Obedience

Today we returned home to Edinburgh from Chichester by car, train (x 3), and taxi. So much could have gone wrong with this trip. For example, it could have been cancelled outright due to new lockdown restrictions or illness, or there might have been difficulties with the trains due Covid-related staff sickness/absences/strike action/inclement weather. Added to this, we faced the challenge of 'collecting' Mummy hazelh from Newcastle station, AKA 'Mission lob Granny on the train'. Happily everything went to plan.

We made sure that we had a big gap in London just in case there were any delays to the two trains from the south coast. There were none, so this gave us an hour and a half in the first class lounge. Here jolly LNER staff were serving mince pies and fizz to their customers (hic!) By 14:00 we were happily* installed in our seats in carriage L for the northbound train. I moved from Coach L into B just before we arrived in Newcastle to 'greet' Mummy hazelh as my not-so-little sister helped her aboard. There were a couple of empty seats just inside carriage B, so we took these for the rest of the journey (rather than hunted for Mummy hazeh's reservation). On arrival in Edinburgh, we (re)joined Mr hazelh on the platform and then found a taxi on Market Street to take us home.

Back at the house I enjoyed working my way through a huge stack of Christmas cards and letters. We also found a beautiful parcel from Valvona and Crolla that contains wine, a panettone, and cheese, but no indication of the sender. I will need to investigate this...

I photographed these three dogs at Kings Cross. They were very obedient when their owner told them to wait outside while he popped into Boots to make a purchase. I was amazed that he was taking them around the city without leads.

*Mr hazelh topped up his fizz with three whiskies from the trolley. Sensibly, I abstained.

Exercise today: none, apart from a small amount of walking.