The flight was great. We loved the little seat/sleep station. Actually, we are finding it more comfortable than the bed at our first hotel in Edinburgh. It had a little individual screen so one could pick from quite the menu of entertainment options. The food was good-we particularly enjoyed the cold salmon edamame salad. We got a little bit of sleep, or something like it. Fly British Air.
Getting to Edinburgh was quite another thing. Our British Rail pass was good for both the trip from Gatwick to London and London to Edinburgh- a pleasant surprise. We had to transfer at St Pancras, but it was just a walk across the street to Kings Cross. On the way to St Pancras I was able to snap a few photos from the train.
It was a hot and muggy day in London and we had a bit of a wait for the train. I downed my morning mocha and let the sweat roll. The method for catching a train at Kings Cross is to wait till the last minute in the station, and when the plat (form) is finally posted, everyone charges for the train. Most of the seats are reserved, so it was something of a challenge to get to the last cars and find something empty. It was truly a challenge for Marcia, as her telescoping handle on the great big suitcase broke. Two very nice young men offered help, and we gratefully accepted.
There were 0 seats facing forward. I do not do well riding backwards, and soon felt the familiar symptoms. I managed to sit backwards in my seat (thereby riding facing forward), and Marcia provided a backpack tower of support for my back. This worked fairly well till the AC gave out. Only in our coach.
Hence we came to experience the famous "stiff upper lip"-well, sweaty but resiliant. I heard acknowledgement of the heat, but no blame or grousing. There was a "shit happens and we deal with it" attitude. Eventually staff came through with small chilled water bottles for eveyone. No one complained or howled and the staff did not apologize. They just did what needed to be done.
My particular method of holding myself together was to ride between the cars where there was a breeze, and hold the coach door open so some breeze got in. It was a long standing ride to Edinburgh. We took a cab to the hotel.
The Fredrick House on Fredrick Street requires one to lug luggage up a small flight of stairs outside the door, followed by a short flight of stairs just inside the door. There was one person at the desk who checked us in and lugged one big bag up one small flight of stairs to the lift. After the lift, there was one more flight to the hallway with our room.
Marcia: And why exactly did you choose this hotel?
Kay It could be worse. It is one of the few with lift.
We have one of the Fredrick's sunnier rooms. There is no AC or fan. We have arrived on one of the few days when it would be needed. We have substituted cold showers and wet towell compresses and, thank you Cousin Jimmy, wet hair. It is 22:30 local time (GMT?) and the sun has set, but lingering rays remain. We hear that there is rain and lower temps for tomorrow. We welcome them.
KG
It was a hot and muggy day in London and we had a bit of a wait for the train. I downed my morning mocha and let the sweat roll. The method for catching a train at Kings Cross is to wait till the last minute in the station, and when the plat (form) is finally posted, everyone charges for the train. Most of the seats are reserved, so it was something of a challenge to get to the last cars and find something empty. It was truly a challenge for Marcia, as her telescoping handle on the great big suitcase broke. Two very nice young men offered help, and we gratefully accepted.
There were 0 seats facing forward. I do not do well riding backwards, and soon felt the familiar symptoms. I managed to sit backwards in my seat (thereby riding facing forward), and Marcia provided a backpack tower of support for my back. This worked fairly well till the AC gave out. Only in our coach.
Hence we came to experience the famous "stiff upper lip"-well, sweaty but resiliant. I heard acknowledgement of the heat, but no blame or grousing. There was a "shit happens and we deal with it" attitude. Eventually staff came through with small chilled water bottles for eveyone. No one complained or howled and the staff did not apologize. They just did what needed to be done.
My particular method of holding myself together was to ride between the cars where there was a breeze, and hold the coach door open so some breeze got in. It was a long standing ride to Edinburgh. We took a cab to the hotel.
The Fredrick House on Fredrick Street requires one to lug luggage up a small flight of stairs outside the door, followed by a short flight of stairs just inside the door. There was one person at the desk who checked us in and lugged one big bag up one small flight of stairs to the lift. After the lift, there was one more flight to the hallway with our room.
Marcia: And why exactly did you choose this hotel?
Kay It could be worse. It is one of the few with lift.
We have one of the Fredrick's sunnier rooms. There is no AC or fan. We have arrived on one of the few days when it would be needed. We have substituted cold showers and wet towell compresses and, thank you Cousin Jimmy, wet hair. It is 22:30 local time (GMT?) and the sun has set, but lingering rays remain. We hear that there is rain and lower temps for tomorrow. We welcome them.
KG
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