London Interlude

 

The alarm went off at 0510 and at 0550 I exchanged the warmth of Stourbridge Lion for the dark, cold, fine drizzle on Bidford on Avon's hard paved streets. The little town was deserted but the church clock reliably chimed out six chimes and at 0615 the Evesham bus duly appeared. I was the only passenger at this hour. Don't give much for the chances of this service surviving. We flashed through dark unlit country lanes with just the occasional glimpse of half timbered houses until I was deposited by Evesham railway station. A cup of coffee from the delightful buffet there and just in time to step on board the 0649 London. Bacon sandwich from the Travelling Chef on the train. Pity Great Western are stopping this service in  few weeks. It now just remains for me to get my head from waterways mode to business mode-for a few hours at least.

Evesham station 0640 in the morning

So I swapped being the solitary passenger on the Evesham bus to strap hanging on the Hammersmith and City line underground. I counted 10 people in my bit of the train 7 of which were fiddling with mobile phones despite no reception. Not wanting to be left out I checked my phone for non existing emails.
Got the 1552 back from Paddington to Evesham and just missed the half hourly bus back to Bidford so had half to wait.
Boat was where I left it and Joanne was on board.