Trains

I'm not sure what it is about European trains. They are altogether much more: pleasant, cost-effective,  understandable, efficient, dependable, comprehensive....(I could go on) than American trains. Perhaps our reliance on automobiles, our long distances, and the romance of the open road have beguiled us into thinking railway travel unnecessary. Whatever the cause, Americans do road trips. The British do trains.

King's Cross Station in London serves the lines traveling north, so our train departed from there. The station itself was cavernous and cold. After getting our tickets from the kiosk (so easy!) we huddled on the second level with cups of coffee and tea until JC discovered the 1st class lounge. (Note to self: go 1st class if at all possible. Nice lounge with food and beverages available, and it was warm!) On our way to the lounge, we saw the Harry Potter-famous Platform 9-3/4, now a money-making venture where you can have your picture taken running with a luggage cart toward an apparent brick wall. If that' is insufficient, there is a convenient Potter store nearby where one can purchase wands and other Gryffindor/ Slytherin/etc. memorabilia.

Sheep. Small town. More sheep. Gray skies, occasional rain, and more sheep. I am confident that, in summer, the scenery is breathtaking, but fog and cloudy skies drove us to our reading material. The train change in Edinburgh was a bit close for our taste (and inexperience) but a friendly fellow-passenger (everyone was friendly!) guided us along to the right track and the right car for Dundee. We barreled along, taking on passengers at each milk-run stop, at one point inundated with beer- and wine-swilling boys and a gaggle of noisy women..but they left a few stops before Dundee.

At last. A welcome face at the Dundee station: Kay. In the rush of everyday, I sometimes forget how much I miss her, but every time we visit (or she does) it hits me anew.  She is my missing piece and I am whole again when I see her.  I am sure every mom feels exactly the same way about her distant children, but this night, Sarah and Kay are both here. Happy Mothers' Day a month or so early.

On that warm note (the last in the next several days, weather-wise) we begin our days in Dundee.