25 June
Leaving Paris and boarding TGV was insightful, stressful and an eye opener. Apart from being physically moved by a tall Frenchman (at the Gare Nord) he didn't like where I and our luggage were standing whilst Steve checking out what we needed to do. Then being squashed in the doors of the TGV and being released (much to his amusement) by a French army officer I regained my dignity and proceeded past all the security and customs officers - our passports stamped we sat in our seats bound for London just in time to catch the TGV (this took 2 hrs; just as well we decided to arrive early).
The next bit is gonna be easy.... Uhhh not sooo. Getting out of London and onto our pre-booked; confirmed two days ago; and deposit paid accommodation was an eye opener. This apart from the frustration of trying to get an underground ticket at the booth as looking for our Oyster card we had couriered for us in NZ proved a fruitless search.
The Continent definitely easier ... No matter ... We were on the Underground zipping towards Pimlico. Plans working well. Off train and street found, knock knock on the door ... Silence ... Knock knock knock - door reluctantly opens revealing a human man - we look happily into his mystified face and announce " we are here, is our room available yet?" Nahhh was the reply, "this be privately owned" door shuts quickly.
Scene 2 - enter the corner street dairy guy who bends over backwards for us. He rings the booking agent only to discover the B & B had been out of business for 7 mths (we are mystified as to where the booking agent has sent our deposit) This kind gent then offers to look after our luggage and suggests there is B & Bs nearby so we start walking. It is now about 5.30 pm and lots of no vacancy signs later we stumble on a vacant sign. Enter, sign up (paying a premium price) and go and retrieve our luggage. The B&B did chuck breakfast in and didn't give right change. We sorted that out and retrieved the overcharge.
Enter the cavalry: we received a message from Clare wanting us to ring her. Wee prob no sim card but we do have our accom phone number. A knock on our door with phone in hand and we are connected. Denise is still surfing the web looking for accom for the next few nights when an invitation is extended to us to join Clare, Ashley and Callum for dinner oh and by the way you can stay at mine as Anthony is in Italy till Monday. Blood pressure back to normal and we are headed off to Wunderland and on to dinner where there is lively chatter and joviality catching up and talking into the wee hours.