Today I don't have pictures but I do have a funny story. We left our hotel in London this morning and took a taxi to St. Pancras Station to catch the fast train to Dover, which is on the eastern coast. The train was gorgeous: clean, comfortable . . . and air conditioned!! The tube trains are not and believe me, with the relaxed outlook Europeans have on bathing, sometimes those tube rides back to the hotel at night were quite challenging. But I digress. We arrived at Dover Priory Station about an hour after leaving London. We walked off the platform fully expecting to see a bustling, busy station. What we saw was . . . a man sweeping cigarette butts off the ground. No one else around! If it would have been nighttime I'm sure we would have heard crickets! We waited at the taxi stand for a car to our hotel and about 5 minutes later the man came up to us and said that he hadn't seen a taxi at the station in at least 30 minutes!
He left us and then came back with a phone book. He helped me call 5 different taxi companies. NONE of them had cars available to come pick us up! (Keep in mind, the World Cup game between England and Germany had just started!) We really didn't know what we were going to do. The man left and came back again with the station manager. The manager said, "Going to Dover, eh? Well, go over to that gray car over there, I'll take you myself!" He did! I couldn't believe how nice he was. It was a 15 minute drive to the hotel and he talked the entire way! We were jammed in like sardines, but at least we arrived safely. Rolf paid him even though the man didn't want to take any money. Rolf made him take it, "You just saved my vacation, you deserve it!"
So thanks to the train station manager our day was not spent lugging 6 pieces of luggage, 2 backpacks, and 1 purse to our hotel! And once I saw how far we would have had to have walked: Rolf would probably have been lugging me!
The hotel is very nice. We are sitting at the hotel pub having a bite to eat and watching the World Cup. Let's just say the spirit has deflated since the score is now 4-1, and not in England's favor. We are going to go out exploring after the game. Planning on going to bed early tonight, need to be at the dock by 8am in the morning. Happy Sunday, love you all!
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2 comments:
What a NICE gesture by both men at the Dover Station! Not that you need reminding, but it goes to show someone is looking out for you on your journey.
Wishing you clear skies and smooth sailing on the next leg of your trip.
Good to see Rolfie in front of the camera.
This blog has been so wonderful. Have loved the pictures and all the great stories. This is lots better than a "we are all fine" telephone call. Hope the 90 degree weather is cooling down.
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