Car, then train, then taxi... A variety of transport means today...
Our breakfast at Hogs Head pub in Awsworth was not scheduled until from 7.30am. We needed an early start to ensure that we would drop off our car in Newcastle before our train departed for London at 12.25pm. Hence, we had showered and packed and put our bags in the boot of the car just after 7am and then let ourselves into the breakfast room of the pub.
Monday morning and things were a bit slow, the place's lights were still off, but the Manager/Chef arrived at the same time and we probably scared him a bit by moving around in the dark. He may possibly have thought that we may have been up to no good. We convinced him otherwise. We knew that he forgave us when he accomodated our early breakfast wishes.
By 7.50am or so, we were on our way, now filled with a cooked (but not Full) English Breakfast. Of course, getting onto M1 to drive north meant negotiating a bit of Nottingham's Monday morning rush hour traffic.
We drove north along M1, then M18, then A1. It would stretch the imagination to say that it was a beautiful drive... An example here is from outside Leeds. We don't feel we missed anything here...
So, Hans unfortunately had to give the scenery a thumbs down... This is not Scotland... He looked happy enough anyway.
Nevertheless, the roads were good, traffic fine and well behaved and we arrived in Newcastle with plenty of spare time just before 11am. Hans let Di off at the train station together with our bags while he continued to Hertz to drop off the car.
No issues with the car other than that Hertz in Newcastle is opposite major construction works including the reduction to one lane with lights just outside of them. In addition, Monday morning and they were frantically moving cars around and Hans had to park our hire car outside on the sidewalk.
However, Hans had soon walked up go Newcastle's train station to join Di. These stations tend to look a bit similar with these domed roofs.
As we were traveling over lunchtime, we picked up a few sandwiches and drinks and also... This...
Cadbury chocolate... Mixed with old Swedish company Marabou's Dajm chocolate, now changed spelling to Daim (international market...?). There must be some amalgamation or cooperation happening that we were not aware of, but the chocolate was absolutely delicious.
Our train had already arrived when we walked onto the platform, but we heard that this spare time had been dedicated to train driver learning. No, we saw no L-plates anywhere on the train, but it left and clearly did a loop as it came back some minutes later from the other side of the platform.
Waiting for our train and practicing train driver to return with train...
A pretty smooth trip although...we had booked seats in a "quiet car" of the train, but there was nothing of that sort. Two single mums with their individual kid made sure of that... Why bother?
Unfortunately Di has been feeling a bit unwell and sure enough the train trip brought out the full "bug" (whatever it may be). She was a bit miserable so not a chatty trip. "Quiet car" remember...
Along the way, we passed Arsenal's home arena Emirates Stadium. Quick, take a photo... We almost missed it.
Once we arrived at Kings Cross station, Di could not face a busy tube ride so we opted for a cab trip to our hotel instead. Di was grateful and also quite excited about her first London cab ride but declined a photo. Instead she took ones of the cab and driver and our luggage...
And of Hans...
As soon as we arrived at the front door of our guest house called "Stay in Chelsea", at the corner of Old Brompton Road and Gloucester Road, we knew it was quirky. No reception, locked front door with keypad, just someone comes to meet you... That is, if you call ahead.
Our greeter seemed Latino, flamboyant and charming. He led us to our "studio" on the 2nd floor which we liked but we think is a bit oversold as self contained. It has a kitchenette with a 2 burner hob, kettle, small fridge and sink. No microwave, no toaster and together with 1 tiny saucepan and no sharp knives or cooking implements Di could be doing some nifty improvisation for dinners.
A few pics from Chateau Carlen... Well, for the next 6 nights...
Di in bed, hiding behind her cup...
And yes, they have had a serious water problem upstairs...which unfortunately makes us dubious about the cleanliness of crockery here.
Still we liked the place - definitely faded (not sure about the glory). We love the big windows and bed and storage space are all good so we think all will go well.
No room key, but a combination lock...
Di went to bed to rest, trying to shake her "bug" and Hans went out to explore our new neighborhood in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
This is how "Stay in Chelsea" looks like from Old Brompton Road.
Hans quickly checked out the neighborhood; expensive, lots of real estate agencies, luxury car dealerships, but around Gloucester Road tube station, there was a Tesco Express where Hans picked up a few food items before returning to our "palace".
Dinner, of sorts (sandwiches) in the room and a lazy evening to follow. Good night.
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