The New Newport News News:  Coming Home edition

On the final day of their adventures, the Buckitts⁴ enjoyed a long train ride from Nottingham to London St. Pancras Station. 

Due to some track damage, a bus took passengers from Nottingham to East Midlands Station.  This was an unexpected bonus, as the bus passed over the Beeston Canal and they got to see the sights last seen from the narrow boats days before.

At East Midlands the defunct coal power plant dominates the landscape.  It is due to be demolished. 

Boarding the EMC Intercity train⁵ from E. Midlands, the family settled in for the ride.  Although they had reserved seats, they did not hesitate to grab a table.  Carol stayed there and Ron and Theresa switched about.  Passing cows, horses and fields aplenty, they passed through – and stopped at most—towns along the way

Loughborough said “luffbro”

Leicester said “lester”.  This was the seat of the Earl of Leicester, Queen Elizabeth I’s best friend

.

Market Harborough said “ma’ket harbro.”  Not too obscure.

Kettering said “kettring.”

Flitwick said “flittick.”  Flick and swish.

The trolley came through with snacks and drinks.  Carol got a cappuchino [powdered] and flapjack [a granola bar] whereas Theresa chose Serious Pig Snackalami, which turned out to be salami rather than jerky. (See pict.above.)

Theresa and Carol chatted with a young woman who confirmed the Brits have no tradition of Robin Hood and she had never seen any of the movies.  She was a useful guide and told Carol that the bird-of-prey she saw was a Red Kite [about 15” long, with a swallow tail.]  She also pointed out garden “allotments” in the suburbs, where people vie for garden plots and pass them down to their heirs.  Not ownership, mind you, but privilege of use.

Arriving in St. Pancras Station, the Buckitts⁴ boarded the Picadilly Line underground train to Heathrow Airport.  They checked their extra bag, full of souvenirs and the gate agent then offered to check the rest for free!  This the travelers were delighted to do and unburdened, went through security in a breeze.

They made their way to London’s Pride Pub for lunch.  Carol had potatoes and broccoli from the sides menu. And a half of Andrew’s Lincolnshire sausage roll. The diet Pepsi came in PINT glasses, just like the ale for Andrew and lager for Ron. The others had fish and chips, sausage rolls, salmon; really upscale pub food!

The mile long slog to the gate was exceedingly hard on Carol’s knees; all were glad to get on the plane to rest.  Tower Bridge was clearly visible as they flew over, as was norther Wales and Ireland. 

Extremely tired, the travelers got their bags, boarded the van and drove home through a massive rain storm home and to bed.  Zoe had to start high school the next day!  I guess she had a few things to talk about with friends, both new and old.

¹ Cousin Vinny’s: a stop on a bus tour that involves a store, often with a demo of what they make there and a long opportunity to purchase.  Always includes restrooms. 
² Trough: an all–you-can-eat buffet.  Always looks more delicious than it is.
³ CTC is Cheap Tourist Crap.  It is not necessarily inexpensive.  Often to be found in Cousin Vinny stores.
⁴ Buckitts [4 Buckles, 1 Prewitt]
⁵ Former is a term usually used in connection with trains, and means one who loves locomotives and knows all about them personally, by name and number, and are foaming mad for trains in general. [ Ron and Carol like trains very much and love to ride them, but we are not foamers.]