This was not a successful trip, but it was nice.
Everything started going wrong before it even started with the McDonalds app messing up and causing problems getting the Monday Offer. Then the 1am Megabus to London had the air con running flat out. Luckily, I had packed a fleece and oilskin in anticipation of the Pyrenees, so I hunkered down with the hood over my face and got a little sleep.
Having frozen on the way up I was then cooked in the tube, the Victoria line was hot! Coffee at Kings Cross McD and onto the 7am Eurostar and a kip.
Paris was having problems with the RER but a line D train turned up and got me to Gare de Lyon where I got onto the wrong carriage! Easy move but annoying. Train hurtled South. Phone refused to charge so no watching football.
I had forgotten how pretty the ride along the Camargue is. Lots of pink flamingos and water. Sete looks like a really nice place. Accommodation was directly outside Perpignan station and good. Checked at station and there are only busses doing the route tomorrow due to industrial action, so the whole trip was a waste of time. Got the phone charging from the TV.
Nice lie in and a good breakfast. Watched the Sunday Night Game and then had a wander around town. It was hot and humid and I had left my hat behind on the basis that I would be in trains all the time. Went back and watched the coffin move from Buckingham Palace to Westminster. Easier to bear when the jabber of the commentators is in French. Followed by the Monday night game and dinner from the Lidl just down the road.
Thursday morning on the 07.05 TGV to Paris. Downstairs, so not as good a view. RER is now practised so an hour spare at Gare du Nord. Eurostar at 15.13 back in London by 16.30. Took tube down to Westminster just to have a look. Very crowded and they have pedestrianised it. I didn't see the queue.
6pm Megabus back to Cardiff. Arrived about 5mins late and the driver of the 96 wouldn't let me on so it was the 304 back to Barry and home before midnight.
Now have to re-plan how I do the Yellow train but I think it stops at the end of Sept. Also need to claim the fare back.
