France June 2024

A whole big plethora of travel delays and snafus yesterday meant I am sat in a hotel near Paddington instead of ready to hit my desk.

It started with a 30-minute walk to St Nazaire train station, through a storm, which got me completely soaked (I had an umbrella which was really good at first, but completely pointless by the end of the walk).

Made it, just, onto the TER to Nantes and stepped straight into the loo to change my clothes. Wet clothes - and shoes; had to switch to my sandals - into a tote bag, which meant I was now lugging three extra bags in addition to my main backpack.

Got to Nantes and had an hour and a bit before my TGV, so had an evil corporation drink and banana bread then went to check the boards. Oh, everything, apart from the TGVs is looking delayed. Well, good job I'm taking a TGV, then.

Look again in a bit. 20 minute estimated delay... 30 minute estimated... 45 minute...

This continued for a while and we finally left at 3.30 rerouted via Rennes. I misheard the TGV guy and thought that the reroute was to save an hour, but it was because of a tree and it would add an hour.

The conductor came round asking for everyone's connections and then made announcements about what different people should do (e.g. people going to Lausanne got put up in a hotel). People going to London should go to Gare du Nord and would be put on the next available Eurostar.

So, I got to Gare du Nord only in tike for the 21.11 train that wouldn't get to London until 22.33, too late for my last train home. And the free switch only works for same-day (unless you are too late for the very last train), so I had to take it though would far have preferred an extra night in Paris than London, not least because Paris is generally cheaper than London.

What a day! On the plus side this hotel, while a bit shabby around the edges is actually quite nice and did a very good veggie English breakfast fully included in the price.

Looking forward to getting home and back to my desk! Czytaj więcej