ENGLAND:SCOTLAND (23)

21-12-2023 . THURSDAY . LONDON

On routine, got up at 5 .. self coffee at room .. web surfing .. bath at 8 .. breakfast at 8:30 .. baked beans, potato cutlets, tomatoes, croissants with butter, toasted bread with honey, orange juice 

Bye Bye, Courtyard Marriott London.

Four of us walked from hotel to City Airport station.  With luggages.  Three Bigs, Two Mediums, Two Backpacks and One Handbag.  Here no porters, no coolies.  Everyone has to carry their luggage.  In one way, it is good.  Self help, self service.

London City Airport ➜ Pontoon Dock ➜ West Silver-town ➜ Canning Town ➜ East India ➜ Blackwall ➜ Poplar ➜ West Ferry ➜ Limehouse ➜ Shadwell ➜ Bank (changed train . Northern Line) Bank ➜ Moorgate ➜ Old Street ➜ Angel ➜ King’s Cross St. Pancras

( 14 Stops . 45 minutes )

Above:  GOOGLE MAPS
Below Two : GOGGLE EARTH

St. Pancras International Station.

It has 15 platforms and a big shopping complex.  A hotel too.  Under a Private Management.  Even the trains and the services are under their control.  From here, trains go to Brussels (Belgium), Paris & French Alps (France) and Amsterdam (Netherlands).  As well to Edinburgh & Glasgow (Scotland).  Also to Manchester, Newcastle, York, Kent and leading destinations in England.  Platforms are divided as three groups.  One for international destinations (Paris, Brussels, Amsterdam) and other two for UK destinations.  

Also it is an interchange between six Underground lines.

For Harry Potter fans, “Platform 9¾” is well preserved.  

Took train to Edinburgh, Scotland.  Pathetic is our 10:30am train got cancelled and the passengers of that train have been asked to go by 11:30am train.  Double the capacity.  Empty seats have been occupied.  Others are standing/sitting in the walkways.  

Me too sat on floor near main door of a carriage.  Since it is the Private Management control, no alternative has been made.  The passengers are adjusted themselves.  If it were in India, there will be a hue and cry.      

Somewhere in between Edinburgh and London ..

Reached Edinburgh.  

Checked in to Hotel …