Friday 8 February 2008

Trains, bike, car and Godmanchester

Nine week cruise - day 22 - Saturday 23rd July 2005


Both up early for trains back down south for Auntie Pauline's 80th birthday party at David and Victoria's house in Godmanchester. John had a long day and was late for the (afternoon) party. David took the direct route, to Huntingdon, and thence by bike. I had to retrieve the car from Scholar Green where I'd parked it what seemed like ages ago - it was a fortnight - and drive down from there. Things didn't start well. The first train, from Skipton to Leeds, stopped for 45 minutes while an attempted suicide was dealt with. Then it was an empty but slow train to Manchester Piccadilly; a packed one to Crewe; and another one to Kidsgrove from where I cycled to Scholar Green. Would the car still be there? Would it start? Well, yes and yes, thankfully. But then a four hour drive to Godmanchester.


Auntie Pauline at 80

Arrived as the party was winding down. Some guests had already gone home. And I'd left the boat for a whole week, as I was off to sing in France, with Jan and a prep school choir. A great trip: sang in Chartres Cathedral, Versailles, Orleans Cathedral and Notre Dame in Paris.


David saw this on his way back to Skipton

Meanwhile David returned to the boat at 2300. "Dulwich", which had dogged us ever since Standedge Tunnel, was moored close by.

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