Day: May 15, 2018

Breakfast is a little thin today. But no complaints, for this money in the middle of London… Just a pity that they only had powder coffee. So I had milk, which was available in large quantities. The whole breakfast room was full of Italians, one big family.

After I checked out, I walked to Paddington station. Fortunately that was only a short walk (with my heavy bags). I arrived at the station well in time. My Super Off Peak ticket was only valid after 10 am, so I let the first train to Taunton pass. I therefore had ample time to observe the people at the busy station. Travelers in a state varying from relaxed to blind panic.

The train leaves with a 10-minute delay. Along the way we also have to stop a few times for an accident and a railway crossing with problems. My time schedule is getting a bit tight. The train arrives at 1:26 pm with all the delays and at 1:28 pm the bus to Bishops Lydeard is scheduled. I hope that the conductor is right and that we are able to catch up with the delay. Otherwise I am stuck in Taunton or Bishops Lydeard for two hours.

Unfortunately we only get more delay. A taxi comes to the rescue, so I still get the steam train at 2:15 pm. Once I am waiting with a coffee for the train to leave, the bus that I wanted to take also arrives at Bishops Lydeard.

The steam train, The West Somerset Railway, is the longest heritage railway in England, about 20 miles. I have a whole 1^st class compartment for myself and the view is great. The train travels through the beautiful Somerset landscape and partly along the coast.
There is even a dining car where they have locally brewed beer. My first choice is a beer that is specially brewed to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of the Heritage Railway. What more do I need?

When I arrive in Minehead, I have a short break at the Turntable cafe for another local beer and something small to eat. They have a train turntable here (hence the name of the cafe). Unfortunately they have already used it today and are now closing down. Still nice to see. It is also nice to see how all the volunteers work for their railway, from the conductor and the driver to the station chiefs. For most of them it is not just a hobby, but very serious.

After this arrival in style, I have to walk one more kilometer with my heavy bags (I gradually am beginning to see the advantage of wheels on one’s suitcase). Tonight I will be staying in The Old Ship Aground, a pub on the ‘harbor’ of Minehead.
Along the way I pass the starting point of the South West Coast Path, which is marked by a sculpture.

At The Old Ship Aground I can work on this blog on the terrace with a nice IPA after a well-deserved shower.

Before we go to the lyrics of today, just a little explanation about them. I try to find appropriate lyrics every day. Appropriate means that it can have a relation with what I experienced that day, how I feel or what I have seen that day. Usually the relationship is in part of the text. It rarely happens that the whole text is applicable.
Of course they are all lyrics of songs that I like.

Today’s lyrics are from Albert Hammond, I’m A Train (and yes, Jethro Tull also came to mind):

Look at me, I’m a train on a track
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah
Look at me, got a load on my back
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah

Look at me, I’m going somewhere
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah
Look at me, I’m going somewhere
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah

Been a hard day, yes, it has been a hard day
Yes, it has been a hard day, yes, it has
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, I’m a chucka train
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, chucka train, yeah

Look at me, I’m a train on a line
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah
Look at me for the very last time
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah

It’s a life that’s long and hard
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah
I’m going down to the breaker’s yard
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah

Been a hard day, yes, it has been a hard day
Yes, it has been a hard day, yes, it has
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, I’m a chucka train
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, chucka train, yeah

It’s a life that’s long and hard
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah
Going down to the breaker’s yard
I’m a train, I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, yeah

Been a hard day, yes, it has been a hard day
Yes, it has been a hard day, yes, it has
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, I’m a chucka train
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, I’m a chucka train
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train, I’m a chucka train
I’m a train, I’m a chucka train

I’m a train
I’m a train
I’m a, I’m a, I’m a train
I’m a train
I’m a train …

Finally the day has come. Today I am leaving for England. The first partof the journey goes to London with the Eurostar.

I take the train in Venlo at 8:00. The first part Lise travels with me. In Eindhoven I switch trains and say goodbye to Lise. She goes to Amsterdam and doesn’t switch trains. Fortunately the connection in Eindhoven is going well, this saves an hour.
In Breda I switch trains again. Here I have plenty of time and that results in a nice strong coffee from the Kiosk.

Everything goes smoothly after that. I have to wait a little more than an hour in Brussels. Then the Eurostar takes me to London in time (just after 14:00 local time).

Now I take the Underground from St Pancras to Paddington. From Paddington I of course walk the wrong way with my heavy bags. However, I find out quickly enough and then I walk directly to the hotel, the Dolphin Inn. My bags are quite heavy.

Because I am in London well in time, I decide to go for a walk. It is nice walking weather, sunny, dry and warm.

To give my walk a goal, I will try to score some Untappd location badges. That works out fine, of the 4 location badges I get 3 (the 4^th is closed on Monday).

• The Shakespeare
• Craft House The Hydrant
• Wedge Issue Pizza + Beer

For that I have to walk 23 kilometers.
They do not have IPA at the pizza restaurant, so I go for a Joker lager, which is also fine.

There is a lot of (re)building going on in London. I try to walk as much as possible through back alleys and to avoid the tourist routes. That results in a number of nice pictures.

After having scored the 3 location badges, I walk back to the hotel. But first a stop at Paddington station to get a ticket for tomorrow to Taunton. Since they are working on the track, I want advice for that. There appears to be a direct connection to Taunton. I’m hope this works out…

One last Guinness at the pub around the corner and then typing this report and to bed.

This time the lyrics of Ralph McTell, Streets of London:

Have you seen the old man
In the closed-down market
Kicking up the paper,
With his worn out shoes?
In his eyes you see no pride
Hand held loosely at his side
Yesterday’s paper telling yesterday’s news

So how can you tell me you’re lonely,
And say for you that the sun don’t shine.
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old girl
Who walks the streets of London
Dirt in her hair and her clothes in rags?
She’s no time for talking,
She just keeps right on walking
Carrying her home in two carrier bags.

So how can you tell me you’re lonely,
And say for you that the sun don’t shine.
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

In the all night cafe
At a quarter past eleven,
Same old man sitting there on his own
Looking at the world
Over the rim of his tea-cup,
Each tea lasts an hour
Then he wanders home alone

So how can you tell me you’re lonely,
Don’t say for you that the sun don’t shine.
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I’ll show you something to make you change your mind

Have you seen the old man
Outside the Seaman’s Mission
Memory fading with the medal ribbons that he wears
In our winter city,
The rain cries a little pity
For one more forgotten hero
And a world that doesn’t care

So how can you tell me you’re lonely,
And say for you that the sun don’t shine.
Let me take you by the hand and lead you through the streets of London
I’ll show you something to make you change your mind