Trains... so on and so forth

Thursday 10th September, 2020.

I am on holiday...well, I am away from home and spending two weeks alone in a friend's house before trying to see my brother, who is seriously unwell. I am in a new frame of mind and part of it is the change of scene, part of it is physical movement, part of it is an attitude and part of it is a change of daily routine.

It started yesterday when I stayed with friends for the night. They gave me not only the most delicious dinner but also breakfast in bed...a full Scottish breakfast. Then my hostess drove me to catch the train south handing me a huge picnic for the journey.

Before I describe the journey, tedious beyond belief, let me show the generosity and style of my friend. Bottled Perth water, Scottish smoked salmon sandwiches, Scottish ham cured sandwiches with tomato relish, a cooked cold grouse, shot on a relation's estate and finally a Scottish Brie and Scottish oat biscuits. 

That picnic saved my day. I caught a train from Dundee at 10am and as well I did as the track got fouled up later. I caught the train before the one I was scheduled to catch but the earlier train was late so I hopped on it. Does that make sense? The 10am train was delayed so I got on it at 10.20 thinking it was the 10.47! Whatever I arrived at Edinburgh where I had to wait 117 minutes for my connection to Crewe. At Crewe I had to wait for 38 minutes for my connection to Rugby where I arrived at 17.50. 

Mask worn the entire time...and it was horrid. Carriages very empty. Railway stations very zealous over distancing and they seemed almost ghost stations as few people about. No service trolley on the trains.... The only joy ( apart from the picnic) and it was real was the country side. I saw seals in the Firth of Forth, deer in the heather at Kirkcaldy, the three Forth bridges pure magnificence, the Cumbrian landscape simply breathtaking and just watching the cities go by and the harvested fields and the sheep filled fields of various dales and the Cathedrals and Castles....so interesting. 

I had a book also...and read 224 pages! I am 70 and carrying two suitcases and a large picnic hamper has tired me....but I have gone to bed to write this. I feel elated. My behind got sore sitting so long and I missed the people watching of previous pre-Covid days travel but I am in a place that is by a canal, is isolated and utterly silent. I am now starting a two week silent retreat, my holiday. I have heard of Covid infection increases and I have seen some news items but for now I am almost falling asleep and will just trust in God and hope and pray. I shall switch off and hand over and hope to dream.