Orkney & Shetland Tour – Day 0

So, I arrived home and finished packing those items that had arrived the night before.  Of the three I received, only two went in the suitcase. I double checked BBCi on my television for the weather forecasts and threw in two jumpers – just in case.

I didn’t get much sleep and it was soon morning.  I had a shower and put my shower cap in the bag and zipped everything up.  I took all the medication I could as I was still not well and I had a disagreement with my landlady the day before about going into my place while I was away.   My landlady had offered to take me to the train station and I double checked that I had allowed enough time.

I had three bags: my backpack, a shoulder bag and my camera bag to carry.  It was okay getting onto my local station, but once I got to Victoria, I felt I couldn’t do the tube, so I caught a taxi to Euston.  My taxi driver informed me I could change my ticket to Preston for an earlier train, since I was early.  There had been no delays on the trains and traffic in London was light.   I went to the ticket counter to see if it could be changed, but they insisted I pay a further £88, so I resolved to wait until my train left.   Before seeking somewhere to park myself, I checked the boards to see which line I needed for Preston and realised I needed the Lancaster train.  

I went and had a bite to eat, as I had forgotten breakfast (I would return from holiday to find I had neglected to throw my pastries away).   I found myself frequenting the (temporary) facilities at Euston whilst waiting for my train.  Eventually, I realised that the platform number was missing from the board in the waiting room where I sat.   I walked outside to the main boards to find the platform had just been assigned.

I made my way down to the train and found my carriage and seat.   Only one problem: I could fit my shoulder bag and camera bag in the overhead rack, but there was no room left in the luggage hold for my backpack and the seat next to me was occupied.   The lady occupying the window seat insisted I put my backpack under my seat – it was all we could do.   She turned out to be charming and we chatted for the whole trip (she went onto Lancaster and then Morecambe) to Preston.  

I arrived at Preston and headed up to the main gate, only to realise that my tour guide had not yet arrived.  I had previously entered Neil’s telephone number on my mobile so I called him and he said “Oh, you’ve arrived!”.   He indicated he would pick me up in 15 minutes.  I waited patiently and eventually he did turn up.  I jumped in the front seat and heard the music.  I commented he was playing “Songs of Witchcraft and Magic“.

Neil dropped me at the hotel and I checked in.  Nobody else had arrived, so I went to my room and decided on an afternoon nap before deciding whether or not to head to the pub next door for dinner.  No sooner had I drifted off then my telephone rang and it was reception informing me another member of the group had arrived and would I speak to her.   I’ll call her Fae.

Fae asked if I would like to meet her for drinks or if we should have dinner together.  I explained that I was taking a short nap before deciding and perhaps we could meet in 1½ hours, at which point we realised the clock in my room was out.   I put my head down, but did not go back to sleep.

After meeting Fae and chatting to her for hours about things I had never dared speak of before and feeling very comfortable, I felt a sense of assurance that the rest of the group might be just like Fae and I.  I returned to my bedroom and finally drifted off to sleep around midnight, feeling positive about the trip ahead.