_uKFq12KIYoBAckOu 3DlVJXYB1zIfIxZJdqBz_0w2Fp0g5yfOmjl/s2548/St%20Pancras.jpg)
It's also worth remembering that the toilets (both Ladies & Gents), at London Bridge, are the other side of the ticket barrier. When travelling with a “through ticket” I’m always slightly concerned the machine is going to swallow my ticket, and leave me stranded thereby making me, in effect, a fare dodger. “The machine withheld my ticket, Mr Revenue Inspector.” “A likely tale, sir. That’s a hundred pound fine, plus the cost of the journey, if you please.” In such circumstances, approach one of the staff on the ticket barrier, and ask to be let out, and then back in once you’ve accomplished your mission.” It could save you a lot of hassle, a lot of money, and besmirched your otherwise impeccable character. With tips and advice like this, I ought to become my own travel correspondent!
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