It's not much fun driving these days especially over a busy holiday period which is one reason why Pat and I decided to travel from Leigh-on-Sea to Denham on public transport for a golden wedding anniversary celebration of old friends. It made sense to us; we could get there refreshed, enjoy a drink or two and not have to worry about getting behind the wheel while 'under the influence'.
There was another more practical reason. We had Senior Railcards which meant a third off the weekend return fares plus bus passes that gave us free travel on London Transport. As long as the trains ran to time and buses were not diverted by road-works, I estimated that we could make the trip in just over two hours.
To say it didn't quite work out as planned is an understatement. The train from Leigh to London was on time and then we had allowed 45 minutes on the 205 bus from Aldgate to Marylebone. But when I made enquiries about the frequency of the 205, the bus inspector gave an answer which I should have realised was based on his long experience of the way Transport for London operates. He said the 205 was running - but was likely to be delayed. We soon found out what he meant.
After 35 minutes of jams and diversions we had travelled less than one mile. Then the bus suddenly stopped. Instead of going on to Paddington as indicated, it was so far behind schedule that the driver announced that he wasn't going any further than Old Street and everyone should leave and wait for the next bus. So we got off and waited for the next 205. When it came, Paddington was clearly indicated as the final destination - but we wondered if this was another journey we might have to abandon after a few more stops.
So we arrived at Marylebone after one hour and ten minutes on two buses - a distance of about three miles. Incredible. There was just time to work out the complexities of the RailEasy ticket dispenser - what irony there is in that name - and catch the 4.20 to Denham. Sitting opposite a Chelsea supporter giving his young son a running commentary of the latest Premier League scores didn't help our frame of mind. How relieved we were to finally step out at Denham Station.
Surely a five minute taxi ride to the Hotel would be straight-forward enough? Wrong! I called the local taxi and they said it would arrive within 10 minutes. Thirty minutes later it turned up - and we finally walked into the de Vere, Denham Grove over 3 hours and 30 minutes after leaving home. I needed that drink by now.
Just over two hours later we repeated the process in reverse. Taxi to the station. Fine. Denham to Marylebone, fine. Then a re-acquaintance with the 205 after standing for 20 minutes at the bus-stop. The thought that evening traffic in Euston Road wouldn't be so heavy was niave. By now we were both travel-traumatised!
Finally, just for good measure, we sat on the C2C train from Fenchurch Street to Leigh-on-Sea surrounded by teenagers travelling to an all-night clubbing session in Southend. That meant noise..loud voices, mobile phone conversations, raucous laughter and occasional outburst of 'rapping'. Just for good measure, some of them were enjoying swigs of Vodka from a bottle and washing it down with Lambrusco! When would this travel experience come to an end.
It did. Home at last. What relief! Was the occasion worth travelling for more than six hours? Well we could have been stuck on the M25 for just as long but we shall never know. The temptation of using Senior Railcards and bus passes to save time and money seemed too good an opportunity to miss. I'm not so sure.
Sunday 30 August 2009
Sunday 2 August 2009
NO WORD FROM EILEEN
Eileen never got back to me. The call never came. I waited 48 hours hoping that she would ring to confirm what I thought was a deal to upgrade my Vodafone account - but not a word. She remains the distant voice in some anonymous call centre, part of an 'experienced sales team' - Vodafone's description not mine - talking to others and trying to do deals that would squeeze just a bit more money out of punter's pockets.
It was a fleeting affair that came to nothing. I finally realised that her acceptance of my request for a £10 a month fixed term contract and a new Nokia 6210 mobile phone was an upgrade too far. She did say that it had to be agreed by her supervisor - and I now suspect the answer was no. I hope Eileen didn't lose her job because of me!
After a couple of days I tried to make contact with Eileen but she was out there somewhere and couldn't be located when I called Vodafone. Eileen didn't answer. Instead it was .. "Hello, my name is John." He didn't seem to know who she was - or was it Vodafone policy to say that and then quickly move on to make sure they kept my custom by offering a new deal. They didn't want to lose me to Orange or T.Mobile or anyone else.
As you would expect, John was polite, chatty and very business-like. Yes he could give me a very good deal although it wasn't as good as Eileen's offer. The basic price had risen to £20 but at least it included a free Nokia 6210. He provided all the facts and figures that were obviously there on the screen in front of him and was not slow to point out that I would be saving a few pounds each month. I listened but decided not to ask about a Blackberry. He chatted on and then I mentioned Eileen.
Her deal was much better than what he was offering - and he knew it. The tone of the conversation changed and very soon we were discussing figures that were below his offer and much closer to Eileen's. I was now in the driving seat and he knew that it would be pointless to argue his case any longer. We began to chat about issues beyond our current business deal although I suspect he was also crunching the numbers on his screen at the same time just to make sure he didn't have to climb down any further and 'talk to his supervisor'.
We parted on very amicable terms. Vodafone had signed me up for another 24 months and I was getting two new Nokia handsets - one for me, the other for Pat. The monthly charge had been reduced by £20 altogether and now I await the Royal Mail special delivery and that moment when some shiny new technology will be unwrapped and I turn to page one of the booklet which says 'How to get the best out of your new Nokia 6210'. Now that could demand a lot of concentration.
Thanks Eileen. I won't be talking to you again. I didn't quite get the deal you suggested but Vodafone should be happy. I am.
It was a fleeting affair that came to nothing. I finally realised that her acceptance of my request for a £10 a month fixed term contract and a new Nokia 6210 mobile phone was an upgrade too far. She did say that it had to be agreed by her supervisor - and I now suspect the answer was no. I hope Eileen didn't lose her job because of me!
After a couple of days I tried to make contact with Eileen but she was out there somewhere and couldn't be located when I called Vodafone. Eileen didn't answer. Instead it was .. "Hello, my name is John." He didn't seem to know who she was - or was it Vodafone policy to say that and then quickly move on to make sure they kept my custom by offering a new deal. They didn't want to lose me to Orange or T.Mobile or anyone else.
As you would expect, John was polite, chatty and very business-like. Yes he could give me a very good deal although it wasn't as good as Eileen's offer. The basic price had risen to £20 but at least it included a free Nokia 6210. He provided all the facts and figures that were obviously there on the screen in front of him and was not slow to point out that I would be saving a few pounds each month. I listened but decided not to ask about a Blackberry. He chatted on and then I mentioned Eileen.
Her deal was much better than what he was offering - and he knew it. The tone of the conversation changed and very soon we were discussing figures that were below his offer and much closer to Eileen's. I was now in the driving seat and he knew that it would be pointless to argue his case any longer. We began to chat about issues beyond our current business deal although I suspect he was also crunching the numbers on his screen at the same time just to make sure he didn't have to climb down any further and 'talk to his supervisor'.
We parted on very amicable terms. Vodafone had signed me up for another 24 months and I was getting two new Nokia handsets - one for me, the other for Pat. The monthly charge had been reduced by £20 altogether and now I await the Royal Mail special delivery and that moment when some shiny new technology will be unwrapped and I turn to page one of the booklet which says 'How to get the best out of your new Nokia 6210'. Now that could demand a lot of concentration.
Thanks Eileen. I won't be talking to you again. I didn't quite get the deal you suggested but Vodafone should be happy. I am.
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