The shush open, notifications
Sound out through our metal tube,
Next stop is Woking ,change for London
Waterloo, the words will drip
With expectation, adventure on the cards.
The people bustle, they all seem to know
Exactly where they’re going with
Their wheelie cases, and bubbly kids,
Heading for aquarium days, the London Eye
Or a couple on a sexy weekend in
The Cotswolds, chocolate box cottages,
A world away from home. The train
Will spit us out in random places,
For just a day or two away from home.
I’m going up to Lancashire next week and I’ve booked to go by train. It’s a four hour journey so I plan to listen to some audiobooks and maybe buy a book of Sudoku from WH Smiths. But I am ridiculously excited – mostly because I’ll be travelling alone.
There’s something so delicious about sitting at your own little table, with your headphones in, just watching the other people, listening into their conversations and trying to guess where they may be going. I also like to look at people’s laptop screens – see what they are watching or what document they are working on. It’s nosy, I know, but it helps pass the time.
Much Love
Rachel xx
Margot Kinberg
I love train travel, Rachel, and I do like to travel alone. You’re right about how nice it is to have a table to yourself, no need to make a lot of conversation if you don’t want to, the whole thing. And of course, there’s the scenery, people-watching if that’s what you enjoy, and just being alone with your thoughts. If you buy a better-class ticket, there are really comfortable seats, too. It’s been a bit since I’ve done that, but you’re reminding me of how pleasant it can be.
patientandkindlove
I’ve never gone first class. I should definitely treat myself one of these days. We do have quiet carriages and they’re quite nice and you don’t need to pay any extra either.
juliadeniro
I wish we had a decent passenger train network in the United States. Maybe people wouldn’t be destroying our planet with cars.
patientandkindlove
Humans definitely need to start looking at ways to improve public transport. Our buses could do with some work as it’s really tricky if you live out in a little country village and you don’t drive.
Greg Dennison
We don’t have nearly as good of a train system as you do. I took trains and buses to see my parents a few times, and once to see other relatives, just to see if it would work. It wasn’t cheaper or faster than driving, but it was nice to just be able to sit there and watch things go by, for sure. I haven’t done that in a few years, but maybe I should again.
patientandkindlove
I guess that’s because the US is so big? I imagine the network of lines would just be too much to make workable. It is nice to know that the train is so easy for us. It is a bit pricey but at least you don’t need to worry about fuel and parking.